This is a review on HONDA UNICORN , I’m posting it here beacause MS would not allow me two write two reviews on honda unicorn please read!!
Hi MSians, this is my experience about my birthday ride ..My own Honda Unicorn!
I am skipping technial specifications as I have already mentioned it in my earlier review...Althought I got this bike just a week ago ...I have already driven it for 756kms, ... I made a visit to Machilipatnam, which is 140 kms from Vijayawada. I also visited my would-be colleage in Guntur for admission. Let me tell you that my experience has been wonderful.... The bike has saved me several times by its HAIR RAISING braking perfomance ...believe me it feels absolutely rooted at harsh braking...and this is the First time I had denim to tarmac experience in those cornerings...
Engine :-
Unicorn’s engine is a no-nonsense engine ..It is refined to the extent of dis-belief...althought I didn’t push it too much coz I wanted to follow the run in peroid strictly...But I have attained speeds upto 70 kmph and ofen crossed that mark...You have to look at the dials to know the speed ...you can’t notice it getting to 70kmph mark...especially in highways you wont notice your speed unless you look at the meters...
Honda must install a beeper to this bike which goes ’’’’beep’’beep’’’ when u are doing excess speed ( Just like the one’s in cars) ..or else you won’t know your speed...The engine is so relaxed I felt it will stay at 70kmph mark for days to come...I have noticed it, in city driving conditions too..No knocking or coughing....very smooth ...The bike doesn’t Roar like a pulsar ..but accelerates very quickly & smoothly...it has dual air jackets creating dual air steams for better heat dispersion.
But I noticed a problem in my bike, I don’t know whether it is common with other Unicorn’s ..in morning’s it rejects to start with the first press of the e-starter...you have to kick start it or try electric start several times ...
Gearbox:-
I am new to the 4 down, 1 Up pattern ..it is a bit problematic in city traffic ..you have to pass through neutral for a quick shift to the second ...but I think I will get used to it..The gear box overall is very smooth ..you can cruise endlessly in 5th gear forever.
I have also noticed that the bike doesn’t reverse hard like the pulsar..it gains 40 to 50 kmph in 3rd gear without going above 4000rpm.Honda has to be heavily praised, for thier gear box ..I wonder why Bajaj can’t make a similar one for the pulsar...
Body:-
The style is plain and some say it is boring ..But some times simplicty has a edge over everthing else..knee recess on the tank are very good , they can accomodate your knees comfortably.
I wish that the handle bar could have been a bit lower to give u a sporty riding postion..but the handle bar postion is perfect for long distance cruises....THE PILLION GRAB RAIL is a bit too fat ..
Some members on this website complaint that the rear indictor light compartment shakes or vibrates a lot on bumpy roads but I haven’t noticed it yet
I Like the three-pod meters althought it misses out a trip meter by default..I can’t understand why a manufacturer like honda delete such an important feauture like trip meter.
HORN:-
The bike’s horn is very poor...I had a very bad experience with the horn...When I was on my way to Guntur on the national highway ..A tractor with a trailer poped up from nowhere .... I kept honking him but he didnt give way to me because my horn was not audable ...it felt very frustated ’’such a big bike and such a ’petite’ horn’’...Honda says it is compliant to the latest sound pollution norms .....Compliant, my foot...I just hate the horn..[ I’m going to change it with more powerful one ]
Mileage:-
The mileage of my bike can’t be determined yet but it gives 54kmpl on the highway & 51 kmpl in city ...My cousin’s unicorn has 3500 kms in the odo..2 services over... It is giving him 56kmpl in city and almost 60 kmpl on highways.
Better or worse the mileage figures will depend on differenting riding styles & conditions
MONO-SHOCK SUSPENSION:-
Let me make it clear Unicorn’s mono-shock is one of the most basic units in the world ..THERE IS NOTHING ADVANCED OR SCI-FI ABOUT IT. BUT honda credits to be one of the first to introduce it in Indian market..after living with the unicorn for few days ..Dual shocks look awkward and ugly to me...[ Has anyone seen a super bike with dual shocks]....Heeee ; )
PROBLEM WITH ACCESORIES:-
As I will be travelling long distances for my college, don’t want to carry books on my back ...so can anyone suggest how to fit a Side box..or a Side bag? There are none available in the market ....I wish the market comes up with something as this bike has no dual shocks to fit side box to it>>.
Braking & Handling:-
The handling of this bike is superb , mind blowing ..This bike made my denim to tarmac dream come true { Pant’s touching the tarmac in extreme corners}
Althought the tyres are not as good as the one on latest pulsar...but they manage to do a decent job.
Braking is absolutely phenomenal...2 days ago when I was cruising t 60 kmph on NH-5 behind a truck...a Fertilizer bag dropped out of it because it was not fastened properly...I was just behind the truck ..Thanks to the braking and handling I escaped it without a glitch...Just imagine the 60--0 Kmph De-acceleration...the bike was planted ..I can’t imagine what would have happened if I hadn’t reacted properly to the situation!
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Everyone knows the Pros of Unicorn, lets go to the cons of ’Uni-con’:
LACK OF DEFAULT FEAUTURES
Alloy wheeels , Trip gauge, Parking lights, e.t.c
SERVICE
The service issue have always gone wrong with honda ...will try my luck at the Honda dealer this time
Waiting period
People who cant wait for a unicorn e-start buy a pulsar simply because they cant wait
I bet this is one of the major factor causing a downfall in sales.
I hope u guys liked the review...I’ve put my max into it, I will update after few weeks.
To buy or not is your choice so, YOU DECIDE.
I enjoyed my birthday ride!
Cheers!
Dharani.
(wrote a second review on honda unicorn)