Maxabout.comEditor Review
Best Hero Honda Bike
Monday, November 19, 2007Design and Styling
Karizma R looks very stylish with balck alloy die-cast wheels dual light tailpiece, front indicators, the fairing, silencer unit, stepped up seat, panel shapes and new yellow black instrument binnacle.The fairing is not a full one which can be seen on sports bikes but nevertheless it was never before there on any Indian bike. The tank doesn't look big like the Pulsar's bulky tank but it holds 15 litres of fuel.
The trapezoidal headlamp unit up front looks great and the Illumination is brilliant which is unmatched by any bike in the country. The guide lamps are superb and borrowed from the Royal Enfields. The tank recesses easily accommodated the legs of our tallest testers. The amber backlighting for instruments is exciting. Being connected directly to the battery, all lights and instruments work independently of the rpm of the engine, and are a boon at night.
Comfort
The sporty position of the seat offers the best possible seating position for the rider although the pillion seat could have been a little bit more longer. Even on long journeys,the back support is very good and the front shock-absorbers do a great job of damping the vibrations.The rear shock-absorbers are perfect for Indian Road conditions which mostly consist of pot-holes and speed breakers.The rear rider's comfort levels aren't all that great and could have done with some more thinking and concentration on that aspect.
Ride and Handling
Though the riding position is very sporty and similar to that on the older CBZ, it feels different. The long wheelbase at 1355mm helps stability. Gripping the wide bars, the rush of pleasure with its linear torque is a feeling difficult to put in words. Stability at any and every speed is top class. Turn-in is excellent and cornering is admirable. The way the suspension is set up and mated with the single downtube conventional frame is excellent.
Engine and Performance
It is powerred by 17BHP 223cc single cylinder engine from the stables of Honda,who are possibly the best engine manufacturers world-wide.The shift lever is a sporty one and has a 1 down 4 up sports-bike like shift pattern.The motor is silky smooth across all bands of power and never shows signs of tiring and goes on and on and on. It seems as if you still have loads of power even at speeds of 100kmph. The idling speed of the engine is best set around.
The gearbox employs a tall close ratio fourth and fifth gear with lower gearing for the first three gears. This works out well giving one sufficient power out on the highway, yet not making the bike tough to ride around town. A wet multi-plate clutch is employed and feels perfect, with just the correct amount of feedback. Thumb the starter and the first thing you will notice is the refinement of the engine.
Fuel Economy
Equipped with a larger capacity engine, the Karizma's mileage figures depend on how it is ridden. Under city riding conditions, the bike returned 30kpl and on the highway testing runs surprised with an impressive 45kpl at a speed of 70kph. The main important things are that you shouldn't open up the throttle and try speeding away. Gear shifts and acceleration should be gradual. A smooth driving style with minimal gear shifts is to be followed. Overall is a great bike with superb refinement, comfort and great handling. It is a highly capable and stylish bike but high price puts it out of reach for many.
TV Commercial of Karizma R featuring Hrithik Roshan: