New Hero 125cc bike spied, will take on TVS Raider

A few days ago, we were the first to report that Hero is working on a couple of new 125cc bikes, with one of them being a sporty offering. Now, a new, small-capacity Hero-badged bike has been spied testing with a drum rear brake and angular styling, all signs which point toward this being that very bike. 

1. Styling very different to current crop of Hero 125s
2. Appears to be feature-rich, has all-LED lighting, digital dash
3. Could use an all-new engine

New Hero 125cc bike: what can be seen?

First things first, this upcoming Hero bike can be discerned as a 125cc model from the presence of a rear disc brake, which in Hero’s line-up is only seen on its simple commuter-esque machines, save the most affordable Xtreme 160R 2V. 

The styling of this bike is unlike any other 125cc commuter currently sold by Hero with a sharp, edgy design language as opposed to the relatively simpler designs of the Super Splendor and the Glamour. Unlike both those bikes, this sporty Hero machine also seems to feature a split seat setup. The design of the six-spoke alloy wheels also appears to be unique to this bike and isn’t seen anywhere else on Hero’s current model line-up. 

What is also a point of difference between this test mule and other more commuter-centric offerings is that the riding position is quite sporty. Rider footpegs are quite rearset and the upper body also seems to be slightly canted forward. It also seems that Hero won’t skimp on features on this upcoming 125cc sporty naked bike, with a digital dash and all-LED lighting visible. 

It remains to be seen whether this bike uses an all-new 125cc engine or something based upon the existing platform but going by its overtly sporty intentions, Hero would be remiss to not back up the show with some go. The exhaust system appears to be new and isn’t shared with any other Hero motorcycle. While the engine’s details remain under wraps (for now), what can be seen is that this will be the first 125cc Hero motorcycle to use a monoshock set-up at the rear. 

Hero Xtreme 125: could this be the name?

Going by the very sharp and angular looks of the test mule here, Hero could use the Xtreme moniker to help get this small sporty machine off the ground. The TVS Raider has proved itself to be quite a strong seller and if Hero wants to differentiate this product from the rest of its basic 125cc models, it can bank on the Xtreme name to help its case. Of course, this does not rule out the possibility of the bike being called something else entirely, after all there never was an Apache 125. Watch this space as we bring you the latest details. 

And since Hero’s trump card has almost always been enticing pricing, expect the Hero Xtreme 125 to be priced below the TVS Raider which retails between Rs 93,719-Rs 1,00,820 (ex-showroom, Delhi). 

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Would you opt for the Hero Xtreme 125 over the established TVS Raider 125? Let us know in the comments section below.