Hero Karizma XMR - The Perfect Blend For Every Riding Scenario

Most people think that sportbikes are great only for the track and end up compromising on certain other aspects of riding. But contrary to this popular belief,  the Hero Karizma XMR is actually a rather versatile sportbike, and we believe that it can be that one bike in your garage that can do almost everything that most people expect out of their motorcycles.

Easy Cruisin’

On the highway, the Karizma XMR is a fun motorcycle because of its 210cc, liquid-cooled engine which is the most powerful in its class. But apart from just being powerful, it delivers a smooth riding experience and the bike feels stable even at higher speeds. Cruising at 100kmph feels natural and the bike can do it for hours on end without breaking a sweat. 

A combination of the aerodynamic design and well-tuned suspension setup helps to make longer rides feel effortless. While this is a sportbike, it still gets an adjustable windscreen which is a nice feature to have. The proper way to make use of a windscreen on a sportbike is by tucking down into an aggressive position and becoming one with the motorcycle. With the ergonomics of the Karizma XMR, riders can opt to sit upright or get into an aggressive position when need be. These ergonomics are well-suited for long-distance travel, thanks to the well-padded seat and a relaxed riding posture that minimizes fatigue. The bike is said to deliver a fuel mileage of around 40kmpl which is quite impressive. With a fuel tank capacity of 11 litres, riders should get a range of around 400kms on a full tank.

City Slicker

In the city, the Karizma XMR attracts a lot of attention because of its sharp design language. Adding to the road presence are the bright Red and Yellow colour schemes on offer. What I like about the Karizma XMR is how lightweight it feels, both, at a standstill and on the go. The bike's nimble nature allows for easy maneuvering through traffic and quick lane changes. Its compact dimensions mean that getting into tight parking spots is also easy. 

While good fun on the highway, this engine is also very usable in the city because of its tractable nature. It can easily do speeds as slow as 30kmph in 4th gear, while 6th gear easily manages cruising at speeds as low as 50kmph. There is an ample amount of power for quick overtakes and the braking setup provides good confidence even under hard braking. With a really light clutch action, city riding is further made easy and the gearbox is quite slick too. With the tractable nature, fewer gear shifts are necessary while riding in the city; the only time downshifts are necessary is to make quick overtakes. Additionally, the well-tuned suspension is really good when it comes to tackling broken and unpredictable roads - a common sight in most of our cities. The Karizma gets a fully digital LCD screen that supports Bluetooth connectivity for turn-by-turn navigation, Call/SMS alerts and more. This screen has a clean layout and information is easy to read. The turn-by-turn navigation feature works well and adds to the convenience aspect while riding around town.

Corner Carver

When it comes to cornering, the Karizma XMR offers quite an engaging experience. The bike's suspension setup provides great feedback to properly exploit the abilities of the chassis. Many would have liked to see inverted front forks but once you get to riding, the absence of inverted forks isn't felt. The 17-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in MRF rubber and these tyres provide ample grip. The nimble nature of the Karizma XMR allows it to tip into corners effortlessly, and hold a line while feeling stable which ultimately provides riders with more confidence.

The handling characteristics make it fun to ride on twisty roads, making the Karizma XMR a great option for weekend rides on winding hill roads. And the real beauty of this Karizma is that its easy-going nature means that you don’t need to be a highly experienced rider to enjoy riding it quickly around corners.

As we mentioned earlier, the Karizma is great for highway touring. So if you did decide to go for a trackday, you can easily pack your leathers in a tail bag and ride down to a track such as the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore or the Madras International Circuit in comfort. And once you get there, the approachable nature of the Karizma’s handling allows even newbies to hone their skills on the track. Even if you’re an experienced rider, the bike’s superb handling abilities will keep you engaged as you try to set your personal best lap time.

One bike to do it all

Many people seem to think a sportbike is impractical in India, but the Karizma XMR simply proves them wrong on every front. This is quite a versatile motorcycle -  performing well through various different riding conditions like highway cruising, city commuting, and cornering, making it a tempting choice for riders who are getting ready to take that step into the world of sportbikes.