To avoid the worsening traffic and long commute times, it’s no surprise why many have turned to motorcycles to get to their destinations faster. And when it comes to choosing, there are many motorcycles available in the market, but for a while it seemed like buyers would have to spend in excess of P150,000 in order to get a proper bike with respectable power and relative comfort.
That’s all changed with the arrival of Hero MotoCorp, India’s leading motorcycle brand, and the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters.
The new brand has recently commenced operations in the Philippines, assembling three models in their facility in Laguna, operated by its local partner and exclusive distributor, Terrafirma Motors Corporation (TMC), a part of the Columbian Group of Companies.
The brand hopes to make inroads into the country’s competitive motorcycle market starting with three competitively priced models: the Xpulse 200 4V, Hunk 160R 4V and the Xoom 110 scooter. All three models are locally assembled from complete knockdown kits (CKD) and are now available at over 350 authorized retailers.
Because I regularly commute to work in a motorcycle, Hero invited me to sample their flagship model, the Hero Xpulse 200 4V. I’ll admit, I’m more partial to street bikes and scooters, however, the thought of navigating the bumpy roads on the way to the office in a more capable enduro bike proved too tempting to pass up.
The XPulse 200 4V is an accessible adventure touring model. It’s powered by a 199.6 cc single-cylinder engine that produces 18.9-bhp and 17.35-Nm of torque. It's linked to a five-speed transmission. It rides on 37mm telescopic forks in front and a monoshock in the rear. It rolls on 21-inch wheels in front and 18-inch wheels in the rear. It's available at an attractive on-road price of just P140,000. It’s also covered by a warranty of two years or 24,000-km.
Great build quality
Many Filipinos have an unfortunate impression that Indian motorcycles are of poor quality. That couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to the Hero. Immediately evident upon mounting it is the solid build quality of the motorcycle. All the components are securely fitted and I did not hear a single rattle during my entire week-long test ride.
The fit and finish is excellent with a good mix of solid metal parts, giving the bike a rugged and resilient feel. I’d say it’s comparable, if not even better than the leading Japanese competitors. You have to commend the Filipino team that have put this bike together so well.
Excellent components
Another impressive aspect is the excellent choice of components. The XPulse rides on premium Metzeler knobby tires and is brought to a stop with Tokico brakes grabbing on to petal discs. It’s illuminated by LEDs, with a particularly distinct ‘H’ pattern position light on the headlight. There are separate dim and high beam bulbs. The rider gets a fully digital instrument cluster that includes real time fuel economy, range, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. There’s also a USB port to charge a phone while the bike is running.
The ride
Despite looking like an adventure tourer ready to tackle tough trails, the XPulse is also great for everyday use. It’s quite easy to use with a low seat height of 862 mm. This is despite the fact that it rides on a massive 21-inch wheel in front and an 18-inch wheel in the rear.
Starting is electronic, so a quick flick of the switch gets it revving. The shift lever is very crispy and satisfying to use, but not so stiff that it is difficult to change gears. In fact, it almost feels like there’s a built-in slipper clutch as upshifts were quite seamless.
The XPulse has more than enough power to tackle the every day commute. The power band is a bit higher on the rev range, while the gears are quite low. This means its top speed is somewhere around 120-km/h, suggesting the gearing is really designed for trails.
Perhaps the best part is the incredibly comfortable ride. Thanks to the very long-travel suspension, I hardly felt any dips or potholes on my typically bumpy route to work. Best of all, the XPulse, despite being a 200cc, still manages an efficient 45 km/L average consumption.
Suffice to say, I really enjoyed my week with the XPulse. So much so that I began to question whether I should simply shift to this as my daily driver because of the truly sublime ride. For those that are in the market for a new daily ride, the Hero XPulse 200 is worth of a look, not just because of its incredibly low price, but because of the excellent built quality and performance as well.