Dec 14, 2008 08:49 PM
8123 Views
This is my very first review. I am a proud owner of the unicorn. I would like to share my experiences before and after buying the unicorn. I will not get into technical details as mostly everyone knows it and has been discussed in the earlier reviews.
I purchased Unicorn two months back and has clocked 3000 kms till date. I have done lot of research and taken rides on almost all the 150CC bikes (except FZ16) before buying the uni. I did not like pulsar and apache. R15 is very costly so I dropped it. I was confused between Hero honda Hunk and Honda Unicorn. Hunk looks sportier. When I ride Hunk, I liked it. I has the same engine of unicorn but tweaked for performance. I has got good initial pickup compared to Unicorn but lacks top end performance compared to Unicorn. Hunk engine is smooth till 6500 rpm and then it begins to vibrate and the engine sound changes whereas Unicorn remains smooth and vibefree even at speed above 100. The comfort level and mileage is more in Unicorn.
The only -ve of Unicorn is the +ve for Hunk and that is the looks. Hunk has got the deadly looks. I compared the Unicorn with Hunk coz lot of people have confusion choosing them as I had earlier. And then luckily honda released Unicorn Grand Prix edition which has the outstanding looks. It is blue coloured with white stickers and little bit green colour. It is surely a head turner. I immediately booked the Unicorn GPE and was very much happy when came to know that it will be delivered the same day. When I first sat on my Unicorn I observed that they have increased the height slightly more than the first generation unicorn. The engine is same and seems to be more silent.
Coming to looks, whenever I ride my Uni, lot of people especially bikers get crazy to have a glance of this bike. At the signals, people ask me lot of questions regarding the bike as if the bike is newly launched. Honda Unicorn Grand Prix edition has got eyecatching graphics. Even though the bike is not sportier as others but surely catches attention.
I recommend you guys, do not cross 50+ within first 1000 kms that is the runnin period and do not open full throttle till the second servicing as the engine is not tuned for it. I have seen some guys driving there new bikes at crazy speed. It will effect the performance of the bike badly. Open the throttle in a smooth fashion and enjoy the ride as we have got the wings. After the second serciving you can drive as you like as they tune the engine properly. I know some pulsarians and apachecians got mad when they see the Unicorn on the road and try to drive like hell to showoff that they have got the best(according to them). They do that to have fun coz their machines do not provide fun as ours. If you like to drive like crazy look somewhere else as Unicorn is not meant for rash driving. Drive it smooth and fast but not rashly.
Now coming to pickup, it has got decent pickup and does not give sudden jolt of acceleration and jerks, complimenting the most refined and ultra smooth engine it has got. You will feel the same amount of power irrespective of inclines or uneven roads. Engine does not feel any stress when climbing the flyovers while you see other bikers hard to catch up. The gears are at relatively higher rate so you can easily be on 5th gear at the speed of 25 and higher. You can easily move at 3rd gear in the traffic. Its only stop and go when you require to be in the 2nd gear. The gear shifting is ultra smooth. The bike can be started in any gear by holding the clutch and press the start button.
I have seen some guys complaining about its breaking system. According to me it has got excellent progressive braking system. The bike does not stop when you apply the rear break, it will only slow down the bike. We have to apply both the breaks simultaneously to halt the bike. First apply the rear break and then immediately apply the front break, this will stop the bike without any skidding irrespective of the speed.
It has got excellent handling and cornering ability. The bike moves where you want it to be in a straight line stability. It will be somewhat uncomfortable for skinny guys at slower speeds particularly in traffic due to its heavy weight and tight handle. But on normal and high speeds it handles like a feather and glides where you want it to be. It is a fun to drive this bike on a highway. It is perfectly suitable for long rides. Above 50 the bike engine will become very silent and you will feel as if the bike is gliding. It is easy to handle to this bike in the tight corners even though the bike is lenghthier.
The Headlight is very powerful, especially the high beam and covers the entire road. The Horn is average.
The comfort level is superb, you will not feel any back pain. The monoshock handles the potholes very comfortably. One thing I observed is it handles well with a pillion rather than single.
The mileage of this bike is better compared to other bikes in this segment. Currently it is giving me 53-55kmpl in the city and on the highway 57 kmpl. I mostly drive between 55-60 and sometimes 70. One of my friend is getting 57 kmpl in the city and 60+ on the highways which I think is more than enough for a 150CC bike.
Now coming to cons, it has got starting problem in cold days. To start it open the choke, push the start button and when the bike starts do not release the choke, drive the bike for some distance with the choke on without giving extra throttle and then release the choke. It is the easiest method to overcome this problem and this does not stress the engine. It does not have a parking light which I think should be there. I noticed one thing that the silencer gets hot very soon. I asked about this to my friends and relatives who does have Unicorn and it seems to be common.
Overall its a great package.
