Practicality Over Performance
It is finally time to bid farewell to our long-term Hero Xtreme 160R. This naked streetfighter has done a good job of getting me through the daily grind over the last 11 months. For this final report, I am going to mention some of the pros and cons of this machine.
Let us start with the styling. In my opinion, the Xtreme 160R must be one of the best-looking products in the Hero MotoCorp line-up with its modern design elements. Not surprisingly, it managed to catch the eyes of many in this bright red and grey colour scheme. Then we have the powerful LED headlight upfront that always provides great illumination at night, even in areas without street-lights, and a neat and comfortable seat with quite a relaxed riding position for a naked motorcycle. This bike is a really compact machine and a nimble handler. Once I got used to it day by day, it allowed me to push my limits further when it came down to it. This was also thanks to the tyres that offered a high level of grip, complementing the nimble and flickable nature of the motorcycle.
However, there were a few occasions when I wished the engine had more power, especially on a ride day. Highways and twisties (especially uphill) just get all the more exciting with that additional dash of power. Also, a slicker gearbox is surely an upgrade that Hero need to incorporate into this motorcycle for a smoother ride around town. For street use, the bike has proved itself time and again and is a great deal for a daily commuter.
A few minor problems did turn up in the bike but just the normal stuff we have seen with motorcycles used daily over a period of time. There seemed to be some kind of malfunction with the check engine light as it used to randomly turn on while the bike was being ridden and occasions when the bike just switched off completely while it was idling or in very low revs. No serious problems and, overall, we may safely asseverate that this is a good product at a reasonable price point. If you are looking for something that offers a little more practicality over performance, this seems to be the one for you.