Did you hear the crackers go off? No, India didn't win any cricket match, but Hero Honda gave motorcycle enthusiasts something to cheer about.
The Karizma becomes the first of the modern motorcycles to cross the (psychological) 200 CC barrier. The engine is pretty straightforward, a CBZ-style 2-valve SOHC four-stroke single displacing a full 223 CC. The five-speed transmission gets to deal with the 16.8 horses that gallop forth at 7000 rpm.
But the real subject of discussion should be the massive 1.84 kgm of torque that peaks at 6000 rpm, making for a relatively low-rev high acceleration experience.
Hero Honda claims figures which bear this out. Top speed is 125 kph, the highest yet bar the RD350, and 60 kph will come up in just 3.8 seconds, a full second quicker than the Pulsar 180.
Like the CBZ, Hero Honda has used a single downtube cradle frame with a fat box-section swingarm and twin shock rear suspension. Electric start is optional and you can have your Karizma in seven colours.
Apart from the performance, though, the gaping points will be the striking looks, and that mean 275 mm disc brake mounted up front. Note the black alloys as well, another feature that disappeared off Indian bikes post-Fury, returning now.
The headlight is distinctive, as is most of the body work, but we can't help feeling that the half-fairing, with that ornate venting may be a little too much.
Then again, looks have always been a subjective matter and everyone else seems to like it. The gizmos include a digital display on the instruments which has the odo/trip meters, fuel gauge and a clock.
Hero Honda is not claiming a fuel economy figure
