I bought the very first Unicorn Sports in Ranchi(at Rs 58384/- ex-showroom) as soon as it launched. I sold my Pulsar 150 in November 2006 just because Bajaj and TVS bikes are a drag and nuisance after 25000-30000 km due to increased maintenance, vibration, power loss and harshness etc. I also had very disturbing discomfort in seating. I was looking for a better 150 cc. Considered Apache but rejected because of the above reasons. Xtreme looked a good choice because of the power it delivers. But, honestly, Xtreme components are very good if you look at them individually. However, when put together, they fail to produce a presentable package. The bike always looks a compromised presentation. Unicorn was always a good bike(the best if you consider the performance) but lacked due to appeal. Unicorn was like Vidya Balan(or even Aishwarya Roy) who looks beautiful but lacks appeal(of Madhuri Dikshit).
But the Unicorn sports has done it . It was an instant choice. I was confused by the reports that it only bears a few cosmetic changes and lokks as good or bad as the older sibling. But proof of the pudding is in eating. The bike really needed only a few small changes as the rest was always good. I have not driven it much but have following observations -
Looks - With all those Alloys, Self, Discs, black engine, grab rail, clear lens indicators etc. the bike now has a macho look. The front fairing with Silver dash gives a feeling of a big headlight and thus a big bike. Overall stance looks agile. I have noticed that though Pulsars and Apaches are better looking, they donot have a substantial road presence. New Unicorn has it. It looks like a big bull which you can not ignore. One more suggestion - to improve looks just remove the saree guard and see the effect. But be careful about safety aspect. Colours avaialable are all good. Paint finish is excellent. I miss deep blue colour here. However, colour is individual’s choice. I bought black with blue graphics. The rear half looks deadly because of absence of side shockers.
My suggestion regarding looks is that the graphics are not impressive. Front mud guard can have curves matching with the tank. Tail can be shorter and with LED lamps. Exhaust can have a dash of nickel at outer ring. Mirror arms can be thicker.
Additions / modifications - Flush cap on tank, rimmed fairing at front, trip meter, fuel knob, 100-90 rear tyre are welcome improvements. However, I would love to have parking lights, side-stand indicator, lockable cowls and fuel knob, utility box, blank number plates & leg-guard as standard accessories, protective sticker on tank-seat joint etc. I am not in favour of LCD panel as it will have a very unpredictive life due to sensitivity. Moreso because I want a bike not a computer gizmo.
Drive, Handling, Comfort etc. - Bike is comfortable. Monoshock, by its meaning, cuts away half of the shocks or vibrations as compared to duo-shocks. Pillion riders are also comfortable and donot push the driver over the tank every time the brakes are applied. The bike certainly lacks the initial punch in pick-up as compared with the earlier Unicorn. Is it due to the thicker rear tyre? Xtreme is far ahead but Unicorn Sports is acceptable too.(Sorry I am not talking of Bajaj and TVS as I have driven them for 18 years span). Best part is having a very low speed at higher(5th) gear and low RPM. Even then you can pick-up the speed(slowly ofcourse) without changing the gear. The torque and power are good and come as they are required except at initial pick-up. That too is within acceptable limits I suppose.
Mileage/ Average, Service, Price etc. - Mileage will be slightly lesser as the rear tyre will take it share. I will measure it after 2 services atleast. But it will be not less than 50 in very busy city traffic. Service is yet to be felt but it took less than half hour to complete the formalities. Staff was courtious and not very pushy. Price is on the higher side. In fact the highest in this category(1000 grand more than Xtreme). It should have been at par or slightly lesser than Xtreme to cover more market segment. But then who will buy Xtreme. It may be worth paying some premium to the original honda engine.
Overall a very good package and an instant choice. You can buy this Unicorn Sports blindly and will never regret.