Hero Honda Karizma ZMR : My Opinion
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It seems a lot of fight going on on the comments section on the Karizma ZMR article. So guys please cool down. I am a die hard fan of sports bikes but not just any brand (if you ask me it would be Kawasaki, but not Bajaj), so lets get on to the actual facts.
When I heard that Hero Honda was gonna launch a new Karizma, I thought it would be a revolution (I guess almost everyone one of you felt the same way). At that time Pulsar 220 & R15 was just heating up the town. The craze of getting more power with Fi engine, liquid cooling, etc. few pics of the ZMR leaked through the web and it caught my eyes and I kind of liked it. Now when the Karizma ZMR was launched, I went through its specifications and I felt that it was a piece of… No, I shouldn’t say that here!
I wanna ask you a question… what are you gonna do with all technology when it’s of no use? You can get a visual upgrade on any bike with 20,000 bucks extra.
So why go for only visuals which doesn’t even have split seats? If you want just the visuals, check out this modified Pulsar:
Ok, now lets get on to the specifications:
It has…
1. Only 5 gears… why not 6 for this kind of price?
2. Just 17.6 bhp and 18.5 nm torque… For a price of Rs.1 lakh, wouldn’t you expect some real power when you twist your wrist? In that case, Pulsar 220 is much better.
3. What are you gonna do with all these “advantages” when you know that a guy with RTR 180 which costs around 70,000 bucks can come close to beat you?
Are you going to tell me that it gives you “personal satisfaction”? Well, then the R15 dude will say that he has an imported bike and he will beat you in a drag race if you challenge him!
4. There is no monoshock suspension which is a huge let down. Do you know why the foreign bikes have mono-suspension? It is because of the fact that it is never possible to have both susupension tuned to the same amount… this gives a twisting movement to the rear wheel. This, my friend, makes the bike unstable at high speeds. (I have heard a lot of Karizma users say that the bike wobbles at speeds above 100kmph).
On the other hand Yamaha R15 uses DeltaBox frame and a monocross suspension which makes the bike extremely stable, especially at corners. This kind of stability, I am sad to say, no other Indian bike has ever achieved.
5. I used to think that weight brings stability but my assumption was completely wrong, and the wrose thing is that the weight just reduces your acceleration and braking abilities!
6. The price is just too awesome because it just Sucks! Why go for Hero Honda when you can go for the well furnished R15. Yes, R15 may be small for those above 6ft but that cannot be the deciding factor for buying the Karizma ZMR.
Last words… I’ve always liked Hero Honda for their reliability, servicing, etc. So, if you like Hero Honda you can go for Hunk, or CBZ or Karizma R (Performance is almost the same as the ZMR and you can spend the remaining money on custom body work). But please don’t buy this junk piece just because your mind is fixed on Hero Honda.
I would like your views about my outlook… These are just my views and no one is involved in it. I don’t want to hurt any one or even the company. I would not be held responsible for the sales decline of Karizma ZMR (if any). 
- DK
Related posts:
- Hero Honda Karizma ZMR White Photos by Rahul
- Hero Honda Karizma ZMR Review by Shyam Prasad Nandigam
- Karizma ZMR PGM-Fi 2009 Photo Review
- Bajaj Pulsars Vs. The Competition – My Opinion
- Hero Honda Karizma ZMR Vs. Yamaha R15 – A Comprehensive Comparo
49 comments
Deepak on October 19, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Hi DK, I really like (I mean Liked!) Hero Honda and many people have blamed me for being biased towards Hero Honda in my earlier reviews. But today, I completely agree with your points. R15 is a much better choice in my opinion. There is no need to compare these two bikes, its so obvious.
DHIRAJ C RAUT on October 19, 2009 at 10:19 pm
hi dk,
i totally agree with you…hh has carried on its legacy of introducing bikes only on the looks perspective….they have done nothing for its performance……..in opinion r15 is a much better bike….or even 220 dtsi is also a worth….hh has disapponited everyone….now expect a new karizma zmr with new paint job in future and nothing else…….
Raghav on October 19, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I dnt undrstand hw one cn like a particular company evn after its horrible launches (name cbz xtreme, zmr) . remove honda and wat u get is a indigenious cycle maker clld hero . all dey have got is 4 engines ie. 100, 125, 150, 223 cc capacity each… donated frm honda and jst 1 technolgy ie. pgmfi (yeh bhi honda ki), they jst fit thm on their cycles n cll dm bikes . tvs, bajaj, yamaha are mch bttr n self made companies out dere .last gud bike frm HH was cbz (old one) n the original karizma.
cme on , nybdy in his snses wud nvr buy d zmr , evn a real HH suckr wd see d pt. the bst buy in 2day’s date are tvs star sport, yamaha gladiator, yamaha fz16/r15 (dpnds on ur pcket) , tvs apache rtr 180, pulsar 220 each in their resp. segments. if im wrng, pls crrct me. hey deepak , dnt thnk wrng bout me bt i thnk we sud appreciate the product fr wt is it n nt fr whre it cmes frm . i didnt lykd pulsar fr its gearbox n grinder lyk sound . bt wn i rode d nw p220 , i ws shckd … its qualities . sch a wndrfll prfrmr fr sch a price . i lykd it as mst of d earlier prob. wre resolvd . bt lng term durabilty ws stl a issue n i didnt lykd d luks also . see , all india needs is a revolutionery company who dares to thnks diffrnt.
dk on October 20, 2009 at 12:35 am
1st of all i m not a “sucker” of HH, i really like the quality. But it was my fault coz i expected a lot from HH, but they just disappointed me n others also
Anand on October 20, 2009 at 6:53 am
Pretty much true that paying such a high price just for a cosmetic change is a big no no…. For someone eyeing ZMR, R15 is THE BEST option for its tech and performance. Hero Honda…. Hope you guys are listening and will come out with something uber cool to blow minds away soon….
Star4ulove on October 20, 2009 at 9:25 am
ZMR kariza is good at looks… but nothing else i could say about it… bike is only for ppl who are dia haert fan of HH.. and ppl who like to showof ….
Dinesh on October 20, 2009 at 10:32 am
At this price tag Yamaha R15 is a better choice(no doubts).
tarmacburner on October 20, 2009 at 10:44 am
@moderator of this website: Please remove that picture. Its a modified pulsar 220 dts-fi, and not karizma zmr. Please confirm things before uploading.
Deepak on October 20, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Of course it is modified pulsar 220, did you read the article? It is mentioned in it.
Raghav on October 20, 2009 at 2:04 pm
hey deepak, cn you post a full tst drve of zmr as soon as pssble as i wnt to knw wt exctly d hype is all bout. yeah , specs tell it all bt we wud wnt to read a review on it n srry fr the brokn cmmnts , i use my cllphne to access net, so it has sme limits.
Raghav on October 20, 2009 at 2:19 pm
congrats Deepak fr sch a gem of website , n wts d best thng is u also get to earn for pursuing your hobby . your website’s worth a lot of money. you rock man ! keep up d gud wrk n may ur website scales new heights
Shekhar Sinha on October 20, 2009 at 4:25 pm
R15 is the best, Yamaha Rocks!
Saad Khan on October 20, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Now how many have ridden the ZMR? Though I totally agree with the fact that Honda should have increased the power output, but hey hey….its no way a comparison or competition to the R15. R15 is built for a different purpose and ZMR is a regular (a little powerful) tourer commuter sports bike. Barring a few ones, the ZMR outscores the R15 in almost all the PRACTICAL aspects. Anyways, keep clinched to BikeAdvice, ZMR review coming up shortly
CarAdvice on October 20, 2009 at 8:37 pm
First thing first. What do you mean a RTR guy will beat you? The ZMR is not for racing, its for crusuing. Yes the R15 maybe better but the Pulsar 220 still does not come close to HH quality. Hero Honda makes reliable stuff. Not something which needs a UG1, UG2…….. etc on its surname.
harshal on October 20, 2009 at 11:15 pm
hero honda is on its death bed
Jai on October 21, 2009 at 10:11 am
The ZMR is an OVERPRICED and CONFUSED product.
Like someone said that the Karizma is mean not for racing but for touring, then why does it need a super sports like Full Fairing?
Won’t the full fairing limit the touring capability especially over bad roads? The older karizma R is a much better tool for trips to Laddakh.
And why are those ‘HIGH RISE’ clip on handle bars needed? Its really stupid as it defeats the purpose of clip ons. The ones on the older Karizma R is much sensible.
Also at 1 lakh on road price the 17.6 Ps looks like a stingy job from Hero Honda. Bikes like the RTR 180 and Pulsar 220 DTSi will out run it easily and cost 30-35K lesser!!!
Tushal on October 21, 2009 at 11:31 am
Well, for those of you who tell HH makes super good quality bikes, let honda walk out and ask Mr. Munjal to do R&D like Bajaj and TVS. Hero motors has a R&D department, which is Resting & Dreaming department. I bet you, Munjal is not Rajiv or Venu. He is just Munjal. Buy/wait for Honda or Yamaha if you are talking about high cost bikes or settle for Bajaj or TVS.
Dhiraj on October 21, 2009 at 5:13 pm
before comparing KARIZMA ZMR with others bike, jst have a test ride of it, i known technically it sounds less then P220 and R15, but dnt forget, the KARIMZA R has beaten P220 Fi in ride with P220, Apache 180 RTR and Karizma R……the video is still on you tube, if u wish to see just type Karima r vs pulsar 220 vs apache , u will get it,
rejin on October 21, 2009 at 9:13 pm
hi all,
hero honda has done a good job.
regarding ZMR still they could have done better in termes of tyres and headlight design,
considering power, this is fine for indian roads
the guys who had said about pulsar really dont know about the bikes, they are kids, shame on u guys,
HH has a good technology, if required they can come u with 250 or 300 + cc bikes, but it cannot be affordable by comman man,
if the price of a bike is more than 2 lacs, everyone cannot buy the bike,
ZMR is the best bike till date,
pulsar is the waste bike in the world
only for the first two years it will be good, then it goes bad
seshadri82 on October 23, 2009 at 11:02 pm
@dhiraj
you believe videos on youtube?
get a life, get a bike and ride it on roads
@rejin
buy the ZMR if you are such a fan you don’t have any right to call the Pulsar a waste bike. Indian customers aren’t fools to be buying a so called ‘waste’ product for so many years.
the ZMR is certainly an OVERPRICED & CONFUSED bike.
And please remember- HERO HONDA ISN’T GOING TO GET ANYTHING ELSE FROM ITS BAAP HONDA FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT 5 YEARS.
dk on October 27, 2009 at 2:25 pm
to the moderator
sir…i m showing the pulsar modified not ZMR….its just a glimpse to show what sum1 can do to his bike iwth just 20,000 bucks
dk on October 27, 2009 at 2:28 pm
to the guy who calls pulsar a waste
pulsar has some problems with quality i agree…..but the fact is that you have to consider that yamaha is getting almost that stuff of technology ….. may be better???
why dont you consider dis??
SID on October 27, 2009 at 7:25 pm
ok guys lets gets the basics right
compare bajaj and hero honda head to head
yes bajaj has always pioneered a new development on biking horizon buts lets face it their bikes simply lack the feel and quality which by the end of the year you will feel with the errant noises and all lots of stuff
here hero honda has done well for years has anybody heard bout HH bike having problems as bajaj has,common man you pay good money to ride bike for a year!!!!!!!!!! atleast 2-3 years right and quality comes with price yeah i do agree 90k grand is much but what to do we dont have option to that we as biking community have to stop all this mediocrity on our part and just Wanna tell you something you need power to ride with 22 horses good why dont buy a full biking gear with helmet and try it on circuit common we use our bikes for commute and occasionaly to trips so where do you use that power honda believes in safety and they think india does not have infrastructure for all those horses so lets stop all this stuff.
me on October 28, 2009 at 11:38 am
“to the guy who calls pulsar has technology”
pulsar has technology, but not a good one, hence they lack in quality,
it’s not worth when technology is given without any quality.
less quality + high technology = waste product
me on October 28, 2009 at 12:33 pm
agree with SID,
HH bikes are designed for city driving and occasionall trips.
we cannot have super bikes in indian city roads,
the mileage of super bikes will be around 10 kmpl, which is not affordable also.
investing a bike for 2-3 lacs, mileage of 10 kmpl, very good power is for racing only, not for city driving
Mohammed on October 28, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Lister to this carefully.
Guys, m a bike lover as you all are and doesnt matter ZMA, P220 or R15 for. HH are producing bikes with quality but bajaj is barely with quality. We both brothers got ZMA and P220, my ZMA is now going to be 3 years old without a noise from tip to toe whereas my bros P220 recently visited to change the timing chain in the engine and the valves which is hardly 1 and a half year old very disappointed. I(ZMA) throw my bro(P220) several times in drag races and still he is on debt to pay me the money for losing, and R15 got real good sophisticated power for fairing but not torque enough to reach any of Desi bikes, it is just on comments not reality. R15 is a show piece to be stared at. If you want to bajaj then go for 150cc to Karizma R.
me on October 29, 2009 at 9:28 am
for the guy who said “HERO HONDA ISN’T GOING TO GET ANYTHING ELSE FROM ITS BAAP HONDA FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT 5 YEARS”
HH doesn’t need anything from the BAAP honda, as HH already has good technology of their own.
please recommend BAAP honda to share some technology to pulsar, so that pulsar can survive in automobile industry
Mohammed on October 29, 2009 at 3:16 pm
“I AM VERY HAPPY” to tell you all, that Karizma ZMR will be the biggest pain in the a** of pulsar 180,220 or anything. We friends had a test drive on ZMR in Chennai x showroom, to tell you the fact, it is lighter than it looks. I will suggest this bike is worth of paying a lakh than noisy P220, I touched 100 in some fraction of seconds, and I am sure it can go close to 140km/hr easily to beat the rivals without necessarily some cottons in ears to ride P220. Dont go for others saying it is ugly etc etc than Pees, it is revolution to bajaj. Donot hesitate to buy this beast at all. Trustworthy enough to spend rather wasting in pees.
manav on October 29, 2009 at 4:36 pm
for all the people .. who think bajaj has got technology ..grow up .. pulsar is the worst bike .. u can buy ..last month , i don’t know aht made me to buy ..this waste 180 dtsi .. the bike is a pure waste .. i have never speed up over 50 .. used with all the care .. but in one month only , it has started making noises .. now i wished i had bought honda or hh .. i can only say .. don’t go for .. faltu india brands ..they are totally waste .. they just lure u to waste money on them .. i know i made this mistake .. but i have decided to sell of my one month old pulsar .. even i will have to face some loss .. but i knwo only a true biker can understand ..what he wants from his bike .. and definitely , pulsar doesn’t fits into it
Mohammed on October 29, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I do agree with you Manav, my bro too suffered with his P220 which visited service for the vital parts recently, it is utter waist of spending so much for noise in months. Bajaj has beasts that get old very soon. Go for ZMR, if cannot meet the price than Karizma R, is worth for cruising man.
Nicky on November 1, 2009 at 12:06 am
M ready to spend 20 k more for ZMR den worst pulsar 220..
YourFather on November 3, 2009 at 12:43 am
Hi Everyone,
Upto my understanding, Its Ideal to go for Honda or Yamaha rather buying a Bajaj or TVS, Coz I was recently attracted by the Pulsar 200 Dtsi and the Apache 180, So I approached a Bajaj Showroom which was sparking with the UG4, Pulsar 150,180 and 220 CC. The Showroom Guy coolly told me “this is the Best bike you can get, Sir! and all the complaints in the Previous UG3 is being rectified and the Engine complaints are also fixed and now the UG4 is a Refined Product, Sir!” GOOD JOKE, So it does mean the the Previous UG3 had complaints and is not a Quality Product Right?????? So the honorable BAJAJ is doing its R&D with our purse right???? Who Knows when a UG5 will come and the complaints and issue about UG4 will be revealed by Bajaj itself.The Same identical experience with Apache series of Bikes.For a Real time research on Indian Bikes Visit http://www.consumercomplaints.in/ and check out How much our Pulsar Brothers Shed out their frustrations, I am not against Bajaj or TVS.
Now Compare the Hunk,Unicorn is there any a complaint as such in its Quality. Look at the Yamaha’s Experience in building Bikes, One attept FZ was released, Absolutely nothing is wrong with the Bike, So you get the same bike with Different Looks according to your Taste. And Moreover Does anybody think Yamaha will have a UG4 for it R15, Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!
satyajit on November 4, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Good article, you are onestly YourFather only..
Mainak on November 5, 2009 at 3:42 pm
i agree dat herohomda has introduced zmr with no engine changes….. nd wth the suspension point tooo. bt r15 is never fit to take place 4 zmr……. its only 150 cc….. pulsar 220 too csnt match zmr’s pickup nd top speed……. so the better option is Karizma r.( 4 less price than zmr nd same engine)… bt if u have enough bucks….. zmr is the one 4 u. wth pgmfi tech…. a karizma r can be customized nd used too…. but pulsar 220 nd the nata r15 are big no no no…..
fahad on November 7, 2009 at 11:09 am
see dude dnt blame any bike.first go with ride on a bike.ride karizma with your full strength then u can knw wat zma really capable of. no bike can really match 2 its performance.check it if u can.do u think bajaj an beat honda .no way.seriously.even the handling n looks of zma is lot better than 220
sanjay on November 14, 2009 at 6:32 am
the legacy of karizma has been lost because of zmr.hero honda has dissapointted every one………….
Unbiased on November 16, 2009 at 10:38 am
first things first both bikes are meant for different category of buyers, its not fair to compare R15 and ZMR, next I believe the price is well justified for the upgrade (tubeless tires, rear disks, oil cooler, PGMFI(you call this a visual upgrade?)though R15 is designed keeping in view daily commuting, I think it makes a great bike to ride on track not in city or for long distances, no doubt R15 has superior technology which no other bikes can match. so pal before you went your frustration out, just think twice what you say, your opinion is completely biased and pointless, get your basics right, you don’t seem to know anything about bikes either and it looks like you own a R15 and envy the new ZMR… grow up! I don’t blame you for that! btw, I like R15 too…
manu on December 12, 2009 at 2:48 pm
karizam wiil over take all bikes in india
sam on December 28, 2009 at 11:31 am
I am a bike lover…….i usually stay in india for 4-5 months depends on my dad’s bussiness. I have Karizma R, R15 and P220 in my garage. Among all dese……R15 is the best….and you bet on it. Let me xplain you more, if you think i have not studied bike. Back in Birmingham, where i live for the rest of year, i have Honda RR and my Inter Personal Mechanic (which Honda has given for buying a Sports Bike), himself has studied the three bikes which i have in india and he says that Hero Honda can never give better performance than yamaha as the strategy of HERO company itself is to get normal indian customers who look for maintanance free bike with high mileage. Honda never tagets on the young crowd and when it does it failed. (like ZMR) i am not mentioning Karizma R coz the weight is like a zack in the ass. And yaa…………….worldwide anyone wants to buy a bike…..i strongely recommend YAMAHA (if ur pocket allows u)…….it is the best
nabin lekhak on February 10, 2010 at 7:39 pm
being a rider what u know is speed and stability.karizma zmr sucks at both.importing the hyabusa looks doesnt mean that its hyabusa.i 2 was perplexed in having R15 or ZMR,i went for R15 and here i am fully satisfied at my decision.
R15 rules the road.any doubt?
sakib on March 17, 2010 at 8:49 am
honda and maruti are alike. They cant design a product for current generation
sumit on April 22, 2010 at 1:30 am
sakib bro…… i’ve ma own hh karizma zmr which reaches 0-60 in 3 sec. n its an initial performance. this vil go on inceasing frequently ,byke pickup is too good…n everybody knows that karizmas permomence is unleashed goes on increasing.n easyly beat r15.
Terry on April 27, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Guys.. have u rode all the latest bikes out here in the market.. try sitting on a Frazer / FZ15 for 10kms in city traffic… u gonna have a real pain in the ___ and these bikes cost u around 85K on road!!!! wow and u call that real good bikes?? ok now for the R15, it will look like u riding around a bicycle.. too too tiny for a bike, and its gonna give u big back pain. Unless u got another bike to drive around
Well the ZMR is pretty good for the indian roads in all aspects.. i own a 1999 CBZ… for a matter of fact a 8 year old P180 or a 3 year old P200 cant get the better of me even today 
That says quite a lot about hero honda!!!
Mangu on May 3, 2010 at 10:28 pm
I think i need to conclude this. So following are the facts that all of us must accept.
1. All three bike are difft. in terms of +ve and -ve points.
A. Pulser 220 = +VE = More HP and better pricing.
– VE = Poor overall quality and what you are going to do with 21 HP in indian roads where you find potholes and animals in middle of the road. Think about it.
B. Yamaha R15 = +VE = Technologicaly advance bike.
-VE = Over priced and Again what you going to do with this great racing bike on indian roads.
C. HH Karizma ZMR = +VE = Great looker, Good qaulity product and very good riding position.
-VE = Over priced and under powered.
So concusion = HH Karizma ZMR IS A PRACTICAL BIKE IN DAILY DAY TO DAY LIKE YOU DON’T NEED 21 HP FOR CRUSING.
R15 AND P220 ARE DEFINALTY GOOD BIKE IN THEIR OWN WAYS BUT THEY ARE NOT PRACTICAL BIKE.
I have simple question for you Can ride R15 AND P220 nonstop mim.250km or atleast 3hr. without getting tired??? If answer is yes then these bikes are for you and if answer is no then there is practicle bike waiting for you ZMR Karizma ZMR ABOVE ALL. Got it.
John on June 6, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Hello going through all the articles – I am totally confused !
i am planning to buy a new bike ( From the existing 150 cc Pulsaaar dtsi ).I have shortlised on the ZMR aand the R15.
ZMR is the best touring bike in india now- the riding position the feel etc is beyond comparison !
Pulsar 220 is out of the picture as i have had a very bad experience with Bajaj ! P220, good or bad, will still take me quite a heart to stick with Bajaj for the next few years !
R15 is good and i have had good comments as wel from its owners…
Please advice – R15 or ZMR ??
Yogesh on July 6, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Hi I read this article & all the comments on it every1 has got the point.
I needed a good bike, I test ride ZMR & few other bikes, completely understanding I can save 25K for other options,
I booked ZMR only cuz I felt its ABOVE ALL in available bikes. Now I want to forget bout that extra money & enjoy my bike for nxt7-10yrs. [awesome 'pearl white' is not yet available n m ready to wait till rains are over]
Finally, its always the matter of satisfaction. Ain’t it??
Abhijan on July 16, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Went to the link provided by YourFather
results:
Bajaj Pulsar:583 complaints
Honda Unicorn : 451 complaints
HeroHonda=1000 complaints in total
Bajaj= 1000 complaints in total
(By the way I am going for Ninja
)
Rajesh on July 23, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Pls dont even think to buy Pulsar 220 DTS-I, its a piece of junk I have this shit have lot of pain not in position to share.
The sentence were used by Mr. DK “But please don’t buy this junk piece just because your mind is fixed on Hero Honda.
” it will clearly suits to pulsar like in this way
“But please don’t buy this junk piece just because your mind is fixed on Bajaj Pulsar which has more power.”
Pls change this mentality its purely wrong I bet go and take a servery u will know the fact that BAJAJ P220 IS A SHIT
Dr.S.K.Tiwari, Assiststant Director (Ayurveda), NIMHANS, Bangalore on August 5, 2010 at 11:02 am
Karizma zmr is much better than R15, Not justice to compare 150 cc to 225 cc as like high school person with a graduate. In relation of milage Zmr is giving 45- 50 Km/ltr in city of Bangalore. I have a Zmr from 10th April 2010 and I am fully satisfied by this bike. R15 can may give more milage tham ZMR but a person have to things that he will deffinitely get lesser milage if he will opt higher cc bike like Zmr 225 cc or bullet 350 or 500 cc. I have Bullet electra 350 and Zmr both. But it is not justify to compare 100,150.225 and 350 and 500 cc bike. All have a differents Charm. Dr.S.K.Tiwari, Bangalore.