Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

I've been getting a few PMs about the 3rd party front fairings so here's a report for everyone's benefit:

The quality of the Uttam Karizma R fairing is pretty decent and I got it fitted about 10 days ago. My headlamp also had broken those two pointy things which go into the meter bracket so replaced that as well with an original Lumax.

FITTING & PARTS:
Since i'm a bit anal about the bike running only on original parts, I bought a load of original and correct bolts, nuts, rubber mounts, washers, panels, small items etc which hold the fairing in place.

The 3rd party fairing is pretty strong (as strong as ABS plastic can be) and there are very minor to no vibes right now. I must say that I also bought the silencer foam pads which stick onto the fairing's inside and cushion it from touching the petrol tank, sides etc. so vibes may have drastically reduced because of this too.

Assembling the fairing from all the minor parts took more than an hour, which i personally supervised with the mechanic to make zero errors.

Also insisted on two patches of tube rubber under the fairing's two main screw mounts that are right on the petrol tank. Zero movement, and the screws don't budge!

CONS:
One minor glitch was that I missed ordering the original C-clamps, which connect the headlamp to the fairing's front side V-cowl. We used 4 pieces of local (and not long enough) C-clamps and it was a bit tricky to get all parts to behave themselves.

I think because of the local C-Clamps, the RHS fairing doesn't meet the headlamp very elegantly (the LHS fairing fit perfectly though) resulting in a slight gap visible from the front. See photos...

RESULTS:
Overall, I'm happy with the fairing and bike looks new. Nothing moves, squeaks or rattles anymore. And this is in the Himalayas, where this year the roads have been exceptionally terrible. On smooth city roads, the fairing should be perfect.

Moreover, for 1600 bucks, I also have a spare windshield and couldn't care less if there's a gap near the headlamp. Maybe sometime later, I'll order the original C-Clamps and test to see if the cowls fit 100% perfectly.

ADVICE:
Get all original bolts, screws, minor items to ensure a perfect, hassle-free fit. It's the small things that make up the big picture.

Here's some before/after pictures of Lhamo without and with the new cowl set:

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

[MENTION=37035]ashwinprakas[/MENTION] - there are guys who like to have the cake and eat it too ( whatever it means). Can't blame them. I know guys who squeeze every km they can from a RE.

Long back I had a bike crazy, tech-handicappad friend who suggested mating an RX engine with a CD100 gearbox to get the best of both. [emoji23]

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

It definitely is, for fuel worth Y, I get X number of km's with everything dialled in right and unless there is a radical change in figures I see no point in being concerned about the same.

Reason being there are multiple atmospheric and road condition factors that affect fuel efficiency on a carbureted motorcycle and a controlled FE check doesn't do justice to that, in a case where my average consumption would remain more or less the same I know for a fact that if I do a couple of controlled FE runs then the chance of coming up with different values is more likely due to all variables not being under my control.

Plus when it comes to the practical application I have spent more or less the same amount(1350/-) of money to commute(800 km's) the same distance(and route) on motorcycles with different displacements(100cc vs 220cc) which translates to similar FE figures but at the same time if I do a controlled run then the FE figures of both motorcycles would be at polar ends.

Which is why I feel that controlled FE checks are not worth the effort in the whole scheme of things.

As long as everything is dialled in right and there is no evidence of running rich/lean you will receive a consistent average and all would be well until the moment you get a radical drop in which case you diagnose and resolve the contributing factor. And in another case, if all things are dialled in right and you're still not satisfied with the FE then it might just be that you opted for the wrong motorcycle for the job and the only result you'll get with fiddling around with the tuning is a prematurely worn out carburettor which again is counterproductive, because all things considered you need to extract reliable miles for the money invested.

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

On the contrary I think FE is one of the pointers of a bike's health.

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

This air filter with the psr mod [emoji3] has been ready for sometime now and finally I found time to go to the mech. I had acquired a 2nd hand carb and wanted to put in both at the same time. Sadly the carb's choke section is stuck in the carb and it is given for extraction at the lathe. He had a zma carb lying idle and as a temp measure it was connected. The idle/ slow speed is pathetic. Till 3.5~4k rpm it is looney.. I have to use the choke liberally to get a move. Post that it is fine. The choke doesn't work gradually either - it is either on or off, like a switch. Anyway hope to get the carb back from the lathe today and try it. The mech said the Unicorn choke unit can be used for zma, any idea ?

Going further back , I was having starting issues for a long time. Since the headlight was good I thought it was the relay. But when I checked the voltage was below 11 and I changed the battery. Now it starts even with the headlight (60/55w) on.

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

I thought I should know my machine[emoji4] [emoji4]

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

Considering the whole scheme of things such controlled FE checks are pointless.

As long as you've got all the parameters dialed in right you need not be bothered about the FE, and if it still bothers you then you're riding the wrong bike.

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

Tested mileage with mileage tester bottle. My cousin was holding the bottle and I was riding. Tested with 100 ml petrol and bike ran for 3.2 km in highway (never crossed 4500 rpm). Tested again with 100 ml and bike ran 3.7 km in city with light traffic. I dropped him in his home and left. I thought I should test it again and the bike ran for 4.4 km with 100-110 ml petrol. Because fe increased, I thought I should check it once more[emoji23]. Fourth time the bike ran for 5 kms with 100-110 ml of petrol. So the difference with a pillion was around 10 kmpl. I don't think that much difference is normal (he weighs just 55 kg). May be the reason was my cousin not holding the bottle properly. I Was gentle with throttle fourth time and happy because I got around 50 kmpl with 110 section michelin sirac street ath rear and 90 section mrf kurve at front[emoji41][emoji846]☺

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

[QUOTE=rushikesh.ware;1346424]1. To reduce vibrations, take generous piece of tire tube and "install" it between the gap
2. I have replaced the rear cowls and the rear center piece. 2 x1800 + 400 =4000/- if my memory serves me right.
At 4k, the paint quality and the strength of the fibre is better than after market ones.
My logic was, either I waste money twice for cheap ones or once for the original ones.[/QUOTE [MENTION=82098]rushikesh.ware[/MENTION]
I'm a student and I don't like asking money all the time for my needs to my parents. That is exactly why I bought a used bike. But I have always took good care of my activa and karizma. I'm trying to restore zma with my savings. I will ask for their help only after confirming that I can't do it on my own. That is why I'm asking about alternatives. If I've no other way, I'll go for hero made from asc. But I'm afraid to order hero fairings after receiving inferior product from SparesCompany. It came with hero unique code. I went to a local shop after receiving the product from SparesCompany and found almost same quality fairing at 1.3 k[emoji23]

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

1. To reduce vibrations, take generous piece of tire tube and "install" it between the gap
2. I have replaced the rear cowls and the rear center piece. 2 x1800 + 400 =4000/- if my memory serves me right.
At 4k, the paint quality and the strength of the fibre is better than after market ones.
My logic was, either I waste money twice for cheap ones or once for the original ones.

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

Couldn't find a mileage testing bottle but a store owner promised me that he will get it tomorrow.
Now, I've some other doubts.
There is gap between speedometer and fairing and that causes a lot of vibration. There is a small crack in one fairing but the the gap is there in two sides. How can I remove these gaps? Is it the problem of fairing or legs in tank?
I need to buy the side cowls because the one I'm using has got some minor cracks. I ordered one from SparesCompany but received a very low quality product so returned it. The cowls I ordered was for 2007 make and my bike is a 2012 make. 2007 was priced around 1500 for a side and 2012 was priced around 2500. According to SparesCompany, the only difference in both of the products is stickers. I asked some karizma owners, some mechanics and xbhpians about the differences of fiber quality in both of these models and all of them said there are no quality differences.

Now I want to buy a good quality fairing. I asked the asc here and they quoted around 6000 rs. There are cheaper cowls available starting from 1300 for a pair in kochi. I don't feel like I should go for hero made cowls which costs a bomb [emoji35] .
Has anyone here tried zadon made fairings from safex bikes? Is there any tested alternatives available? Any inputs will be appreciated [emoji4] [emoji4]

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

Will do it sir..
Thanks again [emoji4]

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

You are right..reserve to reserve is a wrong way to calculate FE. Tank full to tank full is the correct method. Otherwise buy the FE testing bottle from any Spares Shop and test with it to get a better accuracy...

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

Today, I tried to check my fe in my 150 km trip.(reserve to reserve method). Because reserve to reserve method is prone to error, I decided to fill fuel for small amounts three or four times and calculate average. When the bike hit reserve, I filled for 70 rs (.89 litre) and the bike ran 43 km with petrol on. Then filled again with rs 60 (.766 litre) and bike ran for 30 km in kochi traffic. Again I filled with rs 70 (.89 litre) and I had to turn the fuel knob to reserve just after 8 km. Bike was not starting with fuel on. I started again in reserve and shifted again to on position and bike ran till 30 kms without any problem. Is this normal? I kñow that reserve to reserve is not accurate because fuel flows inside the tank. But this much difference is usual? After hitting reserve at 30 km, I filled again for 70 rs (again .89 litres) and it ran till 34 kms.
The calculated fe is
1st filling - 48.3 (highway)
2nd - 39.1 (pure city riding)
3rd - 33.5 (30% city, 70% highway)
4th - 38.1 (10% city, 70% highway)

I don't know that this much difference is normal or not. So thought I should ask you guys. Any info will be appreciated☺☺

Re: Karizma/Karizma R Ownership Experience

Ashwin Prakash please contact me