Hero XPulse 200T vs XPulse 200: Spec Comparison

Here’s what sets the two apart on paper

[Update: Hero MotoCorp has launched the XPulse 200, XPulse 200T and the Xtreme 200S. Head here for the launch story]

A couple of years ago Hero introduced the Impulse in India with the intention to give enthusiasts a taste of adventure touring on a budget. Unfortunately, the bike wasn’t well received -- not that there was anything wrong with it, but because it was way ahead of its time. Since then the face of the motorcycling industry has changed drastically. Enthusiasts in the country are well-informed and educated about the different genres of motorcycling. And with this, two-wheeler manufacturers are introducing bigger and better bikes that cater to different market segments. Hero MotoCorp, again, is one of them.

At the 2017 EICMA show in Milan, Hero took the wraps of a stonking adventure tourer new concept. Less than a year later, they showed off the production version of the same at the 2018 Auto Expo, and christened it the XPulse 200. And now, Hero has introduced a follow up bike called the XPulse 200T, based on the same adventure touring platform. While both the bikes share the same engine and most of their components, there are subtle differences that set them apart. Here’s a closer look at the two and what differentiates them on paper.

Design and Features

At first glance, the most obvious visual difference between the two would be the paint schemes. While the Hero XPulse 200 gets a white paint job with some snazzy graphics, the XPulse 200T was showcased with a mix of matt/gloss black, some carbon fibre texturing and minimal graphics. The former gets a clear windscreen and a raised beak while the latter features a smoked windscreen and a conventional mudguard. Furthermore, the XPulse 200 comes with handguards, rubber fork gaiters and a metal skid plate for protection. The touring variant, on the other hand, gets a plastic engine cover but misses out on fork gaiters and handguards. On the upside though, the XPulse 200T features a well-padded seat for extra comfort on those long hauls.

Speaking of similarities, both bikes come with an all-digital instrument console, LED lights at both ends, a top rack, crash guards and provisions for pannier mounts.

Engine

Powering the XPulse 200 and 200T is the same 200cc, air and oil-cooled motor that produces 18.4PS of power and 17.1Nm of torque. That said, we expect the 200T to get a smaller sprocket, which should enable it to make most of its power up-top in order to provide a relaxed ride at touring speeds. On the contrary, we expect to see a larger sprocket on the XPulse 200 considering its ADV leanings. The larger sprocket should help the bike produce more bottom end power, which is essential while off-roading.

Underpinnings

While both the XPulse 200 and 200T feature long-travel suspension, we expect the road-biased version to be stiffly sprung as it’ll spend most of its time on the road rather than trails. Additionally, the rider sits 30mm lower on the 200T compared to the XPulse 200 due to a lowered saddle height and smaller 17” wheels.

And that’s not all, the tourer gets slightly revised ergonomics too. It features a shorter handlebar which provides better comfort over long rides compared to its off-road counterpart which receives a tall and wide handlebar to better manage rough roads. Though the Hero Xpluse 200 was showcased as at EICMA 2017 and 2018 with petal discs, the 200T seems to have borrowed its braking setup from the Hero Xtreme 200R. Using a conventional-looking braking setup could be due to cost constraints and probably because Hero intends to price the bike well below the XPulse 200. That said, both bikes come with single-channel ABS as standard.

Last but not the least, the 200T receives a low-mounted end can with rerouted exhaust pipes. Conversely, the more off-road biased XPulse 200 features a high-mounted exhaust to keep the engine from getting waterlogged while crossing streams, rivers etc. The low-mounted exhaust on the tourer also has other benefits as it makes more room for panniers or saddle bags.

Price and Verdict

The two versions based on the same platform make for pretty clear choices. If you’re an adventure junkie on a budget who visits the trails quite often, the XPulse 200 is the perfect fit for you. On the other hand, if you love long, winding roads and travelling in comfort, the XPulse 200T should do the job just fine.