New Full-Faired Bike from Hero Spotted

This could possibly be the next-generation Karizma

• The spied bike comes with a full fairing design.
• Going by the one-piece handlebar, it will be more of a sports tourer than a sporty motorcycle.
• Instrument cluster seems to have been lifted from the Hero XPulse 200.
• Will likely be powered by the same 200cc engine from the XPulse.

For quite a long time, the Karizma stood unrivalled as the most legendary name in Indian performance biking. However, Hero failed to update the bike in ways that excited enthusiasts as much as the original did, and the Karizma name quietly disappeared into oblivion. Now, a new faired motorcycle from the brand has been spotted sans camouflage, and we believe it could be the next-generation Karizma. We had already reported that Hero is working on one, and the recent spy shots give us a fair idea of how it looks.

The motorcycle comes with a single headlight design flanked by bulb-type indicators. It also features a full fairing with a slightly tall windscreen up top. Looking at the raised handlebar clamps holding the wide single-piece handlebar, it is evident that the upcoming motorcycle is intended to be more of a sports tourer - just like the original Karizma which everyone loved. 

There are quite some bits that hint at its shared genes with the XPulse 200. The instrument cluster, for one, seems to have been lifted from the XPulse. Even the engine casing appears to be the same as the one on the ADV. As reported earlier, the new-gen Karizma will have the same fuel-injected motor as the XPulse but will be in a sportier state of tune. The XPulse makes 18.8PS of power and 17Nm of torque, and comes paired to a 5-speed gearbox. While the seat is not visible in the shot, expect it to be a split unit to match the bike’s sporty demeanour.

At the rear, the shape of the exhaust outlet looks similar to the XPulse 200T but the heat shield design is different. The motorcycle employs telescopic forks up front and a monoshock at the rear (a first for a Karizma). Brakes include disc at both ends, and the ABS is likely to be a single-channel unit to keep costs competitive. 

Expect Hero to launch the next-generation Karizma by the end of this year, likely with a price tag of around Rs 1.2 lakh - 1.3 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Essentially, it will be a sporty touring alternative to the XPulse 200 and the XPulse 200 T. The upcoming bike will compete with the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V range and the Bajaj Pulsar RS200. With the launch of the XPulse 200 scheduled for this month, Hero just might give us a glimpse of the Karizma soon. Fingers crossed until then!

Image Credit: iamabikerdotcom