Amuse-Bouche

HERO XTREME 125R

- Anant Pandey

A cluster of chaos. Thousands of people running by the clock, struck by the mundane ordeal of getting from one place to another. And back. The cycle continues, transforming our streets into nothing but a sea of red during rush hours. Carrying the burden of dreams… and responsibilities, affordable commuters seize the day, everyday. No-nonsense demeanor while keeping the costs in check has made the commuter segment in India a thriving one, garnering some motorcycles the status of ‘Lord’ for running the country. These amuse-bouches that are served to us, are, in most cases, bland. But do they have to be tasteless? Depends on the chef because what Hero Motocorp has served as an appetizer, promises to have just the right amount of tang and taste but does it have what it would take to win Indian hearts?

The Xtreme 125R’s case is a curious one because it is yet another motorcycle that has joined the fray of vehicles that initially received flak on social media. It is easy to see why because it has a face which is downright radical, in a segment where playing safe is the norm. When we first saw it in person at Hero’s CIT facility in Jaipur, I didn’t have two minds regarding its aesthetics. I liked it. I mean, the headlamp unit will definitely remind you of the Xtreme 200S and that isn’t a very high note that the designers should have started on, while carving this humble 125cc commuter but on the Xtreme 125R, the squatted headlamp unit works. Some inspiration from the Japanese sugomi design philosophy can be seen clearly drawn but overall, the Xtreme 125R is a great departure from the commuter motorcycles which have death written on their faces.