This is my experience with my new Honda Unicorn. To start off, I booked the bike by the month of May 2010 and got delivered by October 2010. After countless follow-ups with the showroom at last my bike got delivered, "The Black CB Unicorn"
I was asked to come and collect the bike by 2 in the afternoon. I went there, registration was completed and my bike was standing like a king among others. (I know its too much still, I love my bike). They had to fit the number plates and engine guard. The danger light kit was missing. After waiting for couple of hours, the bike was handed over to a kid (18-20 year old I believe) who didnt know how to handle the tools properly. He struggled atleast for an hour to fit the danger light kit at last a trained technician took over and helped him fit it. By the time I got the bike in hand it was 6.30 in the evening. Almost 4 and a half hours of waiting. Done...
My first ride was to office as I had my shift beginning at 6.30 PM. Already delayed but got permission to go late. It was a 30 KM ride. Drove the bike not exceeding 40 KMPH, even in highways :-(. I felt the engine was so smooth where I couldnt hear any sound from it at all. After the 30 KM ride, I started getting back pain. I realized that its because of the rear suspension. It had 3 steps, reduced it to make it softer. It was all the way up to hard.
Rode the bike for couple of days and got used to the gear shift (I had CT100 which had a different gear shift pattern.). I felt the bike is slippery in rainy season. Maybe I need to get used to control the bike better. My friends who own unicorn said it will be like that till the tyres are worn a little bit. The maximum speed I touch so far is 55 KM.
After 10 days of ride, here are my observations about the bike. Both positive and the negative:
Positives:
Very smooth ultra fine engine. You wont feel any vibration.
"Comfortable bike" as Honda pretends, you will get a wing and fly ;-), so No back pain.
Good mileage (filled the tank, crossed 550 KM and the fuel gauge is half way through)
No starting problem so far.
No cold start problem so far.
Negatives:
customtakeouter service in the showroom NEEDS improvement.
Noticed few parts of the body started rusting. Question of quality.
Wobbling of front doom and danger light which makes unusual noise.
Hope the initial problems will be sorted out after the first service tomorrow. See you guys until then!!!
Here is the specs about her :-)
Weight / Measurment Dry Weight 126 Kg (Kick) 130 Kg (Self) Kerb Weight 139 Kg (Kick) 142 Kg (Self) Length
2090 mm Width 750 mm Height 1095 mm Wheelbase 1340 mm Seat Height 790 mm Ground Clearance 168 mm Fuel Tank Capacity (Full ) 13 L Reserve Tank Capacity 1.3 L Performance Max Speed 101 kmph Acceleration (0-200m) 12.1 Seconds Overtaking Acceleration for 200 m (at 40kmph) 12.1 Seconds Acceleration (0-60 kmph) 5 Seconds Mileage (in Indian Mode) 60 kmpl Body Frame Advanced Design Diamond Frame Front Suspension Telescopic Rear Suspension Advance Technology Mono suspension
Front Tyre 2.75 x 18" Rear Tyre 3.00 X 18" Front Brake Type 240 mm Disc Rear Brake Type 130 mm Drum Engine & Transmission Engine Type 4 St, Air Cooled OHC Single Cylinder Displacement 149.1 cc Net Power 13.3 bhp @ 8000 rpm (9.9 kW) Torque 1.3 Kg-m @ 5500 rpm (12.8 Nm) Air Filter Paper Type Carburettor CV Type ACG Power Generating Capacity 125 W Oil Capacity 1.2 L Transmission Constant Mesh, 5 Speed gear (1 down - 4 up) Gear Shift Pattern 1 Down - 4 Up Electricals Ignition Digital CDI (Multi Mapping) Battery 12V - 2.5 Ah (Kick) 12V - 7 Ah (Self) Headlamp Halogen (12V/35W) Tail / Stop lamp 12V - 21W (5W)
Review Update :
Hey Guys! Thanks for your comments!. I got the bike after the service and the initial problems were resolved. No resolution for rusting yet. They just covered it with oil when I got my bike back but after a rain, it started to show its color. Wobbling issues were taken care in the first service.
Yes, the backpain issue got fixed after I changed the settings for the rear shock to soft.
Bike is still smooth as I took it from service but I experience a mild vibration if I drive at 4000 RPM. If the RPM increases or decreases above/below that, there is no vibration at all. Need to fix that in the next service.
I drive around 50-55 KMPH and got a mileage of 55 KMPL. Happy with that :). I ride in highways everyday so I believe it will give 50 KMPL if I drive in the city. Crossed 2300 KM so far.
There are problems with gear shift, its a bit tight and had to engage it hard even when when I have engaged the clutch completely. Sometimes the gear just doesnt change at all, eg., If I am driving in 4th gear and want to move to 5th, I had to try pressing the lever atleast for 3 or 4 times, till that time it just remains in 4th gear itself. Hope this as well will be addressed in the next service.
See you guys later! Till then.. Adios!