Hero MotoCorp To Launch New Karizma?

Hero is set to roll out a faired 200cc motorcycle next year. Could it be a new Karizma?

• Hero set to launch a new 200cc faired bike based on the Xtreme 200R next year
• Will most likely carry the Karizma name
• Will be powered by the XPulse’s 200cc fuel injected motor, albeit it in a racier state of tune 
• Features and mechanical parts to be carried over from the Xtreme 200R
• Will rival the Bajaj Pulsar RS200

Hero MotoCorp has confirmed that it will have four 200cc bikes in its portfolio by next year. Of this, the Xtreme 200R has already been launched while the XPulse 200 adventure bike and XPulse 200T Tourer will be launched early next year. Sources close to the company say that the fourth bike will be a faired one. Like the XPulse, it will have a fuel-injected, air-cooled engine, albeit with more power.

While not much details were revealed, we expect the faired bike to use the Xtreme 200R’s features and underpinnings. It might get a semi-digital instrument console, clip-on handlebars and possibly LED headlamps as well. We expect to see the Xtreme 200R’s diamond type frame along with its 37mm front telescopic forks and preload adjustable rear monoshock to be carried over. Other components that are likely to be shared between the two include the 276mm front disc, 220mm rear disc, single-channel ABS, 100/80-R17 front and 130/70-R17 rear tyres. The XPulse’s 199.6 air-cooled and fuel-injected motor is said to produce 18.8PS of power and 17Nm of torque. We expect the new faired bike to make a bit more power, possibly at a higher RPM. 

The first-gen Karizma, which was launched in 2003, enjoyed a cult following in the country, but not so much with the later generations. Given the popularity of the nameplate, the new faired bike could use the Karizma name. Also, Hero has a penchant for resurrecting popular names from the past. A case in point being the new Xtreme 200R which is named after the original Xtreme from 2013.  

The Bajaj Pulsar RS200 and the KTM RC 200 are the only other fully faired and feature-packed motorcycles in the segment. Of the two, Hero will be keen on taking on the Pulsar. So expect the company to price the motorcycle competitively, kind of like what it did with the Xtreme 200R, which is incidentally more affordable than some 160cc bikes. We expect the upcoming Karizma to be priced anywhere between Rs 1.1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh. It is likely to be launched in the second half of 2019