In the 150cc motorcycle market in India, Bajaj has the largest market share. The second in place is Honda Unicorn. We all know of the might of Pulsar. It is the celebrated model of Bajaj. But what makes Unicorn in this high a demand? Anybody initially thinking of buying a bike, may not consider Unicorn as the first choice, for one obvious reason - it does not catch eyes on the street. Still then why is Unicorn in this high a demand? Fifth Estate attempts to find the answer.
1. Looks.
The Unicorn is not a sporty looking bike. Infact it is a design of the 1990s, inherited much from its cousin Hero Honda CBZ. And if we go for a comparison, it would fall far behind others in the segment like Yamaha FZ-series, Apache etc. Yamaha FZ is in line with the present European trend, and even Honda bikes sold in Europe has similar looks. See http://ww1.honda.co.uk/motorcycles and the sub section 'Traditional' for an insight.
Well, then again, it is not bad looking either. It has a classic look. And the pretty enormous dimensions (length, width and height) adds to its classicity.
2. Power and Torque.
Unicorn has really impressive figures here. With 13.3 bhp power, Unicorn stands third in the segment, while the toppers are Apache 160 (15.7bhp) and Suzuki GS150R (13.8bhp). The Power figure of Pulsar is a goof. It is in PS (German Horse Power). Not bhp, a trick to make it appear big.
In Torque figures, Unicorn stands fourth with 12.8Nm while the top three positions are held by Yamaha FZ-series (14.0), GS150R (13.4) and Apache (13.1). Note that the much acclaimed Pulsar 150 has only a 12.76 Nm.
Evidently, while riding all these bikes, we feel the difference in the figures. FZ-series, Apache and GS150R have better pickup and fairly good throttle response compared to Unicorn.
A peculiar aspect of the Unicorn’s Torque figure is that it gives Max Torque at 5500 rpm compared to 6000 or 6500 rpm for most other bikes. This would mean that it would give a better response and more comfortable ride at a lower speed in any gear compared to others in the segment. (A sports bike would give max torque at a higher rpm. For example Yamaha R15 gives 15 Nm at 7500 rpm. Pulsar gives max Torque at 6500 rpm. Where as cruiser bikes give max torque (infact enormous values) at very low rpms. For example Bullet 350 gives 32 Nm at just 3000rpm.)
So obviously Unicorn was not designed to be a racing bike. It is a commuter.
3. The Throttle Response - A Paradox.
Even with the high Power and Torque figures Unicorn doesn’t give an impressive throttle response. The reason persumably is its enormous weight (146kg).
4. Max Speed and Vibration.
The initial versions of the Unicorn did not have a handle bar weight. And in the third modification, they brought one, even-though not really sporty looking as in the case of Stunner or Pulsar or Apache or any other bike. And I still believe the handle bar weights in Unicorn are there just part of a cosmetic make up. Anyway, I tried the bike on an open highway above 90kmph without any sort of vibration. But obviously, it is not very comfortable beyond 80kmph, since the engine looses torque beyond that speed in the fifth gear. GS150R fares better here with a sixth gear.
As I have mentioned earlier, due to the torque characteristics, other bikes in the segment like Yamaha FZ-series, Pulsar etc would give better comfort at higher speeds.
Now, this is the one aspect where the enormous weight of Unicorn comes to help. It gives the rider a feeling of safety, which others lack.
5. Braking.
The braking is good and fine and you can be confident enough to go beyond 90kmph and stop the vehicle safely on short notice.
6. Engine Sound.
Much has been said about Unicorn’s silent and smooth engine. It has apparently the most silent engine (that is, the best muffled one).
7. Suspension.
I have been hearing a lot about the Unicorn’s Mono-Suspension. Much has been said for it and against it. Mono-Suspension is obviously the technology used in high-end sports-bikes. In the 150cc segment, other bikes using mono suspension are Yamaha’s FZ-series and R15. It obviously gives the rider a smoother ride. But there is still a controversy whether the mono-suspension really helps the pillion rider or not. Please note that the sports bikes are designed to seat only one person - the rider alone. So, is a fluid-filled-mono-shock better than a gas-filled-twin-shocks? I dont know the answer. But the feed back from the Unicorn owners are generally positive.
8. Mileage.
Exactly it is here that Unicorn wins the game. Unicorn is one of the most fuel efficient bikes in the 150cc segment. It gives a mileage of about 55kmpl on highways, and about 50kmpl on normal city drive. And in my knowledge, this is second best in the class. The highest mileage is apparently claimed by Suzuki GS150R which claims an average 58kmpl when driven in the economy mode (a feature in GS150R). Pulsar with its dual spark and all of course is not very bad here, when we compare it with Yamaha FZ which gives the worst mileage.
Finally, to sum up,
Unicorn’s unique Advantages:
Where does Unicorn loose?
Of-course there is no perfect bike - whether it be in the Indian market or even in the global one. And Unicorn is no perfect a machine by any standards. But it definitely is a best compromise in the segment. There are other good looking bikes, more sporty ones in performance, those with more mileage etc. But if what you want is best of all these, then Unicorn is the one. It is the best compromise for a 150cc.
1. Looks.
The Unicorn is not a sporty looking bike. Infact it is a design of the 1990s, inherited much from its cousin Hero Honda CBZ. And if we go for a comparison, it would fall far behind others in the segment like Yamaha FZ-series, Apache etc. Yamaha FZ is in line with the present European trend, and even Honda bikes sold in Europe has similar looks. See http://ww1.honda.co.uk/motorcycles and the sub section 'Traditional' for an insight.
2. Power and Torque.
Unicorn has really impressive figures here. With 13.3 bhp power, Unicorn stands third in the segment, while the toppers are Apache 160 (15.7bhp) and Suzuki GS150R (13.8bhp). The Power figure of Pulsar is a goof. It is in PS (German Horse Power). Not bhp, a trick to make it appear big.
In Torque figures, Unicorn stands fourth with 12.8Nm while the top three positions are held by Yamaha FZ-series (14.0), GS150R (13.4) and Apache (13.1). Note that the much acclaimed Pulsar 150 has only a 12.76 Nm.
Evidently, while riding all these bikes, we feel the difference in the figures. FZ-series, Apache and GS150R have better pickup and fairly good throttle response compared to Unicorn.
A peculiar aspect of the Unicorn’s Torque figure is that it gives Max Torque at 5500 rpm compared to 6000 or 6500 rpm for most other bikes. This would mean that it would give a better response and more comfortable ride at a lower speed in any gear compared to others in the segment. (A sports bike would give max torque at a higher rpm. For example Yamaha R15 gives 15 Nm at 7500 rpm. Pulsar gives max Torque at 6500 rpm. Where as cruiser bikes give max torque (infact enormous values) at very low rpms. For example Bullet 350 gives 32 Nm at just 3000rpm.)
So obviously Unicorn was not designed to be a racing bike. It is a commuter.
3. The Throttle Response - A Paradox.
Even with the high Power and Torque figures Unicorn doesn’t give an impressive throttle response. The reason persumably is its enormous weight (146kg).
4. Max Speed and Vibration.
The initial versions of the Unicorn did not have a handle bar weight. And in the third modification, they brought one, even-though not really sporty looking as in the case of Stunner or Pulsar or Apache or any other bike. And I still believe the handle bar weights in Unicorn are there just part of a cosmetic make up. Anyway, I tried the bike on an open highway above 90kmph without any sort of vibration. But obviously, it is not very comfortable beyond 80kmph, since the engine looses torque beyond that speed in the fifth gear. GS150R fares better here with a sixth gear.
As I have mentioned earlier, due to the torque characteristics, other bikes in the segment like Yamaha FZ-series, Pulsar etc would give better comfort at higher speeds.
Now, this is the one aspect where the enormous weight of Unicorn comes to help. It gives the rider a feeling of safety, which others lack.
5. Braking.
The braking is good and fine and you can be confident enough to go beyond 90kmph and stop the vehicle safely on short notice.
6. Engine Sound.
Much has been said about Unicorn’s silent and smooth engine. It has apparently the most silent engine (that is, the best muffled one).
7. Suspension.
I have been hearing a lot about the Unicorn’s Mono-Suspension. Much has been said for it and against it. Mono-Suspension is obviously the technology used in high-end sports-bikes. In the 150cc segment, other bikes using mono suspension are Yamaha’s FZ-series and R15. It obviously gives the rider a smoother ride. But there is still a controversy whether the mono-suspension really helps the pillion rider or not. Please note that the sports bikes are designed to seat only one person - the rider alone. So, is a fluid-filled-mono-shock better than a gas-filled-twin-shocks? I dont know the answer. But the feed back from the Unicorn owners are generally positive.
8. Mileage.
Exactly it is here that Unicorn wins the game. Unicorn is one of the most fuel efficient bikes in the 150cc segment. It gives a mileage of about 55kmpl on highways, and about 50kmpl on normal city drive. And in my knowledge, this is second best in the class. The highest mileage is apparently claimed by Suzuki GS150R which claims an average 58kmpl when driven in the economy mode (a feature in GS150R). Pulsar with its dual spark and all of course is not very bad here, when we compare it with Yamaha FZ which gives the worst mileage.
Finally, to sum up,
Unicorn’s unique Advantages:
- Second best mileage in the segment.
- Proven reliability of Honda.
- Second best in dimensions and weight (translates into riding comfort).
- One of the best in power and torque.
- A classic looking bike even though not sporty.
Where does Unicorn loose?
- Looks: First and foremost, this is where Unicorn looses. Same money can buy better looking and more trendy bikes. So, if someone is looking for killer looks, then Unicorn is not the choice.
- Throttle response: If what you are looking for is an aggressive racer, then Unicorn is not the machine. The throttle response is not impressive for a 150cc.
- Delay in supply: It requires lot of patience to become a Unicorn owner. The demand in the market is high and the supply is less. The fast growing economy is the obvious justification. But does that really satisfy the aspirant owners? Honda is obviously on a slow-and-steady pace. They are apparently reluctant on investing hugely on manufacturing facilities (a contrast to the strategy of Tata for Nano).
- Price: The on-road price is a goof. Even the number plates are 'extra-fittings' for Honda. A very bad marketing trick.
- Tyres: The tyres are bad for the price. Honda should provide tube-less tyres for Unicorn.
Of-course there is no perfect bike - whether it be in the Indian market or even in the global one. And Unicorn is no perfect a machine by any standards. But it definitely is a best compromise in the segment. There are other good looking bikes, more sporty ones in performance, those with more mileage etc. But if what you want is best of all these, then Unicorn is the one. It is the best compromise for a 150cc.
Note: The author does not own a Honda Unicorn motorcycle, and is in no way affiliated with Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India Limited, any of its subsidiaries, business partners, associates or dealers. This work is only in an academic interest.
© The Fifth Estate. All rights reserved.
© The Fifth Estate. All rights reserved.
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