India’s leading two-wheeler manufacturer Hero Motorcorp has introduced the 110cc Passion X Pro. With this bike, the company intends to further extend its lead in the commuter bike segment. We’ve just put the Passion X Pro through its paces to learn how it performs in the real world and whether it fits into its keenly contested segment.
The Passion X Pro has mass appeal, and uses styling cues from its predecessors. It remains a conservatively styled commuter bike that is instantly recognisable as a Hero stable member. Having said which, the X Pro has moved a little with time, and today sports a loud set of graphics that flow from its tank, right up to its tail. The X Pro comes with a smart set of five-spoke alloy wheels. Its engine, exhaust and chain cover are finished in black, a design element that is today commonly seen across Indian bikes.
The new Hero bike’s headlight sits within a bikini fairing, and this looks sharper than previous-gen Passions. There’s a green-tinted visor, and instruments that include a prominent and easy-to-read analogue speedometer, alongside an amber backlit digital display that shows an odometer, trip meter, fuel level indicator and service due reminder. The palm grips feel nice to touch, while the Hero-typical switchgear operates with a crisp feel, and includes a pass-light flasher. The X Pro gets a dinky lockable storage bay beneath its right side-panel, and this is useful to store a few papers. The X Pro gets colour-coded rear view mirrors and a flattish looking tank, and its sleekly styled tail section is home to a large tail-light.
The Passion X Pro sports top-notch build quality and fit and finish, just as expected from a Hero motorcycle. There’s likewise no compromise made when it comes to paint quality.
The new-gen Passion X Pro is powered by a four-stroke, 109.1cc engine, up from 97.2cc as found on the previous engine. The air-cooled, single-cylinder sits in an inclined from vertical position, instead of close to horizontal as was the case on earlier models. Fuelling is via a standard carburettor, and the X Pro is equipped with a manually operated choke. Maximum power generated is 8.6bhp at 7500rpm, while peak torque of 0.95kgm arrives at 5500rpm.
Electric starter
The X Pro comes to life via a kickstarter, with an electric starter available as a paid option. The engine is refined, smooth, and feels built to last. The X Pro enjoys linear power delivery and runs vibe-free throughout its powerband. Power is transferred to the rear wheel via a smooth, four-speed gearbox that operates in an all-up shift pattern via a heel-and-toe lever. Clutch feel is light, and just right for a bike made for city commuting.
We managed to hustle the X Pro from 0-60kph in 7.87 seconds, and achieved a true top speed of 94kph during testing, both of which are acceptable for a bike in this class.
The Passion X Pro is held together by a single downtube steel frame that uses the engine as a stressed member, and a rectangular section swingarm at the rear. The X Pro uses telescopic fork front suspension, while a set of hydraulic shock absorbers does duty at the rear. The X Pro’s upright riding position makes even long distance rides a comfortable affair. To further aid this, the riding saddle is well-added and adequate enough for rider and pillion. The X Pro handles with a neutral feel, and is nimble and agile in traffic. Straight-line stability is fair, while ride quality is good, if a touch towards the firm side. The X Pro corners with as much confidence as expected from this class of bike, and its MRF tubeless tyres provide ample grip at all times.
The Passion X Pro is a commuter bike, built to delight the penny pinchers among us, and it doesn’t disappoint on this front.
Technical data
L/W/H 2005/765/1115mm
Wheelbase 1265mm
Ground clearance 170mm
Price
Rs 51,800 (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Engine
Layout Single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke
Gearbox
Type 4-speed, 4-up
Suspension
Front Telescopic forks
Rear Hydraulic shocks rectangular swingarm
Wheels & Tyres
Made of 5-spoke alloy
Wheel size (f-r) 18 inches
Tyre size (f-r) 80/100 x 18- 90/90 x 18 inches
Brakes
Front 240mm disc
Rear 130mm drum
Economy
City 57kpl
Highway 58.8kpl
Tank size 9.5 litres
