Here is the ultimate shootout in the 150 cc segment. There are only two bikes in here, and both are as good as each other. One is the Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSi and the other is the Unicorn from Honda. Both bikes are excellent. It will be very difficult to adjudge a winner. The Pulsar has recently been treated to a small makeover resulting in increase in peak power and enhancement of looks. This makeover came days after the Unicorn’s launch. So it is seen as a safety measure. The Unicorn is Honda’s first bike in India and it is very impressive. Now which bike wins and why?
Intro-Honda Unicorn- The Honda Unicorn is the latest bike in this segment. It has created waves of curiosity and it was the most eagerly awaited bike of the bygone year. Now that it is here, it has received an extremely good response. I can already see many Unicorns on the road. A lot of R&D has gone into its making. It has been targeted at the Pulsar, which currently rules the 150 cc segment. The Unicorn is hugely capable. But will it beat the Pulsar?
Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSi- This bike was Bajaj’s trump card in the 150 cc segment. It beat the entire competition single handedly. This was mainly after it was changed into the Pulsar DTSi. Its aggressive styling and shocking performance make it a very good choice. But the Unicorn is threatening its success. The new makeover makes the Pulsar even more competitive. So does it still make the best bike in its class?
styling-Unicorn- Conservative. That is the best way to describe it. There aren’t any bold lines or elements at all. The fairing looks average. The side is also okay. The rear looks good with its tail lamp, which is similar to that of the Karizma. But photos don’t do the Unicorn any justice. It looks MUCH better in flesh. The build and finish is the best I have seen. So even if the styling is conservative, the finish makes it attractive.
P150- Exactly the opposite. The Pulsar has styling, which is ’definitely male’. The awesome headlamp is the best I have seen. The entire styling in the side is good. The alloys are a welcome addition. And Bajaj, which is known for its neat tail lamps, has made an exceptionally good one on the Pulsar. Simple, yet attractive. The new Pulsar gets thicker tires at the rear, which lends to it more aggression. It has brutish styling, which gives it tons of attitude and appeal.
engine, gearbox and performance-Unicorn- The engine is a marvel. It is a 150 cc engine which pumps out an excellent 13.5 bhp. So refined. The refinement of the Unicorn is unmatched. The engine is classic. The gearbox is an achievement of Honda. It shifts so smoothly that you may find it too smooth for your liking. The Unicorn is very quick. It is fun to ride the Unicorn and there is more than enough power on tap. It touches 60 km/h in less than 6 seconds. The Unicorn is quick and agile, yet it is quiet and unruffled. The top speed is a very good 105+ km/h.
P150- This bike has a 143 cc engine which is low on capacity but high on power. Power has been increased to 13.5 bhp to make it match the Unicorn. The engine is just above average in refinement. But a disappointment is the gearbox. Shifting is still notchy. The Pulsar has aggressive styling, and performance to match. It accelerates quickly and touches 60km/h is a little more than 6 seconds. The Unicorn is a little quicker. Refinement is okay at high speeds but nowhere near the Unicorn. The Pulsar is zippy and its performance is very enthusiastic. The top speed is an excellent 110 km/h!
ride, handling and comfort-Unicorn- Amazing. The ride comfort is unmatched. The Unicorn gets monoshock rear suspension, which makes its ride quality very good. The seats have just the right amount of padding and are very comfy. The handling is among the best. Its performance is backed by very nimble handling, which makes it a pleasure to ride. Because of all these reasons, the Unicorn is one of the most comfortable bikes.
P150- The quality is very good because of the new nitrogen filled gas shock absorbers (like on the Bullet Electra). I feel that Bajaj has done this to compete against the monoshock absorbers of Honda. The seats are quite good and so on the whole good ride comfort is maintained. The handling is also very good. It is zippy in the city as I mentioned and this makes it fun to ride. But I feel that in this area, the Unicorn has the upper edge.
Fuel efficiency-Unicorn- This is sometimes the deciding factor. The Unicorn, even if it is a Honda, manages to be very efficient. In the city it returns an average of 50-55 km/l. On the highway it can manage around 59 km/l. In mixed conditions it returns a figure close to 55 km/l. Very good for a 150 cc bike.
P150- Even though the Pulsar has enthusiastic performance, it is economic in fuel consumption. In the city it manages a little more than 50 km/l and around 58 on the highway. A figure of close to 55 km/l in mixed conditions ensures that it is not very costly to run.
VERDICT- Both bikes are class leaders. What does one expect from a 150 cc bike? Good styling, performance and a decent average. The Unicorn and Pulsar both have all these qualities. The Unicorn is quality more than anything else. This is reflected in its refinement, build and finish. On the other hand, the Pulsar is more aggression. The looks and performance yell that aloud. In looks I should say the Pulsar is better, but the Unicorn has a finish, which has to be envied. The performances of both are similar, with the Unicorn offering more class and refinement and the Pulsar giving speed. But in the area of ride comfort and handling, the Unicorn is a notch better. Its monoshock rear suspension gives it excellent ride quality. The Pulsar also does that to an extent with its NitroX shock absorbers. The Unicorn by far is more of a pleasure to ride while the Pulsar is good. The average of both bikes is good. So which bike? Well, if you want more aggression and attitude then go for the Pulsar. But if refinement, class, and pleasure are what you want more, buy the Unicorn.
PS- Both bikes are equally good in performance, fuel efficiency and looks. The above qualities I have mentioned are just extras. If none of these really matter, any of the bikes will satisfy you.