Hero Xtreme Sports review

The Hero Xtreme leads the 150cc line-up of Hero MotoCorp‘s portfolio. The Hero Xtreme came into existence as the Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme long back in 2007. It was a successor to the Hero Honda CBZ which achieved cult status after its launch in 1999. The Hero Xtreme has seen many updates over the years and the Hero Xtreme Sports is its latest iteration. The Hero Xtreme Sports has been brought in as a new model and is sold alongside the current Hero Xtreme. Let’s see what the new Hero Xtreme is all about in the following review.

Engine and Performance

Hero have not really changed anything when it comes to the engine of the new Hero Xtreme Sports. It is still the same 149.2cc mill, but however, the compression ratio of the engine has been improved from 9.1:1 to 10:1 which has resulted in a gain of 1 HP power and 0.7 Nm torque over the current Xtreme engine. Although the improvement seems insignificant, the Xtreme Sports feels more lively owing to its low weight. The sprint from standstill to 100 kmph takes around 16 seconds and the Xtreme Sports can manage a speedo indicated 120 kmph top speed. The engine feels very relaxed but there are some vibrations after 8,000 RPM. And, the bike delivers a consistent fuel efficiency of 45 km per litre and one can expect up to 50 kmpl if ridden less aggressively.

Look and Feel and Build Quality

The Hero Xtreme Sports carries most of its styling from its sibling Hero Xtreme. However, the Sports has some extra styling bits which enhance its looks. In comparison to the standard Xtreme, the Sports features a new front fairing and headlight assembly with LED DRL’s. The tank has a new shield and the tail section gets split seats along some new lines. The last noticeable bit is the new exhaust heat shield. Overall, the bike has a nice premium feel and look to it. Even the fit, finish and build quality is really good.

Handling and Braking

The Hero Xtreme Sports carries the same tubular frame from the older Xtreme. It is a decent handler just like the Hero Xtreme as it also shares the same suspension and wheel base. The neutral riding position is very comfortable but the seat height is a tad on the higher side which might prove to be uncomfortable for shorter riders. The Xtreme Sports feature MRF Zappers which do their job very well in gripping onto the road. The tyres are also tubeless which is now a standard on most motorcycles. The bike comes in two variants of which we rode the dual disc variant and the braking performance is good but the front brake lacks good feeling.

Key features & VFM

The Hero Xtreme Sports might not have anything that makes the motorcycle stand out but it does the job of a regular 150cc segment bike very well. The new dash features a new instrument console which is clear and easy to read. What we did not like was the ignition that has been moved to the side of the headlight assembly. If anyone tries the vehicle for the first time they would be stumped trying to figure out where the keyhole is located. This also proves to be an hindrance in stop and go city traffic as it is difficult to reach for the keys every time. An engine kill switch would have been a great addition along with this design but is unfortunately absent.
Value for money is where Hero have always been strong. The pricing of the Hero Xtreme Sports is very competitive and the bike is available in both single disc and double disc versions. The ex-showroom price tag of the bike is around INR 75,000. With great after sales service network and reasonable price of spares, maintenance also will be an easy and affordable affair.

Verdict

The Hero Xtreme Sports is a small but decent upgrade on the existing Xtreme motorcycle. The new redesigned body and the new higher compression engine makes the bike even more competitive against the other bikes in this category. As with any other bike, the Xtreme Sports has its own pros and cons. For anyone looking for a decent daily use motorcycle for city use, the Hero Xtreme is definitely a great option.

Hero Xtreme Sports technical specifications

ENGINE

CHASSIS

Test Riders

Sudeep Avin NijishKunal