Karizma was launched in 2003, a naked street performer which gave Hero Honda a perception of India’s fast and top quality bike manufacturer. When it was launched in 2003 India had nothing as sportier than and as fast as the Karizma. Karizma gained lot of acceptance among Indian motorcycle enthusiasts as the bike fits many purposes to include racing, touring and commuting. Hero Honda worked well on styling and the performance where nothing else reaches near to the Karizma in terms of right ingredients. In 2010 Hero Honda brought major changes to the Karizma not just in terms of Vinyl job but a complete redesign, from performance to looks. Where Japanese manufacturers are bringing their super sport models to India, Hero Honda gave India, the karizma ZMR.

Karizma was launched in 2003, a naked street performer which gave Hero Honda a perception of India’s fast and top quality bike manufacturer. When it was launched in 2003 India had nothing as sportier than and as fast as the Karizma. Karizma gained lot of acceptance among Indian motorcycle enthusiasts as the bike fits many purposes to include racing, touring and commuting. Hero Honda worked well on styling and the performance where nothing else reaches near to the Karizma in terms of right ingredients. In 2010 Hero Honda brought major changes to the Karizma not just in terms of Vinyl job but a complete redesign, from performance to looks. Where Japanese manufacturers are bringing their super sport models to India, Hero Honda gave India, the karizma ZMR.


In the early years Hero Honda Karizma gained a lot of acceptance, later sales went going down for the Hero Honda which they felt was a serious problem. The solution to diminishing Karizma sales was a new model, the Karizma R. Karizma R model was not a different bike from its predecessor the only difference it received was red alloys. Cosmetic change dint help the Karizma to hold on the road. People at Hero Honda took the matter too serious and brought something that was refreshed, Karizma ZMR. The design of the new Hero Honda Karizma ZMR in India is totally reworked and takes minimum cues from its predecessor.hond

The ZMR looks sportier with new full fairing which resembles to international styled models. It seems that Hero Honda took the design of headlight from the Suzuki GSX-R and the fairing cues to Honda’s Fireblade. The faring is made of overlapping surfaces covering reworked engine painted in gold. The side of the front cows has big ZMR vinyl which is very similar to that found on the Hayabusa Kanjis. Like most other sport models HeroHonda dropped the kick start for Karizma.

Lots of work is also done on the rear, the rear side panels are with similar moldings to that of the CBZ Xtreme but the Karizma ZMR receives them sleeker.  Rear lights receive LEDs in a pentagonal arrangement. The grab bar is similar to those found on the Xtreme its practical for pillions as well as to haul luggage.

Hero Honda Karizma ZMR is magic touched almost every where. With no stone left unturned Hero Honda Karizma in India receives large digital instrumentation with a round LCD digital tachometer which dominates the instrument panel. To the left and right of the tachometer settles a speedo digital display and a tripmeter on either side respectively. The tachometer receives white light where as other displays receives orange back light which is feel is a little downside. Another annoying thing is the long welcome message when keys are turned. Karizma ZMR receives the same switch gear that still lacks kill button.

Engine and Performance

Engine is the heart of the Hero Honda Karizma ZMR. ZRM is praised for its power delivery on both and lower and higher bandwidth, featuring fuel injection system which spits fuel with pressure in the combustion chamber, hence the engine gives out more bhp and better fuel efficiency. The engine resembles its technology to the CRF230 a motocross bike, where as the engine on the Karizma ZMR is designed to suit Indian condition and is also cheap to maintain.

Karizma ZMR receives an undersquare engine which means the torque is tuned to give a knock free ride on low speeds. Major engine advancements Karzma ZMR receives are fuel injection and oil cooling, making the Hero Honda Karizma ZMR a long distance traveler. Hero Honda removed the carbureted fuel feeder and made the engine sophisticated. In order to mix petrol and fuel in right quantity the engine employees PGM-FI system. PGM-FI is a technology developed by Honda where the system controls fuel injection volume and injection timing. The PGM-FI engine on the Hero Honda Karizma ZMR in India also calculates the intake air temperature, engine temperature, and the temperature out side which ensures optimal engine performance in different environmental condition. also the air cooling system ensures that the bike doesn’t get over heated when riding fast or long distances.

The fuel injected 223cc engine on the Karizma ZMR makes maximum power of 17.6 bhp @ 7000 rpm and the torque generation is 18.35 nm @ 6000 rpm. With 223cc on the displacement the bike hits a top of 126 kmph and does 0-60 km in just 3.6 seconds. The 0-60 figure is comparable to the Pulsar 220 but, Bajaj Pulsar does a top of 144 km/hr.

Riding Impression

Karizma ZMR stood out to create a niche for its self to become the only available long distance sport tourer bike to be offered in India. the handle bar Karizma receives is two piece split yet it keeps the riders in upright position making it city friendly and suitable for long distance touring. The front fairing to some extent is practical to keep the rider protected from slapping high speed winds. To make the ride more joyful the footpeg is positioned on the rear side. Karizma ZMR is a huge bike it may not be as quick as a Pulsar in city traffic, but still the ride experience is better to trade for the extra power found on Pulsar. Hero Honda Karizma ZMR fells well routed on the road and communicates well with the rider before it takes any move.

More rubber on the road means easy stopping and right traction. Hero Honda Karizma ZMR in India receives tubeless tires that buy riders with confidence on the street. Karizma ZMR receives disc as standard braking equipment both in the front and rear. the right center of gravity keeps the ride stick on the road no matter how bad the road condition is.

The ride quality receives gas filled rear shock absorbers in inverted position. The inverted shock absorber work well and receives increased damping. The rear shocks works well and are offered with preloaded setting, but still feels a better setting may give a better ride comfort. Karizma ZMR feels better held on the road when we compare to its competition Bajaj Pular 220. The saddle is stuffed with right quantity of foam to keep riders comfortable on long distant journeys. I feel there is no reason to compliant, about ZMR’s riding impression.

The Bottom Line

Hero Honda Karizma ZMR in India is a true hero and its popularity is seen every where. It’s the prime sponsor of Indian youth driven reality shown Hero Honda Roadies and the ride goes well with the personalities used in the show. Karizma ZMR is a capable motorcycle which employees some advanced technology to give best riding impression to the rider behind the bar. The negative point the ride takes with its self is its price to power ratio. ZMR is priced high to produce low power. When we compare Pulsar 220 to ZMR, 220 churns out 21 bhp and is priced lower than the ZMR. On the other hand performance figures of the Karizma ZMR are equal to a 150cc bike, Yamaha YZF R15.

Overall Rating

Value: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5
Quality: 4 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Styling: 3 out of 5
Comfort: 4 out of 5

Hero Honda Karizma ZMR Technical Specification

Model: Karizma ZMR PGM FI
Engine: 223cc
Maximum Power: 17.6 Bhp @ 7000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 18.35 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Gears: 5 Speed
Clutch: Multiplate Wet
Bore x Stroke: 65.5 x 66.2
No. of Cylinders: 1
Chassis Type: Tubular Single Cradle, Diamond Type
Cooling Type: Liquid Cooling
0 to 60: 3.70 sec
Weight: 159.00 kg
Ground Clearance: 159.00 mm
Fuel Tank: 16.00 ltrs
Wheelbase: 1350.00 mm
Turn Circle: 2.50 mtrs
Electrical System: 12V – 7 Ah – 232 W Alternator
Headlamp: 12V – 35W/35W – Halogen
Wheel Type: Die Cast Black Alloys
Wheel Size: Front – 80/100×18 47P Rear – 100/90 18 56P mm
Tubeless: YES
Suspension(Front): Telescopic Hydraulic Shock Absorbers
Suspension(Rear): 5 Step Adjustable iGRS System
Brakes(Front: 276mm Disc
Brakes(Rear): 240mm Disc