Bajaj Pulsar 220 vs Hero Karizma ZMR vs Honda CBR150R vs Yamaha R15
This is a comparison going on in India for the past few years. But in 2014, the competition gets tighter as Hero upgraded the Karizma ZMR and the Pulsar 220 also gets slight cosmetic changes as well.
The 220 is the oldest in terms of design but still scores high as it is the cheapest and yet the most powerful of the lot. It is a value for money bike. Though 220 has the highest performance figures, you'll be amazed that in a drag race as well as in a track day test, the ZMR will always be ahead of the 220. This is because of the easy revving engine, more and better torque in lower rpm and the better initial performance in the Karizma. The CBR and R15 are best for the looks and for riding in tracks where you can take them into corners with ease.
Bajaj Pulsar 220
The 220 is a proper Indian sports bike which is priced extremely well by Bajaj. It is the cheapest bike in the competition and yet the most powerful as indicated by performance figures. It has a unique sporty design and the 2014 version comes with sporty racing stripes as well.
The 220F is the only carburated bike in this comparison. It comes with an oil cooled 220cc engine. The bike is designed for speed and performance and is good for dragging in a straight line dash. Though the tires are big and chunky, you cannot take this bike into corners as the main stand of the bike will be kissing the roads even before you notice. The seating position is sporty and yet is not a pain in the back. Fuel economy is decent as it is not a commuter. The small fairing makes it difficult to race beyond 100 kmph due to high wind blast. The rear-view mirrors are not so functional but the overall ride quality is good. The engine is very smooth and refined. The silencer makes a sporty pleasant noise as well. Overall, the bike is a very good value for money package.
Hero Karizma ZMR
The Hero Honda Karizma is the first proper sports bike above 150cc in India. It was launched in 2003 and was the most stunning bike in India at the time. The bike is not a pure sports bike like the rest. The Karizma is intended for high-speed highway cruising in India. The ride quality is brilliant !!! Many will not be satisfied by the looks of the 2014 model. Hero has recently joined hands with American Sports-bike manufacturer Erik Buell Racing and Hero Karizma is said to be designed by EBR. This bike resembles Buell's flagship model 1190RS, but to be frank, the bike doesn't look half as good.
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| Bajaj Pulsar 220 vs Hero Karizma ZMR vs Honda CBR150R vs Yamaha R15 - Specs and features |
This is a comparison going on in India for the past few years. But in 2014, the competition gets tighter as Hero upgraded the Karizma ZMR and the Pulsar 220 also gets slight cosmetic changes as well.
The 220 is the oldest in terms of design but still scores high as it is the cheapest and yet the most powerful of the lot. It is a value for money bike. Though 220 has the highest performance figures, you'll be amazed that in a drag race as well as in a track day test, the ZMR will always be ahead of the 220. This is because of the easy revving engine, more and better torque in lower rpm and the better initial performance in the Karizma. The CBR and R15 are best for the looks and for riding in tracks where you can take them into corners with ease.
Bajaj Pulsar 220
The 220 is a proper Indian sports bike which is priced extremely well by Bajaj. It is the cheapest bike in the competition and yet the most powerful as indicated by performance figures. It has a unique sporty design and the 2014 version comes with sporty racing stripes as well.
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| Bajaj Pulsar 220 2014 |
The 220F is the only carburated bike in this comparison. It comes with an oil cooled 220cc engine. The bike is designed for speed and performance and is good for dragging in a straight line dash. Though the tires are big and chunky, you cannot take this bike into corners as the main stand of the bike will be kissing the roads even before you notice. The seating position is sporty and yet is not a pain in the back. Fuel economy is decent as it is not a commuter. The small fairing makes it difficult to race beyond 100 kmph due to high wind blast. The rear-view mirrors are not so functional but the overall ride quality is good. The engine is very smooth and refined. The silencer makes a sporty pleasant noise as well. Overall, the bike is a very good value for money package.
Hero Karizma ZMR
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| Hero Karizma ZMR 2014 |
The Hero Honda Karizma is the first proper sports bike above 150cc in India. It was launched in 2003 and was the most stunning bike in India at the time. The bike is not a pure sports bike like the rest. The Karizma is intended for high-speed highway cruising in India. The ride quality is brilliant !!! Many will not be satisfied by the looks of the 2014 model. Hero has recently joined hands with American Sports-bike manufacturer Erik Buell Racing and Hero Karizma is said to be designed by EBR. This bike resembles Buell's flagship model 1190RS, but to be frank, the bike doesn't look half as good.
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| Hero Karizma ZMR and EBR 1190RS |
Despite the looks, the Karizma is a very good package. It has a great performing Honda motor (Karizma has the tried and tested, but slightly detuned version of 223 cc SOHC oil-cooled engine from the CRF230 series of enduro/MX/supermoto bikes that are sold in the USA and South American markets) The engine produce peak power at very low rpms as compared to the other bikes in the segment which means that the Karizma has the best initial performance. The ZMR also comes with fuel injection and an oil cooled engine. The bike looks from certain angles, the taillights whish are borrowed from Buell's bikes,certainly looks apart. The wider tires and clip-on handlebars adds to the style as well as functionality. The power has beeb increased from 17.7 bhp to 20 bhp and the torque has been increased from 18.35Nm to 19.7Nm, an update of 2.4 BHP and 1.35 Nm (torque is even higher than the Pulsar 220).
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| Hero has now given the ZMR a half chain case, the rear sports a bigger 120 section tire for improved grip. |
If you are pleased by the looks of the new Karizma, you won't be disappointed by the performance or economy of this bike and this certainly is a good choice.
Honda CBR150R
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| Honda CBR150R |
The Honda CBR150R is one of the best looking 150cc bikes in India. It has a 149.4cc liquid cooled, fuel injected engine which chokes out 17.57bhp @ 10500rpms and 12.66Nm @ 8500rpms. The engine, is though very refined, lacks power. It delivers peak power only at 10500 rpms and the torque is even lower than Honda Unicorn (12.8Nm) which is very disappointing. The initial performance is very poor in this bike. The CBR150R weights 2 kgs more than R15 too. Everything apart from the underpowered engine is great about this bike. The ride quality is good. The brakes are enough to stop this bike at any speeds. The looks resembling the elder sibling CBR250R and the sporty decals does the job very well.
The biggest problem with the baby CBR is its price - around 1.33 lacks on-road, which is the highest in the segment. Also, this is the least performing motorcycle in the lot too. So I personally won't prefer buying this bike.
Yamaha R15 version 2.0
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| Yamaha R15 version 2.0 |
The YZF-R15 version 2.0 – is a 150cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke fuel injected bike. The R15 version 2.0 has undergone changes in the specs of the Engine Control unit (ECU), drivetrain unit, a long aluminum swing arm, wider front and rear tires (radial tire for the rear), split seat, LED taillights and new-design middle cowl & tail cowl. R15 v2.0 is the sportiest bike in the segment and is as aggressive as the its elder siblings - R1 and R6.
The bike is best suited for single person as the pillion seats may be a pain in the back. The liquid cooled, fuel injected engine delivers a decent power of 17bhp @ 8500rpms and 15Nms @ 7500rpms. The Delta box frame lets you throw it into corners with ease. It is the lightest bike in this comparison too. The ergonomics are best suited for track performance than for dragging in a straight line dash. The R15 is certainly better than CBR150R in terms of performance. YZF-R15 version 2.0 is equipped with a linked type monocross suspension that delivers a comfortable ride and a cushioning performance that is less prone to bottoming out.
Verdict
If performance is what you are looking for, the Karizma ZMR and Pulsar 220 will make you smile. The Pulsar 220 is definitely a better value for money package than ZMR. But ZMR offers better initial performance and build quality. If sporty looks and track performance is all that matters, then R15 is the best buy. I can't make out what makes CBR better if it is !!!
Hope this helps... Stay updated...
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