Hello Guys,

I recollected that my last post in xBhp was exactly a decade back. Apologies for silently watching and not contributing anything from my side. But I think now I have a reason to contribute in the form of an ownership experience. Seems that none of them have shared any dedicated ownership review on Hero's XPulse 200 yet, so let me start.

My background:
I have been riding motorbikes for more than 2 decades now. First one being RX 100. Owned many good bikes from RXZ 5 Speed/ Suzuki Fiero/ Bullet Electra 5s/ Yezdi/ Unicorn/ Giixxer... and many inbetween.

The Story:
I was looking for commuter bike for my daily use from home to office about 40 kms everyday. The idea of off-road motorcycle from Hero caught my attention as I haven't owned anything similar. And I though it was the perfect bike to use as city bike in Bangalore, where almost every road is an off-road. All this while all my bikes are mostly Japs, and owning a bike from Hero stable especially after Hero and Honda parting their ways was something which took time to convince myself.

Visited Hero showroom after its launch and got to know test ride bikes not available. After few visits, finally the demo bike arrived at Sai Motors, Banashankari and took a test ride. A great change what I found was the bike was given to myself, to take it for a ride without sales person accompanying me. Initial impressions was satisfied and I wanted to book the bike. FI version was on waiting period, but carb version was available within 4 days. So, just went ahead and booked the carb version.

Booking process was smooth. Sales person, Manager, everyone are very easy to approach and things are very straight forward when compared with Honda and Suzuki dealer experience. And I got the delivery as promised within 4 days.

Brief Review:
I got the bike about a month back. I have completed the first service and done about 1000 Kms.

Everyone starts with a positive points, let me start with the "Negatives"..
The first batch of XPulses came with few issues from the factory itself.

> Within 2 weeks, about 200kms. There was noise from the engine when it gets hot. It seems the valve clearance and tappets are not adjusted properly.
> Mine had another issue, it was making sound at idling (tik tik tik) even during cold start. I knew for sure this is not normal. When I complained about this they said it will be rectified in the first service. I was scared as this sound resembles the noise coming from a worn out piston rings. Fortunately during the first service, they identified the problem and adjusted the tensioner. Now I do not hear that sound.
> Gearbox was bloody hard. I had to literally kick the gear lever to change the gears. After the first service, it is better. But still no where close to Honda or Suzuki. Still am having issues in slotting from 3rd to 2nd gear. It will slip only after releasing the clutch making katak sound.
> Seat is terrible, period. There is no way this seat is designed for a comfort ride. I rode for 30kms in a single stretch and my ass got numb. The quality of the foam and thickness of the seat just does not suit for commute. May be designed for Off-road in mind, so one can sit after getting tired of standing and riding.
> The rim spoke ends started to rust. Good thing is before me identifying it, Hero service guy called up and said about the problem and promised to replace soon. Eventually the whole wheel assembly was replaced during my first service.
> Lot of vibration creeps in after crossing 6000 rpm. I am told the engine has to still run-in.
> The Front brake lever gets hard when ABS gets active, I noticed when I brake in the bumps and potholes.
> The max speed one can cruise is 85kmph. Anything more will stress themselves and the bike.
> Short riders will not be happy to use in stop and go traffic.


Now, coming to "Positives"..

> The price for the package this bike offers is fantastic.
> The riding position, comfort and handling is great
> Build quality is great, nothing feels that will fall off
> Quality of switch gear, speedo console, equipment are great
> Tyres offer lot of grip and confidence in cornering and wet surfaces.
> Suspension is great. But, the factory setting might not suit everyone. Also proper tyre pressure makes lot of difference. For my weight I have kept 24psi front/ 32psi rear. Factory recommendation is hard for me.
> 5 Free Services, and 5 year Standard warranty is fantastic
> My first service costed me around Rs.400 bucks, the last I remember was paying the same thing for a moped back in the days.
> Crash guard and bash plate as standard accessory (a plastic in carb is very bad thou)

For now, there is lot of discussion within Xpulse owners group regarding the engine clattering and vibrations that has been complained to Hero. Lets see how things turn out.

Few Pics of the bike.









Rust problem





Cheers.