KARIZMA Review 3

Hero Honda Karizma R Review

Appearance

The engineers at the Hero Honda did all they can to give this machine a macho, international look. The front headlamp is a great job indeed and Hero Honda brings modern day superbike style to India with it. The other attractive feature is the perfect carving of the body and bold new graphics. Every portion of the bike is balanced as its tale is made in the right proportion of the tank. The company has kept with the times, and grafted an aircraft-type fuel filler cap onto the tank. Apart from these, there is a stylish under cowl.

The stylish console is high-tech with bright yellow background which make clear visibility in daytime too. The dashboard incorporated three dial shape meters. Large speedometer placed at the centre and rest dials houses tripmeter, fuel gauge and techometer. Digital fuel indicator makes it really a hi-fi technical bike. This is the first bike in various aspects like it has pre-installed alloy wheels. The bike has dual tail lamps that is first time introduced in the country. The rear suspension comes in a dash of red. Under the rear suspension, muffler is sparking with new heat shield in classy chrome finish. The front panels of the Karizma R are amazing.

Engine

Karizma R comes with a 223cc single cylinder, air-cooled, OHC, four stroke engine that packs a maximum power of 17bhp at 7000rpm and maximum torque of 18.35 Nm@6000rpm. It has a wheel base of 1355mm and kerb weight is 150kgs. It has a ground clearance of 150mm. The engine has a support for single cylinder and the electrical specifications of Hero Honda Karizma R are 12V, 7.0 Ah and Digital - CDI (AMI - Advanced Microprocessor Ignition System). The Karizma is started by kick and self start. It has 5-speed constant mesh type transmission. A stronger multi-plate clutch is used to take care of the enhanced power and torque figures. The chassis of the motorbike is diamond shaped while the rear suspension is equipped with hydraulic shock absorber to ensure smooth riding even in bumpy terrain. It uses one down and 4 up gears and the handling of the bike is quite simple even for people with average height.

Acceleration

Apart from breaking the 200cc barrier, the bike breaks fresh grounds in the acceleration front. 0 - 60 Kmph in 3.8 Seconds which is perhaps the best in the similar kind of bikes. Likewise 0-100 kmph in just 14.05 seconds and 0-400 kmph in just 18.79 seconds. Maximum Speed is 125.6 kmph. Braking on the Karizma is superb and it is designed to bring this bulky 150kg-bike and rider to rest from 60kph in 19.84 metres.

Fuel Efficiency

You can get an average mileage of about 40 kmpl in city conditions and around 47 kmpl on highways . CV carburetor with a variable ignition system that alters timing based on engine power and throttle position. Its mid size fuel tank can keep 15 liters of petrol plus two litres reserve.

Colours

The stylish bike is available in four vibrant colours. You can opt from sport red, black, moon yellow and vibrant blue. The attractive colours give the bikini deadly looking. Available colours Are :

Brakes

In view to provide gentle halting of the bike, the beast is provided with front disc brakes that is dia 276mm non-asbestos type. While rear brakes comes in internal expanding shoe type with dia 130mm non-asbestos type.

Suspension

Now look at the suspension in the motorbike. Nicely shaped front suspension is telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers and the rear one is 5 step adjustable type hydraulic shock absorbers with swing arm. That means you have five options to adjust the suspension for different roads. No doubt, the feature allow you to enjoy jerkfree riding experience.

Wheels and Tyres

The machine posses nice looking five-spoke die alloy wheels which support the balance and weight of bike. The tyres size are perfect with the specifications of 2.75X18-42 p (front) and 100/90-18-56 p (rear).

Wheel Base and Controlling

The wheelbase is quite awesome as it has 1335mm wheel base. The large wheelbase is responsible for stability and control in various road and weather conditions. Disc brakes and adjustable sock absorbers adds to the safety, control and smooth ride.

Comfortness

The tank with its sculpted knee recesses adds to the great biker feel as does the super saddle which makes the straddling posture so very inviting. Ride for the pillion is equally comfortable as the rear suspension is generally set perfectly for the average Indian pillion. Riding posture is a bit sporty but comfortable. Karizma R is relatively heavy and stable bike which is more due to long wheelbase that keeps it well planted to the ground even at high speeds.

Pros

The looks of the bike is sporty. In spite of high engine cc it gives fuel efficiency.

Cons

Hero Honda Karizma is not that good in its acceleration as compared to other high quality features