Sep 21, 2005 05:55 PM
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(Updated Sep 21, 2005 05:55 PM)
Honda Unicorn
List price (ex-showroom,
Mumbai) Rs 50,059
Top speed 113kph
0-60kph 5.86sec
Kpl 51.3 (overall)
For Smooth engine, refinement
Against Poor switchgear,
lack of self-starter
Honda uses to good effect noticeably taller gear ratios coupled with a slightly higher peak torque of 1.3kgm at 5500rpm, 1000rpm lower than the Bajaj. The Honda's exhaust is muted and lost in traffic, drumming out a pleasant beat at higher speeds. A paper air-filter element and Keihin CV carburettor are the norm, while an in-built two-way air-jacket creates dual air streams for better heat dispersion.
Friction-cutting bearings for the rocker arms are present on both the Unicorn as well as the Pulsar. The Honda motor offers an offset crankshaft, reducing friction loss and guaranteeing sunny utilisation of combustion energy. Honda's miserly attitude in leaving out even a self-starter on the Unicorn is a serious error and merits brisk rectification.
On the test track, both bikes showed acutely different natures and yet came up with comparable results. There is a performance difference — the Pulsar shoots off the blocks on its petite rims and maintains a narrow, but perceptible lead on the Unicorn to the fag end. However, it loses out with an insignificantly lower top speed of 108kph to the Unicorn's 113kph.
The Unicorn frame is diamond type with a single, down-tube. Its engine hooks in as a stressed member, while the rear differs from all current Indian bikes offering a monoshock ally for its beefy swingarm. Monoshock implies a single-shock absorber (three-way adjustable in the Unicorn's case), placed close to the swingarm pivot, replacing two individual shockers otherwise commonly seen.
The Unicorn has ride quality with an undoubtedly sporty touch, surely not as pampering as the Pulsar but adequate enough for a good ride quality. The Honda is shod with puncture-resistant 3.00 x 18-inch rubber at the rear.
Brake evaluation sessions for both bikes from 60kph turned out equally fender-bending stop distances with the Pulsar DTS-i halting in 15.53 metres to the Unicorn's 16.06 metres. The feel through the Pulsar’s lever is decidedly sharper, while the Unicorn borders on the correct side of a thin line between progression and a woolly lever.
Honda Unicorn New Pulsar 150 DTS-i
Dimensions
(L/W/H) 2090/750/1095mm 1990/750/1035mm
Ground clearance 168mm 165mm
Wheelbase 1340mm 1330mm
Fuel tank capacity 13lt 15lt
Kerb weight 139kg 139kg
Price (ex-showroom, Mumbai) Rs 50,059 Rs 52,000)
Engine
Layout Single-cylinder,4-stroke, air-cooled Single-cylinder,4-stroke, air-cooled
Displacement 149.1cc 143.9cc
Max power 13.3bhp@8000rpm 13.5bhp@8500rpm
Max torque 1.3kgm@5500rpm 1.25kgm@6500rpm
Specific output 89.2 bhp per lt 93.8 bhp per lt
Power to weight 95.6 bhp per tonne 98.5 bhp per tonne
Installation Inclined from vertical Inclined from vertical
Construction Alloy block and head Alloy block and head
Bore/stroke 57.3/57.8mm 57/56.4mm
Valve gear 2 per cylinder, sohc 2 per cylinder, sohc
Compression ratio 9.1 :1 9.5:1
Ignition and fuel CDI,CV carburettor CDI,CV carburettor
Gearbox
Type Manual 5-speed Manual 5-speed
Suspension
Front Telescopic forks Telescopic forks
Rear Monoshock, dual sided swingarm Gas dual shocks, dual sided swingarm
wheels and tyres
Made of Wire-spoke 6-spoke aluminium-alloy
Wheel size (front/rear) 18x1.60/ 18x1.85 inches 1.6x17/2.5x17 inches
Tyres (front/rear) 2.75 x 18/3.00 x 18 2.75 x 17/100/90 x 18
Brakes
Front 240mm disc 240mm disc
Rear 130mm drum 130mm drum
Acceleration from rest (Surface dry)
Kph Sec
10 0.62
20 1.14
30 1.79
40 2.83
50 4.20
60 5.86
70 8.26
80 11.36
90 15.36
100 22.64
Kph Sec
10 0.53
20 0.91
30 1.61
40 2.75
50 3.83
60 5.35
70 7.60
80 10.12
90 13.86
100 100 22.03
Acceleration (kph)
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100
2nd 3rd 4th 5th
2.60 3.94 - -
3.92 5.02 6.91
5.29 6.30 8.85
2nd 3rd 4th 5th
2.10 3.28 - -
3.36 4.18 4.85
4.82 4.94 6.67
Braking 60-0kph 15.53m/1.85s 60-0kph 16.06m/2.03s
Fuel economy (kpl) Highway 52.7 City 49.9 Overall 51.3 Highway 51.5 City 47.3 Overall 49.4
Speedo error Speedo kph/True kph
20/20,40/37,60/56,
80/72,100/88 Speedo kph/True kph
20/18,40/37,60/55,
80/74,100/94
Overall Rating
