Nice bike, but expensive if something goes wrong. Review on Honda Unicorn 150 cc

I am a owner of 2005 Honda Unicorn - Black - Kick Start; and overall I should say it is a nice machine to have, but only until everything goes smoothly. If, due to any reason something goes wrong, or you have any engine problem, you will have to pay so much, and it is really tough to bring back the smoothness of the bike.

I bought this bike is 2005 February, and was really happy to see the smoothness, silent engine and fast pick-up of Unicorn. Everything went nice; I drove on 100kmph+ speed, in rain, in winters, in night; and in summers of Delhi. There was almost no problem, instead of few times broke of Visor(the plastic cover near the headlamp – costs around Rs 450) by minor slipping and even taking hard brake. There is no solution to it.

Then the nightmare came. I call this nightmare, because it happened in one bad night of July 2007. The Bike was parked outside my home, and it rained heavily. I was not worried much, till I saw in morning that the bike has fallen in water, and the engine is seized. I was not even able to kick the bike, it was jammed completely.

As I was unable to start the bike, I dragged it to a nearby mechanic(first time I gave it to mechanic – I used to give it to authorized service centers only). After some inspection, he said that it may take a day or two to make the bike running. He changed few parts – clutch plate, engine parts and all, with Honda parts as he showed me bills and I gave Rs 3500 for this.

The bike was running like ok, with little noise. But one bad day again after a month, while coming from office(Noida) through DND road, the bike noise heavily and jammed again on middle of road. Somehow I dragged it to same mechanic, and he said the piston is CRACKED.There was no option but to give him more then Rs 3000 again for the repair, as at that time I was unable to bring it to any Honda service centers(Two were in Okhla – around 10 Km away from there).

And, after around 2 months, same story happened – PISTON CRACKED again while leaving from office in Noida. This time also I dragged it to a nearby mechanic in sector 52 as I had no option. He charged 4500, and bike is running since then. In between I gave it to service centers for oil change and minor service, and they said the bike is OK.

And, I don’t feel the smoothness of the bike anymore; Visor has been broken again(by taking a sudden break) and I think I should do some Jugad. Engine is noising and giving black smock, and I fear what to do.

Please give your suggestions and comments.:)