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 riden 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 u the 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 didnt push it too much becaz I wanted to follow the run in peroid strictly...But I have attained speeds upto 70 kmph and ofen crossed that mark...U have to look at the dials to know the speed ...u cant notice it getting to 70kmph mark...Especially in highways u wont notice ur speed unless u 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 u wont know ur 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 doesnt Roar like a pulsar ..but accelerates very quickly & smoothly...it has dual air jackets creating dual air streams for better heat dispersion...
But I have noticed a problem in my bike I donot know whether it is common with other Unicorn’s ..in morning’s it rejects to start with the first press of the e-starter..u 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 problomatic in city traffic ..u 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 ..u can cruise endlessly in 5 th gear forever..
I have also noticed that the bike doesnt rev hard like the pulsar..it gains 40 to 50 kmph in 3rd gear without going above 4000rpm..Honda has to be heavily parised for thier gear box ..I wonder why Bajaj cant 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 everthin else..knee reces on the tank are very good , They can accomidate ur 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 havent 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 mater..
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 becaz my horn was un audable , ...it felt very frustated ’’’such a big bike and such a petite horn’’’...Honda says it is complaint to the latest sound pollution norms .....Complaint my foot ..I just hate the horn..[ I am going to change it with more powerful one ]
Mileage
The mileage of my bike cant 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 akward and ugly to me...[ HAS Any 1 seen a super bike with dual shocks]....Heeee ; )
PROBLEM WITH ACCESORIES
As I will be travelling long distances for my colleage ..I do not want to carry books on my back ...so can any 1 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 tires are not as good as the one on latest pulsar...they manage to do a decent job...
Braking s absolutely phenominal...2 days ago when I was crusiing t 60 kmph on NH-5 Behind a truck ..A Fertilizer bag droped out of it becaz it was not fastened properly...I was just behind the truck ..Thanks to the braking and handling escaped it without a glitch...Just imagine the 60--0 Kmph De-acceleration...the bike was planted ..I cant imagine what would have happened if I hadnt reacted properly to the situation
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Ever 1 knows the Pro’s of unicorn lets go to the con’s 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 becz they cant wait
I bet this is one of the major factor causing a deteriation in sales
I hope u guys liked the review ..I put my max into it
I will update after few weeks to buy or not is ur choice so U DECIDE
I Enjoyed my birthday ride
cheers
Dharani