@ Thread Starter,

is this thread only for ZMA Owners? If yes please remove my comments.

If a bike needs to be owned to speak about its negatives, then Test rides should not be given? Many drop bikes based on a test ride. Simply manufacturers should say own it and you will know it.

What have I done! I have gone and bought a ZMR! ( I did the same thing with the splendor in 96) Everyone knew I would go for the Shogun. Overnight decision. Bought the only splendor in the show room, luckily it was the color I wanted, dint even bother to kick start it. Paid full cash and took it. My first ever investment on any sort of motor. And in those days of pre IT boom and my age it was not cheap.. sorta premium)

My decision making process has been easier since I decided I need more than one set of wheels. Considering my bulk, only the lovely bull would have been the only choice! Also considering my bulk, better sense prevailed, the bull is harder to push when Kaput.

An impulse with a 'kari' engine nothing like it.

And so I went ZMR.

What I am trying to say is each bike has its high and low. ZMR was not no1 on my wish list, But i am happy with the decision I have made.

Its not dead yet. It maynot be the stallion that has just arrived, but like the splendor, it might get your backside back home safe. To some of us, it matters a lot!

Karizma has always been a "premium" bike only uptill the recent developments. There has been nothing negative about this bike, but if one compares it to the current gen bikes...yes there some old/traditional things still on this bike, which makes this bike seem/look old.

Lol sir, A biker isnt judged by his grammar skill's, he's judged by his riding skills alone.

Speedo error my friend. I own a 2011 ZMA, and mine shows 130Kmph tops where as the true top is only 125Kmph. Just to clarify your doubt keep riding past the 8.25K mark in any gear and you'll notice that the bike will stall after about 30 secs or so.

My dear, there'll always be quality issues. Heck! my ZMA's running on its 2nd bore and piston and its only 9K's old . Yet you dont see me complaining . The best thing the original poster could've done was approach HH and ask them to sort it out, thats exactly what I did and thats how I got my bike back on its track.



@Everyone.

Yes the ZMA is dated and I very well know that, infact even ages before purchasing it. But you know what the key factor is, no matter what competition throws at it, it'll still outlive them. Be it the P150DTSi, P180DTSi, P200DTSi, P220DTSFi, P220 DTSi(Very Shortly I assume. ), Yamaha R15 v1 etc.
Recollecting the numerous models and upgrades Bajaj has churned out between 2003~2012 with comparison to what Hero has done to the ZMA, Just like anyother Indian, I'll surely have to go with the rule of thumb and say, "Gosh! There's got to be something special in that bike to sell like that, even after a decade and that too without any solid updates, Well I guess thats why they say the ZMA's ALWAYS GAME!!!"

I see some of ZMA owners are offended by this topic and that is natural. But their efforts to convince members that it's still sells is really funny Nobody here is questioning whether Karizma still sells or not, this is just a thread to debate what Hero could've done with Karizma to keep it ahead of the curve. The sooner disgruntled ZMA owners understand this, the better for this thread.. coz then they can also positively contribute to this thread rather than going defensive for their love

Well, now the poll shows more people vouching "for" ZMA/R.

What to say?
Above_all - Bro, you're speaking out of emotions. I/we know that Karizma has always been a quality product.
We're not even saying that it doesn't sell. Just look at the numbers, I mean there are many takers for it.

BUT, didn't the brand deserve an upgrade?
Hell, yes it did! It merely got a 'R' tag with an engine cowl a few years back.
With the ZMR, they added 0.6 ps, but increased the kerb weight by 9-10 kilos.
Hence, the 0.6 ps got negated! (It wasn't helping boost performance anyway)

We've celebrated the brand and will always be, but then you say people are giving negative comments. Its not so! I spend 100k on a bike, then I do expect specs similar to other bikes in the same bracket.

Compare this to a mobile phone, say a smartphone. I buy a 25k fone, but it has the same features that the other companies give in 15-16k, won't I feel its bad?
Similarly, Karizma has the same features we can enjoy with other cheaper bikes, it needs an upgrade seriously.

Aur, in baaton ko dil pe mat lo bhai, yahan koi hamari bikes ko kharaab ya achcha nahi keh raha hai, yahan brand ki baat ho rahi hai!

I agree. ZMA though is a good bike even in todays world but still it lacks a few features which competetors provide. Being a owner of pre-owned 04-ZMA, I am surprised how this bikes performs even when I abuse it and does over 100km/hr with ease. I didnt know untill I owned one why tourers prefer ZMA over any other bikes. yes, it should have come up with some extra features like the rear diskbrake, a little hike in power, better plastic quality and a "engine kill " switch.

Karizma is a splendor on 223cc motor.

Oops! another Baji vs Bonda thread?

Since im hungry I'll have em both!

Does Bonda need improvement? we all know its a yes.

Does baji need improvement? yes.

In different areas.

the point is Baji reinvents itself, But just limited bonda variations in a long time.

But, there are a certain few that like bonda as it is. The easy on the stomach kind perhaps.


(If one expects Bonda to perform like baji or otherwise, they haven't spent time reading through ownership reviews that is available to us this day.)


Coming back to the question, anything new and more advanced always has an edge. But, at the same time its (ZMX) not really lost its appeal! Yet!

Guys and specially "above_all", Karizma is not a bad bike and no one is saying that. But the appeal is lost and so it is... Ok, ZMR might keep some posers and hardcore tourers happy, but that's about it. Even tourers think straight to CBR 250 nowadays, instead of ZMR. Budget being a secondary factor (if).

In other words, CBR 250R is all a Karizma update should've been, except for the pricing though (but they could've managed it by using Carb/ other methods)...

I have ridden Karizma enough to talk about it. My complaints with it are:

1. Unequal gear ratios (3 close, 2 far)... So, whenever you're short shifting, first 3 ratios go fine, but the 4th gear comes as a sudden lethargic attack. Gear Ratios should be equally spaced for an enjoyable city/ mostly any ride.

2. Riding position.. I know its a tourer, but footpegs could definitely have gone back. And pillion footrests are too close too...

3. Power: Midrange is good, but who needs its tremendous low end? Kind of constantly reminds us that its made from a Off Roader only, after all. Take out the low end and get some top end in, leaving the mid as untouched as possible.

Forget the looks here... they're acceptable enough.

Tell Hero to update it with a 6 speed equal ratioed gearbox, slightly sportier position and about 19 bhp power should be enough. Do it by getting 4 valve head, or by changing cams I don't mind.

Although again, a refined Pulsar with 23~ ps power in lesser money? The competition has left Karizma far behind to be updated...

The last few pages are full of Zma sales,ownership and what not..Coming to the topic,hero should have done a CBZ-classic with the Zma before bringing in the ZMR or atleast should have given more bling in terms of accesories( rear discs,digi-speedo,led etc)
Having not done both has resulted in this thread where brand wars are taking over the threads real purpose.

The answer to that is..... NOTHING. For those who are expecting for more, can go for the ZMR, cause it has everything the ZMA has'nt, technically.
The ZMA's are made for down to earth people who care less about flashy tech and give more emphasis to raw functionality. Its actually a pity everyone who've posted against the ZMA has'nt realized yet. Would you prefer to get stranded in the middle of no where just because your tilt sensor malfunctioned and is refusing the bike to start up. Or would you prefer waiting on the road for a goods rickshaw to come and help carry your bike to the nearest SVC just cause your FI unit failed. Or......LOL the simplest. Would you prefer to get stranded in traffic cause your kickstand sensor failed and is refusing the bike to start??? You see here, the more the tech used, the more complicated things get. Heck, as a matter of fact the ZMA/ZMR doesnt even have a Kill Switch!!! To put it in simple terms the ZMA was a bike designed for India. No bike manufacturer has understood the needs and wants of the Indian consumer, like Hero has. Now people may argue about the tech other manufacturers have given us, just rethink the above scenereos.... LOL wait..... Illuminated switches... Really???? Do we need them???

I believe we've already contributed something here.... And that something was notifying everyone that we love the ZMA as it is and we are'nt expecting anything more from it.

The hard fact here is that, there's no point in going on and on cause those who mind don't own a ZMA, and those who matter knows the ZMA's ABOVE ALL .

A Little bit of Sarcasm.
I wish this thread to continue on i.e in a healthy way.... LOL Am I kidding myself ... Things will get a little heated, and thats for sure. At the least its amusing to hear a few people from the yesteryears trying to act like they're still in the game, by acting all techy and supporting the modern world's creations rather than realizing the potential of what we've already been gifted with.

Let me explain dear, with myself as an example.
I bought a BB for 10K and it has the basic'est of features that even a phone which costs a mere 2.5K can beat the BB feature wise.
So do I feel bad???


HELL NO!!! Cause with the BB I can keep in constant touch with my DAD who'se working abroad, I see him only once a year and that too for a couple of days only, so with the BB I can contact him whenever I want wherever I want. We can catch up on things we've left out on, we share pics music, and by that we get closer. The joy it gives me is priceless. And all that for just a mere 10K... Now.. Does the 10K seem like a huge amount I've wasted on something that has less features in comparison to another product that costs only 1/4th of the above???? The answer once again is NO!!!.

The people who buy the ZMA, know what its made for and use it for the same, thats why people still opt for the ZMA which has less features and is more expensive than another bike which has much more features and is less expensive. Those who dont feel the same are free to opt for the bikes of their choice. Guess thats proof enough to show that SUBSTANCE* does matter.

*QUALITY ain't the right word for it.

WTH
LMAO!!! Now, where did that come from ?

Hmmmm... Keep it coming..Keep it coming........... What!!!... Thats all.

then splendors are meant for people residing in underground.
wondering whom? m-8o 's are meant for