My journey with the Hero Xtreme 125R began almost a month ago, and since then, this bike has been my constant companion through Mumbai’s bustling city life, from navigating heavy traffic to dodging potholes and braving the rains. While my first impressions were positive, this long-term test has allowed me to truly understand what it’s like to live with this bike day in and day out. Is the Xtreme 125R just a stylish commuter, or does it have the practicality to back up its looks? Here’s what I’ve learned.

Design and Handling: A City Rider’s Dream

The first thing that strikes you about the Xtreme 125R is its youthful and sporty design. It’s a refreshing change in the 125cc commuter segment, and its compact build makes a huge difference in urban settings. Weighing in at just 136kg, the bike feels incredibly light and agile. This is a game-changer when you’re weaving through slow-moving traffic, making sharp U-turns, or trying to squeeze into a tight parking spot. The well-balanced chassis gives you a feeling of confidence, even if you’re a new rider.

The riding posture is a perfect blend of sportiness and comfort. The seat height and handlebar position are just right, giving you a neutral stance that’s neither too aggressive nor too upright. This makes for a natural and effortless ride, whether you’re zipping between traffic lights or simply cruising down a main road.

Performance and Mileage: The Highlights

The Xtreme 125R shines with its impressive fuel efficiency. I consistently got a mileage of 63.5 kmpl in city conditions, which has made a noticeable dent in my fuel expenses. That’s quite a saving, particularly when you compare it with my own Yamaha MT-15, which returns around 45–50 kmpl. The engine feels peppy and responsive enough for city overtakes and keeps up with traffic with ease. Its tractable nature is also a big plus; I was able to comfortably pull from speeds as low as 25 kmph in fifth gear.

One of the key highlights is its braking setup, with the front disc brake standing out the most. The bike comes with a 276mm front disc, which is the largest in its segment. This provides excellent stopping power with a strong initial bite, which has proven to be a lifesaver in a few close-call situations.

What’s Not So Good

However, the bike isn’t without its flaws. The vibrations start to creep in as the revs build up, and you can feel them through the handlebars, footpegs, and tank. This can get uncomfortable on longer rides or at higher RPMs.

The gear shifter can also be a bit finicky. While the shifts are generally smooth, there were times when it felt a bit vague and notchy, making it easy to miss a shift or find a false neutral, especially if you’re riding with a light touch.

The instrument console is a bit too basic. Although the large font for speed readouts is easy to see at a glance, the low brightness makes it hard to read under harsh sunlight. The smartphone connectivity feature is a nice thought, but the small font makes the alerts and readouts hard to notice, so I rarely used it.

Comfort and Pillion Ride

For short commutes, the bike is quite comfortable, but the seat cushioning can feel a bit too firm on longer rides, leading to a numb feeling after a while. Pillion comfort isn’t the best either. The sporty, raised tail section, while great for looks, isn’t as accommodating for a pillion as the flatter, single-piece seats found on other commuter bikes.

The Verdict

Living with the Hero Xtreme 125R has been an eye-opening experience. It has a great feel and looks that make it seem like a higher-capacity motorcycle. The performance is more than adequate for daily commuting, and the money I’ve saved on fuel has been a welcome bonus. This bike has shown me that you don’t need the biggest engine or the fastest speed to have an exciting and memorable riding experience. The Xtreme 125R is a strong contender in its segment, offering a great blend of style, comfort, and, most importantly, practicality.

Pros:

• Excellent Mileage: The bike offers a fantastic mileage of 63.5 kmpl, which is a big money saver.
• Strong Front Brake: The large 276mm front disc brake provides great stopping power and is a real lifesaver in emergencies.
• Light and Agile: Its low weight and compact size make it perfect for navigating city traffic.

Cons:

• Vibrations: The bike has noticeable vibrations at higher RPMs.
• Basic Console: The instrument cluster is a bit too simple compared to rivals and is difficult to read in direct sunlight.

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