Hero Honda Karizma

Hero Honda launched its Karizma in the year 2003 and revamped it time and again. The latest version of the bike is Hero Honda Karizma ZMR PGM Fi followed by Karizma R in India. The latest version of Karizma received phenomenal response in the country. The Hero Honda Karizma ZMR PGM Fi is equipped with programmed fuel injection technology and gas charged rear shock absorber. The new Karizma has refined 223cc power mill that generates more power and torque. New Karizma comes with various new features like front and rear disc brakes, rear gas charged fork and programmed fuel injection system. Hero Honda Karizma ZMR PGM Fi is pitted against Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-i, TVS Apache and Yamaha YZF R 15.
Hero Honda Karizma R is priced at Rs 73,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). On the other hand, Karizma ZMR PGM Fi is priced at Rs 91,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The price tag is higher than Bajaj Pulsar 220cc and TVS Apache 180cc. Hero Honda Karizma Full Review

The new Karizma shares the same platform as the base model of Karizma. However, increased mill performance and some features are there in the new Karizma. The bike comes loaded with a 4 Stroke, single cylinder, OHC, PGM Fuel Injection, oil cooled engine with a displacement of 223cc. The engine of Hero Honda Karizma ZMR PGM Fi belts out a peak power of 17.6bhp at 7000 rpm whereas the peak torque is 18.35 Nm at 6000 rpm. At the same time, Karizma R is powered by a 4 stroke, SOHC, single cylinder engine with 223cc displacement that churns 17bhp of peak power at 7000 rpm whereas the peak torque is 18.35 Nm at 6000 rpm. The new version is blessed with PGM Fi, front full fairing and front and rear disc brakes.

 

Hero Honda Karizma Models

Hero Honda Karizma R comes with front disc brake.

Hero Hodna Karizma ZMR PGM Fi is loaded with oil cooled, PGM Fi engine and disc brake at both tyres. Front full fairing gives it a totally a new shape.

 

Mileage/Average/ Fuel Economy

Hero Honda Karizma R gives an average mileage of 40 kmpl in urban area while it will be a bit more on highways. The fuel tank capacity of Karizma R is 15 litres. On the other hand, Hero Honda Karizma ZMR PGM Fi gives more mileage due to PGM Fi technology. It would be around 45 kmpl in city and around 51 on highway. The fuel tank capacity is also increased by 1 litre with a 2.5 litres of reserve.

 

Colours

Hero Honda Karizma R is available in Sports Red, Moon Yellow and Black with Red Alloys, Force Silver and Vibrant Blue. The body colour is painted at front mudguard, fuel tank, side panels.

New Karizma ZMR PGM Fi comes in five attractive shades such as vibrant blue, pearl white, sports red, panther black and moon yellow.

Body colour is there on side panels, front fairing, airscoops and front mudguard. However, grab rails and rear view mirrors are not in body colours. Red shade is there on rear shockers while ZMR sticker is in red in black and white body colour.

 

Acceleration and Pick up

Acceleration figures of the Karizma R are awesome. It can reach 0-60 kmph in just 4.5 seconds while it takes 14 seconds to touch 0-100 kmph. On the other hand, Karizma R takes 19 seconds to chase 0-400 kmph. The top speed of the vehicle is 125.6 kmph.

The new Hero Honda Karizma ZMR PGM Fi proves much better in acceleration as it achieve 0-60 kmph sprint in mere 3.70 seconds. The top speed is 126 kmph. The Programmed Fuel Injection technology ensure better results than carburetor.

 

Appearance

As far as looks are concerned, both bikes seems sporty and attractive. Though full front fairing, bold stickers and rear disc brake make a big difference between Karizma R and Karizma ZMR PGM Fi. The mask is also bigger in new Karizma. The rear view mirrors are mounted on mask in new Karizma while it placed on handlebars in Karizma R. One more difference is there in looking that is grab rails. New Karizma possess split grab rails as against handle type grab bars in the predecessor. Mask shape is also comes in different way in new Karizma. Now, some common cosmetic they share with each other like mounted front turn indicator, silencer, halogen headlamps, large windscreen and tail side. New Karizma possesses copied mounted rear view mirrors and turn indicators on airscoops from Yamaha R 15 and Bajaj Pulsar 220.The instrument panels of Karizma R comes in twin format-analogue and digital-only fuel gauge and tripmeter in digital mode. Yellow colour illuminates background of console which is clearly visible in daytime. The instrument panel is also comprised of total distance and a real time digital clock.

Both bikes have dual colour scheme at console, only the tachometer is illuminating in white background while the rest gets orange treatment. Three dial pods, including tachometer, speedometer and tripmeter, are there in Karizma R while new Karizma has complete digital cluster. The dashboard of the New Karizma comes in full digital mode. The tachometer illuminates in white background while the rest gets orange shade. Body colour has some graphics in both the machines. Fuel tank, rear side panels and airscoops are having stickers. Karizma R sports a bold and sporty 'R' logo on petrol tank. On the other hand, new Karizma ZMR PGM Fi sports stylish and bold ZMR sticker at full front fairing. This bold sticker is in red colour in white and black body colour in New Karizma while it matches with body colour in rest of the body shades. Rear grab rails and rear view mirrors are not painted in body colour.

The tail side of Karimza ZMR PGM Fi is very stylish and sporty with a latest LED tail lamp. Rear mudguard comes in a new shape and style. The silencer gets black treatment and heat shield. Hero Honda New Karizma has refined rear mud guard, split clip on handle bars, step-up seat, and split grab bars.

 

Comfort

Hero Honda bikes are popular on account of comfortable seating and less maintenance with highest resale value. Fuel tank and footpegs are fitted keeping rider's comfort in mind. Nevertheless, passenger seat should be more wider. The handlebars of the bikes are also placed at comfortable position. On the contrary, new Karizma is blessed with split seat which promise better seating than its predecessor. In both the Karizma models, rider and passenger footpegs are there. Advanced suspensions also add to the comfort for both riders as the bikes are equipped with adjustable forks for different riding conditions. Disc brakes allow the rider to stop the bike at even higher speed. A maintenance free battery is given that demands replacement after a long time.

 

 

Dimensions

 

The overall dimension of Hero Honda Karizma ZMR PGM Fi are length-2110mm, height-1175mm and width 805mm. The ground clearance of the machine is 159mm and wheelbase is 1350mm. Whereas, Karizma R shorter in very similar of the new model. The length of the bike is 2125mm, height is 1160mm and width 755mm. Wheelbase and ground clearance are 1355mm and 150mm respectively. Kerb weight of Karizma R and New Karizma is 159 kg and 150 kg respectively.

 

Engine Capacity and Performance

Hero Honda Karizma R is equipped with a SOHC, 4 stroke, single cylinder mill with a 223cc displacement. The power house, engine, of Karizma R churns out peak power of 17 bhp at 7,000 rpm and maximum torque of 18.35 Nm at 6,000 rpm. Whereas, new Karimza's 4 Stroke, single cylinder, OHC, PGM Fuel Injection, oil cooled engine belts out more power 17.6 bhp at same rpm along with same torque figures. The PGM Fi system increases the power but still needs improvement. The gear shifting in both the models is smooth. Both machines have similar number of gear and very pattern-one down four up. Karizma R sports multi-plate clutch to enhance torque and power. Diamond frames are used to provide stiffness and mind blogging balance. Hero Honda Karizma PGM Fi boasts self start option.

The PGM fi (programmable fuel injection technology) system is blended with 12 hole fuel injector, 16 bit ECU and six advanced sensors to scan the mill operating parameters such as air temperature, engine temperature and air pressure to make sure ultimate air and fuel ratio under dynamic conditions. The PGM Fi system supports to grow higher peak speed and power. In view of better cooling, oil cool technology is incorporated in the engine. The bikes are equipped with a maintenance free battery that ensure better starting in bad weather.

 

Wheels and tyres

Hero Honda Karizma R houses red and black alloy wheels. Only the black body colour comes with red alloy wheels. On the rest of body hues, black alloy wheels are fitted. 18 inch tyres are installed in the Karizma R. Front tyre's specification is 2.75X18-42 p and rear one's is 100/90-18-56 p.

On the other hand, Hero Honda Karizma ZMR PGM Fi comes loaded with five-spoke alloy wheels. Moreover, the rims are fitted with tubeless tyres that ensure lesser chances of puncture. The tyre size is 80/100x18-47P (front) and 100/90x18-56P (rear)

 

Suspension

Hero Honda Karizma R is available with smart suspension at both end. Front shock absorbers is telescopic hydraulic type whereas rear one is five step adjustable with swing arm which is painted in red. In the same way the new upgraded model of Karizma comes with same front fork and gas filled shock absorbers at rear. It can also be adjusted for five times according to your requirement.

 

Handling and Control

Both Karizmas come loaded with higher wheelbase. The wheelbase of Karizma R and New Karizma is 1355mm and 1350mm respectively. The larger wheelbase promises great handling and control in lower and higher speed. Wheelbase also helps to provide better grip on road that reduce chances of skidding or shaking but Karizma R lacks stability at higher speed. Disc brakes are installed in both the machine, Karizma R has only fornt disc brake, to halt the bike in any speed. Disc brakes also works perfectly in bad weather in which drum brakes do their duty sometimes. New Karizma ZMR PGM Fi sports front (276mm) and rear (240mm) disc brakes. Whereas, old Karizma has only front disc (276mm) brake and rear drum type brake. You can handle the bike with ease as braking and throttle response works instantly. Split clip is also there at handlebars to add to stability.

 

Hero Honda Karizma Pros

The Karizma is top class bike in its segment. With the new PGM Fi system and front full fairing, the new Karizma becomes the best vehicle in the class. New Karizma ZMR PGM Fi comes in very sporty looks.

Hero Honda Karizma Cons

Acceleration and speed is a big concern in Karizma R. You might feel problem when riding in higher speed. Leg guard should be there in the old Karizma. Similarly in new Karizma ZMR, engine power and torque could be more as it is equipped with PGM Fi technology. The cost of the new Karizma is big concern as its competitor, Bajaj Pulsar 220, comes in lesser price tag.
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