Twenty years down the line, Hero MotoCorp is set to restore the Karizma moniker and we believe this is a good time to review what the original Karizma was like.Hero Honda Karizma: engine and performanceThe star of the Hero Honda Karizma show was unquestionably the 223cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine. These numbers can be associated to the tall fifth equipment that ensured engine revs remained low at those highway speeds.Hero Honda Karizma: ergonomicsThe Hero Honda Karizma was popular among those who enjoyed visiting on a motorcycle. Our tests showed that the bike came to a dead stop from 60kph in 18.36 metres.Hero Honda Karizma: styling, fit and finishOne of the greatest draws of the Karizma was the method it looked. The bike did have a track record for costly extra parts.Hero Honda Karizma: the original verdictThe Karizma won hearts for its rideability, style, performance and the big bike feel it used. Hero has actually submitted two trademarks, Karizma XMR and Karizma XMR 210 and word on the street is that the business has established a brand name brand-new engine, which could be liquid-cooled.

The original Karizma introduced the era of Indian made efficiency bikes. Published On Apr 15, 2023 07:00:00 AMCirca the early 2000s. The Indian bike market was heating up to performance-oriented bikes as a brand-new crop of 150cc-180cc motorbikes went into the marketplace. We had the Bajaj Pulsar and Hero-Honda CBZ punching it out for the most part, however then came the Hero Honda Karizma and it quickly increased to the top of the appeal charts. The styling, features and efficiency left much of us preferring to own one, but the price– Rs 90,000 on-road, Mumbai– put it well out of reach of many. Twenty years down the line, Hero MotoCorp is set to restore the Karizma name and we think this is a great time to review what the original Karizma was like.Hero Honda Karizma: engine and performanceThe star of the Hero Honda Karizma program was undoubtedly the 223cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine. The long-stroke engine made 17.2 hp at 7,000 rpm and 18.33 Nm at 6,000 rpm; which wont drift the lover boat in todays times. To put things in perspective, the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V makes 17.55 hp at 8,600 rpm. Once again, in those days, 17hp would leave a lot of lovers drooling. Our sources back then informed us that Hero Honda couldve stuck to the initial 21hp power output of the engine, nevertheless, they needed to detune it somewhat in the interest of fuel efficiency. Nonetheless, the engine was an absolute gem; fine-tuned, rev capable and pleased of sitting at triple digit speeds all day long. Our performance tests showed that the Karizma was pretty fast– 0-60kph showed up in 4.84 s while 100kph turned up in 14.59 s. These numbers benefited a 150kg bike that had a five-speed (one down, four up pattern) transmission with lower gearing for the very first 3 cogs and a high 4th and 5th gear. This made the Karizma matched to both flights in the city and long highway stints.Hero Honda Karizma: fuel economyConsidering the performance, the engine dished out excellent fuel efficiency. In the city, the Karizma managed to return 30kpl, while out on the highway– at a steady 70kph– it covered 45km in a litre of fuel. These numbers can be credited to the high 5th equipment that ensured engine revs remained low at those highway speeds.Hero Honda Karizma: ergonomicsThe Hero Honda Karizma was popular amongst those who loved exploring on a motorbike. The riders triangle was sporty yet comfortable, while the large and accommodating 795mm seat suggested long hours in the saddle didnt leave one squirming in discomfort.Hero Honda Karizma: trip and dealing with Besides the ergonomics, what made the Karizma a terrific daily bike was the sweet balance it attained in between trip and handling. The bikes single downtube frame was suspended by a telescopic fork and preload adjustable, twin shock absorbers at the back. It did a respectable job of straightening out bad roadways without feeling soft or wallowy. Handling was one of its strong points and the bike went around corners in a method that one didnt expect, considering the skinny, 2.75/ 18 front and 100-90/18 rear tyres. With a 26 degree rake/93mm trail and a 1,355 mm wheelbase, the bike was simple to turn in and was planted around corners. Braking was quite decent as well, with a 276mm disc at the front and a 130mm drum at the back. Our tests revealed that the bike pertained to a dead stop from 60kph in 18.36 metres.Hero Honda Karizma: styling, fit and finishOne of the most significant draws of the Karizma was the way it looked. Bikes with fairings (half or complete) were a rarity at that time and instantly made heads turn. The Karizma borrowed its style cues from the Honda VFR 800; specifically the shape of the fairing and panels. There were the colourways that included to the visual appeal of the bike. There was absolutely nothing rather like the Karizma on our streets and its no surprise that those who owned/rode the Karizma were rather popular; be it in college or at the workplace.The quality was excellent in general, although, we did find the switchgear to be quite plasticky. When it comes to features, it had an electrical starter, a digital fuel gauge, and analogue tacho and speedo. DC connection for the lights ensured that they ran regularly brilliant and independently of the engine rpm. Nevertheless, the bike did have a credibility for expensive spare parts.Hero Honda Karizma: the original verdictThe Karizma won hearts for its rideability, style, efficiency and the big bike feel it provided. It offered India a taste of what a well crafted, fast and comfy motorbike can. Sure, it wasnt low-cost, however that in turn made it all the more unique. Its a bike that much of us desired to own at that time. In numerous methods, the Karizma can be attributed with introducing the age of India-made performance motorcycles that we currently take pleasure in. What to get out of the new Hero Karizma?The brand-new Hero Karizma is said to be in the works and there have actually been a few circumstances of the bike being spotted screening. Hero has actually filed 2 trademarks, Karizma XMR and Karizma XMR 210 and word on the street is that the company has actually established a brand name new engine, which could be liquid-cooled. If that holds true, anticipate it to make considerably more power and torque than the engine you see in the Hero Xtreme 200S. It will include sporty styling with a full fairing, passing the test mules that have actually been spotted. Expect the bike to feature all-LED lighting and Bluetooth connectivity-equipped instrument cluster and more.The brand-new Karizma is anticipated to go on sale at some point this year.Copyright (c) Autocar India. All rights scheduled.