Unicorn - Unique Bike. Review on Honda Unicorn 150 cc

In almost everything is life, there are always two sides. A coin has a head and tail. A workplace has someone who gets more visibility without doing much work as his compatriot, you can have a CRT monitor or a LCD monitor, a desktop or a laptop .When it comes to Motorcycles, you can have Honda Unicorn or another bike.

If you are someone who is very interested in looks rather than performance, please stop here. For others, allow me to continue to introduce to you to one of the true International Bike.

Engine

As a company, Honda was just another japanese firm. But one fine day, they discovered that their core strength lies in Engines. And when they started producing it, they never turned back. Unicorn too comes from the same DNA.

The Unicorn's engine, which was developed specially for Indian conditions, is also the most powerful, generating a peak power of 13.3 bhp at 8, 000 rpm. Honda has loaded the Unicorn's engine with technological features, such as a constant velocity carburettor, a two-way air jacket, roller rocker arm, multi-mapping, pulse exhausts system and an offset crank.( Source: The Hindu Busines Line- 28/11/2004)

For specifications, please visit https://honda2wheelersindia.com/unicorn/flying_machine/specifications.asp

Design

The front headlamps looks really male. And the light from the Halogen lamp is good enough to view atleast 30 mts clearly. Its as bright as your spouse's face when you present a gift on a significant day. The body design is not as great as other competitors like Pulsar, but it’s kind of ok. The tail lamps are big and almost match your Maruti 800.(800 owners, pls forgive me.)  And I really liked the petrol tank design.  I am 6ft tall and I get a very comfortable sitting posture with my knee resting on the curve design in the petrol tank.

Suspension

This is one of those areas that Honda Unicorn stands at the top as a separate breed. The Unicorn is equipped with Mono Suspension which is different from the conventional twin shock absorbers. It has single shock absorber under the seat which helps maintain the balance with the gravity. On the practical front, I have really found it to be very effective. I could feel the difference when I drive along the bumpy roads. The smoothness is really soothing. Like the feeling that you get when you kid slides its hands on your face. Well. Better than those Raymonds -)

Pickup, Speed and Mileage

The pickup of the Unicorn is quite pulsating. I was able to accelerate from 0 to 60 in 8 seconds. And handling of the machine in lower speed at higher gears is also very good.  And I haven’t observed any false neutral problems as well.

In terms of speed, I was able to touch 100kmph, though was not able to maintain it for longer time. And yes, vibration is close to zero. On the lighter side, I had a small race with a Pulsar in Chennai. It was from a place called Guindy till the Airport, where the road is relatively free. The pulsar guy tried his best to beat me, but after I took the challenge serious, I have always had him at the back.  It’s like beating the competitor with my technical superiority.

In terms of mileage, I believe Unicorn is the front runner. I have been driving it for 18 months now and I get a consistent mileage of 55kmpl at an average driving speed around 70 kmph. For a 150cc engine that’s a steal. And remember this is after 18 months. So much is the consistency of this week. Fortunately our cricketers do not endorse for it.

Braking

Unicorn is equipped with front disk and rear drum brakes. The disk is good, stops immediately and the rear supports it well. My brother was speeding up at around 80 kmph on the national highway with my mom in the pillion, when suddenly a bicycle guy came from no where. My brother applied both the brakes, and thanks to the sturdiness of the bike and brake, he stopped almost kissing the bike. Though it’s more on the driving maturity, you still need to have support from your bike. I have seen the disk of a CBZ of my friend shattered to pieces when he tried to apply it over a speed breaker. Unicorn for a change is a lot better with its brakes.

Tuff up tube

The Unicorn comes with a unique Puncture resistant Tuff up tube which they say will enable you to drive for a certain distance(think its 200 kms. Not really sure though) even if a nail has pierced through the tyre. I haven’t had a chance to test it since I did not land up in any puncture situations in 18 months. A safe driver ah….

General

The Unicorn has also its set of cons. You will have to use Choke  [cold start ] to start every morning and have to drive some distance with the choke on before the vehicle gets into rhythm. It’s a little more bulky than you think and you need to exercise little care in turnings. The disk is pretty sharp and might be difficult for people who are used to 100CC bikes. These are common complaints in any 150cc bike. Of course, the Unicorn doesn’t have the greatest of looks which is far sure the primary factor which lets it down.

The climax is, if you are looking at a decent performer with an internationally proven technology, which expects nothing expect for a timely service, Unicorn is an asset and its companion for life. In short, it’s the Toyota Corolla of the bike segment.