Hero Honda Karizma Ownership Experience

[bluevolt]

After long hesitation and confusion I am writing a concise ownership experience of my HH Karizma.

I was looking for my first bike in year 2008 with a budget of around 70 thousand to 90 thousand.

I short listed three bikes including TVS Apache RTR FI, Hero Honda Karizma, Bajaj pulsar 220 DTS-Fi. But in the end I finalized on Hero Honda Karizma and got her home on 15 February 2009

I bought this bike from Oswal Motors, Delhi for Rs. 76,000. It was a hassle free experience while dealing with oswal motors, it just took 45 minutes to complete the formalities (registration, payment) and the bike was all mine.

What i like
1. The looks
2. Engine
3. Riding comfort
4. Brakes
5. Mileage

What i don’t like
1. Rattling noises from fairing
2. Expensive spare parts
3. Cold starting
4. Pathetic Hero Honda after sales service approach

Ownership experience
Till date my bike has covered 12,000 KM, overall happy with the bike except few minor glitches. My bike had cold starting issues, HH service people (Metro motors, rithala to be precise) were not keen to look into the matter and every time they suggested me to use the choke while starting (that didn’t helped either). I tried escalating this matter to senior HH officials but all in vain. I adjusted the carburetor myself and after few hit and try I managed to get an optimum tuning and solved my starting issue to some extent. HH service center’s approach towards customer is very ordinary, they don’t listen to customer’s request, and they are not courteous either. When I with my father went to meet HH service manager personally (Head office in vasant vihar), he told us that he can’t take action against them (metro motors) because the showroom cum service center is owned by a MP.

Mileage of this bike is around 35-40 KMPL (overall). I recently switched to iridium spark plugs (Rs. 550) and now mileage is around 40-44 KMPL (overall).

Now let me summarize regarding the service/accidental history of the bike.

Expenses during Routine Services


1st Service (FREE)
ODOMETER READING – 620 KM
CONSUMABLES – HH Engine Oil
BILL – Rs. 175

2nd Service (FREE)

ODOMETER READING – 2518 KM
CONSUMABLES – HH Engine Oil, Waxing
BILL – Rs. 220

3rd Service (FREE)

ODOMETER READING – 5084 KM
CONSUMABLES – HH Engine Oil
BILL – Rs. 175

4th Service (PAID)

ODOMETER READING – 7505 KM
CONSUMABLES – HH Engine Oil, additive, waxing
BILL – Rs. 635

5th Service (PAID)
ODOMETER READING – 9990 KM
CONSUMABLES – HH Engine Oil
BILL – Rs. 393

Expenses due to Parts Replaced

1. -> Minor fall at the speed of 30-40 KMPH
JOB DONE - Pipe handle, rubber weight, etc replaced, front fork alignment, front shocker opening fitting
Total Expense – Rs. 920
2. ->Similar Minor fall at the speed of 40-50 KMPH
JOB DONE - Pipe handle, rubber weight, etc replaced, Silencer plate changed, front fork alignment, front shocker opening fitting.
TOTAL Expense – Rs. 1400
3. -> Odometer and speedometer stopped working
JOB DONE -Cable assy. speedometer replaced
TOTAL Expense - Rs. 70
4. -> Rear Tyre 'tube' replaced due to severe puncture
JOB DONE - Purchased a New tube (MRF)
TOTAL Expense - Rs. 300

Few photographs of the bike.

[DRIV3R]

Congrats bluevolt, on the chic-magnet.

Mileage of this bike is around 35-40 KMPL (overall). I recently switched to iridium spark plugs (Rs. 550) and now mileage is around 40-44 KMPL (overall).

This apart, a good review overall.

[bluevolt]

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

Congrats bluevolt, on the chic-magnet.

Thanks DRIV3R. Please tell me what is chic-magnet?

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

This apart, a good review overall.

Actually, this is the real world mileage I am getting (Changing gears at 3-3.5K). I get similar response whenever I tell anyone about the mileage.

[DRIV3R]

More than the mileage, I meant the increase of 4~5 kmpl in mileage due to iridium plugs, bro. No way they would have increased by that much just due to the iridium plugs. These iridium plugs are more resistive to heat and give more uniform sparking and that's about it. FE improvements would be minimal.

[bluevolt]

^^^
Well there is difference of around 2-3 KMPL for sure when driven very sanely. I installed this plug just after the service, so that may be the reason the mileage is more.

[abhinav.s]

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

These iridium plugs are more resistive to heat and give more uniform sparking and that's about it.

Might be a noob query, but uniform sparking will lead to better combustion. Hence there might be a bump in FE me thinks! Not sure if this is correct though. Please clarify.

[Sankar]

The difference you feel after the installation of Iridium plugs is actual. I had felt the same in my Karizma, engine performance was better too.

[motionfreak]

many spares are common to unicorn eg brake pads, clutch plates, tensioner etc.

[DRIV3R]

There sure is a difference in throttle response and FE. FE increase is very marginal. Do check it once again and get back.

[bluevolt]

Originally Posted by motionfreak

many spares are common to unicorn eg brake pads, clutch plates, tensioner etc.

Yes, As the spares of Karizma are quite expensive people do try alternatives. I will try TVS apache front disc pad as they are direct fit. (or they are not?)

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

There sure is a difference in throttle response and FE. FE increase is very marginal. Do check it once again and get back.

I will top up the tank and will update soon with mileage figures I get this time.

[motionfreak]

rtr pads are direct fit.

[deehunk]

I am getting a mileage of 40-45 kmpl with my Karizma consistently ever since I bought it. I have not made any changes on the spark plug.

[DRIV3R]

Way too optimistic figure there! Let's get real guys.

Anyway, is this the city mileage figure or highway figure? And tell us how you calculate your mileage.

[deehunk]

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

Way too optimistic figure there! Let's get real guys.

Anyway, is this the city mileage figure or highway figure? And tell us how you calculate your mileage.

It is a realistic value, I use Shell petrol regularly, I have tried using other petrol on 2 or 3 occassions, mileage has dropped by 4-5 kmpl. But how many of us follow the driving instructions during the first 1.5k km period of the vehicle. Earlier I had a Hunk and Zeus, never bothered about the maximum speed to drive during the initial 1500km and ended up getting disastrous mileage. I have not had an opportunity to do a highway ride but will sure update on it. I check my mileage as usual reserve to reserve.

[bluevolt]

Originally Posted by DRIV3R

Way too optimistic figure there! Let's get real guys.

Anyway, is this the city mileage figure or highway figure? And tell us how you calculate your mileage.

I follow full tank to full tank method. With one full tank I can easily ride for around 580-620 Kms and this is overall mileage (max higway, min city).