Hero Xtreme 125R Review: Why Should Big Boys Have All The Fun

Who said commuter motorcycles can’t be fun to ride and smart-looking at the same time? Meet the latest Hero in town, the Xtreme 125R, which aims to compete with TVS Raider, Honda SP125 and Bajaj Pulsar NS125. We briefly rode the smallest Xtreme at Hero’s test track in Jaipur to understand if it’s worth the hype or not.

A series of sharp bends within a short loop constitutes the handling track at CIT. There are little bankings on the curves to dive into the motorcycle and understand how it handles. The nature of the track is to break your linear ride, push the bike into corners and learn about its handling capabilities. Reference of the track is important here because that is the only section where we could experience the Xtreme 125R.

A few laps and instantly, one feels the nimbleness of the sporty commuter. It’s quick to steer, thanks to lightweight (136 kg) and tight wheelbase (1,319 mm). The diamond-type chassis responds to directional changes effortlessly and unless you’re six feet or taller, the ergonomics will not bother you. The rider’s triangle is upright, with mildly rear-set foot pegs. The stepped seat is on the softer side, and cushioning will not bother your back if 25-30 kilometres is what you have to ride every day.

Another key takeaway from the brief encounter with the Xtreme 125R is the front braking and telescopic suspension. Thanks to the 37 mm front forks from Showa, the motorcycle felt planted carving steep corners. Never did the front-end stutter nor resented on heavy braking. I don’t think that’s going to change either in the real world. The rear monoshock comes with pre-load adjustability and I’ve little to report about them due to lack of road imperfections in today’s ride. Prima facie, the ride should be supple, and may get better with a pillion. The single-channel ABS (segment-exclusive) is a boon. The initial feedback on the lever is a little dull, however, it only improves as you pull it hard. The bite from the brake is progressive, and the ABS kicks in without much drama.

The 124.7-cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine is rated at 11.5 PS and 10.5 Nm, which is roughly what other sporty commuters generate. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox and is devoid of any hardware. The engine feels peppy and tractable in the mid-range. The torque builds up nicely to 7,000 rpm beyond which vibrations gradually creep in. This should translate into a brisk acceleration in daily stop-and-go traffic. The clutch level is feathery light and the first couple of gears are relatively shorter than the higher ones. The sweet spot for cruising lies around 70 kmph, and can be accelerated to 100 kmph if need be. The claimed fuel efficiency is healthy 66 kmpl, something that will plaster a broad grin on the riders whose livelihood depends on their two-wheeler. Coupled with a 10-litre fuel tank, expect a real-world range between 575 and 600 kilometres.

Lastly but importantly, what will draw you to a Hero showroom is the way the new Xtreme looks. Of many viewers, who commented on my Xtreme 125R first look video, I was amazed by the remarks and parallels they drew. Few wrote the little Xtreme has a Ninja-ish face while others said the 160R and 200R should draw inspiration from the new design. While I concur with the public opinion at large, I believe the designers at Hero MotoCorp are embracing a new design philosophy for next-gen products. There is an emphasis on sharp lines that are finished neatly. The all-LED lighting is also something not most competitors offer in this class. A front-third look suggests the tank extensions seamlessly caress into the dipping headlight design. I like the boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights and minimal aperture for projector beams. Then the 125R graphics on the side cowl are pretty similar to the ones on BMW G310R. The plastic panel on the side is the only unimaginative part, turning the rather sharp design a little dull. The rear tyre hugger is mounted on a metal extension. This along with a stubby yet short exhaust bulks up the aesthetically. The paint finish, I expect can get better. The exposed cables can also be neatly tucked behind the front cowl. The digital instrumentation has basic yet crisp detailing. It’s a reverse LCD with readouts like speed, tachometer, gear position, fuel gauge and clock.

My first impression suggests the Hero Xtreme 125R comes across as a very likeable package. It will appeal to youthful and energetic riders. The scope of improvement lies in panel gaps, paint finish and fit and finish level, which I think the brand can fix before the customer units roll out.