The Hero Honda Karizma was a premium semi-faired motorcycle introduced in May 2003 and built by the Hero Honda joint venture in India. Its 223 cm³ engine came from Honda’s CRF230 enduro family, slightly detuned, and in September 2009 it was joined by the fuel-injected Karizma ZMR.
Hero Honda Karizma at a glance
| Maker | Hero Honda, India |
|---|---|
| Production | 2003–2019 |
| Launch | May 2003 |
| Type | premium semi-faired motorcycle |
| Engine | 223 cm³ SOHC air-cooled single, from the Honda CRF230 |
| Bore × stroke | 65.5 × 66.2 mm |
| Compression | 9:1 |
| Carburettor | Keihin CV with CCVI switch |
| Gearbox | five-speed |
| Updates | facelift 2006; Karizma R 2007; Karizma ZMR 2009; second-generation R 2014 |
| Revival | Karizma XMR, 29 August 2023 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Hero Honda Karizma.
History of the Hero Honda Karizma
Launch and design
The Karizma was launched in May 2003 as one of the first semi-faired bikes designed for the Indian market, with styling inspired by the LML Adreno. Its instrument panel and the recesses in the tank were shaped with function in mind. A facelift with changed graphics followed in 2006, and after a cosmetic upgrade the model was relaunched as the Karizma R in 2007.
The engine
The Karizma used Honda’s tried and tested but slightly detuned 223 cm³ SOHC air-cooled engine from the CRF230 series of enduro, motocross and supermoto bikes sold in the United States and South America. It had a five-speed gearbox in place of the CRF’s six-speed. The all-aluminium, undersquare engine ran a 65.5 mm bore and 66.2 mm stroke at a compression ratio of 9:1, with a Keihin CV carburettor and a CCVI switch.
ZMR and the end
In September 2009 the Karizma was supplemented by the Karizma ZMR, which brought programmed fuel injection. The second-generation Karizma R appeared in 2014. Production of the Karizma stopped in 2019 because of poor sales, and the name returned on 29 August 2023 with the Karizma XMR.
Design and features
- Semi-faired body: one of the first semi-faired designs for the Indian market, styled after the LML Adreno.
- CRF230 engine: a 223 cm³ Honda unit, slightly detuned for the Indian bike.
- Undersquare all-aluminium engine: 65.5 × 66.2 mm, 9:1 compression.
- Five-speed gearbox in place of the six-speed of the CRF it came from.
- Fuel injection on the ZMR from September 2009.
Hero Honda Karizma versions
- Karizma (2003–2007): the original carburettor model, facelifted in 2006.
- Karizma R (2007): a cosmetic upgrade of the first model.
- Karizma ZMR (2009): programmed fuel injection.
- Karizma R, second generation (2014): the later R.
- Karizma XMR (2023): the revived name after production stopped in 2019.
The Karizma sat above the Splendor in the Hero range alongside the CBZ; more models are in the Hero collection.
Video: 2014 Hero Karizma ZMR review (Autocar India)
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Hero Honda Karizma, English Wikipedia: launch, design, engine, models
