Exclusive - New Hero Karizma In The Works

• Hero plans to launch a fully faired motorcycle based on its 200cc platform
• The 200cc motor on the new bike will have a racier state of tune and fuel-injection
• The bike will share its components with the Xtreme 200R
• It will compete with the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 and the Yamaha YZF-R15 v3.0

Hero MotoCorp has plans to launch a new fully faired motorcycle. This upcoming motorcycle will be powered by the 200cc motor seen on the Hero Xtreme 200R. This will be Hero’s fourth motorcycle based on its 200cc engine platform. Of the four, the Xtreme 200R has already been launched while the XPulse 200 and the XPulse 200T adventure bikes will be launched in early 2019. Moreover, in an interesting possibility, the new bike might carry the Karizma tag!

Although little was offered in terms of details, we expect the bike to use the same engine and underpinnings as the Xtreme 200R. And while the diamond type frame suspended on 37mm front telescopic forks and preload adjustable rear monoshock might be carried over to the new bike, the engine might be offered in a more powerful state of tune. In the Xtreme 200R, the 200cc single-cylinder, air-cooled motor produces 18.4PS of power and 17.1Nm of torque. For the new bike, we expect a slight bump in these figures, different gearing and fuel-injection.

Other components that are likely to be shared between the two bikes include the 276mm front disc, 220mm rear disc, single-channel ABS, 100/80-R17 front and 130/70-R17 rear tyres. The faired bike might also get an all-digital instrument console, clip-on handlebars and LED headlamps to bolster its sporty credentials.

But the most interesting takeaway is that the bike might carry the Karizma nameplate. First launched in 2003, the original Karizma was a huge hit among biking enthusiasts in the country and was among the sportiest bikes available on sale. However, later iterations of the bike could not emulate the original’s popularity. With this new faired bike, Hero could finally have a worthy successor to the original Karizma.

Currently, the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 and the Yamaha YZF-R15 v3.0 are the only offerings in this segment. And given Hero’s penchant for aggressive pricing, we expect the upcoming motorcycle to be priced around Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.15 lakh (ex-showroom). As for launch date, we expect the new Karizma to be introduced in the second half of 2019.