Hero Xpulse 200 Bash Plate by JCMoto Review: Introduction

Introduction The Construction The Protection What's next?Product Details

Introduction

This is the JCMoto Bash Plate made specifically for the Hero Xpulse 200. Now, if you have the FI version, you already get a metal bash plate standard with the motorcycle. But, if you own the carb Xpulse, all you get is a plastic one. But JCMoto – run by ex-journalist and custom motorcycle builder, Joshua Crasto – claims the bash plate is a worthy replacement on both versions.

Now, we have got ourselves a piece to test out, which we install on our long term Xpulse FI. And not only will we tell you what’s the difference between the two bash plates – JC and stock, but also how the JCMoto bash plate performs when subjected to rocks, gravel and scrapes courtesy the narrow trails.

But that’s for a later report. For now, here’s a quick introduction to the JCMoto bash plate…

The Construction

Like the one that comes as standard on the FI version of the Xpulse, the JCMoto bash plate too is made of aluminium. JCMoto claims its plate is 4mm thick all round which aids impact protection. So, whether the bike lands belly first on a rock, or its belly is pelted with small stones, the plate should keep the engine out of harm's way.

The bash plate is made using two pieces, which are welded from both inside, and outside for added strength and durability. The main frame is a slab of aluminium, which covers the engine’s sump. The side piece – which has holes drilled into it to keep the weight as low as possible – is meant more to protect the engine’s crankcase (and the frame to some extent) from gashes and impact when riding through tight trails.

The Protection

Now, JCMoto claims its bash plate is the best protection an Xpulse rider can buy for the bike’s engine when riding off-road. Then it doesn’t matter if the motorcycle is fending off rocks, stones, logs or other debris; the plate has it covered.

Now, this claim says that the plates haven't been pulled out from thin air. They have been subjected to some hardcore and prolonged off-road use, and it’s the good results from those tests that speak for themselves. In fact, JCMoto claims, when it comes to severe off-road use, its bash plate outdoes the standard one. What’s more, the bash plate you see here is the same design that was seen on the Xpulse concept at EICMA in 2018.

What's next?

Next time we will tell you how easy or difficult a DIY job it is to fit this bash plate on the motorcycle. We will tell you if it’s lighter or heavier than the stock one. We will also tell which is the thicker of the two. And of course, how this bash plate performs when things get rough.