The Hero MotoCorp
XPulse 200T platform has spawned as many as four new concepts. The XPulse 200T
is a road-biased ‘Tourer’ version of the XPulse 200. All four motorcycles were unveiled
at the 2018 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. The concept range includes a
Scrambler, Desert, Flat Track and a Cafe Racer. All motorcycles are based on
the same platform although they feature different styling to match their
specific character.
Mechanical
specifications would most likely be performed by the same 200 cc oil-cooled,
single-cylinder engine that is seen on the XPulse 200. The motor is tuned to
deliver a maximum power of 18 bhp at 8,000 rpm and peak torque of 17 Nm at
6,500 rpm on the adventure tourer. The engine is paired to a 5-speed gearbox.
Some of the features on the concept motorcycles include LED headlight and tail
light and an all-digital instrument cluster.
As the name
suggests, the XPulse 200T Scrambler is aimed to provide a balance between on-
and off-road riding. Thus, the motorcycle uses wire-spoke wheels. The front
wheel is slightly larger (most likely a 19-inch unit) than the rear. The wheels
are wrapped in dual-purpose tyres, elaborating its off-road-ready persona.
The tank design is
similar to the unit on the XPulse 200, and the recesses should provide
sufficient grip while going off the tarmac. A dual-tone saddle with brown rider
seat cover follows the fuel tank. The conventional front forks receive
protective covers to work as a shield against many elements that may damage the
oil seals while off-roading. Shock absorption duties at the rear are performed
by monoshock suspension. Further enhancing the motorcycle’s dual-purpose
character is the bash-plate to protect the engine and a tall-set exhaust
outlet. The exhaust heat shield is slightly different from the unit that we saw
on the XPulse 200.
For the hardcore
off-roading enthusiasts, Hero MotoCorp has displayed the XPulse 200T Desert
concept. Similar to the Scrambler concept, the Desert variant features
wire-spoke wheels that are wrapped in dual purpose tyres. However, being a
serious off-roader, the Desert concept gets an even larger front wheel (most
likely a 21-inch unit) to tackle any obstruction that it may face on the beaten
path.
Suspension
department also receives a significant upgrade and the XPulse 200T Desert
concept features upside-down telescopic front forks with more extended travel.
The rear gets a monoshock suspension that appears to have more travel than the
unit does on the Scrambler concept. The exhaust is sleeker and taller than the
Scrambler as well, emphasising on the motorcycle’s off-roading character.
Lastly, the beefier bash plate on the Desert looks more protective and off-road
ready than the Scrambler.
The ribbed design
on the rider seat should offer better grip and prevent the rider from sliding
when exploring the inclines or similar situations. The large rear sprocket is
aimed to improve the low-end acceleration that is crucial for off-roading
motorcycles. Surprisingly, the Scrambler and the Desert concepts did not
feature knuckle guards, but the production-spec version will receive units
identical to the ones that are seen on the XPulse 200.
Interested in going
sideways on a dusty trail? Meet the XPulse 200T based Flat Track concept.
Staying true to the flat track style motorcycles, the concept does not get a
front brake or even a brake lever; neither does it feature road-legal bits like
a headlight, blinkers, instrument console or a number plate holder. A disc
brake at the rear ensures you can lock the wheel and slide.
The tyres are
flat-track specific, and because you won’t be going jumping over dunes and
craters, they are wrapped on alloy wheels. The fuel tank design is slightly
different as the rider would not be standing on the footpegs while going
sideways. Instead, the model provides room to lock in the knees properly while
sliding the motorcycle on the gravel. The side panel features a flat track
motorcycle-inspired design that resembles the number holder in competitive
sports. The exhaust pipe is placed below the rear panel. Covers that are the
extension of the fender protect the upside down front forks while the engine
gets a bash plate to guard it against pebbles or any such elements.
Do not enjoy the
dust on your branded clothes, or your well-maintained skin? Check out the
XPulse 200T Cafe Racer concept. It’s not meant to go off the tarmac, and thus
you would get 17-in alloy wheels on both ends. Ensuring sufficient grip while
canyon carving is a pair of soft compound tyres that wrap the wheels.
Retro, cafe racer
persona is emphasised by round headlight and a rear cowl instead of a pillion
set while modern elements include gold-coloured upside down front forks and a
LED headlamp. Clip-on handlebars and rear set footpegs deliver more aggressive
ergonomics that would be bliss on twisty
All four
motorcycles are in concept form. The production-spec models of some of the
concepts may arrive in 2019. Meanwhile, Hero MotoCorp has announced that both,
XPulse 200 and XPulse 200T are likely to be launched towards the beginning of
next year.