After a long long time, I finally purchased the Honda Unicon Black with Blue strips, the latest model on Sep 22 ’07. I did research on many a vehicles like Bajaj, Suzuki, TVS and Hero Honda. Not that I have any bad opinion about the others, its just my taste. My younger brother purchased a Bajaj Discover 135 last month. Its pretty good. As he had a Bajaj, I decided to go for the Honda which Personally I like for its Exceptional Engine and stability which no bikes in India can give.
Let me start with from where I purchased. I walked into the Autofin Honda Showroom in Hyderabad. They are too good. 3 months ago they send a Unicorn to my doorsteps for a test ride and that day I promised them that I would come one day and purchase one. I couldn’t rely on Autos or buses or even my Company transport anymore. I needed to rule my own life.
I walked in on a Saturday at closing time at 1830PM. It was a surprise for them and I needed finance to purchase. They told me the banks were closing and they will be closing in 1hrs time. I asked them if they could get this done today because I had another Honda showroom just next to my home in Tarnaka (Fortune Honda). I didnt like their customer service so I came down to Himayanth Nagar 10 Km to purchase my vehicle. They understood I was a genuine lover of the first bike of my life. They did all the paper work for me in 1 hr and the bike was on the fifth floor Godown which was already closed. They opened it, fitted all my accessories, cleaned the vehicle and did a test ride and the bike was in front of me by 1930PM. I liked their service from day 1.
I know for a fact many of my brothers write in Mouth shut about their bad experience about the bike or the service. My heart goes out to them. I believe its soley which distributer you purchase from and a little bit of luck. Im sure out of 100 bikes produce you will have one defective one. And if you end up having that, then I would say its your bad luck. Like me, even though I had a Honda showroom down stairs, I did a personal survey about them and decided not to purchase from there and travelled 10 km to get my dream bike. Its my hard earned money, I think it was really worth it.
Talking about the bike, Im really impressed by the beauty of the bike. I rarely find this model on the road and I truly makes HEADS TURN. I dont hate any brand or bike on the road, but its purely my choice to go for this Honda Unicorn for its Mono suspension technology.
Cold start is not that much a problem. Com’on its a Motor, not a robot. If its cold, it will take some time for anybody, be it human or metal. I can start the bike with choke. Leave it on for a min. And then take it for a ride, its really nice. Very silent, no vibration. I didnt cross 50 kmph yet. Not until the first 1000kms.
Braking is awesome. Stops like a race bike. Control of the bike is Awesome. I have just a problem with the gear. Sometimes I think I am only using 4 gears. I dont even know when the bike is in 4th or 5th. Maybe I should practice some more. I am not that Mechanical techy. But What I do know is that I can read the Engine’s mind. If it needs help you will know. For now all is good. Honda has been fair enough. The showroom manager has assured me that I can be with the bike when I take it for the first service. That way I can see first hand what they do to my baby.
I use only 91 Octane or Higher Petrol, like Extra Mile. Dont ever think of filling Leaded petrol. This will damage your Unicorn. Unicorn Needs High Octane Petrol. So feed it well and I promise you performance and Mileage.. Havent tested mileage yet. Will let you know.
If I experience anything bad, I will surely let ya’all know. But for What I’ve done, I’ll face myself. No complaints, no worries.
Cheers,
Kareem
DELETED PREVIOUS REVIEW TO ACCOMODATE LATEST DUE TO CHARACTER CONSTRAIN, .
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March 23 2011
LOL - So funny when I read my own review after so many years.
After December 2008 I dont see any review, maybe because I moved to Xbhp and TeamBHP for more technical stuff. Anyway, Im here because as I said earlier, something makes me want to come back and write about my Unicorn. Like a snapshot. Is it the amazing bike I drove or is it Mouthshut itself, I do not know. whatever, I feel good coming back here and writing.
As of today my Unicorn reads 49600 Kms. Yes, that is an average 38kms per day till today. 42 months after I have decided to part away with my Honda Unicorn. Its been an amazing machine, exceptional, reliable, though it has had its downs as well.
I always serviced with Honda authorized service center until about 30000kms, when I started having problems with my engine. Partly my fault, maybe, but cannot be and has not been proven till date. I have always used super unleaded or speed petrol. My understanding is that the added additives in the petrol did not go well with the engine. But Nobody, even Honda was able to come up and prove it that that is the reason why I lost compression and power in my Unicorn engine.
After about 30k kms, Unicorn engine started heating up. First countermeasures were switching to normal petrol and changing engine oil more frequently. like 1700kms or so. Second countermeasure, I took the bike to honda service center 3 times. complained of low pickup, over heating and power loss. The guys at honda just didnt or couldnt resolve the issue. Maybe they just didn want to fix my engine which was still in warranty. Anyway, I wrote a stinker email to Honda and cut all ties with Honda after that. Although Honda got back to me to give them a chance, I refused their assistance, because at that point, I was so frustrated and dishearted by their response and service, I told them to save them my anger.
I found a ex-honda mechanic who opened a workshop of his own. From then till today, I have been servicing my Unicorn with him in street no.8 Habsiguda. His diagnosis first. With the tools he had he was able to isolate the issue with a loosed valve, compression leak/air leak. Otherwise the engine was in excellent temperature. Although I could only drive upto 50km per hour otherwise my bike would loose compression and stop. I never revved my bike beyond 5500 rpm. My mechanic was able to temporarily fix the issue but the problem of air leak and compression loss kept recurring. I was game to do an engine over haul, but after consulting various mechanics and a honda unicorn mechanic, they all said one thing. honda engines especially unicorn is relaiable and should go very well till about 80k to 1 lakh kilometers. Do do and engine over haul now and spend 7 to 9k rupees is just not worth the money I have paid for the unicorn.. After much patience and support from my fellow bikers and communities, I have decided to part with my first bike.
So good bye to Unicorn. Welcome Home Royal Enfield. I can live with oil leaks and failed parts from a Indian Royal enfield. But never a blown up engine from Japanese Honda.