The Karizma has been around for a really long time now, in fact, it was the very motorcycle that kick-started the low capacity high performance biking segment in India when it was launched, way back in 2003. The motorcycle received a few updates through all these years in the form of newer colors and decals, but after parting ways with Honda, Hero MotoCorp thought that the Karizma needed a complete overhaul and this became reality in the form of the new Karizma R and Karizma ZMR which were displayed at the 2014 Auto Expo held in Delhi earlier this year.
The new models have not been launched in the Indian market officially, but we have information stating that the launch of might happen sometime during this month or in the beginning of the next month. A local dealer went one step ahead and told us that the unofficial bookings for the Karizma R have already commenced and so, one can pre-order the Karizma R right now and also that the first batch of bikes have already been dispatched to the dealers. Though there is no word on the Karizma ZMR, we expect both the bikes to be launched simultaneously.
The design aspect of the Karizma series has completely been changed from the outgoing generation. Hero have for the first time introduced radical designing on their motorcycle thinking that it will work in favour of them. The Karizma R sports the same fairing as the new ZMR, except for the lower half. It is equipped with twin-projector headlamps up-front and even LED daytime running lights have been included in the package. It also sports a well sculpted tank with knee recesses, redesigned side panels, completely redesigned tail with new split grab-rails, and new number plate holder with integrated turn indicator mounts at the rear. The exhaust end-can gets a new redesigned body panel, while the suspension, instrumentation and wheels remain the same as the outgoing model.
The new Karizma also boasts of new technology in the engine area as well. Instead of the old Kehlin CV carburettor, it uses a new fuel-injection system. The bore and stroke though, remain the same and hence it displaces the same 223cc as before but it now has a maximum output of 19.2 PS, seeing 2.2 PS gain over the outgoing model. Hero claims that the Karizma R can accelerate from 0-60 KMPH in just 3.6 seconds and will go on to touch a top speed of 130 KMPH.
