Hero Xtreme 160R 4V has made its entry into the highly competitive category and in this specification comparison review, we pit the new Hero against its well-established rivals to know where it stands against the competition on paper. Here’re the results:
Engine and Gearbox
The previous version of Xtreme 160R was down on power. Hero too realized this shortcoming and as a result, the new version now offers performance that is on par with its rivals. The new 163 cc single-cylinder engine in 160R 4V makes 16.9 bhp along with 14.6Nm of max torque. TVS leads the performance chart with 17.55 bhp and 14.73Nm on offer although the gap is marginal as other bikes come close to the benchmark set by Apache. The 5-speed gearbox is standard on all bikes figured in this comparison.
Dimensions and Weight
Bajaj Pulsar N160 is the heaviest bike with 154kg of kerb weight while Hero Extreme 160R 4V is the lightest at 145 kg. Hero also shares the shortest seat height of 795 mm with Pulsar N160 and while all bikes in this comparison are quite manageable, Hero comes across as the easiest riding bike for the majority of riders. The fuel tank capacity of all bikes stands at 12-litre except Pulsar N160 which has the capacity to accommodate 2-litre more fuel than others.
Suspension and Brakes
Hero and Bajaj Pulsar NS160 are the only two bikes which come with a USD fork front suspension system while the other two make do with normal telescopic forks at the front. Especially Hero comes with a KYB USD Fork and monoshock from the house of Showa, thereby offering premium hardware to riders. The rear suspension system is a monoshock arrangement in all the bikes in this comparison. Bajaj siblings get the largest 300mm and 230mm discs followed by Hero (276mm/220mm) and TVS (276mm/200mm) at the front and rear respectively. Hero and TVS, on the other hand, offer Radial tyres on their bikes which should translate into smoother rides, better stability, and more fuel efficiency for riders.
Features and Equipment
Hero Xtreme 160R 4V is fairly equipped and offers all-LED lighting, digital dash, and Bluetooth Connectivity. However, it misses out on the Dual-Channel ABS which is available on both Pulsars though Bajaj siblings lack the overall flair in the feature department. Apache RTR 160 4V is the only bike here that offers a range of riding modes, glide-through technology, and adjustable levers but it also has its shortcomings such as absence of Dual-channel ABS just like Hero Xtreme 160R 4V.
Prices
Xtreme 160R 4V peaks at Rs 1.36 lakh which makes it more expensive than Apache RTR 160 4V and Pulsar N160. That said, Hero has equipped the bike generously and loaded it with new-age features including Bluetooth connectivity which can easily justify its pricier nature. Pulsar NS160 is the costliest of the lot with a price tag of Rs 1.37 lakh although it lacks the sophistication and feature flair of both Hero and TVS. Overall, Hero Xtreme 160R 4V is a decent buy and should find enough takers who are looking for something new and dynamic in the 160cc segment of the market. However, the Pulsar N160 isn’t behind when it comes performance, so this should be a tough decide for a good amount of people.
