Laylatul Qadr or ‘Night of Power’ is considered an important date in Ramazan for Muslims

Inflation on the Rise: भारत में खुदरा मुद्रास्फीति में वृद्धि और औद्योगिक उत्पादन में मजबूत सुधार के बीच एनडीटीवी की साक्षी बजाज ने भविष्य में आने वाले समय और दीर्घ अवधि में भारत की अर्थव्यवस्था की स्थिति पर बात की.

Medical science in the 21st century is making strides in areas that once seemed like science fiction. As technology rapidly advances, we’re seeing new possibilities for improving health and longevity. From potential treatments for tooth loss to progress in curing genetic disorders, these innovations aim to address some of the significant health challenges we face […]

The post 10 Major Recent Advances in Medicine appeared first on Listverse.

History often hosts the greatest tales. That fact becomes apparent with the wealth of movies, books, and TV shows dramatizing famous events. Many of these stories focus on the real people of the time, which is understandable. After all, they’re the ones making decisions, and those deeds define the whole period. What about the guys […]

The post 10 Stories That Use Historical Events as Backdrops appeared first on Listverse.

“Lord” George Sanger was about as close to an A-list celebrity as one could be in Victorian Britain. He traveled the country bringing his beloved circus from town to town, astounding everyone from lowly laborers to royalty. Clever, cheeky, and possessing a natural talent for showmanship, Sanger has often drawn comparisons to P.T. Barnum. However, […]

The post 10 Facts about Britain’s P.T. Barnum Including His Disturbing Death appeared first on Listverse.

Innovation in technology often means thinking outside the box. This list highlights some of the most ingenious tech experiments that push boundaries and showcase human creativity. These projects aren’t just theoretical; they have real-world applications, making a big impact across various industries. From energy efficiency to data storage, these innovations show how inventive thinking can […]

The post 10 Ingenious Tech Experiments That Think Outside the Box appeared first on Listverse.

Throughout history, governments have sometimes enacted policies based on flawed data, misunderstandings, or even myths. Some of these policies had lasting impacts on society, shaping public behavior, influencing economic trends, or restricting freedoms—all based on information that was later proven incorrect. Here are ten historical examples of policies that were set into motion by misinformation, […]

The post 10 U.S. Policies That Were Passed Based on False Information appeared first on Listverse.

A pizzeria in Germany was recently busted for selling more than just pizza. A major undercover operation revealed that customers who asked for secret item number 40 received a side of cocaine with their pizza. The investigation led to a major drug ring bust where several homes and properties were raided, which led to several […]

The post 10 Restaurants Busted for Selling Drugs appeared first on Listverse.

No matter what you call the bathroom—the latrine, loo, john, lavatory, or powder room—one thing is for certain. The bathroom is one of the most crucial places in our homes. It’s where we get ready before work, school, or a date, the place where we can take a hot shower or bath and unwind after […]

The post 10 Bizarre & Heartbreaking Stories Straight from the Restroom appeared first on Listverse.

For many actors, getting into character means more than just memorizing lines; it requires immersing themselves completely in the role. Some actors take this process to remarkable extremes, adopting unconventional and sometimes controversial methods to embody their characters. Whether through physical transformation, intense psychological preparation, or bizarre routines, these actors go above and beyond to […]

The post 10 Unconventional Ways Famous Actors Got into Character appeared first on Listverse.

There are a million facts from history, and every year, we seem to learn more of them. With as long as civilization has existed on this planet, there is simply no way that any one human could know everything about the world. That makes it kind of fun, though, doesn’t it? If you’re a history […]

The post 10 Mind-Blowing Facts from History That Don’t Seem Real appeared first on Listverse.

Looking for the best Torrent sites? Here is a list of the most popular ones of this year.

Riot Games has agreed to pay $100 million as a settlement in a 2018 lawsuit based on gender discrimination.

(Telecompaper) Veracity Trust Network has been awarded the Cybersecurity Co-Innovation and Development Fund (CCDF) CyberCall grant of SGD 1 million by the Cyber Security Agency Singapore (CSA)...

(Telecompaper) Revenues of Russian national operator Rostelecom totaled RUB 193 billion in the third quarter of this year, up by 11 percent year-on-year...

(Telecompaper) Exponential-e, UK provider of cloud, communications, connectivity and cyber security services, has secured a place as a supplier on the new Crown Commercial Service (CCS) G-Cloud 14 Framework...

TikTok marked a 45% jump this summer when it hit one billion monthly active users

(Telecompaper) New Ugandan operator Talkio Mobile has launched a festive campaign giving over 10,000 customers who book a Talkio SIM online automatic entry to a...

(Telecompaper) ZTE brand Nubia has launched its latest flagship gaming smartphone series in China, touting the performance standards, thermal system, display technology and battery size of the two new devices...

(Telecompaper) Vodafone reported higher revenues for the first half of its fiscal year, as growth in Africa and Turkey helped offset the slowdown in its biggest market, Germany...

(Telecompaper) 1&1 has again slightly lowered its estimate for service revenues this year, to EUR 3.31 billion from a previous estimate of EUR 3.33 billion...

(Telecompaper) Singtel saw strong EBIT growth of 27 percent year-on-year to SGD 738 million in fiscal first half to September...

(Telecompaper) Canadian operator Telus has introduced download and upload speeds of 1.5 Gbps and 1.0 Gbps, respectively, in Ontario and Quebec, backed by its PureFibre Internet service...

(Telecompaper) Peru's transport and communications ministry (MTC) said country's Fibre Optic Backbone Network (RDNFO) has increased contracted capacity by 195...

(Telecompaper) Italian wholesale-only operator Open Fiber said it has completed the cabling of its FTTH infrastructure in the town of Valdilana in Piedmont's Biella province...

Mortgage interest rates moved in opposite directions, but one benchmark rate trailed off. Rates change on an hourly, daily and weekly basis.

Refinance rates were mixed, but one key rate declined. Experts expect refi activity to go up as rates drop.

Phone call recordings and transcripts are a few taps away.

I've tested Nokia's revamped 3210 and have the answers to the biggest questions on this 2024 retro phone.

Commentary: The base iPhone still lacks an always-on display, but I hope Apple changes that with the iPhone 17.

1. Android 15 QPR2 brings the newest Linux kernel to all tensor-powered phones and tablets  Android Police
2. Here’s everything new in Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 [Gallery]  9to5Google
3. Your Google Pixel Phone's Newest Android 15 Beta Update Arrived  Droid Life
4. Google is preparing to bring back a beloved customization feature from Android 11  Android Authority
5. Android 15 QPR2 beta 1 release includes major upgrade for Tensor-powered Pixels  PhoneArena

1. 18 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.2  MacRumors
2. iOS 18.2 makes AirPods more powerful than ever, here’s why  9to5Mac
3. Apple Likely Planning to Release iOS 18.2 on December 9  MacRumors
4. iOS 18.2 Public Beta 2 Upgrades Find My and Brings More AI to Some iPhones  CNET
5. iOS 18.2 beta 3: 4 Apple Intelligence features you can test now  Mashable

The new report Dutch Business User Insights provides a snapshot of Dutch users of business services, with a clear focus on ICT services such as VPN, cloud, Teams and use of AI. Many employees have embraced the hybrid way way of working and this effects employer's choices of which ICT services are needed to facilitate this hybrid working.

(Telecompaper) France's leading TV channel TF1 said that viewers of its TF1+ streaming service can now access over 2,000 hours of additional content following a distribution partnership with Franco-German TV network Arte. As part of the agreement, the entire offering within the Arte.tv platform will be available...

(Telecompaper) Satellite broadcaster Sky Italia has launched new Black Friday offers for its 'Sky Wifi' fixed broadband plus pay-TV plans. There are no activation fees and the promos are available online until Cyber Monday (02 December).

(Telecompaper) Jazztel has become the latest MasOrange brand to launch its Christmas campaign, offering all subscribers access to over 15 premium channels for free until after the festive season. The guest channels include Warner TV, Star Channel, Eurosport 1 and 2, TCM, Cosmo, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, Disney Jr, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Discovery Channel, Mezzo and MTV...

(Telecompaper) MultiChoice Group says that revenue increased by 4 percent year on year to ZAR 25.4 billion on an organic basis in the six months to September thanks to disciplined inflationary pricing and revenue growth for new products. On a reported basis, revenues declined by 10 percent, hit by foreign...

I am looking for a luxurious family car between Rs 1 crore and Rs 1.5 crore. We’re a family of five – three adults and two kids – so my priority is comfort. It needs to be a recognisable brand, have a decent road presence and have updated technology. I will be driving the car, but my usage will be very low. I can extend my budget slightly if you strongly recommend a car. I am not in favour of EVs and would prefer petrol.

Mohit Sarin, New Delhi

Autocar India says: There’s a fair bit of choice for your budget, but we would suggest you look at the Mercedes-Benz GLE. It has a good road presence, is a very strong brand, the back seat is spacious, the MBUX infotainment system has the best on-board tech, and it is fairly reliable.

Also See:

Mercedes Benz GLE facelift review: Small updates for big Merc SUV

Mercedes Benz GLE facelift video review

Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe review: The everyday AMG

I own a 10-year-old Audi Q5 diesel, which is in mint condition even after 1.2 lakh kilometres. It has performed flawlessly, apart from one sensor issue that the dealership rectified. I’ve spent about Rs 60,000 on it recently, including four new tyres and some suspension bushes. It runs like new now, and I’m absolutely in love with it. I don’t travel to Delhi-NCR much, but I’m in two minds if I should hold on to it or sell it due to its age.

Bonny Singh, Ajmer

Autocar India says: Our advice is to hang on to it. 2.0 TDI engines are brilliant and you can’t get a new car with them anymore. There is a certain pleasure in driving a diesel SUV, so enjoy it while you can! If you don’t go to Delhi-NCR very much, you are not too inconvenienced either, and we don’t think a diesel ban on 10-year-old cars will be imposed in Rajasthan in the near future.

Also See:

Deep Drive Podcast: Is diesel a good choice?

Honda has issued a voluntary recall for its flagship tourer – the Gold Wing GL1800 – in India, with motorcycles manufactured between March 2018 and May 2021 being affected.

1. Part replacement will be done free of charge
2. Customers can check if their bike is affected on Honda’s website

Honda Gold Wing GL1800 recall details 

Honda has identified a potential issue in the primary drive gear fastening bolt of certain Gold Wing engines. Under some conditions, the bolt may break and cause engine stoppage.

As a precautionary measure, the replacement of the affected part will be carried out at BigWing dealerships across India starting from the third week of December. As is the case with voluntary recalls, the replacement will be done free of cost irrespective of the warranty status of the vehicle.

Honda BigWing dealers will proactively notify customers for the inspection of their vehicle. Gold Wing customers can also check if their vehicle is affected by entering their bike’s VIN number on the BigWing website (www.hondabigwing.in).

The Gold Wing models have always been the pinnacle of Honda’s two-wheeler line-up and the current model with its 1,833cc horizontally opposed six-cylinder motor continues that trend. At Rs 39.70 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the Gold Wing is the most expensive bike in Honda’s line-up.

Also See: 2018 Honda Gold Wing review, test ride

Toyota had introduced Festival Limited Edition variants of the Glanza, Taisor and Hyryder a couple of months ago, with free dealer-level accessories. Now, Toyota is offering the same accessories packages at a discounted price on the Glanza, Taisor and Hyryder as part of year-end benefits.  

1. Glanza and Taisor get dealer-level accessories at discounted price
2. Other exclusive year-end offers extend to over Rs 1 lakh

Toyota Special Limited-Edition variants: what’s new?

All three cars essentially come with dealer-level accessories such as chrome highlights for the grilles and bumpers, 3D door mats, door visors and full body covers. These accessories can be availed on all trims of the Glanza, on the lower-spec E, S and S+ trims of the Taisor, and on the S, G and V trims of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder. These, however, cannot be opted for with the CNG variants of any car.

The accessory package on the Glanza is available for Rs 17,381 (down from Rs 20,567); the one for the Taisor costs Rs 17,931 (down from Rs 20,160), while the Hyryder’s accessories package is listed for Rs 50,817 (no change from regular price). These prices are applicable till December 31, 2024.

Apart from these accessories, customers can also avail of other exclusive year-end offers worth over Rs 1 lakh, although Toyota has not specified the exact nature of these benefits. Toyota is likely to have extended these benefits in an effort to clear stocks before the year-end. 

Also See:

Kia Syros name confirmed for upcoming compact SUV

New Honda Amaze exterior design, interior previewed

F1 has announced a new 2025 season launch event where all 10 teams will unveil their livery on February 18, marking the start of the championship’s 75th anniversary year. Tickets will be available for fans to attend the event, which will be held at London’s The O2.

1. F1 2025 launch event tickets go on sale on November 15
2. All 20 drivers will be present

F1 2025 season launch tickets, livestream

All 10 F1 teams will be unveiling their 2025 season liveries at the event. An official statement shared by F1 says the event will also feature interviews with key figures from the sport – including the drivers and team principals – as well as entertainment segments and special guest presenters.

The event will take place on February 18 from 8pm-10pm GMT (1:30am-3:30am IST) and ticket prices range from £58 to £113 (around Rs 6,200-12,000). Tickets go on sale on Friday, November 15.

For fans who can’t attend the event in person, there will also be a livestream. Further details on this will be revealed in the coming weeks.

“For the first time we will bring together our fans, all 20 superstars of our sport and some very special guests to officially kick off our new season and mark our 75th year of racing,” said Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1.

“With 2025 set to be a classic season following all the drama so far for 2024, this is a fantastic opportunity for fans of all ages to experience up-close the incredible entertainment spectacle that is Formula 1.”

Will teams show their real cars?

It is very unlikely that teams will showcase their final 2025 contenders at the event.

2025 F1 pre-season testing will take place from February 26-28 in Bahrain. Given that most teams will not want to give away any major secrets ahead of this, we can expect the launch event to largely feature show cars simply sporting the new liveries. But this has already been the case for several years now, with majority of the teams opting to share cleverly concealed renders or displaying show cars during their individual launch events.

What about traditional F1 launches?

This replaces the standard pre-season build-up where teams usually hold their own launch events across several weeks. However, F1 hasn’t confirmed whether this will be a permanent addition. For now, it’s simply been billed as a special event to celebrate the championship’s 75th anniversary.

Also see:

F1 2024: Verstappen wins Brazil GP from P17 on grid

It’s been a few months since our last report on the Xpulse 4V and the odometer has nearly doubled in that time. Most of the miles were down to regular trips to and from Pune, but there was also some off-roading and regular commuting thrown in.

Mostly though, the bike went through a full monsoon with it being parked out in the rain for some long periods. That did take a toll and we had to have the switchgear replaced after it stopped functioning properly.

The rainy season also proved to be a bit too much for the Reise tyres we installed earlier this year. The 50/50 tyres were superb off-road and on-road  grip levels were decent in the dry as well, although the tyres did ‘feel’ quite strange in how quickly the bike fell into lean compared with normal road tyres. However, the combination of rain as well as Mumbai’s atrocious slippery concrete roads resulted in a fairly uneasy, skittish experience.

In fact, the bike did get involved in an accident on the road, but instead of poor grip, it was down to a poorly driven rickshaw that decided to swing across a multi-lane road at the last minute without any indication whatsoever. While that resulted in a broken bone for my unfortunate colleague, the Xpulse took the impact remarkably well.

The engine guard has always annoyed me off-road because it gets in the way when you’re sticking your leg forward, but it did a good job in this instance. The guard got bent but took the brunt of the impact and kept the bike safe.

In that sense, the Xpulse does feel quite robust in general, but quality levels are a bit basic. Things have improved over the years, but you can understand how Hero has always managed to price this 200cc dual sport close to 160cc street bikes. The paint quality could be nicer and our windscreen also developed a rattle, which began before the accident.

In terms of reliability, things have been decent, but not completely incident-free. In our last report, we mentioned how the bike refused to start, which was diagnosed to be a faulty lockset that needed replacing. Since then, the clutch started to throw up issues and it felt like there was no clear bite point, which made things tricky in traffic. After a few visits to the workshop, this was diagnosed as an issue with ‘spring activation’.

Overall, the Xpulse has been an enjoyable all-rounder that has managed to be a frugal commuter as well as a fun off-roader. The nicest aspect was its simplicity and lightweight – the latter is something that becomes all the more apparent when you ride the big, new Himalayan 450. Sure, the Hero can’t come anywhere close to the Himalayan in most respects, but it’s a lightweight, affordable and cheerful motorcycle, and there will always be takers for such a machine. It will be missed.

Also See:

Hero Xpulse 200 4V long term review, third report

The motorcycle you see here came fresh from the showroom with just a handful of kilometres on the clock and we’ve already passed the 1,000km mark. Most of that has been within the city as the bike eats through my near-70km round trip commute to work with effortless ease. 

On most motorcycles, the one-way journey usually takes 50-55 minutes on a good day, but the Himalayan has sliced that down to about 45-50 minutes. It’s not like I’m going any faster than I normally would, but I just don’t have to slow down that much over the bad patches.

The Himalayan’s superb suspension along with its composed chassis and comfy riding position help it plough through broken stretches without a care, and that’s a beautiful feeling if you live somewhere with terrible roads. 

This is a big bike, there’s no getting around that. Shorter or less experienced riders will find it a bit intimidating and you do feel the heft when lifting it off the side stand. But in a market where approachability and friendliness is pretty much the norm, it’s refreshing to have the option of a proper, large motorcycle. Besides which, I find the size and heft is completely justified given the bike’s comfort, capability and large fuel tank. 

In traffic, the steering requires less effort than you’d expect and that makes filtering through tight gaps quite easy. I recently got to ride my brother’s 390 Adventure across the city with him riding the Himalayan. After an hour and a half, it was apparent that the rider on the Himalayan has to work less and feels less fatigue as well thanks to the suspension, seating position and mid-range torque. In comparison, the KTM is noticeably more sporty and lighter feeling, (both in general and in terms of clutch weight). It was also more rewarding when revved out but I was happy to be back on the Himalayan after the ride.

Reliability so far has been spot on. The bike starts without hassle, has never stalled or done anything weird and the fuel gauge is delightfully accurate – something RE’s other bikes could definitely learn from. I’ve been getting around 25kpl in the city with plenty of spirited riding and with that big 17-litre tank, highway range is very good.

The Himalayan’s first service is due at the 500km mark, at which point the service centre gives the bike a general check-up and changes the engine oil. The cost came up to Rs 3,062, of which Rs 2,415 was towards 2.1 litres of semi-synthetic 10W-40 engine oil. The rest included Rs 250 towards a “first service kit”, Rs 118 towards “consumable charges” and Rs 279 towards a chain lube and cleaning kit. 

That essentially sums up life with the Himalayan so far and it’s been a good time. I’d like to be able to do some off-road riding before this pleasant Mumbai winter weather burns away and maybe get a few choice accessories installed as well. More will be shared in the next report.

It’s been an interesting time for the Autocar India long-term fleet off late. Only about a month back, we had more bikes than people to ride them and since then, as many as four motorcycles have returned to their manufacturers, including my last long-term Bajaj Pulsar N250. That only left Rishaad’s Himalayan long-termer in the fleet and I had to resort to public transport. 

Not for long though as the Xtreme 160 4V we had last year is now back on duty. The bike had gone to the company for a while and it came back to us at just the right time. In that time, the bike did gain a few scuffs on its easily marked matte green paint, but it also had its first service done, which cost Rs 570 – a big chunk of it was for the oil change and labour was free.

My first impression of the Xtreme was that it’s a great-looking bike and that feeling still remains. The muscular tank, split seat, sharp headlight design and the golden USD fork give it that sporty and purposeful stance. Though I’m not a fan of this colour scheme, it has grown on me over time. I particularly like the grey paint on the tank, which has a lot of sparkle and is finished well.

I’ve had the Xtreme for a couple of weeks now but have only been able to add a few hundred kilometres since. Blame our travel-intensive schedule for that. And hence, I haven’t been able to calculate the fuel efficiency yet. We did an in-depth road test late last year during which the Xtreme 160R 4V returned 44.4kpl in the city and 47.5kpl on the highway. I’ve only ridden in the city, and more enthusiastically than we do on our efficiency runs. So realistically, expect the efficiency to be around 35-40kpl, which is still good. 

I also really like the ride quality of this bike. It’s supple and not overly soft or hard, which makes riding over Mumbai’s broken roads a fuss-free affair. The seat is nice too, if not a little too soft for my liking. The engine is also refined and has a good mid-range grunt.

The gearbox, however, is something I’m not gelling with as well. Firstly, it’s geared very short, so you’re constantly upshifting and/or downshifting, which gets tedious after a while. It also isn’t the slickest and you need to slot it into gear firmly. Otherwise, you can get a false neutral; something that’s happened to me quite often. I can also feel the clutch slipping on occasion, which wasn’t the case when we had the bike earlier. This may have been caused by riding on half clutch for extended periods when the bike wasn’t with us. 

The other irritant was the LCD screen. It’s a negative screen, and positioned away and at an angle from the rider. This means that it picks up quite a lot of glare from the direct sunlight overhead making it really hard to read on the move. The solution is to cover the top of the screen with your hand, which will then reveal the info on the display.

To sum up, in my short stint, the Xtreme 160 4V has been a reliable and affordable means of commuting. But I’m hoping to discover more things about it as I spend more time in the saddle. Perhaps a long ride is on the cards. 

Our long term Himalayan has a pretty strong tendency for leaning to the right. No, that’s not a silly election season joke, because the bike actually does pull to the right the moment you let go of the handlebar. Since I don’t tend to do that very often, it was a while before I discovered this behaviour, but plenty of subsequent experimenting has proven that the bike always goes right, even if it’s against the camber of the road. 

I’ve sent the bike to RE a couple of times to look into this and it continues to take place. This led me to ask a few other Himalayan owners if they’re facing the same thing and a couple of them have. What’s interesting is that the bike behaves perfectly normally until you let the handlebar go. So those who have at least one hand on the handlebar at all times will probably never discover this and it hasn’t proven to be problematic in any way. Nevertheless, we’re keen to hear if you’re seeing something similar with your Himalayan as well. 

With the bike having spent quite some time with RE as well as my own typically hectic shoot/travel schedule, I haven’t put on many miles since the last report. Thankfully, there is still plenty to report. Let’s start with the positives. 

Rahul recently borrowed the bike for a weekend blast to his hometown and he came back to the office with the biggest grin I’ve seen in the longest time. He’s the sort of rider who pushes a bike hard and he was thrilled with the Himalayan’s handling, performance and off-road ability. It was great to see someone who hasn’t yet experienced this bike feel as pumped about it as we were when we first rode it.

Things haven’t been so rosy from an ownership perspective though. Kuldeep from our photography team bought his own Himalayan a few months back and he already had a nasty experience with a puncture. In the process of removing the rear wheel and then levering the tyre off the rim (oh, the joys of tubed tyres) the roadside mechanic managed to not only put a deep scuff in the rim but also damaged the rear brake pads.

The next issue came in the fact that not a single dealership in Mumbai had replacement brake pads or a replacement rear tube to sell. With a 140-section tube exceedingly hard to find, Kuldeep’s bike now runs a 120 sized tube. It appears that the Himalayan’s spare part supply for basic essentials like tubes, pads and brake/clutch levers is still in very short supply.

 What’s also quite disappointing is that the optional tubeless rims that were showcased at the launch event six months back are still nowhere in sight. It is starting to appear that those of you who want tubeless convenience will have to find it through aftermarket fixes. They certainly aren’t a long-term, reliable solution as a proper set of rims, but they definitely beat the hassle of potentially being stranded on the side of the road. 

I suppose the silver lining here is that these issues aren’t reliability related. Our Himalayan has been rock solid so far and aside from occasional frustrations with the fiddly toggle button that controls the TFT, the bike has run flawlessly. I see no reason why that shouldn’t continue and I’m now looking forward to trying out a few choice accessories – particularly the touring seats and the engine bash guard.

Also See:

New Royal Enfield Himalayan long-term review, 1,000km report

My daily commute involves a mix of both highways and narrow streets, and the Xtreme 160R 4V—my first long-termer at Autocar India—has been great for the most part. I also had the opportunity to take the Xtreme 160R 4V on a little road trip from Mumbai to Pune, but more on that later. The bike’s USD fork suspension is one of its highlights as it is not only good-looking but also irons out a majority of broken roads.

What also helps me dart through jam-packed traffic is its agility, which makes my commute engaging. Bunny-hopping over extra-high speed breakers or encountering the occasional dirt patch doesn’t disturb the Xtreme 160R 4V’s composure.

Another highlight for me is the fuel efficiency—40kpl—as it keeps me away from the petrol pump. The Xtreme 160R 4V is also a handsome-looking motorcycle and is only held back by its easily tainted matte paint scheme. The seats, too, are well cushioned and cosy during my commutes, but they will give you saddle soreness on longer journeys.

During my road trip, I discovered a majority of its drawbacks, starting with the lack of a 6th gear, although none of its rivals have one either. The Xtreme 160R 4V will happily cruise at triple-digit speeds, but it feels a little high-strung. And if long highway rides are part of your plan, you should consider a bike from a segment above.

The other complaint is that the negative LCD is illegible for the most part, and I often had to lean over or block out the sun with one hand before I could view any information on it. As an experienced rider, it didn’t bother me too much, but those who are new and dependent on the gearshift indicator will find it tedious.

Speaking of gears, the gearbox tends to hit false neutrals, although I’m not sure if the issue is just with our unit. The headlight performance is adequate, but it won’t impress you. However, if you can look past these drawbacks and keep your rides limited to the city, the Xtreme 160R 4V can be a great commuter and is rather pocket-friendly. Its ride quality alone is enough to win you over our poorly constructed roads.

Also see: Hero Xtreme 160R 4V long-term review, 2,500km report