Hero MotoCorp has finally updated its flagship products, the Karizma R and Karizma ZMR. Both bikes have carved out a niche segment of their own, positioning themselves as wonderful tourers as well a practical everyday bikes, okay okay at least the Karizma R has 😉
While the company had showcased these facelifts a few months back and officially promised a launch in March, they have, only very recently, gone on sale. Well, this procrastination has not made them any prettier, but prospective customers are pretty excited about the bikes.
The Karizma R was launched way back in 2003 and it became a great success. It captured the imagination of all, thanks to its easy handling and a huge (at that time) 223cc motor, sourced from the Honda CRF 230 supermoto series of motorcycles.
If you have been wondering, what are the changes the new Karizma R comes along with, well here is a list of each one of them but first the official spec comparo:
| Specification | Old Karizma R | New Karizma R |
| Engine | 223cc air cooled, single cylinder OHC | 223cc air cooled, single cylinder OHC |
| Max Power | 17BHP @7000rpm | 19.2BHP @7500rpm |
| Peak Torque | 18.35Nm @6000rpm | 19.35Nm @6000rpm |
| Top speed | 125kmph | 126kmph |
| Acceleration | 0-60kmph in 3.8s | 0-60kmph in 3.6 secs |
| Transmission | 5 speed | 5 speed |
| Fuel tank | 15L | 15L |
| Kerb weight | 150kg | 154kg |
| Front tire size | 2.75 ×18-42 P | 80/100 18-47 P |
| Rear tire size | 100/90 18-56 P | 120/80 18-62 P |
Differences in old Karizma & 2014 Karizma:
- Power Increase: The most significant change is the increment in power. Karizma R gets a fairly decent power bump of 2.2bhp but the peak power now comes 500 rpm later. This may mean a more meatier power band.
- Torque Increase: Next big change is the torque increment of 1Nm which comes at exactly the same rpm. This should mean more effortless load pulling capability and lesser gearshifts.
- Higher Top Speed: With all this power and torque bump, new Karizma has a slightly higher claimed top speed of 126kmph.
- Better Acceleration: The increment in power has meant a 0.2 second advantage in the 0-60kmph sprint. Again these are claimed figures.
- Increased Weight: But for some reason, new Karizma has put on some weight, a full 4 kgs at that.
- Wider Tyres: Thankfully, Hero has lent the new Karizma with fatter tyres and the rear finally gets the much deserving (asthetically at least) 120mm rubber. Along with being wide, they are also tubeless.
What has remained same:
- Fuel tank capacity stands at 15 liters, though Hero has not shared the reserve capacity.
- The front and rear brakes also continue to be 276mm (front disc) & 130mm (rear drum). There is no option of rear disc for 2014 Karizma!
- The wattage of front headlamps also continue to be 35W but there are two of them now. However, only one is lightable at a time!
- New Karizma also continues with the same 5-step adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers and Hero hasn’t felt the need for a monoshock, yet!
- Rest the chassis, transmission and other mechanicals continue to be the same.
Cosmetic Changes:
- The redesigned fairing has got its fair share of criticism but it does attract a significant group of audience.
- The LED position lamps and the dual dynamic headlamps look outdated but have a typical Buell aura. The eyebrow like pilot lamps, however, look attractive specially during night!
- The rear tail lamps also get LEDs and seem to have been inspired from the Royal Enfield Thunderbird.
- The familiar instrumentation console looks interesting. The wider tires should help in increasing the handling prowess, as a thin rear tire has been one of the prime complaints of the older Karizma.
- The redesigned under cowl looks sportier than in the previous generation, split seats a new split grab rail though fail to give a lasting impression.
New Karizma R Colour Options:
The new Karizma continues to be offered in the same set of following 5 colour options:
- Power Black
- Ebony Grey
- Sports Red
- Spotlight White
- Daring Yellow
All these 5 colours are featured on this page.
New 2014 Karizma R Prices:
- Ex-showroom Mumbai: Rs 81,960
- On-Road Mumbai: ~ Rs 94,000
- On-Road Pune: 93,084
New 2014 Karizma R Brochure:
Click on the following pic to open new Karizma’s brochure in PDF.
For some reason, Hero’s management thinks that the lesser 150cc Hunk & Xtreme deserve a rear disc brake but the more powerful Karizma doesn’t. However weird is that, that is Hero MotoCorp for you!
You can also go through a reader share review of 2014 Karizma R here along with many pics.
So, will you buy the new reliable 2014 Karizma over the more modern bikes we have on offer or you would want to wait for HX250R?
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