The Hero Karizma ZMR has consistently witnessed a decline in sales, as the bike found zero takers in the festive month of October 2018.
Hero MotoCorp relaunched the 2018 Hero Karizma ZMR in India in July, priced from INR 1.08 lakh for the base model and going up to INR 1.10 lakh (both the prices are ex-showroom Delhi) for the dual-tone model. The company started taking bookings soon after, and deliveries began in August. However, the bike sold meagrely in two digits (10-17 units) from May till September 2018.
The Hero Karizma was a successful product when it was launched in 2003. However, cut-throat competition and lack of any technologically advanced features meant that the bike lost ground to Bajaj and KTM. Furthermore, the design is outdated and showing its age.
Powering the 2018 Hero Karizma ZMR is a 223 cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder motor that is paired to a five-speed gearbox. The with fuel-injected, oil cooled engine is capable of pumping out a maximum power of 20 bhp at 8,000 rpm along with a peak torque of 19.7 Nm at 6,500 rpm.
The Hero Karizma ZMR was discontinued in April 2017, and the reintroduction of the 2018 model is surprising, to say the least. The 2018 Karizma ZMR doesn’t get ABS, which will be mandated from 1 April 2019. With the decline in sales, Hero MotoCorp will have to consider introducing an updated model to keep the brand afloat. Else, it won’t be long before the company has to raise the curtains on the Karizma, which still has a decent brand recall.
Hero MotoCorp is reportedly working on the next-generation Karizma, but there are no further details. The current-gen model features conventional telescopic forks up front and adjustable twin shock-absorbers at the back.
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The Hero Karizma ZMR has a top speed of 129 kph. The bike drops anchors with the help of a 276 mm rotor at the front and a 240 mm disc at the rear. The Karizma ZMR rides on 18-inch alloy wheels that are wrapped with 120-section rear and 80-section front tubeless tyres.
