Hero Xtreme 160R 4V long-term review, 4500km report

It's time for me to bid adieu to the Hero Xtreme 160R 4V, which has mostly served me well for the four months I had it in my garage. During that time, it did prove its mettle but also left me with a few notable gripes. Though the majority of my commute is on open roads and highways, the monsoons have slowed the overall pace of traffic and allowed me to experience the Xtreme in more jam-packed situations. The puddles have gotten bigger, and the potholes deeper.

 

The rev-happy nature of this engine is fun and will tempt you to whack open the throttle.

 

I am happy to report that the Xtreme 160’s suspension did a great job at tackling both, and even though I may have hit a splash or two, I never found myself in any severe discomfort despite the conditions. The punchy engine kept the pace engaging. The thick seat did its best to absorb my landings and keep me cosy throughout the commute, but Rishaad and Soham found it a little uncomfortable after about half an hour on board.

 

The suspension does a great job of delivering a smooth ride over the worst of roads.

 

That’s where the good things end. So, let’s address the bad, starting with the dim LED headlight, which was still somewhat manageable during the rest of the year. But add some rain to the picture, and its throw is quite sub-par. A simple solution for me was to avoid night rides or do them at a much lower pace so that in case any pothole catches me off-guard, the suspension has my back. The switchgear quality leaves a bit more to be desired and doesn’t feel as tactile as I’d like from a premium 160cc motorcycle.

 

LCD visibility issues got worse with heavy condensation before it completely failed.

 

Moving on to the ugly, a constant thorn in my side is its LCD display, which was illegible even in broad daylight, and it stopped working after a buildup of heavy condensation. So, it warrants a replacement. Another gripe is that sometimes the gearbox falls out of gear, especially in 4th or 5th. The bike also started to show signs of inconsistent fuelling, especially at lower speeds, and I noticed a drop in fuel efficiency.

 

Lack of sufficient illumination makes it difficult to use the Xtreme at night in the rain.

Thankfully, a recent service resolved the fuelling issues. The gearbox woes also improved, but not completely. These problems are unfortunate because I’ve enjoyed my time with the Xtreme. It’s a quick city bike that can be a hoot from time to time. Sadly, our time together began on a better note than its end.

Also see: Hero Xtreme 160R 4V long-term review, 3500km report