New Delhi
2023 Hero Xtreme 160R 4V Review: Small But Useful Updates
Reviews by Team Drivio | 26 Jun 2023
A 4-valve engine, USD fork and a couple of other changes for Hero’s sportiest bike.
- Hero updated the Xtreme 160R with a 4-valve engine a couple of weeks ago.
- Its update came at a cost as its prices went up by more than Rs 5,000.
- The Xtreme 160R 4V rivals the likes of the Bajaj Pulsar N160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and the Suzuki Gixxer.
Hero MotoCorp is gearing up for a significant year ahead in 2023, as it prepares to unveil a range of exciting new products. With ambitious plans to introduce a fresh offering every quarter, the company has already kickstarted this venture with the highly anticipated release of the new Hero Xtreme 160R 4V.
This motorcycle marks a significant upgrade, featuring a brand new 4-valve head, alongside notable enhancements in both its cosmetic and hardware aspects. However, these enhancements have led to a corresponding increase in price, prompting us to take the new Xtreme 160R 4V for a ride in order to determine whether the elevated price tag is indeed justified.
Hero Xtreme 160R 4V: Design & Features
The Hero Xtreme 160R is a cool-looking bike that belongs to a category called streetfighters. It has a strong and muscular design. The Pro version of the bike has an upgraded feature called the USD fork, which makes it even better. The Standard and Connected versions of the bike have a single-piece seat, while the Pro version has a split-piece seat.
What's special about the Hero Xtreme 160R is that it has LED lights all around. This includes the headlight, tail lamp, and even the blinkers. This makes it the only bike in its category to have all-LED lighting.
The bike also has a digital display that shows important information like speed, revs (engine speed), distance travelled, fuel level, gear position, and the time. It also has a hazard lamp for safety, and the Stealth Edition 2.0 version of the bike has knuckle guards for added protection. The Connected and Pro versions of the bike come with Bluetooth connectivity as a standard feature
Hero Xtreme 160R 4V: Engine
| Specifications | Hero Xtreme 160R 4V |
| Engine | 163.2cc air-cooled with an oil-cooler engine |
| Maximum power | 16.9PS |
| Maximum torque | 14.6Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed |
The new Hero Xtreme 160R has a 163cc engine, just like its previous version, but the engineers at Hero have made significant improvements to it. The exciting update is the addition of a 4-valve technology and an oil-cooler, similar to the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V. These enhancements have increased the power output to 16.9PS (1.7PS more power) and the torque has also gone up by 0.6Nm. As a result, the bike feels more lively and offers quick acceleration.
Hero claims that the new Xtreme 160R is the fastest bike in its category, reaching 0-60kmph in 4.41 seconds. However, to confirm this claim, we would need to conduct a proper road test. Another impressive feature of the bike is the engine's tractability, thanks to the new 4-valve head.
Hero Xtreme 160R 4V: Chassis
| Specifications | Hero Xtreme 160R 4V |
| Front suspension | Inverted Fork |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock |
| Front tyre | 100/80-17 |
| Rear tyre | 130/70-R17 |
| Front brake | Disc Brake |
| Rear brake | Disc Brake |
| ABS | Single-channel |
The Hero Xtreme 160R 4V has received a significant update in the form of a chunky USD (upside-down) fork, while the frame and brakes remain unchanged. The bike's handling was already decent, offering neutral and predictable performance in terms of high-speed cornering and agility. However, with the addition of the new front suspension, the bike's dynamics have improved in a positive way. You can now have more confidence in the front-end of the bike, allowing you to corner at high speeds with greater trust.
During tests conducted on the CIT test track and on mountain twisties leading to Nahargarh Fort near Jaipur, the bike performed exceptionally well. Despite gaining some weight, the bike continues to feel very light.
Hero Xtreme 160R 4V: Dimensions
| Dimensions | Hero Xtreme 160R 4V |
| Length | 2029mm |
| Width | 793mm |
| Height | 1052mm |
| Wheelbase | 1333mm |
| Seat height | 795mm |
| Ground clearance | 165mm |
| Kerb weight | 145kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | 12-litres |
The Xtreme 160R 4V continues to be a sweet bike and we’re quite happy to report that commuting on it is as easy as it ever was. It remains to be delightful, nimble and agile off its feet.
Hero Xtreme 160R 4V: Variants & Price
| Variant | Price (Ex-showroom Delhi) |
| Standard | Rs 1,27,300 |
| Connected | Rs 1,32,800 |
| Pro | Rs 1,36,500 |
The Hero Xtreme 160R 4V is on sale in three variants, all of the prices of which you can see above.
Verdict
The Hero Xtreme 160R has filled the void between sportier motorcycles like the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and the Bajaj Pulsar NS160 and commuter-focused models like the Yamaha FZ-Fi Version 3.0 and Suzuki Gixxer. The Hero Xtreme 160R 4V has undergone this modification to appear sportier while maintaining its functionality for everyday use. Nevertheless, its weaknesses are the lack of dual-channel ABS and the limited feature set.
