Key highlights
- Hero Xpulse 421 adventure bike spied
- Gets a dual-sport design with comfortable riding ergonomics
- Equipped with 21-/18-inch spoked tube tyres
If you have been waiting for the bigger Xpulse, we have exclusive information for you. We recently spotted the Xpulse 421 test mule up close at Khardung La, revealing interesting details about it. Read below what to expect from the bigger Xpulse below.
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What to expect from the upcoming Hero Xpulse 421?
Design and platform
The first thing that we immediately noticed on this very test mule was the new platform. Obviously, since it is a bigger bike, the platform had to be new, but Hero has gone the Royal Enfield way by using the new engine as a stress member of the chassis. This is a typical engineering technique for the middle-capacity adventure motorcycles, and the new Xpulse 421 will follow the same.
Overall, the camouflaged test mule looks bigger, and its road presence is also expected to be good. The front has a tall stance with a long-travel USD suspension and a new LED headlamp. Although the test bike did not have a front beak, we suspect it will be installed on the production-spec model in a later stage.
Meanwhile, the test bike was equipped with a large fuel tank (15 litres+), a tubular handlebar, a single seat, an upswept exhaust for easy off-roading, and a tail section luggage carrier plate. Overall, the design did look good, and we hope that the production-spec model will do complete justice to the final look.
Engine specifications
Now that we do not know the exact numbers, the spy shots helped us take a closer look at this new powertrain. The aluminium engine casing hides beneath a new 421cc single-cylinder engine that gets liquid cooling. The latter means that it will produce peak power and torque in the same ballpark as the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the KTM Adventure 390 R.
The 421cc engine will be paired with a 6-speed transmission, and it will get the slipper clutch as a standard feature. We expect that it will produce somewhere around 40 bhp, and the peak torque could also be in the same range.
Hardware
Talking about the important part, the test bike had the segment-standard hardware. It was riding on the 21-inch (front) and 18-inch (rear) spoked rims and all-terrain tyres. However, we can not confirm whether this setup was tubeless or not, but it is anticipated that Hero could launch its own set of tubeless spoked rims, especially considering that the Royal Enfield Himalayan and the KTM ADV 390 both come loaded with tubeless rims as an option.
The test bike also had the preload-adjustable rear monoshock placed vertically, which is again different from the diagonal setup on the Himalayan and the ADV 390. The front and rear brakes were single discs with a petal design, and both had steel braided lines for better performance.
Features and technology
Hero has always been upfront in terms of equipping its bikes with modern tech. The Xpulse 421 test bike also had a plethora of new features. It was equipped with a big TFT screen and switchgear for controls like ride modes, traction control, cruise control, emergency hazard lights, and more.
The production bike will come with Bluetooth connectivity and smart wireless features like phone mirroring for Google Maps navigation, SMS and call alerts, music controls, etc. The test bike also had a complete LED lighting setup.
Launch timeline and price
The Xpulse 421 will be officially revealed at EICMA 2026 in November in Italy. The production-spec model will later be displayed in India at the India Bike Week, as per our expectations. Since it will be positioned in the middle-weight ADV segment, we believe it will be priced around Rs 2.5-2.75 lakh.
