So... What Exactly is the HERO Dakar Rally Bike?

You don't see much variety in machines in the Dakar Rally. It's a tough race, so only a select few manufacturers dare to enter. You have your KTMs, Husqvarnas, GasGases, Hondas, and... Hero? What is a Hero? Is it just a copy cat, a privateer team? Well, short answer is no. And the long answer reveals a fascinating story of patience and revenge.

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[lamraliang]

This is a proud moment for us Indians, as not only did Hero perform really well, but also TVS, another Indian company and Harith Noah, an Indian rider won the Rally 2 category.

[surajtomar]

Hero has now bought licence for Harley Davidson brand in India and launched a long stroke thumper Harley X440 (440cc because it is half of Harley's 880cc v-twin) which is doing really well in the market.

[RealHooksy]

Well done Hero and Ross Brach this year at Dakar.
RIP Paulo

[hmmer]

Tata, Hero, TVS, Bajaj, Mahidra all have accuired famous past companies in last 2 decades. They are going for world recognition

[_aakashpandey]

I daily a Hero Xpulse Rally edition, always curious about the dakar bike, thanks for the video!

[phuLphiL]

I really can't put in words how i love your content and style of your videos. The curve of emotions from interest into Curiosity - and back to slight sadness. Perhaps a few words after all: Thank you and keep it up! This (niche) scene needs you!

[TetraX-uixl]

Between the first time I was in India and the last time, there was 500 million (!) more people in the country.
And the middle class has grown massively.
In those early days 'everybody wanted a watch' now 'everybody wants a car' or a 'big' motorcycle.
There is now a domestic as well as a international market, so the timing is right.
Gotta go back...those Ladakh/Zanskar/Spiti runs are magic.

[honkydonk]

Solid work again Tudor! funny I was thinking the same when Dakar was on, wondering who Hero was. Thanks for shining some light over the history of Hero. I have even more respect for them now! Can't stop thinking what if they made a rally bike for the masses just like Kove. they have the "know how", so why not.... Cheers from jimmi

[alenmathew]

I am a proud owner of current Xpulse 4V. Hero is coming up with a new Xpulse 210 with the new liquid cooled engine. It's gonna be a treat.

[nomading_in]

Lived in India a few years, but never had the opportunity to ride the X-Pulse, which did seem like an interesting bike. I think all the manufacturers in India recognise a maturing market. The demands being made of bikes continues to grow, opening new sectors, and additional budget which matches the overall economic growth of the Country. So, I think this is strategic work around being in the right place at the right time. Very soon, a significant market within India will open up to 450cc+ Rally bikes (Royal Enfield are tracking a similar growth trend), and Hero are well placed to continue to evolve the XPulse type methodology into its next phase. As any company should be, they're probably tracking 3-5 years ahead of predicted market trends in their Dakar aspirations. Riding mixed road in India over large distances is the absolute best, and the 18-30 year old professional living there absolutely knows this, while also knowing they actually need these types of bikes for what they're passionate about (as opposed to most of us European's who only actually need a bike for boring tarmac roads...joking joking, sort of).

[sprajwallnarayana]

Good to see how hero is doing out there in race field, I own xpulse was shocked to see its capabilities from the manufacturer.

[SupermotoCentral]

Interesting I was thinking the Hero rally bike was still based on the old bmw/husqvarna G450X engine. Good to see them on the podium now.

[LostInADV]

Dude, I’ve watched five of your videos since I found your channel yesterday. I am very impressed, and thankful because you are definitely filling a gap in moto content! Well done

[tristanwright]

thank you for the beautiful Lil tribute to Paulo. I still cry. rip hero

[mannu]

Proud of Hero and TVS for competing in the Great Dakar Rally. Hats off to the two Indian Companies.
RIP Speedy Goncalves.

[BlackHawkTejas]

Well Welll! Hero is indeed making mass market 400/450cc bikes, they will launch it soon. All thier learnings from Dakar will be going there!

[art_seer]

If you dont know what Hero Motocorp is, you are not a biker, you are not even an enthusiast.

[shalinmodi]

Indian motorcycle industry has done gr8 job by providing wonderful motorcycles in 250-600 cc range and making it affordable and by that making wirld of motorcycking accessible to mass.

[pkumartb]

Incredible. In 2023 another rider CS Santhosh met with a major crash.And he was in coma for some time with severe injuries yet survived.And hero motorcorp released their first limited edition bike named as “XPulse rally edition”with his signature on it. It is an incredible machine with adjustable suspensions and massive ground clearance and a seat height of 885mm. I own one of that machine and enjoys my weekend rides with that machine.😊.

[mohba]

Engines engineering is owned by Mahindra. It has nothing to do with speedbrain. Speedbrain has a long term contract with hero and hero doesn't make the actual dakar bike. The actual engine in the hero dakar bike is made by kymco which was supplied to bmw for the 450x.