Opinion: Can Hero Xtreme 250R Revive The 250 cc Segment?

Hero MotoCorp grabbed headlines when it launched the new Xtreme 250R at the Bharat Mobility Expo a few months back. The new motorcycle was the most powerful and radical-looking bike to come from the stables of Hero and it created a lot of buzz on social media. As exciting as the Hero Xtreme 250R is, it enters a segment, which was at one point touted as the next big opportunity segment but failed to deliver - 250 cc class of bikes. From Bajaj Auto to Suzuki, KTM and even Yamaha, a lot of manufacturers tried to crack the code but failed. Can Hero reignite the 250 cc segment with the Xtreme 250R?

(Also Read: Hero Xtreme 250R Review)

The Opportunities

Price

One of the biggest highlights of the Xtreme 250R is its pricing. For the kind of kit the bike gets, the performance and features, the  ₹1.80 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) pricing is very very aggressive. To give you a perspective, the Yamaha MT15 retails for  ₹1.75 lakh, whereas the Suzuki Gixxer 250 will lighten your wallet by  ₹2 lakh and the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V is priced at  ₹1.50 lakh. Compared to the above mentioned bikes, the Hero Xtreme 250R offers a more engaging and thrilling riding experience. Since the bike is targeted at a younger audience, getting the pricing right for Hero was crucial and we feel the price point is spot on. 

Aspiration

The bikes available in this segment are quite varied, but one thing most bikes lacked was being aspirational or exciting, barring the KTM 250 Duke and the Suzuki V-Strom 250. Hero designers have gone all-out with the styling of the Xtreme 250R and it’s a bit too loud for my liking, I guess for the target audience (read it as 18-25 year age group), the design language leaves an impression. With layered elements and sharp lines, the Xtreme 250R is a proper modern-looking streetfighter and wherever we went during the shoot, it grabbed attention, so Hero designers have got the visual drama correct. The in-your-face styling does make the new bike look different and in that sense aspirational for buyers. 

(Also Read: Hero XPulse 210 Review)

Performance

The visual drama is aptly supported well by the performance of the motorcycle. The Xtreme 250R is the most powerful bike from Hero MotoCorp and it claims to be the fastest accelerating motorcycle in its segment. During the test ride, the bike did feel quick and exciting, something you normally associate with Hero bikes. The engine is very different from other motors in its portfolio, with respect to refinement levels and has a nice intake growl. 

The excitement continues with its engaging handling dynamics as it’s among the most fun to ride bikes in its segments, especially around fast corners. So Hero MotoCorp has got the dynamics right with the new Xtreme 250R, something it had struggled with in the past. 

Challenges

Rise of roadsters

Unlike the popularity of the Bajaj Pulsars, Hero Karizma and even the Honda CBR250R, the market has changed a lot in the past decade. Buyers in this segment, especially the 35 years and above age bikers shifted to roadsters from Royal Enfield’s portfolio. The market and demand for performance-oriented 250 cc bikes has shrunk, with lower displacement 150 cc bikes like the Yamaha MT15, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and the Pulsar N160 gaining popularity. So it will be a big task for Hero to establish the Xtreme 250 in this highly competitive price point and segment. 

Limited dealership network

Hero MotoCorp and limited dealerships don't add up and you’re right as it has one of the largest two-wheeler dealerships in the country, if not the largest. However, the brand is entering the premium market space with a different intent. It realised a premium motorcycle customer wouldn’t feel comfortable purchasing a motorcycle from the same showroom where a Hero Splendor (no disrespect for the bike) is being sold and serviced. 

For the same reason Hero is establishing Premia dealerships across the nation, where only premium products from Hero’s portfolio will be sold, so the buyer gets a premium and engaging customer experience. The downside of this strategy is that there are less than 100 Hero Premia dealerships across the country and this could hamper the reach of the Xtreme 250R and thereby affect sales.