“Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul.” Motorcycles have always been a craze in India. But there are a few bikes that have made it possible. One such is the Hero Honda Karizma. It was not just a motorcycle, it was an emotion. Hero Karizma is the first high capacity motorcycle from the company which was launched in 2003. It was capable of top speeds of more than 125km/h hence it was seen as a high-speed tourer of the decade. Let’s take a look at the history of one of the first semi-faired bikes of India.
2003 – Hero Honda Karizma Launched
It was a time when youth was looking for something more sporty, flashy and powerful. Hero Honda was quick to understand the need and launched Karizma in India. Let us first take a look at the engine specifications of the Karizma.
Engine Specifications
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| Engine | 223cc 4-stroke single Cyl. air-cooled |
| Transmission | 5-speed Manual |
| Power | 17hp @7,000rpm |
| Torque | 18.3Nm @6,000rpm |
| Top Speed | 125kmph |
| 0-60kmph | 3.8 seconds |
| Fuel Delivery System | C.V Carburetor with CCVI (Carb Controlled Variable Ignition) |
| Fuel Efficiency | 40kmpl |
Hrithik Roshan was appointed as the brand ambassador for the bike. It was launched with a tagline, “Now you can ‘Jet Set Go’ and have the ride of your life.” It came with a price tag of ₹69,900 which was a bit too pricey at that time. Then in 2004, the price was dropped by ₹10,000 and the company offered the new price as limited period ‘celebration’. But the price remained the same ahead. For the braking purposes, it had disc brakes at the front while drum at the rear.
2007 – Hero Honda Karizma R Launched
There was no competition in the 200cc segment for Karizma until 2007. Bajaj came up with the Pulsar 200Fi and suddenly the heat was felt. Hero Honda had to do something. So they gave an upgrade to the old Karizma with new decals. On the engine front though, there was nothing new. Pulsar had a fuel injection system. Bajaj ditched it soon as there was no demand for this and instead, the carburettor was added. This made the price gap vanish and people were attracted more towards the Bajaj Pulsar 200. A mere sticker upgrade was not able to make things better for Karizma R. So, there was a need for something new, something more exclusive.
2009 – Hero Honda Karizma ZMR tries to rescue the Karizma brand
Bajaj Pulsar became a problem for Hero Honda Karizma already. But there was another storm brewing. Yamaha entered the segment with R15. The bike became a huge success due to a lot of reasons, we’ll look into them some other day. Hero Honda came up with the Karizma ZMR. Let’s take a look at the engine specs.
Engine Specifications
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| Engine | 223cc 4-stroke single Cyl. air-cooled |
| Transmission | 5-speed Manual |
| Power | 17.6hp @7,000rpm |
| Torque | 18.3Nm @6,000rpm |
| Top Speed | 128kmph |
| Fuel Delivery System | FI |
| Fuel Efficiency | 45kmpl |
It was equipped with fuel injection instead of a carburettor. It also had a 16-bit ECU. The power figure increased negligible but there was a good increase in fuel efficiency. Both the ends received disc brakes. There was a whole new design that people liked a lot. It had a fully functional digital console, integrated LED tail lamps and new rearview mirrors. There were four colour options: Panther Black Metallic, Vibrant Orange, Blazing Red and Spotlight White.
2014 – Hero Karizma ZMR – More Powerful
Honda and Hero’s joint venture came to an end. Hero Motocorp was formed. Hero Motocorp added Eric Buell Racing company into the list of its subsidiaries. Karizma ZMR was given an upgrade using the tech from the newly bought venture.
Engine Specifications
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| Engine | 223cc 4-stroke single Cyl. Oil-cooled OHC |
| Transmission | 5-speed Manual |
| Power | 20hp @8,000rpm |
| Torque | 19.7Nm @6,500rpm |
| Top Speed | 129kmph |
| Fuel Delivery System | FI Fuel Injection |
The all-new Karizma ZMR with more power and a new design was launched in 2014. It had dual dynamic headlamps and LED position lamps, a multi-functional digital console, wider tyres and sporty LED taillight and winners. The colours available were: Blazing Red, Panther Black, Spotlight White and Vibrant Orange.
But it was too late for Karizma to recapture the market. Yamaha R15, FZ and Bajaj Pulsar had already taken their share of the market leaving nothing for the Hero Karizma. The popularity began to fade away. Hero Motocorp silently discontinued the Karizma ZMR.
Still, the bike can be credited to be one of the initial bikes in India which changed the course of the Indian two-wheeler industry. What are your thoughts on Karizma? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also, read 10 Forgotten Bikes In India: From Yezdi to Mini Bullet
I am actually waiting for relaunch of the bike
Hi Srinivasa,
Stay tuned to our blog and we’ll make let you know as soon as the Hero Karizma gets back in the market.
We are waiting for new karizma with great design and development…
Hi Vechalapu,
As of now, there is no news about the Karizma launching again. Stay tuned and we’ll make sure you remain updated about any advancements from Hero Motocorp.
Thats really a good news im very good fan of karizma and cbz extreem before 2012
I Like Karizma R Design, But Body cover, and head cover need more steady for less Body Sound.
Wish and dream for Other New Karizma R or ZMR have 6 Manual gear, Liquid cool, injector .. front and Rear tire need bigger for goodlook (100/90_70-18 for front, 110-140/70_90-18) and Body cover and Head cover Must be steady. Prevent Body sound.. fork must bigger., Rear break Disc..
I like its Design.. but young Boy may not choose…
I’m using from last 14 years Hero Honda Karizma .THE BEST KNOWN VEHICLE. Now you can relaunch this vehicle with new features. I love this vehicle very much
I am big fan for the karizma r version,
I like very much,we want it again with better colour version,Stickering,etc
ಕರಿಜ್ಮ್ ಆರ್ 2010 ಮಾಡೆಲ್ ನಾನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು 10 ವರ್ಷ ಹಾಗಿದೆ, ಇವತ್ತಿಗೂ ಎಂಜಿನ್ ಮೊದಲಿನ ಪವರ್ ಇದೆ. ಒಂದು ತೊಂದ್ರೆ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಪ್ಲಾಸ್ಟಿಕ್ ಬಾಡಿ ಶಬ್ದ.
ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು
I WANT MORE POWER IN THIS BIKE LIKE 23BHP – 25BHP AND TORQUE 22+
Wait for old karizma launch 2009 model mhh fev plz relaunch
I Love Karizma 2009 my favourite old model launch karo Bhai
kab hoge lAunch karizma i will weating …R ya ZMR koi bhi bike launch ho jaldi
Always game…karizma..
I am a proud owner of Karizma R,…to me it’s awesome…for d body sounds I have fix it myself without any major changes….I like it more than the Pulsar 220, R15 or the FZ…
I need hero honda Karizma R black 2007model please requesting again wen it’s kme into market still ther is any left peace kindly inform
Hi Bharat,
As of now, we don’t deal in used cars or motorcycles. Hence we’d recommend you to visit your nearest used motorcycle dealer. Stay Pinned! 🙂
Karizma is my childhood favourite bike 😍still I love this bike. Hope it will relaunch with new design and more power.
Plz launched karizma r its good
I love 2009 model Karizma come back hero
I am using karizma bike for the last 10 years, still its performance is too good.
Why you are still thinking too relaunch the #beast Karizma ..we the Indians stiil waiting to buy this vehicle ..there is huge demand in the market for Karizma .. undoubtedly with no fear u launch the vehicle…and se the karizma’s magic in the market
First of all u need to do proper advertising about the re-launch of the Karizma with pan india stars ..like prabhas and salman khan .sharuk khan..and see the past magic which created huge market.
We want relaunch of karizma r version pls
Waiting for relaunching Karizma R..
We are waiting for new dimension of Karizma……I love this bike …….
I am also driving karizma bike since 2009. In 2017 I have got new bike again favorite bike 9907777984
Now it should come with more power like 30 bhp or something like JAWA made a comeback with more power
I am huge fan♥️ of Karizma Series
Heromotocopcompany should relaunch again and show to market competitors how big Karizma empire please realise any model
It’s our duty to sucess Karizma series
It’s our emotions naah♥️ we definitely try to promote on a big scale
#RuleagainKarizma♥️♥️♥️
#Fuckoffhaters👎 Karizma💪
#BAAP BAAP HOTA HAI👊
Karizma was indeed a gem Gautam!
Iam already Restored my 2012 model Karizma R grey clour with zmrs rare disk break and zmrs clip on Handele…is look like new vehicle
I am using Karizma bike since 2006 to till date. But this time spare is not easily available in the service centre and Market.
I love Karizma R
Plz lanch this again
Its most comfortable bike & turnings Radius is bomb
Karizma r ❤️ IT Karizma r best bike best profomence bike I waiting, relaunch plz Hero motocorp plz hurry up
Model 2008, iam still maintaining with STANDERED bore. my MECHANIC name Ramu ENGINE oil is MOTUL still iam racing 😎 THAGEDEELEE 🤣🤣🤣
From HYDERABAD uppal nacharam 500039
Iam the MECHANIC RAMU SS BIKE ZONE RAMPALLY NEAR GHATKESAR
9848137371
I also have one, one of the most powerful bike.