Everyone wants to and does anything to please two kinds of people—women and consumers. And the latter is far easier to please—and the only profitable one!
In a market full of consumers of all sorts, a company must be very active in developing products of all kinds and with the introduction of the Karizma, Hero Honda shows just how active it is. What could have been their foundation behind introducing such a vehicle? They knew that the novelty of the product (the first true sports-motorcycle of Indian make), it’s experience in manufacturing quality products and the brand loyalty that Honda commands coupled together would certainly work wonders.
Now we come to ask a basic question--Did it?
Appearance
As you and I know, Karizma is the only true sports-bike of Indian make. That is a credential it acquires not so much out of originality or extraordinary technical specifications, but something it has acquired because no other motorcycle has tried to gain that name, barring a few motorcycles introduced recently. The reason I call it the only true-sports bike is this: its appearance.
Karizma looks like a sports vehicle, though agreed, not stunningly so. To talk of it in over-alls, I would say that the vehicle is a confused design. It does not give the impression of a sturdy, brawny vehicle with raw power (like the original Bullet Electra did) nor does it give the impression of a speedy, athletic racer (like the CBZ does). Rather, the design reminds me of a friend of mine who is a long distance runner and now trains weights. His physique is therefore neither the brawny, bulky types nor the speedy, sprinty kind. (Let’s leave the rest to your imagination).
Now, let us be more specific. The front of the Karizma is the part that tries to give an impression of the brawny powerful vehicle. But this effort is not supported by the rear at all. The rear is slender which would give the CBZ-like impression. Does that make more sense? At least I think it does…….
I liked the way it looks but not completely. Seven out of ten, if you ask me.
Performance
Equipped with a 250cc engine, performance is what separates Karizma from other motorcycles in the hands of today’s youth. While the Pulsar sports a streat-fighter image with performance and the CBZ attempts to catch up with that, the Karizma makes it’s point clear: nought to 60kmph within four seconds. I haven’t heard of other motorcycles beating that record.
What gives this vehicle an edge over others is that not only is it a fire-breathing performer with a hunger for speed, it is also docile enough with a cruise speed. If you ride a CBZ at 40, it doesn’t feel good at all, but if you ride the Karizma at that speed, you feel empowered. Well, that has a reason- you need extreme self-control to keep yourself at 40 which does mean you are empowered.
So yes! Karizma impressed me with it’s performance, though compared to other vehicles of equivalent displacement (250cc is called displacement), I still prefer the Bullet range, the Thunderbird. May be that is because I haven’t dared sample it (which is why no review has appeared from my stable). Anything enigmatic is charming—in the negative or positive sense, but it certainly is.
Fuel Efficiency
Say you bought this vehicle. When you bought it, you liked the way it looked, assuming it, and you loved it’s performance. And now you began talking of a good mileage. I’d say, ’’Don’t push it!’’. If my problem-solving in Linear Programming is to be trusted (so if the given conditions stated in the textbook are to be trusted), more powerful engines usually mean less mileage. There is an optimal balance at the Pulsar beyond which things don’t work. You can’t expect a pocket-friendly efficiency from Karizma, no sir!
The best efficiency figures I’ve heard of a Karizma are 25km to a litre which is probably an exaggeration. I would be satisfied with 20km to a litre (particularly because I know I’m not going to own one in a hurry!).
Safety and Handling
I always incorporated this section in my automobile reviews though decided not to in certain ones. But in the case of a vehicle like the Karizma, safety and handling must be spoken of. At speeds like a hundred kilometers to an hour, any accident can be ghastly. And a crash does not have to occur only because of the rider’s incompetence. It could happen because of external conditions as well. Assuming the rider is smart enough not to play monkey with the motorcycle, let’s talk of how safe it is.
Since the vehicle is heavy (actual figures can be provided, unavailable just now), Karizma should be stable on roads. Light vehicles tend to get jumpy at high speeds and rough roads. I was impressed with it’s suspension, which is another reason why it should be considered safe on bumpy roads and high speeds. The combination of a rough road (that is a common phenomenon in our country) and high speeds (a common phenomenon among youth) can be dangerous. But if the rider has a little sense and skill, the Karizma is sure to support him through it—alive in one piece. My only suggestion: try to feel empowered and just cruise mate!
Summing it up
As far as appearance is concerned, I have given the Karizma seven out of ten. I would assign nine out of ten for it’s performance and 8 out of ten for efficience (considering the predicament mentioned in the related paragraph). So out of thirty, the Karizma wins how much? 24 out of 30!
Works with me. I recommend this.
Now you go test ride it yourself! And while you’re at it, buy a helmet! Costs range from 500 to 1200. Be sure your helmet is branded!