This review is on the Honda Unicorn. The review which I wrote in its section is useless and so I have written a good one here (hopefully!).
Honda is a world renowned company. A bike from such a company is sure to be good and with the wing on the side it is sure to impress. I have already seen many Unicorns on the roads which means it has recieved a good initial response (well begun is half done!). It is a bike that has been made specially for Indian conditions and a lot of R&D has gone into its making.
This is the first bike which Honda is producing independently in India. There is only one other international independent bike company in India; Yamaha. Yamaha is an excellent company, but it has not managed to capitalise on its image in India. Honda has already done that with the success of its scooters. But what Honda is renowned for is bikes, and that is the real test. The Unicorn is placed in the premium 150 cc segment where the mighty Pulsar DTSi is ruling currently. Should one go for the Unicorn over the Pulsar 150 DTSi?
The Unicorn is not the most handsome of bikes. But it has sufficient appeal in the looks department. The Unicorn gets a bikini fairing in the front. This is definitely not as good looking as the Pulsar’s awesome headlamp, but it is okay. The side is also rather normal with no stickers and with just the wing on its tank. The way the tank merges with the black panels below it is an eyesore. Whatever you may have decided after seeing the photos of it, it looks MUCH better in flesh.
The build is so good and you can’t find a single cheap part. Even more impressive is the amazing level of finish. It makes the bike stand out even if its looks are rather conservative. The tail lamp is a nice replica of the one on the Karizma with chrome lining which is classy. The dials that rest behind the beaked fairing are some of the best of their kind. In terms of styling, the Unicorn is not as good as the Pulsar, but its finish and build is so good that it will make you feel the bike is leagues ahead of the rest.
The engine is a jewel in Honda’s star studded crown. It is a 150 cc engine which has a power output ahead of all its competitors. 13.5 bhp makes it the most powerful in its class. But what makes it unique is the refinement of the engine. Never has there been such a quiet charming engine. The engine is too good. But the main decider is going to be the performance.
The Unicorn is ultra quiet and there is no sign of vibration at any speed. There is more than sufficient power and this translates into very good performance. It accelerates upto 60 km/h in a little more than 5 seconds. The top speed is a good 105 km/h. The Unicorn performs very well and is a pleasure to ride. But its trump card is its refinement and quality. Wanna fly?
By now everyone must be knowing that the Unicorn has monoshock rear suspension (it was hyped so much!). Honda has brought in one of the most basic of its kind (atleast that is there! No one is complaining!). But even this translates into very comfortable ride. The seats are comfortable and this with the excellent ride quality exhibited by the rear suspension makes a fine combination. It is very comfortable at all speeds. Bumpers and potholes are not really felt. The handling is also one of the best in the country. The Unicorn’s nimble handling and xtra comfortable ride make it one of the most pleasureable bikes to ride.
In the 150 cc segment, the fuel efficiency is not the main issue, but it still is important. The Pulsar with its DTSi engine manages to be quite efficient. The Unicorn is also frugal in fuel consumption. On the open road, the Unicorn returns as much as 57 km/l. In stop-go city driving conditions efficiency dips down to 50 km/l. In mixed conditions it returns an average of 55 km/l. It is as efficient as the Pulsar 150 DTSi on the whole.
On the whole it is a world class bike which can satisfy the demands of most people. The looks are conservative and the build and finish gives it an cut above the rest. The engine is a hallmark of refinement. It is swift and its enthusiastic performance makes it perfect for the rider who demands speed over eveything else. The ride and handling characteristics are excellent and this is makes the Unicorn a pleasure to drive. Moreover it manages to be frugal even if it performs well. So is it the DTSi or Unicorn? Um... a very difficult question. Both bikes are awesome bikes and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For now I can tell a few words. If you want right out looks and performance over everything else (+efficiency!) go for the Pulsar. But if you want ride pleasure and class more than anything else, buy the Unicorn.
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