The Motorcycle industry in India is increasing rapidly every year, driven by factors such as rising disposable incomes, improving infrastructure, affordability, and economical modes of transport. In recent years there has been a shift in consumer preferences towards premium motorcycles. This can be attributed to the increasing purchasing power of Indian consumers and a growing interest in leisure riding and adventure riding.

 

Manufacturers like Royal Enfield and Hero Motocorp have capitalised on this trend by offering Adventure motorcycles at very competitive prices. In today’s blog, we will compare Hero XPulse 200 and Royal Enfield Himalayan, the two adventure motorcycles making the rounds in the Indian market with their features, design, performance and overall experience.

 

Design

When it comes to design, both motorcycles have their unique appeal. The XPulse 200 features a sleek and sporty look, it is designed as a lightweight adventure motorcycle suitable for both on-road and off-road. A dirt bike-inspired design is at the heart of the XPulse from the get-go. The high ground clearance, knobby tires, all the hardware and minimal bodywork make it a perfect off-roader. On the other hand, the Himalayan design looks classic and timeless, with its iconic round headlamp, long suspension and exposed chassis. Its presence is more dominating on the road. The Himalayan is a purpose-built adventure tourer with a rugged and utilitarian appearance.

 

Performance

The Hero XPulse 200 is powered by a 200 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine, though it does not disappoint being only 200 cc compared to its rival Himalayan. The engine delivers a fair amount of power of almost 18.9 bhp and torque of 17.35 Nm and it’s designed to offer smooth acceleration and stability. Its lightweight and nimble nature helps the rider in manoeuvrability and easy handling. XPulse is easy to handle on off-road and muddy tracks, its knobby tyres make it easy to ride on both off-road and on-road. On the other hand, the Himalayan looks more promising and a larger machine due to its 411 cc powdered, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine, which delivers the power of 24.3 bhp and torque of 32 Nm better than its rival without any doubt. Despite being 200 kilos, the Himalayan is very suitable for off-roading adventures because of its low-end torque and quick acceleration.

 

Features

 

When it comes to features both bikes offer modern amenities. The XPulse 200 is equipped with a full-digital instrument console, LED lighting, Bluetooth connectivity, and a turn-by-turn navigation system. Despite being an adventure bike it offers a single-channel ABS. The digital instrument cluster provides all the necessary features such as speed, fuel indicator, and gear position. The seat height is 823 mm slightly on the higher side, but it is manageable once the bike is on the move. The 13-litre fuel tank is not what we expect in a touring bike. It has 21 inches of front spoke wheel and 18 inches of rear wheel, the brakes are discs on both front and rear. The Himalayan focuses more on practicality and durability. It is equipped with a semi-digital instrument console, halogen headlights, Hazard lights and dual-channel ABS. It has a 15-litre fuel tank which is more suitable for off-road adventure, its seat height is 800 mm which makes it a better ride experience for the shorter riders as well. It has 21 inches of front wheel and 17 inches of rear wheel size. Both bikes come with tubed tyres. It comes with a tripper navigation console which makes the riding experience better and smoother.

 

Price

The Hero XPulse 200 V4 is priced at 1.45 lakh onwards ex-showroom.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is priced at 2.15 lakhs onwards ex-showroom.

 

Verdict

Now comes the most important part, Which one should you buy? Well if you are looking forward to riding daily in the city and occasionally off-roading then the XPulse 200 will be a perfect choice. But if you want a bike mainly for off-roading and occasionally city riding then Himalayan is more worth it. Ultimately, the choice boils down to personal preferences and the type of riding experience one seeks.

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