AT THE RIGHT END OF THE XTREME

A four-valve head and USD fork claim to unlock the Xtreme 160R's potential. We sample the Pro variant in Jaipur

- Joshua Varghese 

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE Xpulse 200 4V, Hero have brought that technology to the Xtreme 160R as well and have given it a proper four-valve unit, as they should have to begin with. We rode the new motorcycle on the smooth tarmac of Hero's test-track and also set off on a ride to a fort nearby to experience the prowess of its latest updates in real-world conditions because there is more to this motorcycle than just the addition of the four-valve head.

Three variants are on offer: Standard, Connected, and Pro. The motorcycle you see on these pages is the Pro model. On the styling front, Hero have made subtle changes to the bodywork of the Xtreme, making it sharper and more aggressive than its predecessor. There is also a new addition in the form of a small shroud along the lower half of the engine on both sides which displays a bold "4V" sticker. Of course, that was probably not what enthusiasts noticed first.

Finished in golden paint, the 37-mm KYB USD fork steals the show and supplements the motorcycle's new aesthetics but it is limited to the Pro model only. For the first time in the Xtreme 160R range, it also gets the option of a sporty split seat. Clearly not a favourite among most of the interested parties on social media but one can also opt for the regular unibody seat instead.