Handling, Ergonomics
Features, Pricing
The 160cc segment is a fiercely fought battlefield between manufacturers and is a segment that is usually the bread and butter for most of these manufacturers. The likes of Honda, Bajaj, TVS, Suzuki and Hero have been battling it out for what seems like an eternity, with one of these manufacturers coming out on top each year with a new iteration. This time around, it’s Hero Motors that’s launched their Xtreme 160R 4V. Just like the Xpulse, the 4-valve and changes to its internals aim to make the Xtreme a more punchy and potent motorcycle than before, along with upgrades to its suspension.
The Xtreme 160R 4V comes in Standard, Connected & Pro variants. As the name suggests, the standard variant is pretty standard and gets all the engine upgrades but misses out on the connected tech and fancy new forks. The Connected variant gets all of that and some connected tech that allows you to pair up with your motorcycle using an app to monitor all hosts of data. Lastly, the Pro variant is like the Standard variant but gets the fancy new USD forks upfront. Surprisingly the Pro variant misses out on the additional connected tech one gets with the Connected variant, and I found that rather peculiar.
The Connected variant and its tech are overrated. The features on offer seem more like a gimmick than of any genuine assistance, and for me, the pick will be between the Standard and the Pro variants. I’d pick the Standard variant and be happy since it’s got all the upgrades you’d need to enjoy this motorcycle. Sure, the USD forks are shiny and lovely, but the difference between them and regular ones is more dusk and dawn. One would honestly have to push their motorcycle to extract the most out of them, and for most commuters, the Standard variant works just fine. So should you consider the Xtreme 160R 4V? Absolutely. Mainly because of how accessible and approachable this motorcycle is, but to honestly know how it stacks up against its competition, we’d have to gather them all together. So stay tuned for when we can get our hands on them together.
