Hero Xtreme Sports: 2,000km longterm review report

I have been riding the Honda Livo as my longterm motorcycle for the past few months. All though the bike is a perfect option for commuting, the desire for a faster and powerful motorcycle was always there. So when the Hero Xtreme Sports entered the ZigWheels garage, I was swift enough to grab its key and make it my new longterm. Let’s start with the styling bit and I found the overall design language a bit loud for my taste, especially the snazzy graphics. But the LED pilot lamps does make the Hero Xtreme Sports stand out from the crowd and many of the passerby’s have appreciated this feature. The motorcycle employs a clip-on handle bars and mildly rear-set footpegs. The above configuration results in a slightly odd riding posture as the rider isn’t upright or tucked in and the riding posture is in between the two.  Also the fuel tank isn't easy to hold with your thighs which means the riding position is a bit weird but after few days on the saddle, I was able to adapt to its riding dynamics. Another irritating bit about the motorcycle is that the keyhole has been mounted on the headlamp fairing which means one has to stretch for switching on the motorcycle and slotting the key also takes a bit of guesswork as it isn’t in your field of vision.

Powering the Hero Xtreme Sports is a 149.2cc, air-cooled single cylinder engine pumps out 15.7PS at 8,500rpm and 13.5Nm at 7,000rpm. This makes it almost 1.5PS more powerful than the Hero Xtreme from which the motor has been sourced. The above power figures also make the motorcycle among the most powerful 150cc motorcycle offerings on sale. Talking about performance, the motorcycle has good acceleration and mid-range punch but the engine feels a generation old in comparison to the newer lot of 150cc powerplants and has lots of vibration . But it has good amount of grunt and one can cruise at 90kmph with ease which is commendable for a 150cc offering. Owing to the hectic office schedule, I haven’t got an opportunity to stretch the legs of the Hero Xtreme Sports and a ride to Pune is soon on the cards...

Total kilometres done: 2,043km

Fuel Efficiency: 54kmpl (overall)

Date Acquired: October 2015

Cheers:  Performance, Ride quality

Sneers: Riding ergonomics, Engine Vibration