The brand-new Hero Karizma XMR has been launched in India, which means it's time we stack it up against its primary rivals, and another fully-faired Hero, on paper.
Hero Karizma XMR vs rivals: engine & output
| Engine & output | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hero Karizma XMR | Yamaha R15 V4 | Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 | Bajaj Pulsar RS200 | Hero Xtreme 200S 4V | |
| Engine | Liquid-cooled, 210cc, single-cylinder | Liquid-cooled, 155cc, single-cylinder | Air/oil-cooled, 249cc, single-cylinder | Liquid-cooled, 199cc, single-cylinder | Air/oil-cooled, 199cc, single-cylinder |
| Power | 25.5hp at 9,250rpm | 18.4hp at 10,000rpm | 26.5hp at 9,300rpm | 24.5hp at 9,750rpm | 19.1hp at 8,500rpm |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 156hp/tonne | 130.49hp/tonne | 164.60hp/tonne | 147.59hp/tonne | 123.22hp/tonne |
| Torque | 20.4Nm at 7,250rpm | 14.2Nm at 7,500rpm | 22.2Nm at 7,300rpm | 18.7Nm at 8,000rpm | 17.35Nm at 6,500rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed | 5-speed |
The Karizma XMR has the second-most powerful engine here, and packs in some Hero firsts, such as DOHC, liquid-cooling and a 6-speed gearbox (also seen on the Harley-Davidson X440 made by the company). The outlier here is the Xtreme 200S 4V, which is a notch down compared to the others, and is only here is a reference point as the other fully-faired Hero motorcycle.
Hero Karizma XMR vs rivals: dimensions & weight
| Dimensions & weight | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hero Karizma XMR | Yamaha R15 V4 | Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 | Bajaj Pulsar RS200 | Hero Xtreme 200S 4V | |
| Kerb weight | 163.5kg | 141kg | 161kg | 166kg | 155kg |
| Seat height | 810mm | 815mm | 800mm | NA | 795mm |
| Wheelbase | 1351mm | 1325mm | 1345mm | 1345mm | 1344mm |
| Fuel capacity | 11 litres | 11 litres | 12 litres | 13 litres | 12.8 litres |
| Ground clearance | 160mm | 170mm | 165mm | 157mm | 165mm |
Despite having the smallest tank here (the same size as the Yamaha R15 V4), the Karizma XMR is the second heaviest bike here. It also has the longest wheelbase, which should make it quite a stable machine at highway speeds. However, we’ll only be able to vouch for that when our review drops on August 31 at 10am, so stay plugged in. The Yamaha R15 is, by far, the lightest machine here, and is the only serious sportbike, while the others are sport-tourers. This is reflected in the superior chassis componentry it packs in, such as a deltabox frame and a lightweight aluminium swingarm.
Hero Karizma XMR vs rivals: suspension & brakes
| Suspension & brakes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hero Karizma XMR | Yamaha R15 V4 | Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 | Bajaj Pulsar RS200 | Hero Xtreme 200S 4V | |
| Suspension (f) | Telescopic fork | USD fork | Telescopic fork | Telescopic fork | Telescopic fork |
| Suspension (r) | Monoshock | Monoshock | Monoshock | Monoshock | Monoshock |
| Brakes (f) | 300mm disc | 282mm disc | 300mm disc | 300mm disc | 276mm disc |
| Brakes (r) | 230mm disc | 220mm disc | 230mm disc | 230mm disc | 220mm disc |
| Tyres (f) | 100/80-17 | 100/80-17 | 110/70-17 | 110/70-17 | 100/80-17 |
| Tyres (r) | 140/70-17 | 140/70-R17 | 150/60-17 | 150/60-17 | 130/70-17 |
Cycle parts are an area where the Karizma isn’t the best-equipped in this company. The Yamaha R15 V4 boasts of a KYB USD fork, not found on any other bike in this comparison. Both, the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 and the Suzuki Gixxer SF 250, also have wider tyres than the XMR. Braking hardware is where the Karizma claws some ground back; it has the largest discs here (a three-way tie between it, the Pulsar RS200 and the Gixxer SF 250).
Hero Karizma XMR vs rivals: features
With an adjustable windscreen, bluetooth connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation, a slip and assist clutch, all-LED lighting and dual-channel ABS, it's safe to say the Hero Karizma XMR is a feature-packed machine. However, the Yamaha R15 V4 is the only bike to have a traction control system and a quickshifter here.
Hero Karizma XMR vs rivals: price
| Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hero Karizma XMR | Yamaha R15 V4 | Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 | Bajaj Pulsar RS200 | Hero Xtreme 200S 4V | |
| Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 1,72,900 (introductory) | Rs 1,81,700 - Rs 1,86,700 | Rs 1,81,400 - Rs 2,05,501 | Rs 1,72,358 | Rs 1,41,250 |
At its introductory price, the Hero Karizma XMR undercuts its primary rivals, the R15 and Gixxer SF 250, by a good deal. In fact, its so aggressively priced that its price is almost on par with the dated Bajaj Pulsar RS200. Once the introductory price window closes, prices will rise up to Rs 1,82,900. Bookings have already commenced for the Hero Karizma XMR, and it remains to be seen if this modern reincarnation will achieve the success of the original Hero Honda Karizma.
