After Hero MotoCorp took the wraps off its much-awaited XPulse concept at EICMA 2017, it has made its Indian debut at Auto Expo 2018. Taking the legacy of the Impulse forward, the XPulse comes with a sharper focus on off-road performance, thanks to its ground clearance, off-road tyres, wind protection and an accessible seat height. The XPulse concept showcased at the Auto Expo is a slight departure from the concept showcased at EICMA 2017.
The XPulse features a raised front fender and a round full-LED headlight that’s complemented by a windscreen. It gets an enduro-bike-styled handlebar (with a crossbar) and hand guards as well. Also on offer is a digital instrument console.
The fuel tank, with pronounced knee recesses, features a flush-fitting fuel tank cap. The bike, true to the teaser’s suggestions, features an upright and commanding stance, with a one-piece seat that extends onto the fuel tank – an expected element on an enduro motorcycle. The engine on the concept shown is shrouded with ample protection – a compact, functional-looking crash guard (in white) and a drilled underbelly bash plate.
The exhaust runs close to the right-hand side of the single-cylinder motor and ends in an upswept angle, close to the tail section. The single-downtube chassis featured on the XPulse makes use of a box-section swingarm and a monoshock rear suspension, as well as a smaller disc brake at the rear. This chassis proved itself in terms of frame strength at the Raid de Himalaya rally where it was tested.
The XPulse gets a 21-inch front wheel, a single-channel ABS and a telescopic fork with 190mm of travel. The rear, meanwhile, gets an 18-inch wheel and a monoshock with 170mm of wheel travel. It features an impressive ground clearance – 220 mm – and a skid plate, which should boost its off-road performance. At 825mm, the seat height is decent for the purpose, but it may feel a bit high for shorter riders.
The XPulse is powered by a 200cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected motor which produces 18.4hp. With a 14-litre fuel tank, the XPulse should offer a decent range. We expect it to be launched soon – this is still not the production-spec version but it's quite close to it – with a price between
Rs 1 to 1.1 lakh (ex-showroom).
Do you think the XPulse is a worthy successor to the Impulse? Let us know in the comments section.
Ved Janve
Azaman Chothia
Dinshaw Magol
Vishal Venugopal
