Oct 19, 2004 10:10 AM
7645 Views
(Updated Oct 19, 2004 10:10 AM)
Hi everyone, this is my comeback review after 1 ½ yrs! But here I go… This time it’s on an icon for Indian bikes… but does it live up to its hype?
How I got the test:
As usual I was among the first ones to test the Karizma when it was launched. But recently my friend bought this machine just when the prices where slashed by 10k, it retails @ 75k on road in Coimbatore now. And so I have ridden it well enough for u to look nothing beyond this review…
Style and Design:
I first saw her pic in ‘The Hindu’ and was biting my nails off to see more of it… The first disappointment is the name ‘Karizma’… It’s a ‘she’! Definitely female! But don’t we guys like a beautiful babe though she has a bad name??? The next disappointment is the fixed semi-front headlamp fairing, it is bulbulous and very angular, but the clear lens headlight is quite smart. Leaving these aside, the rest of the bike design and attention to detail is strikingly impressive. She commands road presence like no other bike, how I envy my friend when babes gaze at him and have my pulsar ignored! The side panels mimic aluminium sub-frame and the tail unit is superb along with the macho exhaust pipe. Digital instrumentation is a luxury and a useful clock is also included. Red colour gets my vote and my friend has got the same, yellow is too bright and black with gold combination is a mismatch. Silver is ok while other colours are perfectly ugly. Also the quality black alloys go well with red colour.
Design: 8/10 Features: 10/10
Engine and Gearbox:
The ‘tuned for torque’ Honda engine generates around 17 H.P and that is shockingly low for its capacity. However the torque is a whooping 18.3 Nm; yet, these figures are a disappointment for a 223 c machine (180 cc DTSi develops 16 H.P). The chassis is a single tube type but is enough for Indian conditions. The engine is very smooth and silky; however the sound is not good as a pulsar. It lacks the addictive racing tune we bikers seek, but is a weak throbbing sound. The Engine is very reliable and trouble free. It idles properly (unlike bajaj bikes) and is a pleasure to rev hard. It remains bullet-proof even when revved to the max. The transmission is the international type 1 down – 4 up pattern with no heel shifter (like race bikes). This type transmission needs some getting used to for some riders, but is very precise and smooth in operation. The clutch is also very light and comfortable.
Engine: 8/10, Transmission: 10/10
Performance, Handling and Braking:
The performance of this bike is THE BEST in India so far. The Engine is a willing performer and driving is absolutely easy once astride. The torque kick is evident while accelerating and pumps our adrenaline like anything. While driving the bike feels perfectly balanced and quite easy to drive than a pulsar. Acceleration is out of the world and pick up is very good due to the superb clutch progression. I found it very difficult to limit my speed as the bike keeps going for more… My friend raced with my P150 and he comfortably won me using only partial throttle though I was on my limits! Some people have the impression that due to the bikes size and weight it is not appropriate for racing, but believe me this bike is very easy to control than the pulsar. Coming to the ride and handling, performance bikes need hard suspensions, but the Karizma has no compromise in spite of it soft suspension. This is one of the best suspensions I have seen (yet to test Unicorn), very precise and sweet damping. Lean angles are confidence inspiring only limited by the soft suspensions. Though the tires look skinny for the bikes size, grip is optimal. Even with two up the ride and stability is very good and a breeze to drive. Coming to the braking, she has the largest discs and provides perfect feedback but the bite is not as good as in pulsar.
Performance: 9/10, Ride, Handling & Braking: 10/10
Mileage:
My friends’ bike is quite new and the bike returns 32-35 kmpl under mixed driving real road conditions. This is quite good but could be better considering its high pedigree Honda engine. The reason being the engine doesn’t offer any shattering technology like DTSi or so. However it offers all the standard technology and is as good as a gem when it comes to quality. With harsh driving I expect the mileage will drop to 28-30 kmpl or so.
Mileage: 6/10
Living with her:
Another con regarding the bike is the very high rear seat, sure your girl can’t get on top (that’s good chance, lift her and make her sit!). For solo, this is the best bike u can get, feels like a sports bike to drive. The bike feels delicate because the fairing is easily prone to damage (no standard crash guard). Also the footrest needs to be folded to kick start (ES also available) as in the CBZ. Being a Hero Honda the spares are always costly and even more for this bike. As for the recent cost cuts, the bike is really value for money, only 10k more than P180 and for that u get alloys, digital meters, extra 53 cc and of course the H.Honda brand name and quality! My verdict is that if one can afford, the Karizma is a better buy than the P180 considering performance though the Karizma looses on practicality. Or maybe we can wait for the big Honda’s (HMSI) bike to come…
Overall rating: 8/10
Pros:
Smooth & torquey engine
Progressive Clutch
Superb performance and ride
Image & road presence
Cons:
Front fairing design
Low bhp for 223 cc, single cylinder only
Fragile design looses on practicality
