Review: 2014 Hero Karizma R modified by FortPoint Racing for speed and looks

Having owned and ridden a Karizma for more than 70,000 odd kms, I’d say the motorcycle was a legend in its own right. Though it could take in its stride a variety of terrain – smooth, straight blacktops was where it really found its home. It could munch miles from dawn to dusk without a whimper and repeat the process day in day out. Hence when Fortpoint Mahim called us to test their new performance and visually modified Hero Karizma R – we got quite excited. The question, up our minds like most you guys was, how much extra can really be derived from that good old 223cc single? Almost instantly, we agreed to test the modified specimen against a stock version of the motorcycle. Here’s what we found out.

Fortpoint sent over the modified Hero Karizma R and a stock Karizma R for performance comparison. Kevin, the senior technician at Fortpoint and probably the best Karizma mechanic in town accompanied the motorcycles along with Pritam and Kundan, the two other technicians from the dealership. It was good to have the entire bunch with us, as they could see the exhaustive runs and re-runs we did to evaluate and quantify the performance on offer with the modded machine.

To start with, here’s the list of changes which have been made to the stock motorcycle:

1. A free flow exhaust that Fortpoint claims is 4 kg lighter than the stock unit.
2. An unrestricted Racing CDI unit that allows the engine to rev crazily all the way to 12000 rpm.
3. Custom front sprocket, with one tooth less than the stock sprocket – allowing, in theory, better acceleration and stronger low-mid range punch.
4. Iridium Spark Plug for longevity
5. Custom jets
6. A bolt-on mechanical ABS
7. Free flow air filter
8. Custom Paint with lacquer coat
9. Tank Pad

Also the bike has been stripped of the main stand, saree guard, rear footrests and the kick starter to aid further weight saving. Even the small size vibration dampners weren’t spared.

 Eager indeed and without wasting much time we got down to business. With no rev-limiter in place, the Fortpoint Racing Karizma R underwent a test to reveal its top speed in each gear. We had multiple runs, and came up with the following numbers.

• 1^st gear: 55 kph
• 2^nd gear: 91 kph
• 3^rd gear: 115 kph
• 4^th gear: 129 kph
• 5^th gear: 139 kph (which also happened to be the top speed we could manage)

Though the motorcycle felt rev-happy, it didn’t feel as quick off the block as the stock Hero Karizma R would. But once past the 6000 rpm – it displayed a sense of rush all the way to its claimed 12000 rpm rev limit. Though the tacho on a stock Karizma-R is marked till 10,000 rpm, it was fun to see the needle swing past on the modded version. And the way the front lifted mildly on every shift, we couldn’t help but keep it pinned at the end of the rev range.

With enough solo runs on the Fortpoint Racing Karizma R, it was time to stack it with the stock Karizma R. We marked a quarter mile distance and both bikes were ready to set their fastest clicks. Initial runs came as a surprise to us with the stock Karizma-R clocking near identical times to the Fortpoint Racing Karizma R. The smaller front sprocketing should ideally have given the modified machine a stronger punch in lower to mid revs, but the stock machine felt equally eager.

We realized that the Fortpoint Racing Karizma R would wake up past the 6000 rpm, and have a perceptibly stronger power delivery till 9000 rpm, post which disposing the additional revs was a bit of a puff. So we brought down the shift points from the earlier 11k to a saner 9k and the difference was instantly notable.

The higher rev range does endow the modded machine with a higher top speed though. Simply holding onto the max revs into each gear did manage to bring higher speeds, but the increments happen rather slowly.

• Stock Karizma-R                               : 18.03 seconds @ 121 kph
• Fortpoint Racing Karizma R           : 17.34 seconds @ 124 kph

The difference here might seem marginal, but give it a longer stretch and the Fortpoint Racing Karizma R would break away from the stock Karizma-R with a considerably higher speed in every gear. The motorcycle despite the modifications feels smooth and it’s only beyond 9000 rpm that the vibes start to build up at the foot-pegs.

As a whole, the Fortpoint Racing Karizma R is for the buyers of the Karizma R who wish for that added dash of rush to their machines, but sometimes end up reducing the performance and life of their ride with inappropriate modifications. The paint job adds that touch of exclusivity to the motorcycle and the exhaust looks like a compact and well finished unit. Also the decibel levels have been kept in check to prevent traffic cops from intercepting the motorcycle for exhaust noise. And then there is that delight of seeing the needle go past the end of the rpm range with the motorcycle eager to get the front airborne on every gear shift. The best part is that despite the modifications, the motorcycle is covered under the regular warranty. The racing package costs Rs.15,000/- with the paint job costing an additional Rs.7,500/-.

So if you are willing to buy the Karizma R, and are looking for that extra spice, may we suggest you go have a look at the Fortpoint Racing Karizma. This motorcycle might just be the package you have been looking for.

For more details contact

Fortpoint Automotive Pvt Ltd

Mahim bus depot premises,

L J Road, next to Mahim Church,

Mahim, Mumbai

Call Pritam : 08108206565 or Kundan 07506082818

Check out more images of the modded motorcycle in the gallery below