HERO XTREME 160R 4V

Pocket rocket gets more ammo and packs in a bigger punch

- ABHAY VERMA

HERO XTREME 160R 4V 

Engine: 163.2cc air and oil-cooled single-cylinder petrol Power: 16.9PS @ 8,500rpm Torque: 14.6Nm @ 6,500rpm Weight: 145kg Gearbox: 5-speed manual Price: ₹ 1.27 lakh ex-showroom onwards

Keen on staying relevant in the performance end of the 160cc segment, Hero MotoCorp has given its star performer, the Xtreme 160R a comprehensive midlife update. The 160R has been my favourite right from the time it was launched – the engine’s strong bottom-end grunt and peppiness make it fun to ride and a hoot when it comes to wheelies. And Hero claims to have bettered the package, which made me curious enough to pull rank and attend the bike’s press ride myself!

There’s a few revisions to the design, like the tank extensions, which help the bike look more aggressive. The 160R is on offer in three variants now and we rode the Pro variant that gets the snazzy looking graphics you see here and along with the gold-finished upside down forks, the graphics give the Xtreme 160R the appearance of a bigger, middleweight sport naked! Hero is also offering the Xtreme 160R with the option of a one piece seat or a split, two-piece seat and the latter certainly looks more appealing.