I trust only my Honda Unicorn!. Review on Honda Unicorn 150 cc

This is the first review of my bike and the reason why I registered on Mouthshut (I'm a very new guy here!) .

I am not here for the technical review or the praising of my bike and badmouthing anyone else's bike. I will simply state what I have personally experienced with her over the 3 years (Just clocked 32500 odd kms at the time of writing this review)(yes I feel my bike is feminine-and takes care of me a lot!)

Got this bike on Sept 2005 for Rs.56000/-(on road price with taxes, registration and accessories!) and was very unsure of it as it was still not an established player(took my chances as I did not want myself to be one in the crowd then). However the engine, gear shifts, and ride quality (also the build quality) made me forget all my concerns within a few days of commuting. I’m not getting into the looks part as it is highly subjective and me quite happy with what Unicorn was and still is now.

The real reliability and stress force this bike can withstand was proven when our group of 10 people on 5 bikes (2 unicorns, 2 pulsar 150 DTSi mag wheels, 1 pulsar 150 2003 make) made a plan to travel (around 250-270KMs) to Mount Abu from Ahmedabad (year 2006)(I was working there for 2 yrs)

The trip started out wild and fun (7.30AM) and we kept riding with short chill out sprinting and races (maintaining 80+ on highway).Luggage too was there!(2 healthy adults(70kgs average) with travel back packs!) However 2.5 hrs into the journey almost nonstop (one 10 min break in between), the bikes were showing their exhaustion, especially the pulsars as the engines felt they were almost about to burn out…and then it happened, the 2003 pulsar almost ceased and we had to stop for it. We planned to move ahead with the 4 bikes (leaving 1 to cool down).

Just 40 kms to our destination, the other 2 pulsars also started slowing out as the riders observed that their bikes were crying and struggling to go above 60. I was surprised that both the unicorns were still able to maintain the same throttle and pull. But we slowed down for them and carried on with 50kmph odd speedo lest the remaining 2 pulsars cease too! The same story was repeated when we reached the base of Mount abu and had an uphill climb of almost 20 kms.

This incident did make me realize the importance of superior engineering and reliability (Honda has worked on it extraordinarily) when u need it the most (and not just looks and style factor)The pulsar friends too commended our bikes and have since then sold off theirs too (pulsar 2003 was sold few weeks after this trip! My friend was cursing bajaj like anything, And the other 2 pulsars were sold in quick succession in late 2007)

Moreover the leaning so called sporty riding(just for show!) position of the Pulsar meant that the guys riding then had their arms sore and back paining.This contrasted with the Unicorn as the seating is upright and more rider friendly and we reached there still refreshed and ready to adventure in Mount Abu!

(I'm sure some bajaj lovers will be disappointed and shout back but this is the fact. High on looks and low on reliability and performance endurance)

This story made me more adventurous and I decided to try my luck and made a solo trip from Ahmedabad to Mumbai in 2007 (620 odd KMS) in one day. Started at 6AM and reached 8PM.

(mileage obtained in the trip was somewhere 63-64 kms/ltr)

Surprised! Even I was after reaching there as:

1.The bike was maintained at an average 60kms and only 5 rest breaks in the whole trip

1. No engine heatup or loss of pickup and throttle whatsoever.(trip was in April where temperatures were reaching 42 degrees at noon) (I did change oil after this trip just to be safe though!)

3.My body was sore and paining but I know on any other bike I would not have even made this journey! (not willing to try again also!) (mono suspension saved me I guess)

1. Nothing and absolutely nothing (spark plug, oil burning, clutch issues..etc) broke down in the bike in this ordeal (Lucky?)

5.Parents gave me a sound hearing after I told them I came by 2 wheeler from ahmd (and they still were thinking I was joking!)

These incidences have made me firmly believe in Honda products and their quality and reliability.

Till date on my bike I have incurred costs on:

1. 16 periodic servicing (no parts replacement)

   
   




2. Headlamp change

   
   




3. Tube change (bad puncture!)

   
   




4. Seat cover

   
   

To sum up, its virtually running with the same parts as it was given to me 3 years ago even after all the torment I threw at it! And still on date the bike provides a tough fight to the newer bikes.

Currently I am working in bangalore and getting a mileage of 47-49 KpL which is still really good.

Hope my experiences are useful and informative for others and wish you a safe and pleasant riding.

P.S. I am not here to endorse the Honda brand or anything. I only believe in true quality and value for money and peace of mind when you buy a product. I stick to Honda now coz of their extremely reliable products and will be the first to leave the door if I realise they compromise their brand quality for aggressive marketing and eyewash hype. Peace.

Review edited (08/2/09)-

Finally after 3 years and 5 months I had to change my front disk brake pads today. Got it from an authorised service center for Rs. 640/- (for a pair of pads) and my local mechanic did the needful!