CBZ vs KariZMA

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 Author : Vibhu Rishi

First the stats:

CBZ 2000 Model.
Kms done : ~70000

Karizma 2004 Model
Kms done : 15300


Feel

Both bikes coming from the honda stable ( I got the bikes before the HH guys got their stikering act together ! :p ), have a similar riding posture. Same fold-the-footpeg-to-start . The same sporty posture.

The difference you feel will be when you rides the bike. The CBZ is more of a growler than the ZMA, especially when you are at higher RPM. The ZMA is very smooth and redlines very easily. The one thing you will surely miss when shifting from the CBZ to the ZMA will be the high engine noise as you go higher up on the rpm.

This leads to a very smooth and relaxed ride on the ZMA at the same speeds on the CBZ.

Cornering

Both bikes corner amazingly. The ZMA scores better at it. If you take the same corner at the same speeds on the bikes, you will find yourself leaning less on the ZMA.

On the ZMA : You will feel that you can take the corner faster. On the CBZ : You will have fun taking the corner and wonder if you can go even faster.

Braking

Pretty much spot on for both bikes.

Performance

More CC and a better handling chasis - the ZMA wins hands down.

Mileage

Getting the same city mileage from both bikes !!! I get around 33-35 for the CBZ. Getting 30-33 for the ZMA. So, I don't feel the pinch.

ZMA : The best milage i got was 42 by keeping the speed below 60kmph and riding with minimum gear usage and braking. Lousiest mileage was 27kmpl when ripping non-stop at 120+ from Delhi to Jaipur.

CBZ : Best mileage was 48kmpl with the above method. Worst has been around 32kmpl.

Night Riding

ZMA has better headlights. Still I don't like night riding - unless the road is smooth and there is no oncoming traffic.

Plastic Quality

The ZMA's so called plastic feels a bit tougher than the CBZ. The front fairing does not give the impression that it is plastic. It feels quite solid.

Looks

People have their own way of looking at it. I still feel the CBZ looks amazing ! The ZMA could have been better with a better front fairing, a better rear (its skinny right now). The ZMA draws more attention , especially the yellow coloured one. But mostly its the 'dhoom' kind of attention and not the elan of the CBZ.

Touring

The ZMA is much better. I can cruise at 100kmph and not feel it. For the CBZ the feel good cruising speed is 80kmph. So, with the ZMA i have the confidence of covering more distance some of which I will think twice with the CBZ.

City Riding

CBZ is niftier. It can easily snake inbetween the traffic. You can do the same with the ZMA, but with the longer size of it, and the costs involved, you will tend to keep the bike at a larger distances from the other vehicles around you.

When it comes to parking - its easier on the mind with the CBZ. The ZMA draws the 'aam junta' like bees to honey. And the junta is quite messy. Whenever I park the ZMA on a pay parking, by the time I come back , the parking attendant will be sitting on it.

My grouse with the ZMA is :

  • Its slow.

Met a Bullet 500 guy when going to give my bike for servicing recently. He asked me what I thought about the bike - and I replied 'its slow' - expression on his face - priceless ! But the reason is very simple. When upgrading from the CBZ to the ZMA the changes are small. Slightly better handling. Slightly more top speed. Slightly better headlights. But, that's all too less. I would have been more satisfied with something that goes something like 150kmph. If HH is saying that this bike is a sports bike then shouldn't it have been a 30+bhp monster ?

Conclusion

If you are more of a city guy, the CBZ is perfect.

  • more sporty posture.
  • feels like your are in GP when you are leaning the bike.
  • not much problem in traffic.
  • inspires a misguided feeling of being Rossi, especially after you start leaving the other bikes behind and zigzagging through traffic at higher speeds !

If you are living most of your life outside the city, and the bullet is not your kind of bike, the ZMA is much better.

  • more of a sports tourer. Add cramster bags and you can think you are

riding a goldwing :p

  • easy riding at high speeds on the highway.
  • smooth lower gears to get you through those towns that come in the way.
  • inspires a feeling of calmness. No distance is too great ( this line

not for NAV :p , or else he will start challenging me to all kinds of night rides!! )

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