Hero MotoCorp’s upcoming Xpulse 421 has been spotted testing once again, this time at the famous Khardung La pass in Ladakh. Known for its challenging terrain, steep climbs and high altitude, Khardung La is often where manufacturers put their motorcycles through some of the toughest real-world tests before launch.
The latest spy shots give us a better idea of what Hero’s biggest and most powerful adventure bike could look like. Even though the motorcycle is still covered in camouflage, it is clear that the Xpulse 421 is a significant step up from the current Xpulse range.
The bike gets a tall windscreen, a muscular fuel tank, hand guards and a long single-piece seat, giving it a proper adventure-touring stance. Compared to the smaller Xpulse models, the 421 looks larger, more premium and built for covering long distances while still being capable off-road.
The test bike also appears to be equipped with long-travel suspension, wire-spoke wheels and dual-purpose tyres, all of which are essential for tackling rough terrain. A large single disc at the front and a single disc setup at the rear will handle the braking but the box-type swingarm with mono shock suspension looks like major cost saving!
The biggest talking point, however, is the new engine. The Xpulse 421 is expected to be powered by an all-new 421cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder motor producing around 40-45 HP. This would make it the most powerful motorcycle in Hero’s lineup and place it right in the middle of the rapidly growing adventure bike segment.
Hero is also expected to pack the Xpulse 421 with modern features. Spy shots reveal a large TFT display, while reports suggest that the production bike could get ride modes, traction control, cruise control, smartphone connectivity and switchable ABS. Interestingly, dedicated cruise control buttons can already be seen on the test mule.
The motorcycle was first previewed through design sketches shown by Hero at EICMA, and since then it has been spotted testing multiple times across India. The latest Ladakh sighting suggests that development is progressing well and the motorcycle is moving closer to production.
Once launched, the Xpulse 421 will sit above the Xpulse 210 and become Hero’s flagship adventure motorcycle. It is expected to rival the likes of the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and KTM 390 Adventure, two bikes that currently dominate this space. While it could bring some serious challenge to the newly launched BMW F 450 GS as well.
