The 160cc segment is a fiercely fought battlefield between manufacturers and is a segment that is usually the bread and butter for most of these manufacturers. The likes of Honda, Bajaj, TVS, Suzuki and Hero have been battling it out for what seems like an eternity, with one of these manufacturers coming out on top each year with a new iteration. This time around, it’s Hero Motors that’s launched their Xtreme 160R 4V. Just like the Xpulse, the 4-valve and changes to its internals aim to make the Xtreme a more punchy and potent motorcycle than before, along with upgrades to its suspension.
The Xtreme 160R 4V comes in Standard, Connected & Pro variants. As the name suggests, the standard variant is pretty standard and gets all the engine upgrades but misses out on the connected tech and fancy new forks. The Connected variant gets all of that and some connected tech that allows you to pair up with your motorcycle using an app to monitor all hosts of data. Lastly, the Pro variant is like the Standard variant but gets the fancy new USD forks upfront. Surprisingly the Pro variant misses out on the additional connected tech one gets with the Connected variant, and I found that rather peculiar.
The Connected variant and its tech are overrated. The features on offer seem more like a gimmick than of any genuine assistance, and for me, the pick will be between the Standard and the Pro variants. I’d pick the Standard variant and be happy since it’s got all the upgrades you’d need to enjoy this motorcycle. Sure, the USD forks are shiny and lovely, but the difference between them and regular ones is more dusk and dawn. One would honestly have to push their motorcycle to extract the most out of them, and for most commuters, the Standard variant works just fine. So should you consider the Xtreme 160R 4V? Absolutely. Mainly because of how accessible and approachable this motorcycle is, but to honestly know how it stacks up against its competition, we’d have to gather them all together. So stay tuned for when we can get our hands on them together.
Regarding aesthetics, the 4V sticker and the shiny new KYB suspension are the only visual cues to give it away from the regular Xtreme 160R, which continues to be on sale. Hero aims to offer a more extreme version of the Xtreme 160R that should cater to the more enthusiastic rider. In terms of styling, there is a new colour scheme on offer, and my particular favourite is this mix of gloss and matte black that makes the Xtreme 160R 4V look rather premium. The gold forks add to the visual flair and blend well with the dark theme. Like before, all the lighting is LED, and I praise Hero for not half-assing the lighting. However, as stunning as the front may be, the rear is a bit of an eye sore and looks bulbous and out of proportion. The smoked tail lamp looks too aftermarket and tacky once you compare the rest of the clean design on the Xtreme 160.
Engine – 163.2cc, single-cylinder, four-valve
Power – 16.6 bhp @ 8,500 rpm
Torque – 14.6 Nm @ 6,500 rpm
Gearbox – 5-Speed
Front Suspension – 37 mm, KYB USD forks,
Rear Suspension – 7-step adjustable mono-shock
Fuel Tank Capacity – 12 litres
Weight – 145 kg (Pro Variant)
Price - Rs. 1,27,300 (Standard)
Rs. 1,32,800 (Connected)
Rs. 1,36,500 (Pro)
Regarding performance, power is now up by 1.5 bhp and torque by 0.6 Nm, which isn’t a giant leap. Once you factor in the light weight of the Xtreme 160R 4V, you realise that its tiny boost in performance is enough to make this motorcycle feel a lot more lively. Hero claims that the Xtreme 160R 4V is the fastest in its segment and decided to host a series of drag races to showcase its prowess. It also announced the launch of a new drag racing series they intend to tap into by capturing the youth and the underground drag racing audience. That said, drag racing with a 160cc motorcycle does seem a tad too ambitious, but it would make for quite an approachable event for most riders looking to hone their skills.
The agility greatly aids the motorcycle’s handling, making riding in traffic and around corners effortless. The chassis seems quite well set up, with particular enthusiasm to fall into corners and propel out of them. The Xtreme 160R 4V seems like a relatively approachable motorcycle irrespective of your age, gender or height. Its biggest trump card is it's lightweight, which you notice from the get-go. The KYB suspension does a great job around well-paved roads, but when the roads get bumpy, you will notice the rebound on it to be a bit slower than you’d expect and makes the suspension better suited for decent roads than the adequate ones tends to find inside Mumbai. Perhaps more testing back in Bombay will reveal more.
It is paired with a decent pair of sticky rubber that works well enough for you do not need dual channel ABS. Quite frankly, the brakes performed well enough, and with the addition of a rear disc, the Xtreme 160R 4V breaks momentum quite well. Granted, the brake lever could do with more feel and feedback, but it performs sufficiently well enough that one wouldn’t need dual-channel ABS. The ergonomics are relaxed, and the seats are plush, especially the pillion seat that looks like a compact couch. Throw in two arms rests, and the pillion seat could very well be one of the comfiest pillion seats I’ve ever laid my ass on.
