Hero Xtreme Sports Review

Like the Tata Safari was the Pioneer for the Indian SUV market in 1998. Similarly, Hero-Honda was the Pioneer of the India for the PCB (Performance Commuter Bike) segment. Before even the Pulsar, there was the CBZ, a 150cc bike that came out in 1999. Along the years the names have been changed, design has been changed, engine has been changed and list goes on. From CBZ to CBZ Xtreme to Xtreme to now Xtreme Sport. Let us see what the Hero Xtreme Sport has installed for us now in 2017.

Hero Xtreme Sports Price

The Hero Xtreme Sports competes with the Yamaha FZ 2.0, Suzuki Gixxer, Honda Hornet etc. At this it is the lowest price of them all, with almost similar performance figure. Hero always manages to have something special in mind so let’s go ahead with this.

Also Read: Yamaha Saluto

Hero Xtreme Sports Top Speed

The Hero Xtreme Sports hits a top speed of 115 km/h, this is a pretty good figure for a 150cc bike. Hero tries to manage performance with efficiency and that is the case here too, hence not the outright maniac performance.

Hero Xtreme Sport Dimensions

With the right dimensions of a 150cc PCB (Performance Commuter Bike) the Xtreme wants to tackle the market well. The seat height is a bit high but that has also let to a good 163 mm ground clearance. The only thing that gets to me is the 146 kgs weight. A Duke 390 being a 373 cc bike is 144 kgs. That is two kgs lighter. One thing is for sure, just like other Hero bikes this is one sturdy, tough bike built to last ages. At 1325 mm this has a good wheelbase for providing better stability on highways.

Also Read: Honda CB Unicorn 160 Price and Review

Hero Xtreme Sports Design

The headlamp of the Hero Xtreme Sports gets a clear lens. Above that are the LED DRL’s. Hero calls this set, the Wolf-Eye Headlamp. The LEDs look neat but the headlamp looks average. The Visor on the other hand has a nice look. The mirrors have a dual tone of being body colour and back fibre at the same time. This is something new and looks sports. The front telescopic forks have a bronze colour paint job to add to the premium feel. Something’s don’t change and that is the small fairing on the tank that is like a spear head pointing forward, makes the bike look very aggressive. At the base there is a body coloured sump shield.

But being made of fibre can break in case of hard impact. The exhaust is silver paint but has a matte black cover. This the first time I have seen this at reverse. You finally get split seats that are not available on any bike in this price range. From the tank to the rear light the body work actually looks like a spear. Nice design Hero, indeed nice design. The tail end is also sharp and looks good with a LED tail lamp. I’m happy to see Hero keeping up with the competition and adding broader tyres. The handlebars are wider and look like clip-on handle bars but are actually not. The instrument cluster is digital but the tachometer is digital. Thought the suspension at the rear is not mono shocks the bike does get adjustable gas filled suspension.

Hero Xtreme Sports Colours

The colours available for the Hero Xtreme Sports are

• Fiery Red
• Panther Black
• Pyro Orange
• Mercuric Silver
• Black and Red.

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Hero Xtreme Sports Specifications

The 15.60 bhp for a 150cc bike is a lot and hero has managed to pull out a big figure. With a spec like that I was expecting a bit more top end speed but hero has managed a quick 0-60 km/h race and is ideal for city shooting off signal. Just don’t do a burnout. The 5-speed gear box works well but there are times you will be asking for the 6th gear.

Hero Xtreme Sports Mileage

Hero always manages to extract a good efficiency from its bikes and the Hero Xtreme Sports is no exception. With a 48 km/l on board it is more than its competitors though not by much but more at the end is more. With a 12.5 litre tank, the Xtreme can go for a good 500 km before feeling thirsty for the next fuel stop.

This is a good distance for a bike with a small 12 litres tank.

Also Read: Suzuki Gixxer SF review

Hero Xtreme Sports Ride and Handling

Typical to the Hero the DNA this bike is easier to ride. The handles that look like the clip-on handlebars of the Hero Xtreme Sports, make it easy to manoeuvre in city traffic. The suspension is plush and soft and takes care of the undulations of our roads rather easily. The rear is a gas filled shock which Hero portrays as a speciality thing.

The ride for the pillion too is good. Sadly being of softer set-up the bike is not as agile and flick able in corners than the FZ or Gixxer. I really wished for abs and better tyres. MRF are a big no for me especially in the rains. This is a daily commute bike and a bike for urgent highway runs if be the need. It does delivers in terms of performance and efficiency.

Verdict

The Hero Xtreme Sports is sporty but not very extreme. It is  a more relaxed bike and excellent for commute with a bit of pace. Except for the looks that may not appeal to all the bike is excellent and the addition of disc brakes is a good idea. Hoping to get abs soon and that would help establish itself better in the market.