The tussle for complete supremacy in the Indian two wheeler market between Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto keeps going on, irrespective of the segment. Both companies operate neck-to-neck and product-to-product, providing a constant threat to each other. For instance, it is being said that the launch of the new Hero Karizma ZMR is going to be a big threat for Bajaj Pulsar 220F, a popular bike Bajaj Pulsar and Hero Karizma are possibly the two biggest brands in the country, given their longevity and sustenance in the market.
While Pulsar has been diversified and used by the manufacturer and turned into a multi-model series, Karizma has come in just one model and its various guises. This is one reason why in the past few years the former has trumped the latter but the launch of new Hero Karizma ZMR has created ripples in the market, posing a threat to Bajaj Pulsar 220F. Let’s take a look at what Bajaj Pulsar 220F and Hero Karizma ZMR have to offer.
The first and foremost thing in a sports bike for any customer is the looks, which often seals the deal in India more than anything else. Both these bikes come from different schools in terms of looks. Bajaj Pulsar 220F has a sharper look that fits the bill of a complete superbike with an aerodynamic semi-faring, ultra-stylish LED tail lamp, sporty split seats and split grab rails. In addition, the clip on handle bar is pretty clustered, featuring pass switch, engine kill switch and self-cancelling indicators.
Hero Karizma ZMR, albeit no less than Baja Pulsar 220F in terms of sharpness, is a lot cooler and suave. A finely sculpted tank along with a high rise rear make for a really good looks, making the Hero Karizma ZMR a top looking bike. Though comparisons can be definitely drawn, it would eventually come down to an individual choice about which model is better look because objectively, there is no clear winner.
In the end, it all comes to down to the engine in sports bikes as that is what matters in the long run. Talking about the Bajaj Pulsar 220F first, it has a 220 cc engine that is 4-stroke DTSi single cylinder and oil cooled. The engine fitted in the Bajaj Pulsar 220F has a capacity of 220 cc and generates a maximum power of 20 bhp at 8500 RPM along with peak torque of 19 Nm.
The engine powering Hero Karizma ZMR has a slightly higher capacity of 223 cc and is also oil-cooled. This bike also produces an output level of 20 bhp with slightly higher torque of 19.7 Nm. Thereby, in terms of power and torque, there is little to choose between the two bikes. Hero Karizma ZMR, though, trumps the Bajaj Pulsar 220F in terms of top speed, edging slightly ahead with a figure of 129 kmph. Given that Hero Karizma ZMR is new in the market, it is bound to create customers instantly but whether or not it can pose a threat to the Bajaj Pulsar 220F, only time will tell.
