Hero MotoCorp has launched the Xtreme 160R at just under Rs 1 lakh. The new motorcycle is based on the Xtreme 1R concept showcased at EICMA 2019, and we first saw what the production ready bike would look like in February. Now that we have its price and specifications, we decided to compare it to other entry-level sport-nakeds like the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, Suzuki Gixxer, Yamaha FZ V3.0 and the Bajaj Pulsar NS160. Here’s how they stack up against Hero’s latest offering, on paper.
What are the standout design elements on the entry-level sport-nakeds?
The Xtreme 160R is based on the bold and aggressive-looking Xtreme 1R concept from EICMA 2019, and is easily one of the sharpest-looking motorcycles in Hero’s current line-up. Unlike the Xtreme 200R that features a more conventional design, this motorcycle appears to be a lot more sporty, and design elements like the stubby exhaust accentuate this. It’s also the freshest design in this 150-160cc lot of bikes.
The Apache RTR 160 4V has always had a well-proportioned design. In the transition to its BS6 avatar, the RTR 160 dons a new face that makes the bike look a lot more aggressive. Meanwhile, the Gixxer received its last significant visual update a year ago with a standout design element being its flat LED headlamp. The rest of the bike remains largely unchanged from its previous iteration, except for elements like the new tank shrouds that were added to freshen things up. Overall, it is a clean-looking bike and has a sporty stance that fits right into this segment.
The Yamaha FZ didn’t undergo any changes in design with its transition to BS6, but it did when the V3.0 was launched back in 2019. Its updated bodywork retains the sharp, muscular profile of the FZ series and has a wider front-end stance as a result of wider panels and side shrouds around the tank. Lastly, the Pulsar NS160 retains its sharp design and despite being the oldest here, doesn’t show any signs of age.
How do the entry-level sport-nakeds compare on features?
All the bikes here, barring the NS160, are equipped with digital display units; the Bajaj uses a semi-digital console. Of these, the Xtreme 160R uses a negative-display unit, while the console on the Gixxer and the Apache are conventional black text on a white background. The instrument clusters on all the bikes use a very similar horizontal layout and display the same levels of information, with a tachometer across the top. All the bikes here, except the NS160, also feature an LED headlight.
The Xtreme also comes equipped with a side-stand engine cut off and hazard lights, but the Apache really stands out here with what it has to offer – the manufacturer’s Glide Through Technology (GTT) helps make slow-speed riding easier by moving the bike forward when the clutch is released, without throttle operation. The maximum speed with GTT is restricted to 7kph in first gear, 12kph in second gear and 17kph in third gear.
How do the entry-level sport-nakeds compare on powertrains?
| 2020 Hero Xtreme 160R vs rivals: Powertrain | |||||
| Hero Xtreme 160R | TVS Apache RTR 160 4V | Suzuki Gixxer | Yamaha FZ V3.0 | Bajaj Pulsar NS160 | |
| Engine | 163cc, single-cylinder, air cooled | 159.7cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled | 155cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled | 149cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled | 160.3cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled |
| Power | 15.2hp at 8000rpm | 16.02hp at 8250rpm | 13.6hp at 8,000rpm | 12.4hp at 7250rpm | 17.2hp at 9000rpm |
| Torque | 14Nm at 6500rpm | 14.12Nm at 7250rpm | 13.8Nm of torque at 6,000rpm | 13.6Nm at 5500rpm | 14.6Nm at 7250rpm |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 108.96hp/tonne* | 107.51hp/tonne* | 97.14hp/tonne | 90.5hp/tonne | 113.9hp/tonne |
The Xtreme 160R is powered by a new, BS6-compliant 163cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that produces 15.2hp and 14Nm. With these peak output figures, it’s not the most powerful bike here. In fact, the Apache and the NS160 produce more power and marginally more torque. However, the Xtreme’s noticeably lower kerb weight means that its power-to-weight ratio is at par with both the aforementioned motorcycles. The Apache and Pulsar are also the only motorcycles here that use an oil-cooled engine with four-valves, in comparison to the air-cooled, 2-valve engines on the Gixxer and FZ.
The Xtreme 160R produces 1.6hp and 0.2Nm more than the Gixxer, which lost 0.5hp and 0.2Nm when it achieved BS6-compliance. The FZ, too, saw a drop in peak output figures with the transition to BS6 and produces the lowest peak output figures of the lot. All five bikes use a 5-speed gearbox.
Underpinnings
This is where all five bikes are quite similar – they all feature a telescopic fork and a monoshock. The Xtreme 160R and Apache RTR 160 4V sport a disc brake at the front, with the option of a drum or a disc at the rear, while the other three are available with a disc at either end.
Like we mentioned earlier, the Xtreme is the lightest bike here at 138.5kg, but the Gixxer isn’t too heavy either, with a 140kg kerb weight. The Apache, meanwhile, weighs considerably more, at 149kg. The Pulsar is the most powerful bike here, but also the heaviest with a kerb weight of 151kg.
All five bikes ride on different tyre sizes and you can take a look at them in the table below. The Gixxer has the widest rear tyre, while the front tyre on the Apache and Pulsar – the two most powerful bikes here - are the slimmest. Interestingly, if you opt for the RTR 160 4V with a rear drum brake, you’ll get a slimmer 110/80-17 section tyre, whereas rear disc models come equipped with a 130/70-17 rear tyre.
| 2020 Hero Xtreme 160R vs rivals: Dimensions and sizes | |||||
| Hero Xtreme 160R | TVS Apache RTR 160 4V | Suzuki Gixxer | Yamaha FZ V3.0 | Bajaj Pulsar NS160 | |
| Weight (kerb) | 138.5kg (drum) / 139.5kg (disc) | 147 kg (drum) / 149 kg (disc) | 140kg | 137kg | 151kg |
| Seat height | 790 mm | 800 mm | 795 mm | 790mm | 805mm |
| Wheelbase | 1334mm | 1357mm | 1335mm | 1330mm | 1372mm |
| Brakes (f) | 276mm disc | 270mm disc | Disc | 282mm disc | 260mm disc |
| Brakes (r) | 220mm disc / 130mm drum | 200mm disc / 130 mm drum | Disc | 220mm disc | 230mm disc |
| Suspension (f) | Telescopic fork | Telescopic fork | Telescopic fork | Telescopic fork | Telescopic fork |
| Suspension (r) | Monoshock | Monoshock | Monoshock | Monoshock | Monoshock |
| Tyres (f) | 100/80 - 17 | 90/90-17 | 100/80 - 17 | 100/80 - 17 | 90/90 - 17 |
| Tyres (r) | 130/70 - R17 | 110/80 - 17 (Drum) / 130/70 - 17 (Disc) | 140/60 - R 17 | 140/60 - R 17 | 120/80 - 17 |
| Fuel capacity | 12 litres | 12 litres | 12 litres | 13 litres | 12 litres |
Summing it up
| 2020 Hero Xtreme 160R vs rivals: Price | |||||
| Hero Xtreme 160R | TVS Apache RTR 160 4V | Suzuki Gixxer | Yamaha FZ V3.0 | Bajaj Pulsar NS160 | |
| Price | Rs 99,950 - 1.03 lakh | Rs 1.03-1.06 lakh | Rs 1.12 lakh | Rs 1.03 lakh | Rs 1.06 lakh |
With its current price, the Xtreme 160R slots itself right into the same price bracket as the other bikes, and in fact, is the most affordable model here. The other 150-160cc sport-naked bikes are at least Rs 3,000 more expensive; the Suzuki Gixxer costs a whole Rs 12,000 more.
In terms of what they have to offer on paper, all five bikes seem neck-and-neck. However, the Xtreme 160R does have what it takes to match or even better the performance, practicality and comfort of its most direct rivals, all while costing less than them.
All prices, ex-showroom, Delhi.
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