Hero XPulse 200T vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: War For The Entry-level Adventure Bike

The XPulse 200 impressed us all a couple of years ago. So let’s see if its touring-focused sibling, the 200T can do the same, especially against the RE Himalayan

• The Hero XPulse 200T’s 199.6 engine makes 19.01PS and 17.35Nm. 
• The Royal Enfield Himalayan though, is a lot more powerful with 24.31PS and 32Nm on tap. 
• Their wheel configuration is also quite different. 

Despite the country's vibrant adventure culture, there aren't many options for buyers looking for smaller-capacity bikes. The Royal Enfield Himalayan, which had faults in its early years and is still dogged by scepticism despite the new bike overcoming most of those problems, was the most affordable motorbike available until a few years ago.

Of course, the question is whether the Himalayan is still cost-effective or if you should now look at the XPulse 200T for your off-road requirements. 

Hero XPulse 200T vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: Design & Features

The Hero XPulse 200T 4V draws design cues from the XPulse 200 4V, but adopts a neo-retro aesthetic with a front fender that isn't particularly complex and an exhaust that is positioned conventionally for a more road-bike-like appearance. The motorcycle comes standard with an engine protection, a centre stand and a plastic underbelly cover. The bike looks significantly more wholesome than before in its 4V incarnation thanks to the color-coded flyscreen and fork gaiters.

Although the XPulse 200T 4V has bulb-style turn indicators, it has LED headlights and taillamps. Additionally, it has a fully digital instrument cluster that connects to smartphones through Bluetooth to provide call/SMS notifications and turn-by-turn directions. 

In addition to the usual wealth of information, it additionally displays speed with engine RPM, gear position, trip statistics, and a clock. Through the Hero mobile app, the Bluetooth functions. A useful USB charging port is also included with this motorbike, however it's not in a practical place because it's under the seat.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan, in comparison, receives a semi-digital instrument console. The compact digital display has a digital gear indicator, two trip metres, an average speed display, a side-stand indicator, a clock, a temperature gauge, and a compass, while the analogue part has standard readouts including a speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauge! 

It does have an LED tail lamp, however it does not have an LED headlamp. The Himalayan also has a high-set exhaust that makes it very simple to cross rivers.

Hero XPulse 200T vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: Engine & Gearbox

Finally, the XPulse 200T receives the crucial 4-valve heart from the XPulse 200 4V, and this has greatly improved this bike. The performance of the 200T has seen a significant alteration, similar to how the XPulse 200's performance changed over time.

The XPulse 200T 4V feels vivacious and exuberant in contrast to the previous model, which felt monotonous even in urban settings. Every time you let go of the clutch, the bike accelerates with the vigour of a puppy chasing a ball because there is enough of bottom-end oomph. And it will be plenty to amuse you while you go across the city. swift overtaking? Not an issue. stumbling through traffic at peak hour? The 200T 4V accomplishes this without requiring a lot of gearbox effort.

The Himalayan’s long-stroke architecture allowed Enfield to tweak it to provide lots of torque at low speeds. Because there is so much drive to get you out of difficult circumstances, it is an off-dream roader. The XPulse's engine is the same as the Xtreme 200R's. 

Hero XPulse 200T vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: Suspension, Tyres & Brakes

The Hero XPulse 200T is particularly user-friendly for beginners. It is quite forgiving and predictable. The MRF Nylogrip tyres have fair traction and won't catch you off guard if you come across any loose gravel or puddles. This still holds true for its braking. The slightly firmer suspension design helps it maintain its poise by reducing nose-diving under severe braking. Even when the rear tyre does lock up as a result of the single-channel ABS, the bike is still under control.

This bike's suspension hardware is particularly well complemented by the tyre and brake configuration. It is elastic enough to absorb most speed bumps and undulations while being rigid enough to prevent wallowing in corners.

Hero XPulse 200T vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: Dimensions

The Hero XPulse 200T 4V is rather simple to manoeuvre because to its wide handlebar, which provides sufficient leverage, and its light kerb weight of 153 kg. The front is a touch raked out, but it doesn't seem as slow as you might imagine. It facilitates quick direction changes because the front 17-inch alloy wheel is smaller than the one on the ADV.

A nimble motorcycle that doesn't fear turns is produced by the combination of the slightly stiff suspension and adequate traction from the MRF tyres. The tyres are noisy on rocky roads, despite this. Thanks to the progressive brakes, which also have a decent bite, it also loses speed rapidly.

The Himalayan is concerned about extra weight. While the driving force might be enough to get you through the majority of circumstances, steel arms will be required to pull the bike back up if it goes over. Compared to mid-capacity adventure bikes like the Triumph Tiger 800 and the BMW F 850 GS, the Himalayan weights 35 kg more. Although it conceals its weight well, the XPulse is easier to manage in tight spaces.

Hero XPulse 200T vs Royal Enfield Himalayan: Price

In classic Hero form, the XPulse 200 is incredibly affordable. Because it is more affordable than the Royal Enfield Himalayan by more than Rs 78,000, it makes a stronger argument for itself to India's nascent off-road aficionados, for whom price is their top priority.

Verdict

At Rs 1,35,726 (ex-showroom Delhi), the 200T is definitely a good VFM proposition. Yes, it has less power than the Bajaj Pulsar NS 200 or the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, but it still has enough to compete with the Hornet 2.0. The XPulse 200T makes a compelling argument for itself if you're looking for somewhat spicy commuting performance rather than outright performance. The Hero XPulse 200T 4V has improved in every way since it was first introduced. 

Spend the extra money on the Himalayan if you want a motorbike that can perform all tasks. Attempting to maintain the daily grind? Can do. Would you like to travel to Goa? Check. Can you traverse the most treacherous terrain in the Himalayas? Gladly. The XPulse lacks the extensive selection of aftermarket accessories that Royal Enfield offers. 

Although it still has shortcomings and doesn't feel quite finished, it does have some advantages over the XPulse. For some people, that can make it worthwhile. But if these things still do not make the Himalayan worthwhile for you, we’d recommend you to hold your breath, for there’s the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 incoming that promises to be a lot more tech-laden while being lighter.