Snap – HH Karizma ZMR Fi

Hero Honda recentley launched the much awaited tourer bike – Karizma ZMR Fi in Indian Market. Karizma ZMR will be sold along with old Karizma-R model, Hero Honda has decided not to phase out Karizma R Infact give it a small-facelift (Refer 2011 Hero Honda Karizma Spotted Article for more info) and sell both the models side by side. They don’t want to end the competition for Apache 180 & Pulsar 220 as Karizma R is priced around Rs. 80,000/-.

The stance remains the same as the old Karizma which is still considered to be the best touring bike in India with smooth, refined and relaxed Honda engine at the helm. The major and much needed change is addition of programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI) in the engine. Additionally it also gets disc brake at the rear, Gas charged rear shock absorbers, little increase in power and torque.

In terms of looks the most visible change is heavy looking full front fairing with a lot of snazzy graphics with ‘ZMR’ stickers. Though it seems a little bit overworked and gives Karizma ZMR a plasticy look. The designers at Hero Honda ‘R&D’ must have been a fan of Suzuki Hayabusa!! As far as new features are concerned the New Karizma ZMR gets all new headlamps with integrated blinkers and new tail lamps which are now LED ones.

The fit and finish is quite good, there are no panel gaps and paint quality is awesome. The rear view mirrors have been mounted on the front fairing unlike Yamaha R15, which is the best part of the facelift and it gives Karizma ZMR a very aggressive look if viewed from front. But the main problem is if you view the bike from side – the front doesn’t gel with the slim looking rear. Hero Honda should have made the rear end a bit heavy to match it with the heavy front fairing. All in all, New Karizma ZMR looks much better than the outgoing model which started looking very outdated (Karizma launched in May 2003) in comparison to the Yamaha R15, Bajaj Pulsar 220, TVS Apache RTR 180 & Honda CBF Stunner Fi.

The Instrument cluster is best looking part in Karizma ZMR. Insert the key and you are greeted with a long scrolling message which ends with “Bon Voyage Fly Safe”. The display is now full digital including the tachometer which has been designed in round shape under a horizontal digital display which looks very cool especially at night.

The display also shows real time fuel consumption which is very helpful in maintaining good mileage. Other tells n tales include the speedometer, trip meter, fuel indicator, clock and rev counter. The switchgear remains the same and, in true Hero Honda fashion, there is no engine kill switch. The instrument cluster features dual colour illumination – the tachometer is lit in white while the rest gets an orange backlight.

10 New Design Features of Hero Honda Karizma ZMR:

1. Full Front Fairing
2. Split Clip on Handle Bars
3. Split Rear Grab Rails
4. Mirrors Mounted On the Fairing
5. New Rear Mud Guard
6. New Headlamp & Tail Lamp Which Is Now LED
7. Rear Disc Brakes
8. Turn Indicators Mounted On Front Fairing
9. New Graphics
10. Slightly Reprofiled Body Work

New Karizma ZMR Fi is powered by the same 223cc engine but has been altered by Hero Honda engineers, now it gets fuel injection which has increased the maximum power to 17.6 Bhp at 7000 rpm which is up by 0.6 Bhp and maximum torque has been increased by .15 Nm which is now 18.35 Nm @ 6000 rpm.

Hero Honda has claimed top speed of 126 kmph and 0-60 km in 3.7 seconds in its official brochure but it is still slower than the current fastest bike in this segment – The Pulsar 220, which has top speed of 144 kmph. Also I expected much more power and torque from the altered Fuel Injected engine, Karizma ZMR should have been atleast touching around 20 Bhp with 21-23 Nm torque.

The PGM-Fi system is equipped with a 12 hole fuel injector, 16 bit ECU and 6 high-tech sensors to scan the engine operating parameters like air pressure, air temperature, and engine temperature to ensure the optimum air / fuel ratio under dynamic conditions. An advanced vertical oil cooler provides efficient cooling to the high performance engine and the IACV (Idle air control valve) ensures idle stability and smoothens response to throttle changes.

Hero Honda Karizma ZMR is available in five colours:

• Pearl White
• Moon Yellow
• Panther Black
• Sports Red
• Vibrant Blue

In my opinion Karizma ZMR looks best in White colour which gives it a bigger and sportier look. In yellow and red shades it looks a bit plasticy and down grade.

New Hero Honda Karizma ZMR has been priced at Rs. 95,900 (On-Road New Delhi). The price is on the higher side in comparison to Bajaj Pulsar 220 which comes almost 13,000 cheaper and is more powerful in comparison to Karizma Fi. But Karizma is Liquid Cooled and technically more advanced in comparison to Pulsar 220. Also Karizma ZMR is a quality product, there is no compromise in quality of materials and paint quality.

Comparison Of New Karizma ZMR, Pulsar 220, Yamaha R15 & Apache RTR 180

*Prices in 1000s (ON-ROAD, Delhi)

More pictures of Karizma ZMR-FI