Hero Xpulse 421 appears in Ladakh! Big ADV coming soon
Hero MotoCorp’s upcoming adventure motorcycle is back on public roads. The latest test mule was spotted in Ladakh. The motorcycle is widely believed to be called the Xpulse 421 and was seen undergoing high-altitude testing in the Himalayas.Although the motorcycle remains heavily camouflaged, several key details are visible. The front end features a rally-inspired design, with a tall windscreen and high-mounted LED headlights integrated into a sharply sculpted fairing. The design of the fuel tank and seat also hint at its adventure-focused intentions. The rear half looks relatively slender compared to the bulky front half.Suspension duties are likely to be handled by long-travel USD front forks and a rear mono-shock setup. While exact specs are still under wraps, some degree of suspension adjustability is expected, possibly including compression and rebound adjustments up front and preload adjustment at the rear.This test bike had a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel with dual-purpose tires. It remains to be seen whether Hero opts for tubeless tires or conventional tubed tyres. Braking is expected to come from front and rear disc setups with radially mounted calipers, backed by dual-channel ABS.Powering the upcoming adventure motorcycle will be a new liquid-cooled single-cylinder 421cc engine. Hero MotoCorp is yet to reveal official production figures, but the engine is expected to produce around 40 hp, putting it in direct competition with the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and KTM 390 Adventure. The engine is likely to be mated to a six-speed gearbox.The latest prototype also shows off a digital instrument console, likely a TFT display with smartphone connectivity. It is expected to provide functions such as route navigation, calling and text message reminders. Hero is also likely to equip the motorcycle with a host of electronic riding aids including riding modes, traction control, cruise control and switchable ABS. While the company has yet to announce an official launch timeline, continued testing in extreme conditions suggests the motorcycle is steadily approaching production. We expect a global showcase at EICMA later this year, followed by a launch in India in 2027.
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