Hero MotoCorp reportedly planning 4 motorcycles for 200-300cc segment

12/09/2018 - 19:13 | Hero XF3R, Hero Motocorp | Suvil Susvirkar

It’s no secret that Hero MotoCorp is preparing to launch the new Xpulse 200 in the Indian market this fiscal year. The motorcycle, similar to the just-launched Xtreme 200R, will be priced below the INR 1,00,000 (ex-showroom) mark.

Hero MotoCorp plans to introduce three other products in the 200-300cc segment over the next 18 months. The next launch is the Hero Xpulse 200 while the other two motorcycles will be seen at the 2020 Auto Expo.

Also read: Hero Xtreme 200R gets INR 1,900 price hike; priced at INR 89,900

However, the Xpulse 200 is not the only other Hero MotoCorp product in the 200-300cc segment. The latest report from Livemint suggests that the Indian two-wheeler brand is working on two more products in that segment.

The Xpulse should arrive any time in the coming months while the other two models will take longer. The report adds that Hero MotoCorp will introduce the motorcycles in the 200-300cc segment over the next 18 months. They will be reportedly retailed through new premium dealerships.

Details are very limited now. However, remember that Hero MotoCorp had displayed the XF3R and the HX250R at the 2016 Auto Expo, with the latter being shelved as development partners EBR (Eric Buell Racing) shut shop. The XF3R, on the other hand, might still be under consideration given the rise in the number of products in the 300cc segment. Mechanical specifications of the XF3R have been kept under wraps since its debut at the 2016 Auto Expo. The motorcycle is expected to draw power from a 300cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, DOHC engine.

Sources close to the developments told the newspaper:

Hero currently wants to focus on the 200-250cc segment and then gradually scale up towards the 300cc space.

Previously, reports were doing rounds that Hero MotoCorp will join hands with Italian motorcycle brand, Ducati to introduce 300 cc single-cylinder motorcycles. A potential partnership between Hero MotoCorp and Ducati would directly rival the TVS-BMW, the Bajaj-KTM and Bajaj-Triumph alliances. The KTM 390 Duke dominates the sub-500cc performance motorcycle segment. Local manufacturing allows the Austrian 'pocket-rocket' to be sold at highly competitive prices.

Given the 18 month timeline stated in the source report, we will most likely see an evolution of the product at the 2020 Auto Expo. We expect the third motorcycle to be a full-faired model or a naked roadster.