I have had the unicorn for 3 years + now and 25000 kms later I have decided to offer my 2 cents of what I think of the unicorn. When the bike was released I had been too quick to judge it. BUt in dropping an injured friend on his unicorn back to his home changed my perception. I learned a new definition for refinement and gained knowledge as to why HOnda is what it is today I the motorcycling world in that 25 minute ride.
I have always been a bullet user. I loved it and the bikes released at the time didnt offer me any reason to look its way. Same for the unicorn. Or so I thought. After dropping my friend home I took the bike for a real heavy duty test drive. And these are what I learned that day.......
The bike looks and feels different the moment you sit on it. ITs voluptuous tank giving you sense of riding a big bike. I dont know how they figured out the seating position and its handles to give its rider utmost comfort and stress free riding position, but its the best. THe instrument console looks classy and is similar to honda city’s instrument console. THe front fairing of the bike is in now way aggressive but gives a look of a calm un assuming bike which makes you under estimate it. Well so much for the bike in appearance.
THe honda engine is refinement personified. ITs calm silent nature maked you in turn ride it calmly. But wring the throttle to see the bike move. It surprises you with its sudden acceleration and agile movements. THe mono suspension brings more straight line stability to the bike making you extremely confident on the road. I didnt notice any extra cushioning or comfort from the mono suspension but that may be because I was used to gas filled shocks on the bullet. The ride is as smooth as it can ever be with no vibratons at all making it unnecessary to have vibration wieghts on the handle bar.
The bike gave me 55km/litre consistently all these years and I am more than happy on that front. Till date I never had to do any extra work on the bike except for regular servicing. I didnt alter the bike in any way as I loved it the way it is.
I am not wasting much of your time on the specs of the bike as I am sure you are well aware of them now.
ITs just that I was so impressed with my first ride that day I booked the bike that very evening. Friends have always asked me why I brought the unicorn when I own the higher powered icon the bullet. I usually let them ride the unicorn and give them the chance to guess that reason themselves. I still have the bullet and use it occasionally coz bullet is a lifestyle choice and the unicorn a thinking man’s practical bike. I remember the salesman telling me this " honda wants this bike to outlast anything, the way it is with splendor. Even years from now after new models and super bikes have reached indian shores, the unicorn will still ride strong. Thats honda’s promise ".
Well it might be too early to say if that is to be, but I think it looks set for honda to honour that promise. This is how legends are made.
LAst let me just say if you are in the market for a 150cc bike there is nothing to beat the unicorn. NOT the pulsar 150 nor the hero hondas as every 150 cc hero honda bika has the same retuned unicorn engine.
hope this review helped.