[camitesh]

Originally Posted by Wageabond

Wonderful, real world, long term review post! How would you rate the build quality, and would the bike last a decent amount of time with some bashing?

Thanks buddy!

Depends on your definition of decent amount of time. I’ll be personally happy if this thing doesn’t fall apart in 5-6 years with my use case. Anything over that is a bonus for me. In other words, the build quality is pretty average and doesn’t inspire confidence. If i compare it to my 10+ old Honda and Yamaha, Xpulse is just not there. Even the long term reliability remains to be seen if you ask me. One would buy this bike for many reasons but IMO build quality wouldn’t be one of them.

[KPR]

Originally Posted by camitesh

To summarize, I bought Xpulse as a stop-gap arrangement since I have some plans to upgrade to a large tourer soon. While buying the Xpulse, one thought was that I might sell-off the Xpulse once I upgrade to a bigger bike. However, it is a very difficult decision to let it go now considering it’s the weapon of choice even for my city commutes (preferred over other two wheelers in my garage). Hero has done a good job with this one IMHO and I cant wait to see what they do with the larger Xpulse that’s on the cards. Cheers!

Well written real usage review. It is quite confidence inspiring.

I'm now in look out for a decent, cheap to own, maintain kind bike for my daily commute of 40km with a mix of 60-70% good highway roads and 30-40% average state highway roads. I'm 5'10" and I want front set foot pegs, a bit tall seating to take care of my comfort. Currently I ride a 2015 TB500 which is definitely comfortable with two criteria. Enough of RE and maintenance woes . I want to get rid of it. Period.

I'm oscillating between CB 200x for the smooth no nonsense Honda and Xpulse. Problem in my town is I'm not able to get TD bikes for more than 100-200m. In fact they don't even have a TD bike.

Any suggestion here? All I need is a trouble free, less drinking (~40+ kmpl), bike. It has to be either CB 200x or Xpulse. I'm not interested in any other.

[camitesh]

Originally Posted by KPR

I'm oscillating between CB 200x for the smooth no nonsense Honda and Xpulse. Problem in my town is I'm not able to get TD bikes for more than 100-200m. In fact they don't even have a TD bike.

Any suggestion here? All I need is a trouble free, less drinking (~40+ kmpl), bike. It has to be either CB 200x or Xpulse. I'm not interested in any other.

A good test ride would have been easier to make that decision. Nevertheless, since you’re looking for trouble free I would nudge more towards CB200x. Since your daily running is pretty good and most of it on highways, it would be desirable to have a tubeless tyre. I’m bit biased towards Honda here considering my years of experience with Honda.

On a side note, Xpulse may not be suitable for everyone, I suggest you read through this thread (Hero Xpulse with Rally Kit is not a fun bike) if you’ve not been through it already and take a judicious call

[Guru_Shikhar]

Thanks for sharing your valuable experience. This bike is an excellent pocket rocket.

I am a proud Himalayan BS4 owner and happy with the bike so far except the weight which is felt sometimes. It’s my workhorse. I always wonder while looking at the x pulse about the sleekness and ease of handling. It will be very interesting to see what Hero offers with x pulse 400. Having a great experience of Dakar; there will be serious offering from Hero. Also they can surprise with the price too.

I am definitely going to check both the upcoming products- the x pulse 400 and Himalayan 450.

Keep posting.

Cheers

[Aragorn]

Originally Posted by KPR

Well written real usage review. It is quite confidence inspiring.

I'm now in look out for a decent, cheap to own, maintain kind bike for my daily commute of 40km with a mix of 60-70% good highway roads and 30-40% average state highway roads. I'm 5'10" and I want front set foot pegs, a bit tall seating to take care of my comfort. Currently I ride a 2015 TB500 which is definitely comfortable with two criteria. Enough of RE and maintenance woes . I want to get rid of it. Period.

I'm oscillating between CB 200x for the smooth no nonsense Honda and Xpulse. Problem in my town is I'm not able to get TD bikes for more than 100-200m. In fact they don't even have a TD bike.

Any suggestion here? All I need is a trouble free, less drinking (~40+ kmpl), bike. It has to be either CB 200x or Xpulse. I'm not interested in any other.

Having test driven both the XPulse 4V and CB200x, here is some inputs to help with decision.

The CB200x has a very firm suspension (almost to the point of bother). It is essentially a Hornet 2.0 with a taller handle bar and fairing styled like a CB500x.

The XPulse 4V is fairly reliable by itself. There aren't too many complaints as such. Hero aftersales is also marginally better than Honda.

Honda's workshops exist primarily to serve Activas by the hundreds. Small volume bikes like the 200x will not get the necessary attention.

For your usage, both machines will have similar cruising speeds (80-90 kmph) with occasional bursts of 100 kmph. With the 4V, XPulse is almost as refined as 200x.

The 200x may give slightly better mileage (5-6 kmpl) due to lower weight and Honda's inherent efficient design.

The 200x "blends-in" and does not look out of place riding it to office in work-wear. The 4V is more "loud" - graphics and sheer stance.

Beyond all these, the XPulse 4V has a certain character that is difficult to achieve. The 200x feels inert. The 4V feels "alive". I don't remember having s a long smile under my helmet for such a long time, while riding the 4V.

My pick would be the 4V.

[five46]

Looks like Hero is doing a silent ECU software update for all xPulse 4v going to service centers. Got this info from a YouTube video. I have been getting service due reminders from the service center, but have not been told that they will update the ECU too.

Apparently, there are a few owners who are facing inconsistent fuelling issues. My xPulse fuel pump has already been replaced once under warranty, and though the inconsistency is not as pronounced as earlier, it can still be felt on some occassions.

The ECU update is aimed to iron out this issue as per the video.

Any 4v owners have a clue on this? I'll anyways get this confirmed from my service center supervisor on Monday.

Here's the video I referred to:

https://youtu.be/qJF2fUPIn5s

[camitesh]

Originally Posted by five46

Any 4v owners have a clue on this? I'll anyways get this confirmed from my service center supervisor on Monday.

I completed my 4th service and the ECU update with it as well. I could hardly feel any difference post update for initial few days. After a few 100 kms post update, I'm facing abrupt jerks on each cold start which is so bad that at times even the pillion could feel it and have asked me if the bike is okay. It's good after the bike warms up but it's slightly irritating on cold starts. Will visit the SVC and see if anything can be done

[choosymoron]

Originally Posted by camitesh

Long post alert: Hi everyone, here’s an update on my Xpulse 200 4V purchase and 6 months / 6,000 kms ownership including a long ride.

Hi Camitesh,
Thank you for such a detailed review of this bike, it was a fantastic read for me. I have recently fallen in love with the Xpulse 200 4V (not the rally edition) & I am planning to do a test drive soon in Mumbai. Before I do that I wanted to check with someone about my use case scenario & get suggestions on the same. I would be glad if a fellow owner could give some time and read my story & give suggestions.

I currently own a Bajaj Avenger Street 220 (Jan 2016 purchase). After 7 years of this amazing bike with just 9500 km of running, I am thinking of shifting to the Xpulse. I don’t go on adventure rides, very rarely I would do outside Mumbai trips but maybe I will get into them. I do city rides when I am in the mood & I thoroughly enjoy them, one of the reasons I’ve invested in bikes & I have started commuting roughly 25-30Km per week on my bike. My idea of having a bike is to feel liberated and that experience should be as good as I can afford to make it.

The main reason for looking at Xpulse apart from having a crush on the bike is I will be confident about the roads in Mumbai & will go on them with breeze, my fun rides to Nariman point will be much better & the experience will be fun to ride.

Do you think after reading this that I am making a mistake in considering this bike? If yes please feel free to point them out to me because I am not an enthusiast as most of my fellow members here are but I really love & enjoy my smooth cruising bike rides when I do them alone.

Cheers!

[SidharthaN]

Originally Posted by choosymoron

Do you think after reading this that I am making a mistake in considering this bike? If yes please feel free to point them out to me because I am not an enthusiast as most of my fellow members here are but I really love & enjoy my smooth cruising bike rides when I do them alone.

Cheers!

The Xpulse 200 4v is a good allrounder and can be used effectively and efficiently in city usage scenario. It gives fantastic mileage almost at par with 150 cc's. The good power to weight ratio, superb suspension, and bigger rear chain sprocket keeps the momentum brisk. What you need to check is the height. Below 5'8 one might have slight inconvenience in bumper to bumper traffic. Spares are also not readily available at dealers, you might have to order parts if anything goes wrong. Rest it is a fantastic underrated bike and we don't see many on the roads.

[camitesh]

Originally Posted by choosymoron

I currently own a Bajaj Avenger Street 220 (Jan 2016 purchase). After 7 years of this amazing bike with just 9500 km of running, I am thinking of shifting to the Xpulse.

Welcome to the forum buddy! I can understand the itch to upgrade but that's really low running. Are you planning to keep Avenger too after you get the Xpulse?

Originally Posted by choosymoron

I don’t go on adventure rides, very rarely I would do outside Mumbai trips but maybe I will get into them. I do city rides ..... My idea of having a bike is to feel liberated and that experience should be as good as I can afford to make it.

Xpulse seems like a good fit for you but then most street fighter bikes (250cc gixxers, KTMs, FZ etc.) should suit your requirements decently well or even better considering 'Adventure' / 'Off-roading' is not on your agenda primarily. While Xpulse can do city riding pretty well, off-road/trails is where the abilities of Xpulse really shine as compared to its competitors.

Originally Posted by choosymoron

The main reason for looking at Xpulse apart from having a crush on the bike is I will be confident about the roads in Mumbai & will go on them wih breeze, my fun rides to Nariman point will be much better & the experience will be fun to ride.

This is indeed a very good bike for broken city roads like we have in Mumbai especially during monsoon. The combination of good ground clearance, ample power for city runabouts and nimble handling suits your requirement well.

Originally Posted by choosymoron

Do you think after reading this that I am making a mistake in considering this bike? If yes please feel free to point them out

Please go through this thread (Hero Xpulse with Rally Kit is not a fun bike) if you haven't already to make a more informed decision on whether or not this may turn out to be mistake.

I wouldn't want to confuse you more with multiple options since your heart is well set on Xpulse. Do take a good long test ride and go for it if it pulls your heartstrings as hard as now after the test ride too.

Lastly, not sure if you're open to this but do consider used Xpulse, Xpulse 2V or Xpulse 200T to save the upfront investment on something that you may not use it to the fullest extent. Unless of course budget / finance is no concern at all. Good luck!

[Sabrish]

Great read and thanks for sharing your experience!

I am an Ex-RE owner (T-Bird & Bullet). Post my bachelorhood days with almost zero rides, I sold them and a Jupiter was doing the duties for my wife. I stuck to the Car predominantly.

Off-late, the Itch for getting back to motoring has been high and I didn't want to jump into an expensive ADV. Ended up with the XPulse 200 4V for my short commutes / Occasional Highway Trips.

I loved the stance & the comfort without weighing too much for those commutes. I am 6” and the seat height with a wide handlebar is a bonus! Similar to you, the objective is to upgrade once I get back to the motoring more consistently (or If I manage to do it .)

With just 200 KMs on the Odo, I am facing 2 major issues.

There is a constant noise from the Chain, the service folks say this is usual for a new bike and nothing to worry. I am still not convinced.

Second, there is a constant feel of power loss / Jerks (more like when the bike is about to run out of fuel) This is post the ECU update.

Appreciate your feedback / inputs from the folks here on any other workarounds? A quick tour of 150-200 KMs is on the cards and wanted to be sure before I do it.

Thanks in advance.

[choosymoron]

Originally Posted by SidharthaN

The Xpulse 200 4v is a good allrounder and can be used effectively and efficiently in city usage scenario. It gives fantastic mileage almost at par with 150 cc's. The good power to weight ratio, superb suspension, and bigger rear chain sprocket keeps the momentum brisk. What you need to check is the height. Below 5'8 one might have slight inconvenience in bumper to bumper traffic. Spares are also not readily available at dealers, you might have to order parts if anything goes wrong. Rest it is a fantastic underrated bike and we don't see many on the roads.

I sat on it, I’m 5’11 and I was super comfy on it. But thanks for the reply.

[choosymoron]

Originally Posted by camitesh

Welcome to the forum buddy! I can understand the itch to upgrade but that's really low running. Are you planning to keep Avenger too after you get the Xpulse?

Thank you for such warm welcome. I won't be keeping the Avenger will sell it.

Originally Posted by camitesh

Xpulse seems like a good fit for you but then most street fighter bikes (250cc gixxers, KTMs, FZ etc.) should suit your requirements decently well or even better considering 'Adventure' / 'Off-roading' is not on your agenda primarily. While Xpulse can do city riding pretty well, off-road/trails is where the abilities of Xpulse really shine as compared to its competitors.

This is indeed a very good bike for broken city roads like we have in Mumbai especially during monsoon. The combination of good ground clearance, ample power for city runabouts and nimble handling suits your requirement well.

I hate the way most street fighter bikes (250cc gixxers, KTMs, FZ etc.) these bikes look and feel. I've always been a fan of cruisers and those types of designs. For me the comfort, looks, choice of bike matters more over what is the best bike on chart. But yes you are right, I was even thinking of getting into Ather 450x as my running is so less but problem with such scooters like Ather/Activa is their suspensions are so bad for Mumbai roads that I end up hating my rides a lot. I use to have a Honda Dio prior to Avenger.

Originally Posted by camitesh

Please go through this thread (Hero Xpulse with Rally Kit is not a fun bike) if you haven't already to make a more informed decision on whether or not this may turn out to be mistake.

I wouldn't want to confuse you more with multiple options since your heart is well set on Xpulse. Do take a good long test ride and go for it if it pulls your heartstrings as hard as now after the test ride too.

I went through the link & I think where this person went wrong is he's 5'7 and he got into the rally edition that's a huge mistake from my knowledge, hence I am sticking to the normal edition so that I don't end up taking care of falls. I will definitely take a LONG test drive thats a good suggestion, LONG being the key term.

Originally Posted by camitesh

Lastly, not sure if you're open to this but do consider used Xpulse, Xpulse 2V or Xpulse 200T to save the upfront investment on something that you may not use it to the fullest extent. Unless of course budget / finance is no concern at all. Good luck!

I looked at Xpulse 2V,T variants I don't like them my heart is set on the 200 4V BS6 for some reason, I found 4 bikes in my lane so I went & sat on them () thankfully my legs reached perfectly fine as I am 5'11 and the feeling of upright position was amazing as I am also into Iyengar Yoga since 15 years & I do teach the same so that's a HUGE plus point for me. I swapped my Avenger Street 220 handle bars with the Avenger Cruise to do the same. It's heaven! I don't want to get into used bikes but Thank you so much for all these pointers, this solves my issue and gives me the confidence that I was looking for. Thank you once again. Cheers!

[camitesh]

Originally Posted by Sabrish

With just 200 KMs on the Odo, I am facing 2 major issues.

There is a constant noise from the Chain, the service folks say this is usual for a new bike and nothing to worry. I am still not convinced.

Second, there is a constant feel of power loss / Jerks (more like when the bike is about to run out of fuel) This is post the ECU update.

Appreciate your feedback / inputs from the folks here on any other workarounds? A quick tour of 150-200 KMs is on the cards and wanted to be sure before I do it.

Every chain will make some noise due to friction which is normal. Assuming it’s a weird noise, it could be primarily due to either a dry chain or loose/tight chain. Very off chance on a new bike but the noise could also be due to either of the sprockets having a minor damage on one of the teeth. That said, it may help if you post a video / sound of the chain noise to understand this issue better. You may also get this issue vetted with any decent FNG if Hero service guys aren’t diagnosing it properly. Either way this may not be a major issue and should be an easy fix post diagnosis.

I’m facing the second issue as well after the ECU update, you can read about it few posts before. Unfortunately there’s no immediate fix basis my chat with service centre. But i do feel a slight improvement in the fueling/jerks as the KMS pile on. So give the ECU some time to settle in while you wait for an alternative fix. On cold starts, let the engine properly warm up for a few minutes before you ride off. This helps a bit in my case with the jerking issue.

[windiesel]

Has anyone tried Way2Speed tubeless conversion kit on the XPulse 200? Do the oe tyres work?