Hero Xpulse Rally Kit is now available for aspiring racers and off-roading enthusiasts for Rs 38,000.
Hero MotoCorp has finally launched the Xpulse 200 Rally Kit in the country for aspiring racers and hardcore off-roading enthusiasts. Priced at Rs 38,000, the package will be available at select Hero MotoCorp dealerships from March 2020. The Hero Xpulse 200 is an excellent starter motorcycle to go over tricky terrain and the new Rally Kit sets the benchmark even higher.
The Xpulse Rally Kit was first showcased at the 2019 EICMA international motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. The kit is a proper functional mod developed by the company’s R&D facility (Centre of Innovation and Technology) in Jaipur, with inputs from the brand’s motorsport division — Hero MotoSports Team Rally — who is a regular contestant in Dakar rally. The kit is certified by FMSCI and is also homologated. This means that once you have installed this kit, the bike is road legal, and can be used on public roads.
The Rally Kit brings a host of visual and mechanical changes to the stock Xpulse 200. The fully-adjustable (compression and rebound) front forks have a travel of 250mm while the 10-step rear monoshock has a 220mm stroke. It ensures purpose-focused ergonomics with the handlebar risers and the flat- or bench-seat layout.
With an increased ground clearance of 275mm (up by 55mm), Maxxis knobby tyres and extended gear lever (for easy shifting with off-roading boots), the Hero Xpulse 200 Rally Kit promises enough agility and control over challenging grounds. To support the taller stance, the side stand is longer as well. Meanwhile, the engine remains unchanged and comes in the exact state of tune. However, the bigger sprocket (12-teeth in front and 40-teeth at the rear) makes the lightweight adventure motorcycle slightly quicker off the line compared to its stock avatar.
The Hero XPulse 200 is powered by a 199.6cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine that makes 18bhp @ 8,000rpm and 17.1Nm @ 6,500rpm. The engine is available in both carburetted and fuel-injected formats while mated to a 5-speed transmission. At EICMA 2019, the Xpulse 200 Rally Kit sported an Akrapovic exhaust (not a full system) that is not included in the package.
The Hero XPulse 200 is a really good package in its stock format itself. The adv has become more of a sensation on the Indian market thanks to its relatively affordable price tag and go-anywhere nature. With the new Rally Kit, the desirability of the XPulse 200 is bound to improve by a huge margin. Still, it is ideal for only those who are really into off-roading (beyond Instagram) and wishes to have a career in the field of motorcycle motorsports at some point.
