I welcome your experience & comments.
Model:- Honda Unicorn 150CC, Kick start.
Year:- 2005 (got it after 3 months of its launch in India)
City of purchase:- Mumbai, Drove 3.5 years in Mumbai & now using it in Vadodara.
Breaf:-
You must be aware Honda has launched Unicorn in India in 2005.
Brief History:- Previously I was driving my friend's Bajaj boxer 100cc & papa's 100cc Hero Honda.
Those days I was in search of Bike to own one. I was working in Mumbai, in Mahindra R&D as a Engine Designer.
I have compared lot of available models of Bajaj, TVS, & Hero Honda. Never knew that Honda is launching bike in India.
== Buying== Decision:- As soon as it was declared that Honda is launching 150CC bike, I have immediately booked one without thinking & analyzing much, relying on Brand name.
Initially want to buy gray color with electric start, but it was having 6 months waiting period & traditional black color with Kick start was available with 3 months waiting time. Hence I opted for Black color with Kick start, complete price of bike including registration & insurance was 56000/-.
I want to share my learning & experiences while selecting & buying bike.
My experience with Bike (2005 till today, Nov 2010 & using):- Total Run is more than 30, 000 Kms, initial two years running was very less. Still I am driving bike daily around 40 Kms.
Ride comfort with bike is excellent. I have received same comments without asking from co-riders (wife & friends). Rider hardly knows about small bumps on road. one can understand if he drives any other bike.
I have maintained regular service intervals after 1st year free service. Servicing is getting done only at company service centers. Maintain bike by regular dusting & cleaning.
My Driving (riding) Style:- I have set some ground rules to myself for driving, Speed:- When I am driving alone I will drive with speed of 20 to 60 in City, 80 on highways. When I am driving with co passenger, I drive with 20- 40 in city & 60 on highways. Riding:-I void rash driving, no cutting in, Use of clutch is minimal, uses only for gear shifting at low speeds.
Major failures/Part Changes in 5 years :- 1) Front Rim got rusty in 2nd year. I have got Rim replaced, even warranty got finished, free of cost by reporting quality problem to Dealer & Honda. With new model I found paint quality is improved.
2) After 2years of normal use, in around 3rd year my use of bike increased to 150 to 200km a week. I use to drive bike on Mumbai western highway with speed of 80Kmph. with this speed engine Oil consumption goes substantially up as engine RPM reaches to 8000-9000 rpm . Before service period (frequency 3 month) my engine oil got drained up. Hence I got savior problem of Engine valve jamming & ultimately emergency situation for bike. I got valves replaced free of charge from Honda.
After that I am checking Engine oil frequency to keep watch, but got refilled only once before required frequency of 3 months. Since they don't have Electric indicator for oil level it is painful. actually non of Indian bikes have it, don’t know if recently it has been added. It is very common feature with Cars.
3) in beginning of 2010 I have started facing new problem with Suspension. With two people total weigh crossing 150 kg, Suspension is getting fully pressed causing chassis getting hit to each other. But if only I am riding (at max with my wife & child) total less than 150 Kg, there is no issue. Hence I am living with this problem. Comfort level is Perfect. I am running with end setting with Suspension, may be in next 12months I need to change it, let's see.
4) Vibration problem with rear lamp, creates resonance noise at certain (@ 3000RPM).
5) Speedometer is not working since Year, mechanic told me problem is with Dial, require to change complete cluster. But I didn’t change it as Engine RPM meter is ok shows engine RPM.
5) Replaced rear sprocket wheel & Chain after aprox 10000Km due to lack of tention & setting fot ended up, cost was very less, Rs 350.
6) Rear Break, liner replaced at aprox 10000km. Blame to Mumbai trafic, cost was not much (don't remember)
Why I love Unicorn:- 1) Astonishing Riding comfort
2) Highly reliable. Even with Kick start it was very smooth. No need to touch accelerator.
3) Tires are still in very good condition, last month got only one puncture in rear tire.
4) Acceleration/ Pickup is very good, maneuverability & control in busy streets is very good.
5) noise & vibration is very less, like its silent performance.
6) Even at high speeds bike remains under control
7) Some times I felt need to have wider rear tire to have even more control for Sharper turns. But I know it will eat up or increases Fuel consumption ultimately mileage drops down. hence never changed them.
8) Over all fitment, workman ship & Wiring is very good, never faced any problem, even in seasons of heavy rains of Mumbai.
9) seat & Tank Geometry gives very good feeling of control over bike.
10) Milage:- I am getting 50 -55 Km/lit with city driving, 55 to 60 kmpL with moderate@ 60kmph driving speed on Highways
11) Body color :- never got fed up.
Summery:- It is consistant & Good milage bike in segment.
Also it is very relible & comfort ride bike. It is also for those who love to drive & never ends enjoying it. Instrument Clustor (Dials) should have additional indicator for oil level.
For New Buyer:- I suggest to choose first CC of bike (ultimatly Power requirement), then Budget.
100 -125 CC bike are milage bikes, 150CC & above are for pleasure biking. 150cc range is balance between milage & pleasure. 180cc & above will give very good for pick up but definaly not for milage concious people, milage drips down to 30 kmpl & below.
Unicorn 150CC is very good option to have best driving performance & milage, it can give milage of even 60Kmpl (for people like my friend, Abhi, who drives very sensibally). Drive bike below 5000 Engine RPM gives very silent performance (like Splender). Beyond that it is Rocket.
Servicing & Maintainance cost:- @ Rs 3000 every year, including every thing (spairs, oil etc) & servicing overheads.
Note:- Don't opt for any of surface coating (Teflon Coating!!!) to protect body paint, they claim it as scratch free & all. I have done it in 1st year & never found it benificial, inpite tank had lot of scratches.
Safe riding......
