Team-BHP - Hero Honda Karizma Ownership Experience
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A good choice. Its an excellent performer on the highways. I have enjoyed numerous trips on this bike.Congrats on your new ride. I hope you have a happy ownership experience.

I saw the new ZMA in flesh.I must say Hero has screwed up a good looking bike.They should have given at least a projector in one of the headlights as in the 220:Frustrati.

Hi Guys,

I took a used Hero Honda Karizma R (July 2011 model run 19000kms) in March this year and following are my findings in a nutshell -

1) P220 may have more power and top speed, but I love the Zma for the torque feel, engine feel and the 'pickup' feel atleast till 60-80 kmph. I still cant believe why I did not purchase Zma in 2004, the time when I took P150 :(

2) Suspension - out of the world. Best suspension bike I have ever ridden. I am a person with a history of back pain using 2 wheelers, but not this time.

3) Bike is a 3rd owner one, but still gearbox is just top notch and engine is rock solid. Thanks to Honda.

4) Body and fairing have gone for a bit of beating with usage.

5) Headlight is dump.

6) Mileage I get is 30kmpl on a route which takes 30 mins to cover 12kms and 23 kmpl on a route which takes 45 mins to cover 9kms (no ripping). Activa gives sharp 35kmpl in both routes.

7) Handling is fair. Far better than the pulsars but may not match the r15 or cbr's

Note: My past bikes in reverse order are -
1) 2006 Honda Activa 9000 kms (still with me)
2) 2009 Pulsar 220 DTSi 11000 kms
3) 2009 Bullet STD 350 2500kms
4) 2004 Pulsar 150 DTSi 35000kms


OTHER POINTS -
- New Zma and Zmr are dump, really dump. Cheap style, cheap plastics. No wonder Hero did a soft launch. I don't think anyone will buy it.
- Hero service is pathetic. Rishi motors near Marathahalli in Bangalore, they just wash bike and give. Not even interested in fixing issues. I even offered to spend 10k for restoration of the bikes body, still not keen. Attitude, attitude, attitude,

Lastly, any suggestion for a good place in Bangalore where I can do a full restoration of the bike and fitting a projector HID.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam_sant2005 (Post 3454343)
Hi Guys,

I took a used Hero Honda Karizma R (July 2011 model run 19000kms) in March this year and following are my findings in a nutshell -

Congrats and welcome to the club.I too sold of my p220 and bought a a used 2012 3k run Karizma.Its a gem of a bike.Zma is one of the bikes than can take all sorts of electrical modifications without any issues.
Some mods I did-
1-Upgraded the stock headlight to 55/60w phillips extreme
2-Removed the belly and fixed a leg guard.
3-Installed a Hella comet 550 on the leg guard.Swapped the halogen with a 35w HID.
4-Upgraded the stock battery to a 9Ah Aamron unit
5-Installed Hella dual horn
I use it for my daily office commute as well as for my for my Pune-Mumbai-Pune stint during the weekends and touchwood,performing quite well:).
For the electrical job,I guess Ruby electricals is the tried and tested in Bangalore,as heard from xBhp forum.

Firstly Thanks rakesh_r.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rakesh_r (Post 3454385)
1-Upgraded the stock headlight to 55/60w phillips extreme

Are you really happy with the light now? What is your take on projector hid?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rakesh_r (Post 3454385)
2-Removed the belly and fixed a leg guard.

I am also interested. Can you share a pic of your bike please. Just to check out the leg guard. Not many Zma's have leg guard :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rakesh_r (Post 3454385)
3-Installed a Hella comet 550 on the leg guard.Swapped the halogen with a 35w HID.

Sorry what is that? Additional headlight buddy? Photo should help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rakesh_r (Post 3454385)
4-Upgraded the stock battery to a 9Ah Aamron unit

I changed my battery recently but not sure what Ah. So no changes to charging or alternator required?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rakesh_r (Post 3454385)
5-Installed Hella dual horn

Cost and photo please. Last time I tried a horn, it was not working. But it was on the old almost dead battery.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam_sant2005 (Post 3454596)
Firstly Thanks rakesh_r.


Are you really happy with the light now? What is your take on projector hid?


I am also interested. Can you share a pic of your bike please. Just to check out the leg guard. Not many Zma's have leg guard :)


Sorry what is that? Additional headlight buddy? Photo should help.


I changed my battery recently but not sure what Ah. So no changes to charging or alternator required?


Cost and photo please. Last time I tried a horn, it was not working. But it was on the old almost dead battery.

Hi there,
For the pics,I will post as soon as I get home.About your queries-
1-I didn't want to entirely depend on HID because halogens are the last to die out.Even with a flat battery you can limp with a Halogen and yes am happy with the spread.
2-I shall post the bike pic today.
3-The Hella 550 is an auxillary driving lamp.
4-For the battery upgrade,you needn't change any wiring.All I needed to upgrade was the battery cage.I swaped the stock one with that of the old model ZMA.
5-The horn set me back by INR 500.Make sure you install a relay when you use dual horns.

Saw two brand new Karizmas yesterday (one yellow and one black) and man, they have really screwed it up. Sad to see the bike in its new avatar - now the bike looks ready to go into our own wacky and weird vehicles thread. :Frustrati

--Anoop

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam_sant2005 (Post 3454343)
Hi Guys,

I took a used Hero Honda Karizma R (July 2011 model run 19000kms) in March this year and following are my findings in a nutshell

Congrats sam_sant for your purchase. ZMA R is a very good tourer, compared to p200/p220 overall. I own one April 2011 model run 18000 kms approx and till date before leaving for office, I cross check in garage to make sure its in the same condition as day before.

30 kmpl is a decent FE still I advice you get it checked by some trusted mechanic. I know one near BTM, if you stay nearby I can help you. I used shell power petrol and shell advance AX7 fully synthetic oil for my ZMA in Bangalore.

Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam_sant2005 (Post 3454596)
Firstly Thanks rakesh_r.
I am also interested. Can you share a pic of your bike please. Just to check out the leg guard. Not many Zma's have leg guard :)

Here you go :).Sorry for the shoby surroundings,just moved into a new society.

My ZMA went through a mid life refresh. Below stuff were done

Pending list; will be done this week:

I'll post better pictures when done :thumbs up

Boxer? Fairing and a 8inch round dome. All mounts including headlight ears sourced from the boxer for perfect fit. Rubber mounts everywhere so zero vibrations!

Hero Honda Karizma Ownership Experience-img_20140802_160637.jpg

Hero Honda Karizma Ownership Experience-img_20140802_170200.jpg

Meter was a test fit; it wouldn't fit with the shroud on

Hero Honda Karizma Ownership Experience-img_20140802_162121.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by theexperthand (Post 3454746)
Saw two brand new Karizmas yesterday (one yellow and one black) and man, they have really screwed it up. Sad to see the bike in its new avatar - now the bike looks ready to go into our own wacky and weird vehicles thread. :Frustrati

--Anoop

I absolutely agree with you! I wonder what the designers were thinking when they came up with this design! Looks like a local mod job, seriously did not expect this from Hero Motors!!!

All Done! Rode the bike back to Blore today and it was a dream!

The CRF230 cam seems to have boosted the low end tremendously. I was barely using 10% throttle and had to keep on changing gears fast so ads to not cross the 4K RPM run in threshold!

Few pics :

Hero Honda Karizma Ownership Experience-img_20140811_0653032.jpg

Hero Honda Karizma Ownership Experience-img_20140811_0653162.jpg

Hero Honda Karizma Ownership Experience-img_20140811_0653292.jpg

Hero Honda Karizma Ownership Experience-img_20140811_0653572.jpg

Hero Honda Karizma Ownership Experience-img_20140811_0654122.jpg

Hero Honda Karizma Ownership Experience-img_20140811_0712072.jpg

The best of them all :D

Hero Honda Karizma Ownership Experience-img_20140812_0841542.jpg

HI Sunny,

ZMA is looking fresh.
is this boxer fairing from the new Boxer?
would you be able enlighten us on costs involved.

CRF 230 Cams- where did you source them from and what all changed did you realized in the ride after that.

For the battery i would suggest you to go for the 9 Amp battery.
And is the Pulsar crash guard a straight fit?



Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnyBoi (Post 3495323)
My ZMA went through a mid life refresh. Below stuff were done
  • Rebore
  • New valves and guides
  • CRF230 Camshaft
  • New front brake rotors with EBC HH Pads
  • New swingarm bushes
  • Steering Cup Cone, Fork oil selas and oil
  • Round headlight with fairing

Pending list; will be done this week:
  • Fit P220 rear sprocket and O ring chain
  • New battery
  • Clamps for speedo
  • Seat refurb
  • Pulsar crashguard

I'll post better pictures when done :thumbs up

Boxer? Fairing and a 8inch round dome. All mounts including headlight ears sourced from the boxer for perfect fit. Rubber mounts everywhere so zero vibrations!

Meter was a test fit; it wouldn't fit with the shroud on

Attachment 1269393

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnyBoi (Post 3502765)
All Done! Rode the bike back to Blore today and it was a dream!

The CRF230 cam seems to have boosted the low end tremendously. I was barely using 10% throttle and had to keep on changing gears fast so ads to not cross the 4K RPM run in threshold!

The best of them all :D

Attachment 1272941


Quote:

Originally Posted by desideep (Post 3502859)
is this boxer fairing from the new Boxer?
would you be able enlighten us on costs involved.

Its a Boxer 150...not sure about costs since I haven't got the bill yet

Quote:

Originally Posted by desideep (Post 3502859)
CRF 230 Cams- where did you source them from and what all changed did you realized in the ride after that.

Cam was a gift from a friend - not sure where he got them from either :( I got a complete engine rebuild using OEM parts

Quote:

Originally Posted by desideep (Post 3502859)
For the battery i would suggest you to go for the 9 Amp battery.
And is the Pulsar crash guard a straight fit?

Mech told me he'd have to cut a lot of parts to make the 9aH battery fitted. At the end I did not change the battery, just charged he old one and its working fine.

A clamp had to be welded on top for the crashguard.

HTH

I had the 9 amp battery all that i had to do was bend the locking clamp thats it.


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