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Even a heroic detective like 'Cross' can't save this Prime Video adaptation

Aldis Hodge stars as the latest on-screen version of James Patterson's sharp police detective.




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How to be notified of upcoming speaking events with civil rights heroes

My family and I are greatly interested in events featuring people who were directly involved with the Civil Rights movement, specifically the fight against segregation and racism. I am keenly aware that time is limited for hearing them speak in person, and I want my kids to be able to meet them and hear their stories.

To give you an idea of the sorts of things I mean: over the past year, we have been able to book a tour of Selma with Joanne Bland (which was an incredibly wonderful experience!), and attend a panel discussion with Bernard Lafayette and other Freedom Riders.

Aside from repeatedly doing internet searches for names of people we would be interested in seeing, is there a way for us to keep track of upcoming events along these lines that we might be interested in? We're willing to travel, so we're looking for more than local options. And if you happen to know of upcoming events along these lines, please share!

Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have.




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Hero Nominations Deadline Extended To Nov 15

The deadline for nominations for Bermuda’s next National Hero has been extended to Friday, November 15th. A Government spokesperson said, “The public is advised that the nomination deadline to choose Bermuda’s next National Hero has been extended to Friday, November 15, 2024. “The public can visit: https://forms.gov.bm/Bermuda-National-Hero-Nomination to submit their recommendation. “The public will be […]




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Steve McQueen's Le Mans 1969 Porsche 917K Hero Car




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Go Out A Hero



  • Work
  • Go Out A Hero

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Sport | India lead T20 series: Jansen heroics can't save Proteas after top order struggles to kick on

Marco Jansen's late pyrotechnics were not enough to save South Africa as they slid to a 11-run defeat against India in the third T20 at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.




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Heroes walk among us: This year’s JFNA General Assembly


At the conference, a full array of organizations, foundations, nonprofits, Israeli partners, lifelong activists, concerned citizens, and contributors made up the attendees.




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Social Big Data: the unsung heroes of marketing revolution

Hot "Big Data" is a global set off a smart advertising revolution. Those pervasive advertising is no longer the big 4A advertising company by art director or creative division of the hand, but from the automatic generation of ...




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Wikipedia: Robin Hood - Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore - A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor" assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men

There are a number of theories that attempt to identify a historical Robin Hood. A difficulty with any such historical search is that "Robert" was in medieval England a very common given name, and "Robin" (or Robyn), especially in the 13th century, was its very common diminutive. The surname "Hood" (or Hude or Hode etc.), referring ultimately to the head-covering, was also fairly common. Unsurprisingly, therefore, there are a number of people called "Robert Hood" or "Robin Hood" to be found in medieval records. Some of them are on record for having fallen afoul of the law, but this is not necessarily significant to the legend. The early ballads give a number of possible historical clues: notably, the Gest names the reigning king as "Edward", but the ballads cannot be assumed to be reliable in such details. For whatever it may be worth, however, King Edward I took the throne in 1272, and an Edward remained on the throne until the death of Edward III in 1377. On the other hand, what appears to be the first known example of "Robin Hood" as stock name for an outlaw dates to 1262 in Berkshire, where the surname "Robehod" was applied to a man after he had been outlawed, and apparently because he had been outlawed. This could suggest two main possibilities: either that an early form of the Robin Hood legend was already well established in the mid 13th century; or alternatively that the name "Robin Hood" preceded the outlaw hero that we know; so that the "Robin Hood" of legend was so called because that was seen as an appropriate name for an outlaw. It has long been suggested, notably by John Maddicott, that "Robin Hood" was a stock alias used by thieves.



  • Christian Church History Study
  • 2. 313 A.D. to 1521 A.D. - Revised Rome and the Holy Roman Empire

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The liberal media keep spinning for their hero in the White House .

While gas prices are spiking, the liberal media keep spinning for their hero in the White House
Read BMI's Analysis Here!


The liberal media have become President Obama’s megaphone -- eagerly applauding his every move and repeating his talking points on everything from ObamaCare to his massive spending plans to government takeovers to the rest of statist proclivities. Beyond parroting the White House line on every national and international issue and event, the liberal media hide any story that exposes the many failures of this administration. The liberal media have no intention of truthfully reporting the news. Their goal is to discredit the opposition while dutifully and passionately reciting Obama’s liberal mantra as if it were news -- propagandizing in an attempt to reshape the political opinions of unwary Americans.




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SUPERHEROES PUZZLE




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Randian Heroes

The role of heroes has been occupying my mind this week. 

On Monday night I attended Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge at the Royal Exchange. It’s a marvellous production, and despite the few moments where forced American accents inevitably slipped it, is a performance I would recommend to anybody.

In Miller’s play, he tries to present to us about a rather unconventional type of hero and the fate his character dictates. 

A hard-working man, with a strong moral and ethical code, suddenly finds his authority challenged. In his mind his authority is his essence, the totality of his identity. He lies out of self-interest, which reduces his heroic quality in the eyes of others, but he only care about his “name” and his “respect”. It’s not a nice heroism, it’s not the kind of heroism we were taught as children when hearing stories of princes and dragons, but there is something definitely heroic here: being true to your sense of right and wrong against all odds.

Whilst I was watching this play - a play I think might be the best I’ve seen at the Royal Exchange in many years - Adam Curtis’ newest creation was being beamed into homes across the land. I caught up with it on getting home and was surprised to discover the subject of heroes being discussed once more.

In the first episode of All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace, Curtis introduces us to the idea that the dominant force behind the rise of both highly speculative financial markets and Silicon Valley in the latter half of the 20th century, were the ideas of Ayn Rand.

Rand was without doubt a fascinating writer. In fact, she might be better described as a philosopher who uses the rhetorical form of novels to present her ideas, more than “just” a writer. A rare kind of thinker, indeed.

Her novels are about heroes. Her style of hero is very distinct: there is an entire Wikipedia article dedicated to discussing them.

Rand’s heroes, like Miller’s, are heroic because they act out of self-interest. They believe themselves to be entirely rational and base their morality on that rationality. I think morality of pure self-interest is by definition subjective and selfish, however Rand’s arguments have something to them.

I’m still thinking about these philosophies. I love the idea of any individual choosing to become a hero - a Randian hero - and to do as the early winners in Silicon Valley and did. At the same time, Miller’s presentation of such a character who is unable to climb out of the economic constraints he finds himself imprisoned by, left me feeling such men are selfish, proud and contemptible characters.

I share these thoughts to hopefully make you do two things:

  1. If you can, go and watch A View From A Bridge at the Royal Exchange. It’s wonderful theatre. If you’re not nearby, at least go and read the script. Some say a reading of the script is better than seeing the play, but I really think the production at the Royal Exchange is worth seeing.
  2. If you can, go and watch Adam Curtis’ documentary (at the time of writing, it’s still on iPlayer if you’re in the UK). It’s wonderful, thoughtful, and at points quite witty. 

Both will make you think, if nothing else.




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Contrived Hero Myth-John McCain

Objective analysis points to a simple fact: John McCain is not a hero. A close examination of his history indicates a parallel to George W. Bush Jr. and not in a flattering manner. Both had fathers who continually bailed them out from trouble and these sons took ready advantage of their fathers’ reputations to achieve unearned status.

*McCain earned an extraordinary amount of demerits at the Naval Academy, but was allowed to graduate 5th from the bottom of his class.

*He crashed an aircraft in Naval flight training which mandated expulsion, but McCain was allowed to complete the course.

*McCain ran into power lines on the Iberian Peninsula while deployed to the Mediterranean causing a second crash without repercussion.

*Oddly enough, he was made an Instructor Pilot upon return to Pensacola, Florida, and proceeded to lose another aircraft while flying to the Army-Navy football game. The Navy rewarded him by assigning to the carrier, USS Forrestal.

*McCain lost his fourth jet on July 29, 1967, when a rocket slammed into his fully loaded jet killing 134 sailors. He escaped injury, according to some by immediately going below while others battled the flames. Oddly enough, McCain took it upon himself to simply leave the Forrestal without notifying his superiors to party in Tokyo. The Benevolent Navy took no action against him and transferred the erring pilot to the USS Oriskany.


*He lost his fifth jet after being shot down over North Vietnam and captured on October 26, 1967.

*According to an article written by him for the U.S. News and World Report, May 14, 1973, ...”After being periodically slapped around for “three or four days” by his captors who wanted military information from him, McCain called for an officer on his fourth day of captivity. He told the officer, “O.K., I’ll give you military information if you will take me to the hospital.” Not only was this a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the Code of Conduct, but can be viewed as collaboration with the enemy.

A surgeon was flown in from Moscow and McCain accepted preferential medical treatment at a hospital near Gia Lam airport reserved for Vietnamese officers. No other POW received the same which again violated the UCMJ and Code of Conduct.

*According to sources and McCain in his autobiography, specific military information was given such as the carrier he flew from, number of pilots lost, specific flight information and rescue units currently available. Apparently, he did this to gain medical attention.

*Retired Army Colonel Earl Hopper states McCain told his captors "highly classified information, the most important of which was the package routes, which were routes used to bomb North Vietnam. He gave in detail the altitude they were flying, the direction, if they made a turn...he gave them what primary targets the United States was interested in." Hopper further contends this information allowed the North Vietnamese to adjust their air defenses and subsequently the US lost sixty percent more aircraft resulting in the curtailment of North Vietnam bombing. All this was due, Hopper states, because of the information McCain divulged.

*McCain participated in propaganda films and radio broadcasts aimed at American troops. According to the Saigon UPI, June 4, 1969: “Reds say POW Songbird is Pilot Son of Admiral...Hanoi has aired a broadcast in which the pilot son of United States Commander in the Pacific Adm. John McCain purportedly admits to having bombed civilian targets in North Vietnam and praises medical treatment he has received since being taken prisoner.” He had earned the nickname “Songbird” from his captors.

*He talks often of torture, but did not transfer to the Hanoi Hilton until December, 1969. According to the Phoenix New Times, March 25, 1999, Two former POWs, Air Force Colonels Ted Guy and George “Swede” Larson, said in a feature article they could not guarantee that McCain was not physically harmed, (but) they doubted it. Both Guy and Larson were senior ranking officers (SROs) in McCain’s POW camp at a time he claims he was in solitary confinement and being tortured.

*Larson told the New Times, “Between the two of us, it’s our belief, and to the best of our knowledge, that no prisoner was beaten or harmed physically in that camp (known as ‘The Plantation’). My only contention the the McCain deal is that while he was at the Plantation, to the best of my knowledge and Ted’s knowledge, he was not physically abused in any way. No one was in that camp. It was the camp that people were released from.”

*McCain bases his hero myth on the contention he refused to be released unless everyone was. Sources state this was not a big deal since McCain was ordered by Senior Officers to state this. Secondly, former Rep. Bob Dornan (CA) states transcripts exist from former POWs reacting to McCain’s collaboration negatively. According to Dornan, McCain has always been afraid these transcripts would turn up particularly during a presidential campaign. Dornan offered another reason why McCain refused release by the North Vietnamese. He said those released first were collaborators, which McCain was one, and this would have ended not only his military career and hurt the Navy, but would impact his father also.

*McCain has actively opposed the efforts of MIA/POW activists and according to witnesses, physically attacked at least one. He has rudely interrupted hearings to berate MIA/POW family members and has worked religiously to curtail any POW information being released either from the government, any POWs or their family members. It seems rather odd he would take these positions, but he has been no friend of Veterans as well. McCain voted against 27 Veterans bills indicated by his record, but falsely states support for Veterans. He simply does not consider Veterans a priority much less MIA/POWs, but brags of his support.

*He returned from captivity to his wife, Carol, who was in a wheel chair from a car accident. He desired a coveted Admiral slot and the Navy assisted by reinstating him to flight duty in lieu of his disabilities. McCain assumed an Executive Officer, Replacement Air Group 174 position, which trained pilots and crews for deployment. While Executive Officer and later Commander, McCain authorized flights allowing him to mingle with subordinates and engage in extra-marital affairs again violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice regarding adultery and fraternizing with subordinates. The Navy, however, continued the tradition of excusing McCain from penalties and he got away with it.

*Robert Timbert, author of The Nightingale’s Song, wrote: “Off duty, usually on routine cross-country flights to Yuma and El Centro, John (McCain) started carousing and running around with women. To make matters worse, some of the women with whom he was linked by rumor were subordinates...At the time the rumors were so widespread that, true or not, they became part of McCain’s persona, impossible not to take note of.” The Navy overlooked his behavior and excused him from any discipline.

It seems apparent John McCain has contrived his own history and should be viewed as lacking sufficient character to hold the office of the Presidency or the Senate. His POW and Naval records need to be scrutinized for collaboration and other accountable acts. The truth needs to be ascertained prior to this man ascending to any higher office for to do otherwise would be looking the other way. This is exactly what caused the current problems with John McCain.




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May 26 2009 Long Lost Radio History Image - Windy Heroes of the Air

When Wellington, New Zealand, was battered by storms in December 1976, local Radio Windy 1080 AM provided superb coverage...




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Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron Wins An Oscar

Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron has won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film 2024. The highly coveted gold statue is c...




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My Hero Academia - World Best Hero - Global Character Popularity Poll

The good folks from Japanese publishing giants Shueisha Inc have sent us details about My Hero Academia - World Best Hero - Global Character...




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Hero Without a Class: Who Even Needs Skills?! Manga Release Details

The good folks from One Peace Books have just sent us details for an up coming manga Hero Without a Class: Who Even Needs Skills?!. Manga by...




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Hero Without a Class: Who Even Needs Skills?! Volume 1

In a world where everyone receives a Class and Skills at the age of ten, and where such revelations have a huge impact on one's life, Arel, ...




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Hero Xpulse 200 4V long-term review, 10,500 km report

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 switchgear needed to be changed after the monsoon.

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.

Engine guards protected the bike well in a fall.

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.

Little 200cc motor was always kind on the wallet.

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’.

The Xpulse started to face some clutch issues towards the end.

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




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Hero Xtreme 160R 4V long-term review, 2,500km 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.

Muscular design and funky colours turn heads everywhere.

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. 

Engine is refined and packs good mid-range punch.

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.

Gearbox isn’t precise enough and throws some false neutrals.

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. 

Negative LCD screen is dimly lit and hard to read in sunlight.

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. 

Also See:




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Hero Xtreme 160R 4V long-term review, 3500km 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.

The suspension ensures a cosy commute even when the going gets tough.

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.

Punchy motor that is capable of sipping fuel in an efficient manner.

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.

While the overall fit and finish is good, the horn’s wiring could have been neater.

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.

The illumination is adequate at best and leaves more to be desired.

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

 




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Hero Xtreme 160R 4V long-term review, 4500km report

It's time for me to bid adieu to the Hero Xtreme 160R 4V, which has mostly served me well for the four months I had it in my garage. During that time, it did prove its mettle but also left me with a few notable gripes. Though the majority of my commute is on open roads and highways, the monsoons have slowed the overall pace of traffic and allowed me to experience the Xtreme in more jam-packed situations. The puddles have gotten bigger, and the potholes deeper.
 
The rev-happy nature of this engine is fun and will tempt you to whack open the throttle.
 
I am happy to report that the Xtreme 160’s suspension did a great job at tackling both, and even though I may have hit a splash or two, I never found myself in any severe discomfort despite the conditions. The punchy engine kept the pace engaging. The thick seat did its best to absorb my landings and keep me cosy throughout the commute, but Rishaad and Soham found it a little uncomfortable after about half an hour on board.
 
The suspension does a great job of delivering a smooth ride over the worst of roads.
 
That’s where the good things end. So, let’s address the bad, starting with the dim LED headlight, which was still somewhat manageable during the rest of the year. But add some rain to the picture, and its throw is quite sub-par. A simple solution for me was to avoid night rides or do them at a much lower pace so that in case any pothole catches me off-guard, the suspension has my back. The switchgear quality leaves a bit more to be desired and doesn’t feel as tactile as I’d like from a premium 160cc motorcycle.
 
Lack of sufficient illumination makes it difficult to use the Xtreme at night in the rain.
 
Moving on to the ugly, a constant thorn in my side is its LCD display, which was illegible even in broad daylight, and it stopped working after a buildup of heavy condensation. So, it warrants a replacement. Another gripe is that sometimes the gearbox falls out of gear, especially in 4th or 5th. The bike also started to show signs of inconsistent fuelling, especially at lower speeds, and I noticed a drop in fuel efficiency.
 
LCD visibility issues got worse with heavy condensation before it completely failed.
 
Thankfully, a recent service resolved the fuelling issues. The gearbox woes also improved, but not completely. These problems are unfortunate because I’ve enjoyed my time with the Xtreme. It’s a quick city bike that can be a hoot from time to time. Sadly, our time together began on a better note than its end.
 
 




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Hero Xpulse 200 4V Pro review: Mountain goat

Hero’s Xpulse 200 4V has been updated, and it’s offered in two variants: Standard and Pro. As the name suggests, the Pro is essentially the erstwhile Rally Edition, and it’s the more extreme version of an already capable off-road motorcycle. It is also available with a set of optional Maxxisknobbies that you see on our test bike. Hero has given the Xpulse 200 4V Pro some new features this year, and I took this motorcycle out in its natural habitat to find out what it’s like.

You now also get three switchable ABS modes.

Hero has made some noticeable changes to the 2024 Xpulse range, which includes new reinforced knuckle guards, new switchgear, revised footpeg position, a new projector LED headlamp, a USB charging socket and ABS modes. The all-new headlamp is significantly brighter and incorporates an all-new Daytime Running Lamp design, making the Xpulse appear slightly more upmarket.

New switchgear feels better to use.

Unique to the Xpulse Pro is a new rally-styled windshield that is 60mm taller than before. The rally visor deflects wind well on the road. All in all, the new changes are a welcome addition and will improve the overall usability of this motorcycle. As before, the Pro variant towers over everything else on the road and stands tall while looking purposeful. Its size is deceptive, and many onlookers assume it is a motorcycle with a much larger capacity.

An efficient motor that could use some more power.

The Xpulse continues to be powered by a 199cc, oil-cooled motor that produces 19hp at 8,500rpm and 17.35Nm at 6,500rpm. What has improved is that with its OBD2 update, the engine now needs to be serviced every 6,000km instead of the 3,000km. Due to its easy power delivery, this motor continues to perform adequately, and is a boon to use for inexperienced off-road riders. At 161kg, the Pro variant is only 2kg heavier than its standard counterpart, which isn’t too bad given all the added hardware.

Allows upto 25 clicks of rebound damping adjustment

While the knobby tyres provided excellent grip, the engine lacked the power to overcome it. So sliding this motorcycle was not as easy as it is on ADVs that sit in a higher segment. What helps its case is that you will never find yourself running out of grip, and the Xpulse Pro keeps its cool even when climbing up sections with loose surfaces. While I still wish for more power, I have also come to enjoy its underpowered and calm nature on such tricky trails.

Maxxistyres cost Rs 16,000 extra.

The Xpulse Pro is a challenge to ride on the tarmac if you choose the Maxxistyres – they are road legal, but are also zero-compromise knobbies built for off-road. Grip itself is fine, but the tyres feel scary when the bike is leaned over and they also make a loud, constant droning noise. The tyres also get unsettled over road irregularities and expansion joints can change the bike’s course at any given moment. On the normal Ceats, the bike would be much nicer, but you’ll still need to live with the very tall seat height – we’ll get back to that.

Fork compression damping can be easily adjusted.

However, when they hit the dirt, these tyres come into their elements and provide an incredible amount of grip. Compression and rebound damping can be dialled in on the adjustable fork, and the owner’s manual has multiple setting recommendations for various riding situations and these settings are a good starting point from where you can tweak the set-up to your liking.
My biggest challenge was the 891mm seat height, which can take getting used to and initially be a little daunting. Mind you, this is with the stock seat and going for the optional rally style bench seat will take that number above 920mm.

The Xpulse 200 4V Pro compels you to find your nearest trail.

The added height makes the motorcycle feel sluggish and more top-heavy, and this is where the humble engine’s limits become more apparent. However, in time, I’ve gradually gotten more comfortable with its size, and wrestling it off-road has become easier as you go. What has helped is the new footpeg positioning along with the handlebar risers that allow riders to get a better grip and find a more suitable position while standing.

Tall ride height towers you over everything else on the road.

Hero’s Xpulse 200 4V is a competent machine, and the Pro variant makes it even more unstoppable. That being said, it takes a certain skill level to get the most out of this bike. The suspension is best suited for high-speed off-roading. Shorter, or lesser skilled riders might be better off with the standard Xpulse for slower-speed trails. Either way, the updated features do a great job of uplifting the overall experience.

The Xpulse 200 4V Pro is in its element out in the mud.

It is worth noting that all of the above-mentioned additions have come at a mild price bump of Rs 3,000, which sounds like a sweet deal. All in all, the Xpulse 200 4V Pro is an excellent alternative to the standard variant and costs Rs 8,000 more, which, given its credentials, sounds too good to be true. The Pro variant is an easy recommendation for anyone skilled enough to dive deeper into the off-road genre of motorcycling.

Also see: 2024 Yezdi Adventure review: Incremental changes
 




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Hero Xpulse 200 4V Pro review: Mountain goat

Hero’s Xpulse 200 4V has been updated, and it’s offered in two variants: Standard and Pro. As the name suggests, the Pro is essentially the erstwhile Rally Edition, and it’s the more extreme version of an already capable off-road motorcycle. It is also available with a set of optional Maxxisknobbies that you see on our test bike. Hero has given the Xpulse 200 4V Pro some new features this year, and I took this motorcycle out in its natural habitat to find out what it’s like.

You now also get three switchable ABS modes.

Hero has made some noticeable changes to the 2024 Xpulse range, which includes new reinforced knuckle guards, new switchgear, revised footpeg position, a new projector LED headlamp, a USB charging socket and ABS modes. The all-new headlamp is significantly brighter and incorporates an all-new Daytime Running Lamp design, making the Xpulse appear slightly more upmarket.

New switchgear feels better to use.

Unique to the Xpulse Pro is a new rally-styled windshield that is 60mm taller than before. The rally visor deflects wind well on the road. All in all, the new changes are a welcome addition and will improve the overall usability of this motorcycle. As before, the Pro variant towers over everything else on the road and stands tall while looking purposeful. Its size is deceptive, and many onlookers assume it is a motorcycle with a much larger capacity.

An efficient motor that could use some more power.

The Xpulse continues to be powered by a 199cc, oil-cooled motor that produces 19hp at 8,500rpm and 17.35Nm at 6,500rpm. What has improved is that with its OBD2 update, the engine now needs to be serviced every 6,000km instead of the 3,000km. Due to its easy power delivery, this motor continues to perform adequately, and is a boon to use for inexperienced off-road riders. At 161kg, the Pro variant is only 2kg heavier than its standard counterpart, which isn’t too bad given all the added hardware.

Allows upto 25 clicks of rebound damping adjustment

While the knobby tyres provided excellent grip, the engine lacked the power to overcome it. So sliding this motorcycle was not as easy as it is on ADVs that sit in a higher segment. What helps its case is that you will never find yourself running out of grip, and the Xpulse Pro keeps its cool even when climbing up sections with loose surfaces. While I still wish for more power, I have also come to enjoy its underpowered and calm nature on such tricky trails.

Maxxistyres cost Rs 16,000 extra.

The Xpulse Pro is a challenge to ride on the tarmac if you choose the Maxxistyres – they are road legal, but are also zero-compromise knobbies built for off-road. Grip itself is fine, but the tyres feel scary when the bike is leaned over and they also make a loud, constant droning noise. The tyres also get unsettled over road irregularities and expansion joints can change the bike’s course at any given moment. On the normal Ceats, the bike would be much nicer, but you’ll still need to live with the very tall seat height – we’ll get back to that.

Fork compression damping can be easily adjusted.

However, when they hit the dirt, these tyres come into their elements and provide an incredible amount of grip. Compression and rebound damping can be dialled in on the adjustable fork, and the owner’s manual has multiple setting recommendations for various riding situations and these settings are a good starting point from where you can tweak the set-up to your liking.
My biggest challenge was the 891mm seat height, which can take getting used to and initially be a little daunting. Mind you, this is with the stock seat and going for the optional rally style bench seat will take that number above 920mm.

The Xpulse 200 4V Pro compels you to find your nearest trail.

The added height makes the motorcycle feel sluggish and more top-heavy, and this is where the humble engine’s limits become more apparent. However, in time, I’ve gradually gotten more comfortable with its size, and wrestling it off-road has become easier as you go. What has helped is the new footpeg positioning along with the handlebar risers that allow riders to get a better grip and find a more suitable position while standing.

Tall ride height towers you over everything else on the road.

Hero’s Xpulse 200 4V is a competent machine, and the Pro variant makes it even more unstoppable. That being said, it takes a certain skill level to get the most out of this bike. The suspension is best suited for high-speed off-roading. Shorter, or lesser skilled riders might be better off with the standard Xpulse for slower-speed trails. Either way, the updated features do a great job of uplifting the overall experience.

The Xpulse 200 4V Pro is in its element out in the mud.

It is worth noting that all of the above-mentioned additions have come at a mild price bump of Rs 3,000, which sounds like a sweet deal. All in all, the Xpulse 200 4V Pro is an excellent alternative to the standard variant and costs Rs 8,000 more, which, given its credentials, sounds too good to be true. The Pro variant is an easy recommendation for anyone skilled enough to dive deeper into the off-road genre of motorcycling.

Also see: 2024 Yezdi Adventure review: Incremental changes
 




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Bajaj, TVS, Hero outsell major EV startups in October

Electric scooter and bike sales in India surged 85 percent year on year (YoY) to 1,39,000 units in October, and mainstream brands such as TVS, Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp, with combined sales of 65,489, sold 4,428 more EVs than the other top electric two-wheeler startup brands.

  1. TVS, Bajaj, Hero EV sales crosses 65,000 mark in October
  2. Top 10 e2W makers had a combined 44 percent market share

Legacy brands registered their best-ever monthly retail sales in October. TVS Motor Co sold 29,930 iQube scooters, regaining its lead over a hard-charging Bajaj Auto (it retailed 28,245 Chetak units), which had outsold TVS in September. Hero MotoCorp sold 7,314 Vida e-scooters. Together, these three companies clocked 65,489 units in sales. On the other hand, India’s top 10 e-two-wheeler startups managed 61,061 units.

2W EV sales in October 2024
Legacy OEMsEVs solde2W Start-upsEVs sold
TVS29,930Ola41,664
Bajaj28,245Ather16,000
Hero7,314Bounce1,006
TOTAL65,489Revolt949
--River365
--Pure334
--Simple324
--Okinawa232
--Oben139
--Ultraviolette48
--TOTAL61,061

Of the total e-two-wheelers sold in October, TVS (21 percent market share), Bajaj Auto (20 percent), and Hero MotoCorp (5 percent) grabbed 47 percent of the market, while the top 10 e2W OEMs had 44 percent. The remaining 9 percent was being fought for by the rest of the field – 196 players. In October, Vahan retail sales data reflected all 209 e-wheeler manufacturers in India.

Ola Electric, which had a torrid August and September, remains the No. 1 e2W OEM. It bounced back with 41,664 units in October, its third-highest monthly score after the 53,640 units in March and 41,794 units in July. With a 30 percent market share, the company accounts for the bulk of the top 10 startups’ sales. Bengaluru-based Ather Energy, which clocked its best-ever monthly retail sales of 16,000 units in October, has an 11.50 percent market share. The remaining eight startups – Bounce, Revolt Motors, River Mobility, Pur Energy, Simple Energy, Okinawa Autotech and Oben Electric – account for 3,397 units and a 5.56 percent market share. Revolt Motors (949 e-motorcycles) and Simple Energy (324 e-scooters) both registered their best-ever monthly sales.

Not very long ago, it was felt that EV startups, with their perceived absence of legacy issues, IT technology prowess, venture capital investments and the ability to burn cash to get a foothold in the market, would stamp their dominance in this segment of zero-emission mobility. However, TVS, Bajaj and Hero MotoCorp, the three legacy ICE OEMs that have diversified and plugged into e-mobility, are proving to be a resilient lot and giving the two-wheeler startup world a run for its money and more.

These three, with their strong R&D setup and component supplier base, are clearly benefiting from their growing localisation levels, the introduction of new variants, brand power and the marketing strength that comes from a large dealer network across the country.

Also see:

Hero Xpulse 421 concept sketch showcased at EICMA 2024

Hero to enter Europe, UK with Vida Z electric scooter

New TVS electric two-wheeler launch by March 2025




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Hero Xpulse 200T 4V: An ideal bike for the daily grind

While it may not be deemed fit for hard-core bikers and offroading, it does come across as a strong contender for regular commutes




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Hero Xpulse 200 4V launched




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2023 Hero HF Deluxe launched

The Hero HF Deluxe is available in three variants — drum kick cast, drum self cast and i3s drum self cast




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Hero to launch Xtreme 160R on June 14

The most noticeable addition to the Xtreme 160R is the USD fork, replacing the current bike’s telescopic unit




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How Mike Heroux’s Membership Site Earns +$500k/Year

While Mike Heroux worked professionally as a financial planner, he always had a financial blog side hustle. It took some time to finally make the decision to go all-in, but he eventually dove headfirst into blogging. In fact, he grew…

The post How Mike Heroux’s Membership Site Earns +$500k/Year appeared first on Niche Pursuits.




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Apr 08 - Holy Apostles Herodian, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermas




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Apr 08 - Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermas




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Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermas




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Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermas




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Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermas




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Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermas




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Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, and Hermas




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Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermas

All of these are numbered among the Seventy, and all are mentioned in the Epistles of St Paul.   Herodion was a kinsmen of St Paul: 'Salute Herodion my kinsman' (Romans 16:11). After many sufferings for the Gospel, he worked with the Apostle Peter in Rome, and was beheaded with him.   Agabus was granted a spirit of prophecy: two of his prophecies are important in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 11:28, 21:11).   Rufus was Bishop of Thebes. 'Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord' (Romans 16:13).   Asyncritus (Romans 16:14) was Bishop of Hyrcania in Asia.   Phlegon, (Romans 16:14) was Bishop of Marathon in Thrace.   Hermas (Romans 16:14) was a bishop in Dalmatia.




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Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermas

All of these are numbered among the Seventy, and all are mentioned in the Epistles of St Paul.   Herodion was a kinsmen of St Paul: 'Salute Herodion my kinsman' (Romans 16:11). After many sufferings for the Gospel, he worked with the Apostle Peter in Rome, and was beheaded with him.   Agabus was granted a spirit of prophecy: two of his prophecies are important in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 11:28, 21:11).   Rufus was Bishop of Thebes. 'Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord' (Romans 16:13).   Asyncritus (Romans 16:14) was Bishop of Hyrcania in Asia.   Phlegon, (Romans 16:14) was Bishop of Marathon in Thrace.   Hermas (Romans 16:14) was a bishop in Dalmatia.




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Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermas

All of these are numbered among the Seventy, and all are mentioned in the Epistles of St Paul.   Herodion was a kinsmen of St Paul: 'Salute Herodion my kinsman' (Romans 16:11). After many sufferings for the Gospel, he worked with the Apostle Peter in Rome, and was beheaded with him.   Agabus was granted a spirit of prophecy: two of his prophecies are important in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 11:28, 21:11).   Rufus was Bishop of Thebes. 'Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord' (Romans 16:13).   Asyncritus (Romans 16:14) was Bishop of Hyrcania in Asia.   Phlegon, (Romans 16:14) was Bishop of Marathon in Thrace.   Hermas (Romans 16:14) was a bishop in Dalmatia.




hero

Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermas

All of these are numbered among the Seventy, and all are mentioned in the Epistles of St Paul.   Herodion was a kinsmen of St Paul: 'Salute Herodion my kinsman' (Romans 16:11). After many sufferings for the Gospel, he worked with the Apostle Peter in Rome, and was beheaded with him.   Agabus was granted a spirit of prophecy: two of his prophecies are important in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 11:28, 21:11).   Rufus was Bishop of Thebes. 'Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord' (Romans 16:13).   Asyncritus (Romans 16:14) was Bishop of Hyrcania in Asia.   Phlegon, (Romans 16:14) was Bishop of Marathon in Thrace.   Hermas (Romans 16:14) was a bishop in Dalmatia.




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Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermas - April 8th




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Holy Apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermas - April 8th




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Magnolias, Oaks and Superheroes

The legend of Sunshine Boy and his lesson in humility.




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Patterning Chaos with Heroic Grace

In this talk, Fr. Anthony shares his thoughts on heroism, dragon slaying, and how we can use the power of Christ to tame chaos and bring order to our lives and relationships with others. Enjoy the show!




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Taking Time to Tell: Praising the Heroes and Heroines of our Faith on All Saints

On this first Sunday after Pentecost, we clarify and amplify the readings from Matthew and Hebrews by looking to the story of Solomonia and her seven brave sons (2 Maccabees 7). This woman, known in the early Church as a prophetess, spoke clearly of God’s creating and resurrecting power, and so inspires us, in our challenges today, to follow Christ to glory.




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Christina's True Heroes / Halloween Town 1

31. Book 1: Christina's True Heroes by Maria C. Khoury (CDK Publications, 2005) Book 2: Halloween Town by Dennis Eugene Engleman (Regina Orthodox Press) part one




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King Herod and the True Meaning of Christmas

Fr. Lawrence Farley is convinced that his culture knows absolutely nothing about the true meaning of Christmas.




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Herod and the True Meaning of Christmas




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Childhood Heroes

Dr. John Mark Reynolds speaks on remembering those heroes that our culture is not really able to elevate visually the same way you would visualize a super hero flying through the sky.