Hero XPulse 200T 4V Road Test Review: ‘T’ For Touring, Finally?

“Change is the only constant” – Heraclitus

The words of the Greek philosopher stand as true for motorcycles as for everything else. Take the case of the XPulse 200T – the ‘Touring’ variant of the XPulse 200 made its debut in 2019, and after a brief hiatus, arrived in the BS6 guise in 2021 with a big price hike. Then again, in December 2022, Hero MotoCorp threw in another update, introducing a slew of changes for the bike. Three updates in three years… Hero seems to have held Heraclitus’ philosophy close to its heart, but has it worked for the motorcycle?

From ‘T’ For Thanda To ‘T’ For Tez

The XPulse 200T finally gets the much-needed 4-valve heart from the XPulse 200 4V, and that has worked wonders for this bike. Just like we saw the XPulse 200’s performance evolve, there’s a dramatic change in the performance of the 200T.

The updated 200cc single-cylinder oil-cooled engine now makes six percent more power and five percent more torque. Now, that might not sound much, but it feels like a completely different motorcycle now.

Unlike the previous version that felt dull even in the city, the XPulse 200T 4V feels energetic and enthusiastic. There’s ample bottom-end grunt and every time you release the clutch, the bike surges ahead with the energy of a puppy chasing a ball. And that’s enough to keep you entertained when riding through the city. Quick overtakes? Not a problem. Crawling through rush-hour traffic? The 200T 4V does so without you having to work the gearbox much.

But is it really worthy of the ‘Touring’ tag now? Well, unfortunately no. The engine feels comfortable till 85kmph, but as you build speed, the engine starts feeling stressed, vibrations start creeping in from the footpegs and handlebar. Triple digit speeds? Forget it. The screams of the engine will keep you from venturing into the 100kmph territory.

T For Thirsty

Our tested fuel-efficiency of 42.47kmpl in the city was a bit of a letdown, especially since its sibling, the XPulse 200 4V returned 51.59kmpl. One of the reasons could be its snatchy response between 2,000rpm to 3,000rpm. However, out on the highway, it returned a mileage of 44.68kmpl, which is more than its ADV sibling.

T For Trusty

The Hero XPulse 200T is very beginner-friendly. It is very predictable and forgiving. The MRF Nylogrip tyres offer decent grip and won’t catch you off-guard in case you encounter loose gravel or wet patches. This stays true for its braking as well. The slightly firmer suspension setup doesn’t nose dive as much in hard braking which helps it retain its composure. Because of the single-channel ABS, the rear tyre does lock up, but even then the bike remains in control.

The tyre and brake setup complements this bike’s suspension hardware really well. It is firm enough to not wallow in corners, but pliant enough to soak up most undulations and speed bumps. The bike can take up anything and everything our roads throw at it, but of course, for the more hardcore stuff, there’s the XPulse 200 4V.

T For Trendy

Take the flyscreen off, swap the high-mounted front fender with a traditional one, plonk a stiffer suspension, and use 17-inch alloy wheels at both ends instead of the 21/17-inch wire-spoke rims of the XPulse 200, and you have the 200T. Now, that was a smart move in terms of bringing down production costs, but the previous XPulse 200T ended up being the oddball with its high-mounted headlight and sombre paint schemes.

This time though, the story is completely different. There’s nice flyscreen, fork gators, and the updated headlight is now lowered by 20mm, which has not just enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the bike, but also improved visibility during night. The headlight’s throw is a lot better, and the spread is also decent, but the intensity could have been a little better.

Hero MotoCorp has also given the XPulse 200T 4V fresh, lively colours which demand a second look. The Sports Red shade that we tested looked even more appealing, thanks to its red-coloured engine head. 

Verdict

The Hero XPulse 200T 4V has become a lot more lively and enjoyable in the city and for occasional weekend jaunts, especially for new riders. And unlike the previous version, this bike looks trendy enough to appeal to the younger crowd. It’s bluetooth connectivity, and turn-by-turn navigation further sweetens the deal. 

At Rs 1,35,726 (ex-showroom Delhi) it is one of the most affordable motorcycles in this segment. Yes, it doesn’t pack as much performance as the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V or the Bajaj Pulsar NS 200, but enough to take on the Hornet 2.0. If outright performance is not your thing, and you seek mildly zesty commuting performance, the XPulse 200T makes a strong case for itself.

Every change in the Hero XPulse 200T 4V has made it a better motorcycle than it previously was. And as Heraclitus once said, “Nothing endures but change.”