Is the bike which started the trend in India of desirable bikes slowly losing its desirability?
Losing it’s "Premium" sheen?
Launched in 2003 the Karizma was the first so called made in India “Premium” motorcycle. No surprises that Hero (Hero Honda back then) pasted a decal on the bike which proudly declared “Premium Sports”. With just the Pulsar 180 as competition, the Karizma without any doubt was indeed a made in India “Premium” motorcycle.
In 2012 the list of made in India motorcycles read as: Yamaha YZF-R15 Version 2.0, KTM 200 Duke, Honda CBR250R and the soon to be launched Pulsar 200NS.
There should be little doubt that the Karizma the no longer as “Premium” as it used to be in 2003.
Karizma R (2003 launch, price correction in 2004)
The Karizma was launched in May, 2003 with a tag line of "Jet-Set-Go". Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan was appointed its brand ambassador. The bike impressed everyone back then. But the bike was a bit overpriced for its time. The price was dropped by around Rs. 10,000 in Oct, 2004. It was advertised as a limited period "celebration" offer but the lowered price was eventually persisted with.
Karizma R (2007 & 2009 upgrade)
The first direct competition to the Karizma came in 2007 in the form of the Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi which was launched with a fuel injection system. Karizma immediately received its first major upgrade in the form of the “Karizma R” which was nothing but the same old Karizma with some new stickers and colors. The Karizma R was actually able to fend off the threat of the Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi mainly because the Fi system made the Pulsar dearer and there also were niggling issues with the Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi.
2009 Karizma R
In 2009, the fuel injection on the Pulsar 220 was ditched for a simpler and cost effective carburetor. This move brought the Pulsar 220 bang in the price range of the Karizma R and with the initial issues sorted, the Pulsar 220 has definitely fought back hard. With goodies like an awesome projector headlamps, tubeless tyres, rear disc brake these days I see more new Pulsar 220’s on the road compared to new Karizma R models.
In 2009 the Karizma R received another sticker+color upgrade but that hasn’t made much of an impact.
Karizma ZMR (2009)
Yamaha made a big splash and a dramatic comeback among bike enthusiasts in India with its Super Sports inspired R15 in 2008. Personally I hated the styling because of its disproportionate rear end, but that did not stop bikers from biting into India’s first affordable “mini” Super Sports bike the Yamaha R15.
In 2009 Hero attempted to recreated the “full faired” magic with the Karizma ZMR. If the R15 was inspired by the R1, the Karizma ZMR seems to have taken inspiration from the Suzuki Hayabusa. The way the brazen ZMR branding on the sides of the fairing leaves little to imagination. To me the styling of the ZMR is very awkward and it’s basically the Karizma R clothed with a mass of plastic.
Karizma ZMR & R : Credit - Motoroids.Com
The R15 was more than just a full fairing; it’s got a gem of an engine coupled with an excellent perimeter frame. This made the R15 truly a Super Sports replica. Although The ZMR did get fuel injection, tubeless tyres and a rear disc, but ZMR is still the Karizma R with a full fairing and does not feel too different to ride with its 17.83 Ps performance compared to the 17 Ps Karizma R.
In 2012 there are made in India motorcycles which perform - handle better and are also better looking. Yamaha has redeemed itself with an excellent styling job with the R15 Version 2.0. One also has the option of bikes like Honda CBR250R, KTM 200 Duke and the soon to be launched Pulsar 200NS.
The Karizma is slowly becoming stale and outdated even with its ZMR avatar.
Related Posts
- Bike History/Timeline: Pulsar 1st Generation (2001-2011) [Nov 2011]
- Bike History/Timeline: TVS Victor (2001-2007) [Jun 2011]
- Bike History/Timeline: Hero Honda Passion (2001-2010) [Nov 2010]
- Bike History/Timeline: Hero Honda super Splendor (2005-2010) [Sep 2010]
- Bike History/Timeline: Royal Enfield [1893-2010] [Sep 2010]
Disclaimer:
This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.
10 Comments:
It is not 'getting', it is already outdated. This bike is in no comparison with the other bikes you named. Moreover at this current date, it is the most unsmart looking motorcycle in my eyes. Also, technically it is far backward than the other bikes. There is almost no R&D contribution from Hero in bikes. This is the similar case with Maruti. That is why when Honda and Suzuki part these companies, they are nowhere! I really wonder who shall buy this bike in modern day scenario.
Karizma seriously need some great updation ...not only in terms of looks but the engine too..
7-8 years ago when i was in school, karizma was my dream bike.. :-)
but when today i see R15, CBR150 CBR 250...oh karizma stands no where...
Ohh yeah its hard to say, but its a fact that Karizma is getting outdated. In my opinion the Karizma R is kind of a classic model. Probably they can keep the bike as it is (how many customers are going to buy that? i don't know). But Karizma ZMR is a product which pretends like a full fledged sports bike, but its not. It is for the folks who gets impressed with lots of plastic in their bikes. Its really needs a full makeover. Hero, are you listening ? make good bikes, branding will evolve.
To me, the bike is still some value for me.I don't own it though it gives me a feeling of patience and calmness whenever i see it on road... It's like no matter how you ride, it will give its best to you... A kind of obedience...-Saurabh
Guys if you compare the quality of Hero bikes with other makers like Bajaj, Hero takes it all ,Bajaj stands nowhere in front of Hero as compared 2 engine reliability & high quality engine parts
Ha Ha Ha Ha. Nice article @Payeng it really cracked me up. Karizma nothin but lots of palstic and stickering work on a commuter bike being promoted as a sports bike Lol.
karizma is dead & outdated like splendor/passion. who will buy karizma in front of bikes like r15, Duke 200, Pulsar 200 NS, Pulsar 220 DTSFi.
Having not changed much over time seems to a good thing for simple commuter bikes like the Splendor/Passion..
but for bikes like Karizma, it would be better if there are significant upgrades to keep the interest alive
my karizma is still alive & is roaring with pride
wanna se
go to
https://picasaweb.google.com/111362758849991255826/ScrapbookPhotos#5609179857516473330
My karizma r beats Pulsar 220.. King is always King
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