The 160 cc segment has been heating up for a while, but Hero just tossed a fresh match into the bonfire. The company has officially launched the 2026 Hero Xtreme 160R 4V Combat Edition—complete with ride modes, cruise control, and a sharper new look. And if you’re blinking twice at the words “cruise control” in a 160 cc bike… you’re not alone. This is the kind of feature that usually lives in premium touring machines, not everyday city nakeds.
A Price Bump, But With the Goods to Match
Hero has priced the new Xtreme 160R 4V Combat Edition at Rs. 1.34 lakh (ex-showroom), roughly Rs. 4,500 higher than the standard 1.30 lakh model. The bump isn’t outrageous, considering the list of convenience upgrades. Mechanically, though, Hero hasn’t touched the core engine or chassis. That means the familiar 163.2 cc air- and oil-cooled, single-cylinder, four-valve unit continues to put out 16.6 bhp and 14.6 Nm—numbers that place it right in the sweet spot of the 160 cc naked class.
Here’s a quick glance at where the two variants now stand:
| Variant | Price (Ex-showroom) | Features Added |
|---|---|---|
| Xtreme 160R 4V Standard | Rs. 1.30 lakh | Regular feature set |
| Xtreme 160R 4V Combat Edition | Rs. 1.34 lakh | Cruise control, ride-by-wire, ride modes, new headlamp, updated switchgear |
A New Face and More Tech Up Front
One of the most noticeable upgrades sits right at the nose. The redesigned LED headlamp—clearly inspired by the beefier Xtreme 250R—gives the 160R a more angular, aggressive expression. It’s the kind of front fascia that makes you double-take when one blasts past you at night.
The new 4.2-inch full-color LCD instrument cluster adds another dose of freshness. It’s crisper, brighter, and arranged in a layout that feels more in tune with the segment’s recent premium leanings. Pair that with updated graphics and new paint schemes, and the bike suddenly looks far closer to a performance-oriented streetfighter than a commuter in sporty clothing.
Hero is offering a total of four color options: bronze/black, forest green/neon green, black with red highlights, and an exclusive matte grey reserved for the Combat Edition.
Cruise Control in a 160 cc? Hero Went There
This is the headline-grabber. The 2026 Xtreme 160R 4V becomes the first bike in the 160 cc class to offer cruise control. It’s an unusual but intriguing addition—especially in a market where highway comfort often gets overlooked in favor of raw city agility.
Cruise control works exactly as you’d expect: lock in a steady speed and let the system maintain it without needing to hold the throttle. Hero has already experimented with this tech on smaller models like the Glamour X and Xtreme 125R, but bringing it to the 160 cc streetfighter category signals a bigger shift toward convenience-focused riding.
Long rides on the highway? Maybe not the primary use case for a 160 cc bike, but anyone who’s done a few hours on Indian tarmac knows how tiring constant throttle modulation can get. This feature will ease that load—useful for touring types who like to push beyond city limits.
Ride-by-Wire and Three Riding Modes
The addition of a ride-by-wire system opens the door to ride modes—another first for the segment. The Xtreme 160R 4V now offers:
- Rain Mode
- Road Mode
- Sport Mode
While Hero hasn’t disclosed the exact tuning changes for each, expect differences in throttle sensitivity and power delivery. Rain mode typically dulls response for better traction, while Sport will likely bring sharper acceleration off the line, making the bike feel snappier in everyday hustle.
Switching between modes is made easier thanks to reworked switchgear on both handlebars—a small touch, but one that makes the motorcycle feel more premium and more intuitive.
Same Engine, Familiar Punch
Underneath all these upgrades lies the same 163.2 cc four-valve motor—smooth, predictable, and surprisingly lively at higher revs. With 16.6 bhp and 14.6 Nm, the Xtreme 160R 4V stays well within the competitive zone shared by rivals from TVS, Bajaj, and Yamaha. Paired with the five-speed gearbox, it remains a friendly city bike capable of taking a weekend blast without feeling stretched thin.
Suspension, Braking, and Handling
Hero continues to use KYB USD forks at the front—a premium touch in this bracket—and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear. The bike’s handling has always been one of its strengths: quick to turn, neutral mid-corner, and stable under braking.
Speaking of brakes, the bike gets disc brakes at both ends, now supported by a dual-channel ABS setup. This upgrade rounds off the safety suite nicely, especially with wet-season riding in mind.
A More Stylish, More Tech-Forward Xtreme
If you zoom out, Hero’s move makes sense. The 160 cc naked segment has morphed into a battleground where design and features now matter almost as much as outright performance. Riders—especially younger buyers—want a bike that looks sharp in photos, feels modern on the dashboard, and doesn’t bore them six months after purchase.
The new 2026 Xtreme 160R 4V Combat Edition is Hero’s answer: a more tech-rich, premium-feeling machine without abandoning the accessible nature that made the original 160R so popular.
