[revhappy]

Originally Posted by FlankerFury

That's why inseam length is a better metric than height alone when looking at saddle heights.


msi.org.za | seat height

My in-seam height is 31' which is 787cm.

[asininite]

Originally Posted by Vikram9193

I had hoped that sixth gear on the 210 would be a little taller than fifth on the 4V but that doesn’t seem to be the case. As a result, at least a few reviewers have said that the properly effortless cruising speed remains around 70-80, quite like the 4V.

Not saying you can’t wind it out and sit at 100-110, but it seems the urge to find another gear will show up around the same 75-80 kmph as before. Which is just below the 80-90 kmph bracket that one might ride in on many highways. Seems like it will take a 250 engine to solve this issue.

No, most reviewers say that the engine is really smooth even at 110 and that there is merely a mild buzz, not hand-numbing vibrations like say on the Himalayan 450.

Bulu Pattnaik has put out a vibration test video and found 100-110 to be a good happy cruising speed. At that speed the engine will be at 7000rpms and the rider has to be prepared to sit at such high rpms. Shumi in Motorinc Circles has said that if the rider can sit at 8500rpm, so can the Xpulse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQp-B0E_GuM

[b16h22]

Originally Posted by asininite

Shumi in Motorinc Circles has said that if the rider can sit at 8500rpm, so can the Xpulse.

As much as I'm a big fan of shumi, its not just about the rider being comfortable holding high revs when cruising. It's also a matter of longevity of the engine. Sitting at 8500 all day is not really practical when the engine's rev ceiling is like 9-10k. It's way too close to the redline and the engine will feel stressed and it puts extra wear and tear on components like valvetrain. Not to mention, this is a new-ish powertrain and we do not know about the long term durability.

Coming to the Xpulse, they've shortened the gearing quite a bit compared to the XMR and that makes sense for a dualsport/adv. The main factor is, old Xpulse felt strained at even 80-90kph so the 90-110 cruising range on the new bike is a big improvement considering its just a 10cc increase in capacity. We can't really expect more from a 210cc single. It's a good compromise.

[revhappy]

I just compared the bore and stroke of the Xpulse 200 4v vs Xpulse 210 and noticed that the 200 4v is long stroke while the 210 is short stroke and hence the need for liquid cooling on the 210. So the 210 is likely to be a better bike on the highways vs the 200 4v. 200 4v maybe better in the cities.

[Vikram9193]

Originally Posted by asininite

No, most reviewers say that the engine is really smooth even at 110 and that there is merely a mild buzz, not hand-numbing vibrations like say on the Himalayan 450.

https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=GQp-B0E_GuM

That is why I said you can sit at 100-110, but the urge to upshift will still be there. I have sat at 100-105 on my 4V also, without numbing vibrations! But it is tiring to gun a tiny engine down the highway like that, in the meat of its top end. Think of it as a mechanical sympathy thing, or a sound thing, or even a psychological thing.

Let me give you another example - my old petrol Punto would be at 3400 rpm at 100 kmph, my Jimny is at 3000. That 400 rpm difference is a big difference after a few hours on the highway. Hence I was hoping for a similar improvement with the 210.

[BullettuPaandi]

Originally Posted by Vikram9193

That is why I said you can sit at 100-110, but the urge to upshift will still be there. I have sat at 100-105 on my 4V also, without numbing vibrations! But it is tiring to gun a tiny engine down the highway like that, in the meat of its top end. Think of it as a mechanical sympathy thing, or a sound thing, or even a psychological thing.

Let me give you another example - my old petrol Punto would be at 3400 rpm at 100 kmph, my Jimny is at 3000. That 400 rpm difference is a big difference after a few hours on the highway. Hence I was hoping for a similar improvement with the 210.

Understandable. Most people prefer cruising at low RPMs, and consequently prefer bikes/cars that allow that. But as for the 'mechanical sympathy', it is a bit of a misconception that higher RPMs are detrimental for the engine.

Only hard acceleration and deceleration put the engine components and the drive-train under pressure/stress. Even then, lugging the engine does more harm than accelerating hard. At low RPMs, the energy created by combustion has less room to spread that at high RPMs.

Engines can in fact handle a lot more RPM than the red line, albeit less reliably and much less efficiently; so the OEMs limit RPM at an optimal peak. This makes the peak RPM, technically a soft one and not a hard one. If anything, higher RPMs help clean carbon deposits, which would've accumulated over the low RPM usage within the city. Traction control systems work better at higher RPMs. Pre-ignition is less likely at high RPMs.

What we call as 'strain' from the engine beyond a certain speed, is just lack of acceleration for the given throttle input. The same energy released by combustion, having more room to spread, pushing the piston less, and thus not helping much with accelerating further. It doesn't actually put any of the component under any strain that they're not designed to withstand. Its just a colloquial term we use to describe the bike's limit, to convey that it 'feels' like we begin to ask too much from this bike over this speed.

Then again, it is understandable that most prefer to cruise at low RPMs, just for the ease of it. Bigger and bigger bikes offer this ease of cruising at a lower and lower RPMs, which has its own appeal as well. I only mean to say that, ideally, we should use all of the RPM available; and we could as it is not really detrimental to the engine.

As for this particular bike, from what our review says, it sounds like it is on par with what can be expected from Hero. I know I can only comfortably sit on my 4V at about 90kph. So, 100-110kph sounds on par to me.

[Vikram9193]

Originally Posted by BullettuPaandi

Understandable… if anything, higher RPMs help clean carbon deposits, which would've accumulated over the low RPM usage within the city. Traction control systems work better at higher RPMs. Pre-ignition is less likely at high RPMs.

What we call as 'strain' from the engine beyond a certain speed, is just lack of acceleration for the given throttle input…Then again, it is understandable that most prefer to cruise at low RPMs, just for the ease of it. Bigger and bigger bikes offer this ease of cruising at a lower and lower RPMs, which has its own appeal as well. I only mean to say that, ideally, we should use all of the RPM available; and we could as it is not really detrimental to the engine.

As for this particular bike, from what our review says, it sounds like it is on par with what can be expected from Hero. I know I can only comfortably sit on my 4V at about 90kph. So, 100-110kph sounds on par to me.

Thanks, you make a good point about not lugging, and risk of carbon buildup. There was a good fortnine video about this. I am currently facing some possible detonation /preignition issues on the 4V, maybe because of all the commuting at 3-4k rpm. So this hits close to home.

On the open road in top gear, the 4V feels effortless (for me) at around 70-78 which is about 5500 rpm and I’d imagine high enough that one would not call it lugging or unhealthy. Between 78 and 92 there is a sense that the engine is working a bit hard, but can be ignored. Maybe because I don’t find the acceleration in this range to be poor, so as per your enlightening definition of “strain” it’s ok. Beyond that it gains a sporty growl and feels too hectic for my taste, so it takes some commitment on the rider’s part - even though vibes are not an issue.

What I was hoping for the 210 was that the “effortless” stage would extend into the mid-80s and seeing that the rpm is exactly the same, I am sceptical. There is also a lot of speedo error on this bike, it seems. Since there is a subjective component highlighted by you, we will have to ride it and see.

[BullettuPaandi]

Originally Posted by Vikram9193

Thanks, you make a good point about not lugging, and risk of carbon buildup. There was a good fortnine video about this. I am currently facing some possible detonation /preignition issues on the 4V, maybe because of all the commuting at 3-4k rpm. So this hits close to home.

On the open road in top gear, the 4V feels effortless (for me) at around 70-78 which is about 5500 rpm and I’d imagine high enough that one would not call it lugging or unhealthy. Between 78 and 92 there is a sense that the engine is working a bit hard, but can be ignored. Maybe because I don’t find the acceleration in this range to be poor, so as per your enlightening definition of “strain” it’s ok. Beyond that it gains a sporty growl and feels too hectic for my taste, so it takes some commitment on the rider’s part - even though vibes are not an issue.

What I was hoping for the 210 was that the “effortless” stage would extend into the mid-80s and seeing that the rpm is exactly the same, I am sceptical. There is also a lot of speedo error on this bike, it seems. Since there is a subjective component highlighted by you, we will have to ride it and see.

Yes, the FortNine video is actually where I first learnt that part of the post from.

I'm a bit bi-polar when it comes to throttling. I either go all eco mode- shifting up at about 4k RPM till about 60kph- or it's 'least gear most speed'. If the road permits 70kph+, I'm already most likely on 4th or even 3rd gear. So I haven't noticed this distinction between 70-78khp and 78-92kph; interesting to hear nonetheless.

My expectations when it comes to speed/gearing is only marginal. Yes, it is a bigger engine; yes there's a 6th gear now; but the bike is also heavier now.

[bpapache]

Originally Posted by asininite

No, most reviewers say that the engine is really smooth even at 110 and that there is merely a mild buzz, not hand-numbing vibrations like say on the Himalayan 450.

Bulu Pattnaik has put out a vibration test video and found 100-110 to be a good happy cruising speed. At that speed the engine will be at 7000rpms and the rider has to be prepared to sit at such high rpms. Shumi in Motorinc Circles has said that if the rider can sit at 8500rpm, so can the Xpulse.

I just came back from a trip. We had a two month old Xpulse 200 4v with 1000kms on the odo in our riding group. We were cruising at 100Kmph for a stretch of 125kms distance. I rode the Xpulse for an hour or so. I have to say, the bike was quite smooth with very mild buzz. Is it because it’s a new bike? I’m not sure. But the bike felt strained, as to, the feeling that it’s working hard. This is because it’s revving quite high. Other members have already explained about this in detail.
With this experience in mind, I’m quite confident that the Xpulse 210 would just be better at 100Kmph.

But, the Xpulse 200 4v’s exhaust it quite muted. Would the bassy exhaust of the new one add some sense of strain to the rider? Maybe not, but I’m quite excited to ride an Xpulse 210. Good times for motorcyclists in India.

[nasirkaka]

Test Rode the new Xpulse 210 this morning. Some thoughts post the small two kms test ride. For context, I ride a 2020 BS6 Xpulse.



The engine is more refined compared to the 200 but only slightly powerful. May be some 10-15% more. The rear sprocket could be large as at lower speed the bike feels like it is in hurry to pull, but when we give some more gas, it does not pull as fast as it sounds and feels like. Ergomonics are good and upright. Old xpulse had a bit forward set foot pegs. This is also slightly on the forward side compared to say new 390 adv, but not as much as old xpulse 200.




seat also felt soft compared to old xpulse and almost similar width. Exhaust note is nice. Old xpulse did not have much to show in the sound department but this bike sounds good. Some of the media ride videos had even better sounding bike so my expectation was even higher. But in general, the bike sounds much better than current xpulse.



Coming to suspension, I think thats where the main difference lies. This suspension is just too soft. Both front and rear. On slightest of braking the front nose dives like crazy. Its like sitting on a boat which is pitching up and down. The suspension feels even softer than the 310GS which is a benchmark for soft suspension. Undulations from the road are not felt at all and this will make for a great city commuter and gobble up all bad broken roads and more. The suspension is so soft, even if one want to jump over a speed breaker/ramp, it will refuse. Also the feedback from the road due to soft suspension is a bit vague.



It may make for a comfortable city commuter due to supple suspension and even the low speed ridability is good as bike chugs along at lower speeds in 2nd gear without worry. But not sure how it will fare on faster offroad riding.

I think there is the Rally variant in pipeline and may have stiffer suspension setting tuned for off-road duties. Braking was so so, but the test ride bike was new, so may improve over time. Not very sharp as expected from a dual sport. Gear shifts were not very smooth and a bit notchy. Side stand has strong spring.

I think hero may have targeted the bike towards commuters trying to lure them to upgrade with supple and cushiony ride quality. The rally variant may be more off-road focussed.

Bike feels slightly heavier than Xpulse 200, but nothing that bothers. I could not ride at higher speeds, so not sure about highway capabilities. Maybe will take another test ride to experience the same.

Overall, the top varient seems bit expensive at 2.4L OTR Bangalore, but the bike is nice and would find takers.



Selfie with the new kid in town.

[Akash5653]

This is the type of review that I expected. The reviewers in YouTube praise this bike as if no dual sport or adv can even come close. We can't blame them, as hero covered all the 'expenses' for their reviews. Only real world reviews can convey true opinions.

[ss11011988]

Went to the Hero Premia showroom in Singasandra, Hosur Road to test ride the Xpulse 210. The bike has generated considerable interest, and it was evident in the overall footfall. The first time I went there, I had to wait out for some time before my turn came up. The second time I went through, the bike was readily available. Upon hearing my ask, they collected the DL and gave me the keys, just like that. Though they told me that I can do only one narrow circuit run up and down the main road and the service road in front, I told them of a different route which was a longer circuit(Service Road - Right onto manipal county road - Chikka Begur Jn - Straight all the way to Panchalinga Nageshwara Temple near Begur lake - U-turn - Chikka Begur Jn - Left from there which will take you back to the Service Road near the Shell Pump - Right onto Service Road - Back at showroom) to which they agreed. Also, because this road has some dug up sections. They currently have 1 demo bike, so be prepared to wait for your turn in case the showroom gets crowded. Helmet on, fired up the engine and off I went, and here is what I felt:

1. The seat height felt fine for me, had no difficulties getting used to the dimensions of the bike. I felt most of the controls in place, save for the horn button, which I felt was positioned slightly higher than usual. The quality of the switches and all felt decent enough.
2. The TFT display felt simple and straight forward to use with the help of the navigation keys.
3. Vibrations were present from the get-go, like a slightly annoying and persistent companion. Could be me, but I felt the engine to be gruff and slightly unrefined. Was a put off for me, since I expected the engine to be a lot more refined, considering it being a liquid cooled unit.
4. The suspension felt supple, perfect for the broken, dug up roads of Namma Bengaluru. Unscientific bumps and speed breakers, potholes, dug up and left over sections and such was piece of cake for this bike. I never had to slow down much to tackle any of the said challenges which says a lot about the capability of the bike. Whether this suspension setup is good for trail rides as well is something that I don't know or will never know, since I'm not much of an off-road guy. Gentlemen like Nasirkaka have already painted a better picture on that aspect. However, for daily use? Perfect, I would say.
5. The gearshifts felt slightly notchy and average at best. The clutch felt light though to use.
6. Loved the exhaust note of this bike. Has a very raspy, and likeable feel to it. Very much like a dirt bike. You will hear it through the helmet, and you won't get bored of it, I reckon.
7. The bump up in power is welcome, though it's not that heavily noticeable. The bike accelerates better, and the mid-range felt stronger, however I would not call it grin inducing. However, thanks to the raspy exhaust note, I believe people will love revving this engine up and riding at a faster pace for sure. 85-95 kmph would be the sweet spot for this bike too, I guess.
8. The show room experience left a lot to be desired. The young sales guys though were aware of the basic specs were not so sure on the pricing aspects and such and had to reach out to a different guy to pull that information through. There was an older gentleman whom I spoke to, post the test ride, who wanted me to immediately book the bike, but was quite hesitant to provide me a proper printed quotation at least and was on the phone throughout. I can only imagine how the ASS experience will be, if the sales team itself gave the feeling of being less cohesive and disorganized.


To sum it up, I walked out of the showroom with mixed feelings. There were certain aspects of the bike that I really liked, but I feel this bike would not be to my tastes.

Cheers,
NI

PS: Views are personal, you're most welcome to disagree with me. Not uploading any photos thanks to the iffy camera performance of my old and rusty phone.

[Motard_Blr]

I went to the Hero Premia showroom in BTM layout on Monday to see and ride the Xpulse. I was disappointed that they weren't offering test rides even though other showrooms were doing so by then.

In any case, I got a chance to sit on the Xpulse and start it. My first impressions of fit and finish were generally positive, except for the body panels. I like the seating position. I also liked the exhaust sound, although that's not really important to me. I am hoping for a test ride next weekend.

[Vikram9193]

First side-by-side comparison of the Xpulse 210 and 200 on YouTube by a 200 4V owner:

210 is better for touring. It has better refinement, a comfortable seat, dual channel ABS and a higher comfortable cruising speed (80-100 vs 70-80).

200 is better for city and off-road. it is lighter and has a lower seat height. It also feels smaller due to the shape of the fuel tank. It has similar (or did he say better?) low-end torque. But he does say that, off road, the 210’s rear suspension is more comfortable and the bike feels more stable as well.

Sorry, I don’t speak Malayalam and had to rely on the translation, which may be inaccurate. His height and skill level may have informed his preference for the 200 off road, but it’s certainly food for thought for me as an off-roading noob with a 4V. At the same time the dual channel ABS and better refinement are big pluses in my book. We don’t even have a Premia in Dehradun yet so looking forward to more info.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0An_Ii8qz2k

[green tea man]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

Test Rode the new Xpulse 210 this morning. Some thoughts post the small two kms test ride. For context, I ride a 2020 BS6 Xpulse.

Great review. Any ideas if the the deliveries of the Xpulse 210 or Xtreme 250 have started?