2023 Hero Xtreme 160R 4V Review: Gloves Off!

Light, agile, affordable and with near impeccable road manners - those were our impressions of the Hero Xtreme 160R two-valve, when we first rode it more than three years ago. Now, Hero MotoCorp has given its 160 cc premium commuter motorcycle a makeover, not just in features, but with some mechanical updates as well. 

The Hero Xtreme 160R 4V gets an updated engine with a four-valve head, upside down front forks and some feature and cosmetic changes.

An updated engine with a four-valve head promises better refinement across the rev range, and upside-down front forks on the top-spec variant have been introduced to offer better front-end feel and stability. And then, there are new connected features as well. Have these changes made any significant difference to the Xtreme 160R’s capabilities? Read on.

Also Read: Hero Xtreme 160R 4V Variants Explained

The engine has been updated with a four-valve cylinder head with better refinement, quicker acceleration and a wider spread of torque.

Engine & Performance

The engine is more or less, new. It now gets oil cooling, but the most significant change is the four-valve head. The four-valve configuration helps improve intake capacity, offering better combustion efficiency. And from the time you fire it up and blip the throttle, it emits a throatier sound. In gear acceleration feels smoother and quicker. In fact, Hero MotoCorp claims that the new Xtreme 160R is the fastest accelerating motorcycle in its segment. It’s something we can’t verify without a proper comparison with its rivals, but the Xtreme 160R 4V is still a light bike, and feels eager to build up speed.

Also Read: 2020 Hero Xtreme 160R Review

The engine has excellent low- and mid-range tractability, and it pulls cleanly in higher gears from low speeds.

The engine has strong low- and mid-range performance, and tractability is something which will be welcomed by users in the daily commute, pulling cleanly from higher gears from low speeds. Overall performance seems to have become more eager, and the updated engine feels like it has stronger, and more athletic lungs. In numbers, the updated engine makes about 1.7 bhp more, up from 15 bhp, to 16.67 bhp, which is achieved at 8,500 rpm. Peak torque has also increased marginally, to 14.6 Nm at 6,500 rpm.

The Hero Xtreme 160R 4V can achieve speeds in excess of 120 kmph, but is happiest sitting between 75-85 kmph.

In fact, top end performance also seems to have improved. While the two-valve 160R feels reluctant to achieve triple digit speeds, the Xtreme 160R 4V will hit the ton quite effortlessly, if you’re in a tearing hurry to get anywhere. We saw a speedo-indicated top speed of 120 kmph, although it needs some real estate to get there. A speedo-indicated 117 kmph with my body weight (75 kg) is where the Xtreme 160R sits at before the digits slowly climb to 120. 

The Xtreme 160R 4V feels quicker, more refined and with better top-end performance than its two-valve version.

On the flip side, you will some buzz on the seat and pegs at speeds above 90 kmph; something which isn’t alarming or bothersome, but noticeable, nevertheless. That said, the Xtreme 160R is happiest between 75-85 kmph, where it’s still eager to pick up some speed if needed for some overtakes on the highway. 

Also Read: 2023 Hero Xtreme 160R Launched At Rs. 1.27 Lakh

The ride quality is comfortable, and doesn't sacrifice the bike's dynamics. It's easy to ride, agile and well-balanced; all positive qualities.

Ride & Dynamics

Ride quality is pliant and comfortable, more veering towards the softer side for comfort, but without sacrificing dynamics. The new 37 mm KYB upside down front forks have made the 160R 4V feel more planted. The two-valve Xtreme 160R has always been impressive in that department, with its light-footed dynamics and agility, and those qualities seem to have been improved with the new suspension. From our outing at the handling track at Hero MotoCorp’s Centre for Innovation and Technology test track, the USD forks seems to have added much better front-end feel and stability. 

The 37 mm KYB upside down front forks have certainly helped improve front-end feel and stability. 

And this is something which is apparent in the real world as well, while taking on the occasional corner or under hard braking. The brakes are petal discs at both ends, but are offered only with single-channel ABS. The brakes work well, with decent stopping power, but dual-channel ABS, even if offered as an option, could have made the Xtreme 160R 4V and even more attractive proposition for those who seek better stopping power. 

Braking is ok, but dual-channel ABS, even as an optional feature, could certainly have offered better stopping power to customers who want it.

Under hard braking, it’s also the front suspension with better damping which makes the bike feel more sure-footed and stable. For a dynamically superior performance, it’s easy to recommend the top-spec variant with the upside-down forks. Overall weight of the bike though has gone up, from the 139.5 kg kerb weight of the two-valve 160R to 145 kg for the 160R 4V Pro with USD forks. The lower variants with telescopic front forks weigh one kilogram less at 144 kg.

The proportions and silhouette of the Xtreme 160R 4V are similar to the two-valve version, but there are subtle changes in colours, graphics and some cosmetic updates.

Design & Features

The overall design and silhouette of the Xtreme 160R 4V is quite like the two-valve Xtreme 160R. But there are some subtle changes which give it fresh appeal. The headlight sits slightly lower giving it a more pronounced ‘streetfighter’ stance. 

The face now has a pronounced ‘streetfighter’ vibe with the headlight moved slightly lower, and flanked by the gold-finished USD forks on the Pro variant.

There are minor changes to the plastics around the fuel tank, and a new belly pan with 4V graphics pasted on it leave no doubt that this is the updated and new Xtreme 160R 4V. The top-spec Pro variant also gets a split seat as standard, while the Standard and Connected variants get a single-piece seat, with the option to switch to the split-seat design if sought for, by customers.

The digital instrument console now gets a gear position indicator, as well as Bluetooth connectivity offering incoming call and text message alerts.

The instrument console is fully digital but misses out on a distance-to-empty display if that’s something one needs. It’s not a deal-breaker, but the mid-spec Connected variant gets all the app-enabled connected features (over 25 of them), though the Hero Connect 2.0 system. These include geofencing, emergency alerts in case of an accident, turn-by-turn navigation (on app only, not on instrument console), and bike location. Also offered are theft alert, overspeeding alert, remote immobilisation, vehicle diagnostics and more.

The full suite of connected features, however, are not available for either the base Standard variant or the top-spec Pro variant. According to Hero MotoCorp, it’s a good balance for the discerning customer to choose between full connected features, or the upside-down front forks, depending on preference.  

The Hero Xtreme 160R 4V certainly is an impressive product in the 160 cc motorcycle segment. Is it the best? Only a real-world comparison can help answer that question.

Verdict

The Hero Xtreme 160R 4V will co-exist with the two-valve version, and prices begin at Rs. 1,27,300 (Ex-showroom) for the Standard variant, going up to Rs. 1,36,500 (Ex-showroom) for the top-spec Pro variant. The Hero Xtreme 160R 4V’s main rivals are the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, as well as the two Pulsar 160s, the Pulsar N160, as well as the Pulsar NS160. 

Also Read: Hero Xtreme 160R 4V Price Comparison With Rivals

The Hero Xtreme 160R 4V now has all the qualities to take on the very best contenders in the 160 cc motorcycle segment. 

Price wise, variant to variant, it’s an almost neck and neck competition with its main rivals, but more importantly, the Hero Xtreme 160R 4V now feels like a worthy contender to take the fight to established rivals. After spending time on the test track and on public roads, it’s made a strong impression. So much so, it’s easy to declare that the Hero Xtreme 160R 4V now makes the cut as a special motorcycle in the 160 cc segment. 

Prices range from Rs. 1.27 lakh to Rs. 1.36 lakh (Ex-showroom)

So, if you’re in the market for a 160 cc motorcycle, don’t make the mistake of overlooking the Xtreme 160R 4V! Take a test ride at least; it could be all the bike you need in that price bracket.

(Photography: Arvind Salhan)

SPECIFICATIONS: