Will it be wise to buy a used Karizma R now? I had briefly ridden one in 2011 and loved the ergonomics and smooth engine. Since you get one for pretty cheap these days i wouldn't mind buying one and riding it occasionally and for some long rides. Are parts still available if something goes wrong?

hi buddy,



plus, it's not their bike.



Trust me, some models like gs150r, slingshot have hard-notchy gearboxes and a heavy clutch by design/nature. It is something that suzuki was not able to match with the hondas - and the reason i do clutchless upshifts. I have pulled-in the clutch of zmas/zmrs parked in my office. They are way much lighter!



I wasn't sure, that's why asked psr for his thoughts. I prefer replacing the sheathed cable if it starts to run rough or the steel microfibers start coming off (indication that it will snap soon).

See mark zimmerman's note below:





i already do easy things like chain adjustment, oil changing and filter replacement. It's a tiny bit difficult for me, i stay in a high-rise apartment. Still am convinced that no-one can work on my bike to perfection like i can. Funnily, i have also learnt to adjust/improvise/compromise - if a o-ring can't be sourced, i shut the leak with anabond or even m-seal :d.



Your 8-year bike is in great shape and looking fantastic! Don't ever sell it.

P.s. To all, mark zimmerman has written a beautiful book "the essential guide to motorcycle maintenance". Except valve clearance adjustment, all basic theory/practice is discussed. This fool bought it at amazon, but later found it in the 'net'.

https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-essenti...183964782.html

heavy clutch by design/nature.

Are they direct ZMA??

Hi George,

Visually the rear shocks look ok, even I was fooled by the ASC mechanic.
I had a major back pain and also started taking medicines for it. Then I said, let me change the shocks any way as I had done 36k km.
I got ZMR's rear gas filled ones and after I removed the stock ones that were then on my bike, I simply rolled them on the floor.
The shocks had got a bend, so they did not roll over. This was not visible to naked eyes.

Had done 2.4k km on the ZMR's gas filled ones. Rode on highway, city (with the potholes and speed breakers) and a bit of off-roading.
They are much better the stock ones.

Here is a post on the engine oils used in Karizma Zmr(from best to worst

1)Shell 10w40 Ultra fully synth PROS-(Smooth gear shifts,low engine vibrations,cooler engine and better mileage( exrta 3-7kmpl depending on driving style)Drain interval 5K.CONS-If the bike is very old snd if engine seals are worn a bit,it can cause minor oil leak Cost rs 600-700 (Amazon.in)

2)Motul 300v 10w40 - PROS Holy cow the power and response increased with this oil,it felt the bike was on steroids.The only oil that keeps the engine cool more than any other oil despite harsh driving snd weather conditions.Even after 7500kms,while draining the oil,it was not completely dirty,felt that i could have used it fir 2500kms more.CONS- Sometimes u will feel more engibe vib and harder gear shifts (esters dont do well with hero honda abd suzuki bikes-basically japanese engines).Costly one liter is like rs 1200-1300.New Motul 300V2 has come which has organic components costs like rs 1300-1400 and people who have used it felt smoother engine and gear shifts compared to 300V.

3)Mobil 1 10w40 fully synth -Same as shell but costs rs 1000-1100 per liter.Leaving cost aside i felt Shell Ultra performs a bit better than mobil 1 ,but both are good oils.

4)ZIC SK M9 10W40 Fully Synth- Made in South Korea, supplied by S K lubricants in India.I am currently using this as a friend recomended It.Imediately after changing oil,i felt smooth gear shifts even without lubricating clutch cable.PROS Price,rs 500 for one liter at Amazon.CONS-Yet to find out as i have only drived 300km with it and performs similar to shell ultra and mobil 1

5)Shell Ax7 10w40 semi synth-Pros Good semi synth oil ,lasts 3K Kms,gives 30-40% (performace,mileage ,gear shifts and smooth engine) when compared to fully synth oil.Price Rs 350-400

6) Mobil Super Moto 10w30 semi synth-Mobil launched the new mineral and semi synth oil lines,havent used it,but i got reviews sayin that its on par with shell ax7.Price Rs 399-429 /one liter

7) Motul 10w30 techosynth - Semi synth oil..but harder gear shifts comapred to other semi synth oil and a bit more vibrations.Cons -cost Rs 500-550/liter

8)Shell 10w30 mineral oil- Great mineral oil at low price.Drain interval 2-2.5k.Price 230-270/liter.The better oil compared to mobil,castrol,valvoline and hero4t plus

9)Motul 10w30 mineral oil- Similar to Shell,but harder gear shifts

9)Hero4T plus - Stock oil, ran ZMR with it for 1000kms and shifted to Shell Ultra.Pros -Price rs 198 then..Rs 240-260 now.Even when bike was new,with stock oil,noted a lot of engine heat and bad engine vib at speeds.

10)Hp 10w30,Servo better not to use.

Additionally i have heard good reviews for Liquimoly( price very high) and Motul 5100 and 7100.

Kindly note an engine oil additive is not required for fully synth oil and oil flush is not required.

Drain Intervals 1)Fully Synth-5000-6000kms 2) Semi Synth 3000-4000kms 3) Mineral Oil 2000-3000kms.

If Karizma and Karizma Zmr owners have used other oils,kindly post your opinions.ThankaYou

Hi bro,they dont do it as,its difficult for them.

Which makes shifter smoother and u r hand dosent pain while shiting hard clutch lever as it will be smooth,and effortlessly u can shift and engine will also feel good.

U heard cables not to be lubricated??? hahaha,who ever said that wants u to have rough shifts and wants your cable broken at highway or touring.

So you can tell the ACS guys goodbye and start servicing the bike yourself.

U will save lot of money and will have great satisfaction.Past 5 yrs i doing service myself and have no issues till date even if my bike is 8 yrs old driven 62375 kms

Sir, you are talking about the Teflon sleeve/sheath? I heard these cables should never be lubricated. I have never seen Suzuki guys at SVC lubing any cable of GS 150/Gixxer 155.

The clutch cable of both Karizma and ZMR have an internal sheath on the inner cable to protect it from rusting...So 99% of the time they do not have rust on inner. Good luck.