Ka Ka Ka Karidzmaah - Driven Report. Review on Hero Honda Karizma

I see few people out here in mouthshut giving their experiences(!) about cars & bikes just by looking at the spec sheet and the advertisements. This is very bad - both for a personal reputation and that of the product.

I got a chance to hop on this beast of a machine. Think how lucky I'm if the dealer believes me like anything and doesn't send one of his attendants along with me while I'm test riding the vehicle. I was just praying for this and this is the only way I can fully appreciate the exhilarating performance of this bike.

I'm there hopping on a dull coloured(brown) Karidzmaah(thats how I pronounce - and that way it sounds more sexy!). Well, colour of a bike doesn't matter me when I'm doing a test ride. I should've ridden the vehicle for around 6-8 kms twice and that adds upto around 15kms on highways (Grand State Trunk road in Chennai). Just the place to test such motorcycles and though this is not completely enough to evaluate a motorcycle on all parameters I've tried my best to give a balanced view on how this bike impressed me in whatever I can look for.

The bike fires from the word go. I did not, however, rev the bike in front of the dealer for the fear of the bike getting snatched without a test ride. Once I thought that I was possibly away from the sight of the dealer, I halted this vehicle... and how? I was just looking at the rear view mirror and was about to stop it and unconsciously tapped the rear and front-brake together. Dud. It did not move any bit later. The front ventilated discs are simply superb. Be careful with them on wetty roads, however. Now, acceleration test run.

I've always wondered looking at the spec sheet how a massive 223cc mill would generate only 17 horses. Was there big de-tuning like the Enfields? Look at the torque output and you'll understand that it produces 1.86kgm of torque. This is almost double(not quite) that of an Old Fiero(For the number conscious, Fiero-150 produces 1.1kgm). These figures are just enough to take a Karidzmaah Skywards... These dealers are clever to have the speedometer disconnected so the bike wouldn't clock any miles during test rides. But, we always have this rev-counter and that's what we want in acceleration tests. In the same time that a F-150, P-150, P-180 takes to hover around 65kmph, Karizma zoomed to around 80kmph. The situation was so pathetic that I had to chase another motorcycle and look at his speedometer to read the speed at which I was blasting away!

I could not take it past 100 for traffic reasons on that day though I believe that a well-set engine would definitely go upto 135-140 kmph minus few kms for speedo correction. The tyres are from the tried & trusted MRF stables and they're 2.75x18 on the front and the usual 100/90x18 on the rear. In addition to helping the traction, these tyres look great. The wheel rims too speak of quality. The subdued black rims do add an aura to the bike. May be a silver-coloured rim should also look good. What impressed me when I first sat on this bike was the fuel-tank. It was so loooong that a sporty stance comes very natural to this bike. The front fairings are sharp and will leave you thinking that it could have been made to look better. The digital meters are a thoughtful addition and am sure anybody would like them.

So, why did Hero Honda stop with just 223 cc? Why did it not go som 27CCs further? The plant that was built in collaboration with Honda is capable of producing any engine size from 133cc to 223cc. That is why the Ambition at the lowest ebb of 133cc and Karidzmaah at the peakest 223cc. You can see a lot of similarities in the design of both the machines. Both sport similar side-fairing, tail lights, the exhaust, and rear indicators though the statement made by the Big B is definite and resounding.

Now... I understand your curiosity to know about the bike's fuel-efficiency. As I said before, 15 kms is not the right distance to comment on fuel-efficiency and I'm keeping mum on this. Overdrive has reported an average fuel-efficiency of 35kmpl and if it's for real then we really have a winner.

BTW, no cons?

1. It is extremely difficult to mount a Crash guard. Or rather, impossible.

   
   




2. Quite costly. Just how a market leader would do. Launch a bike where there's no competition and you can price it whatever way you want. The price will definitely fall down once Kawasaki-Bajaj and TVS foray into this segment

   
   




3. I simply could not find anymore :-)

   
   

Verdict

Buy this bike if your motto for life is performance and adrenaline. If you're a regular office goer and on the wrong side of 30s, forget it. You'll not be able to revel in this performance machine. This bike is not meant for commuting or travelling. This is meant for pure biking! This bike is not suitable for long-distance drives and I mean real long distances, of about 250kms+.

What are you waiting for? Go, get a Karizma, add charisma to your life. Do drop in your comments and questions. I'll be happy to answer you...