Hero Xtreme Sports Full Review | Pics, Specs & Mileage

The 150cc motorcycle segment is the most competitive segment in India and also commands the largest share in terms of unit sales. It was Hero (then Hero Honda) who developed the 150cc segment in India with the launch of the Hero Honda CBZ way back in 1999 and provided a platform to the masses to switch to a more powerful experience. Back then the motorcycle market was filled with low-power mass commuter bikes with engine capacities ranging from 80cc to 125cc, there were hardly any big bikes available for retail purchase except for the Royal Enfields which were struggling with their own set of issues.

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The CBZ, which took the pain to develop the 150cc market witnessed its glory swept away by Bajaj with the launch of Pulsar 150 in 2001. Till date the Pulsar 150 remains at the top spot in terms of units sold. The Pulsar 150 range recently got a shot in the arm with the launch of Pulsar 150 AS (Adventure Sport) which is based on the new Pulsar 200 NS platform.

Hero MotoCorp, which dominates the overall two-wheeler market in India, tried several attempts to revive the CBZ / CBZ Xtreme / Xtreme brand but just couldn't manage to topple the segment leaders Pulsar 150 and Honda CB Unicorn 150 (now discontinued and replaced by Unicorn 160). With the launch of Yamaha FZ in 2008, it became even more difficult for Hero to differentiate its offering.

Stylish Headlamp with wolf-eyed LED lamps

Bajaj, Honda and Yamaha had distinctly positioned their 150cc bikes from each other. The Pulsar 150 had sheer raw power, higher than any of the three and at a price lower than its competitors. The CB Unicorn was the most reliable and fuel efficient 150cc of the three bikes. While the Yamaha FZ was the most stylish and modern bike with a very high sex appeal to it. The Hero CBZ / CBZ Xtreme / Xtreme had nothing to brag about, it wasn't the most stylish nor as powerful as the Pulsar and couldn't compete with Unicorn on reliability and fuel efficiency.

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At present the 150cc segment is flooded with even more options to choose from, especially with the entry of Honda CB Trigger, TVS Apache 160, Suzuki Gixxer, Suzuki Gixxer SF, Bajaj Discover 150 and Bajaj Pulsar 150 AS. We are discounting the Yamaha R15 and Honda CBR150R in this article since both the bikes are in a different league altogether in terms of both performance and price! If any other 150cc bike is missed, consider it as not worth mentioning.

Comparison set

Make	Model	Price (ex-Mumbai) INR	Max Power (bhp)	Max Torque (Nm)
Suzuki	Gixxer SF	99,030	14.6	14
Yamaha	Fazer v2.0	90,822	13	12.8
Yamaha	FZ S v2.0	85,451	13	12.8
Bajaj	Pulsar 150 AS	82,690	16.7	13
Yamaha	FZ v2.0	80,540	13	12.8
Honda	Unicorn 160	77,337	14.5	14.6
Suzuki	Gixxer	76,430	14.6	14
Honda	CB Trigger	73,413	14	12.5
Bajaj	Pulsar 150 DTS-i	73,382	15	12
Suzuki	GS150R	70,851	13.8	13.4
TVS	Apache RTR 160	70,252	15	13
Yamaha	SZ RR v2.0	69,700	11.9	12.8
Hero	Xtreme Sports	69,687	15.6	13.5
Hero	Hunk	66,987	14	13
Hero	Xtreme	66,631	14.2	12.8
Bajaj	Discover 150F	59,211	14.3	12.7

Note: Not an exhaustive list but good enough!

Here's another version of the Xtreme series by Hero named as the Xtreme Sports which houses a pumped up 149.2 cc petrol engine, same capacity as the standard Xtreme but produces 15.6 hp of power (1.2 hp increase over the Xtreme) and 13.5 Nm of torque (0.7 Nm increase over Xtreme).

Lets evaluate the Xtreme Sports on various parameters on a scale of 5.

Looks, Style, Design - 3/5

The Xtreme Sports might not be as stylish as the FZS v2.0, Suzuki Gixxer, Gixxer SF, Pulsar 150 AS

but definitely looks better than CB Unicorn 160, CB Trigger, Pulsar 150.

It looks well proportioned and has a solid muscular stance. All black paint on the metal surfaces with alloy wheels also adds to the bike's overall looks. There is no DRL on this one but it gets two wolf-eyed LED lamps above the headlamp. It gets a digital multi-display which show you speed, fuel, gear, time and the odometer.

The instrument clusters sits over the split-handle bars which looks quite odd. But the biggest flaw in the design is the position of the ignition key slot. The key slot is located on the headlamp on the right side of it which is a real pain to reach out. Add to that the bike lacks the engine kill switch which means that if you are stuck in a long signal, you have to get up off your seat and bend forward to turn off the engine. That's highly inconvenient and a real pain to do it every single time. That's why we have given a rating of just 3 out of 5.

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Engine & Performance - 4.5/5

With 15.6 hp of maximum power the Xtreme Sports' engine is the second most powerful in its segment. Puslar 150AS has the most powerful 150cc engine which produces 16.7 hp but also costs 13,000 rupees more than the Xtreme Sports.

Instrument cluster is a mix of analog and digital units

In terms of actual performance, the Xtreme Sports' engine feels smooth and has an excellent high end torque response i.e. the engine comes to life at higher rpms. One can easily cruise at speeds on 90-95 kmph but achieving the 3-digit figure (100 kmph) is quite a struggle. We could manage a top speed of 106 kmph thanks to lack of good and empty roads during our limited testing.

The engine even though being powerful is also very fuel efficient. It delivered 48 kmpl in city traffic and 61 kmpl on highways.

Split seats look sporty and are really comfortable

Ride Quality - 4.5/5

As the case with any Hero bike, the comfort levels are always on the higher side. The Xtreme Sports is no different, it offers excellent comfort in everyday riding conditions thanks to its comfortable seat and soft suspension. It absorbs shocks pretty well and can tread over rough roads easily.

But due to this soft setting, the bike does not feel sporty or aggressive and one doesn't feel like pushing it hard on the straights or corners.

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Verdict

The Xtreme Sports is an ideal upgrade from the 110/125cc bikes for the daily commuters. It offers a mix of power, mileage, looks at the cheapest cost compared to others. It is also the second most powerful bike in its segment. It might now look powerful and stylish but it definitely can beat the likes of FZs and Gixxers. If you are looking for a bike that makes sense and which also is very light on your wallet, then Xtreme Sports is your bike.