Delhi

Every helpful action can earn a badge.

•12w

I am planning to buy a new motorcycle, and my priorities are reliability, good fuel efficiency, and low cost of ownership. I am currently confused between the Honda Unicorn 160 and the Bajaj Pulsar N160 (single-seat, single-channel ABS variant). Which of these two would be the better choice? Also, are there any other motorcycles in this segment that I should consider based on my requirements?

•12w

It seems that you value peace of mind over everything else, so choosing an unimpeachable product like the Honda Unicorn will be a safer bet. The Unicorn can't match the Pulsar in terms of outright performance, handling or features, but it consistently provides reliable transportation to lakhs of Indians, which makes it the better fit for your needs.

It would also be advisable to throw the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V into the mix. To be sure, take test rides of all three before you make your decision.

Explore bikes mentioned

Honda Bikes

Unicorn

from ₹1.24 Lakh

TVS

Apache RTR 160 4V

from ₹1.31 Lakh

•11w•

@saurabh.q4 go with unicorn 160 if you prioritise long term reliability, fuel efficiency and low TCO on overall life time of the bike is styling is not a choice. It lasts for 7-8 years in good state with same quality of ride and mileage, if maintained in well condition.

More posts on similar bikes

•3d

Is Bajaj Pulsar 220F a good choice for daily commute of 50km?

•2h

In isolation, the Bajaj Pulsar 220F is a proven workhorse with a punchy engine, comfortable rider's traingle position and good highway stability, which makes it well-suited for longer daily runs. It is also relatively affordable to maintain and has a wide service network, which is important for a high-mileage commuter.That said, the 220F is now nearly 2 decades old and has only seen regulatory and minor feature-related updates since. It does not offer the refinement or modern features of newer-generation bikes in the segment. If your commute is mostly highway and you don't mind the old-school feel of the 220F, it can make sense for you. However, if you are looking for a more modern package with better refinement, consider Bajaj's own Pulsar N250, the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V or Honda Hornet 2.0 as similiarly-priced and comparable alternatives. Try to take a test ride of all four before you make your decision to see where your preferences lie.

Bajaj Pulsar N250

Bajaj Pulsar 220F

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Honda Bikes Hornet 2.0

•1d

When will deliveries of the Honda Rebel 300 begin?

•3h

Deliveries of the new Honda Rebel 300 (both the standard & E-Clutch variants) are likely to begin by the end of this year or latest in the first quarter of 2027. For a more specific timeline, if you have pre-booked the motorcycle, we'd recommend reaching out to your nearest BigWing dealer.

Honda Bikes Rebel 300

•4d

I am 30 years old and my body weight is 58 kg and I am 5'3" tall. In July 2025, I had a lumbar microdiscectomy surgery. I work as a physiotherapist so I have to travel around 40 km daily on my bike. Which is the most fuel efficient bike in the 150cc segment at low price?

•4d

Given your long 40km daily commute, a history of back issues and valuing fuel efficiency and a good price, the Honda Unicorn is the best fit in the 150-160cc category. It has a very comfortable and upright riding position, a well-padded seat and a soft suspension setup that absorbs bad roads well, which is important for your back. The engine is smooth and refined, and Honda’s reliability and low maintenance costs make it a sensible long-term choice. It is not the most feature-rich bike in the segment, but it does the basics extremely well and is known for its comfort and durability.If you instead want something that looks and feels a little sportier, then look at the Hero Xtreme 160R 4V. The Xtreme is a lightweight, comfortable, feature-rich and proven offering which adds a dash of style to the proven commuter recipe. The Xtreme is a good deal more expensive than the Unicorn but also brings in more features and better mechanicals to justify that premium. Take test rides of both and see which one is more comfortable for you as well as in your budget before you make your decision.

Honda Bikes Unicorn

Hero MotoCorp Xtreme 160R 4V

View all Posts

Has E20 fuel affected your mileage?

Expert reviews worth reading

Is ADAS worth paying extra for in a car?

Popular discussions right now

•5d

I'm planning to purchase my first motorcycle and have narrowed down my options to the Bajaj Pulsar N160 SS and Dominar 250. My primary usage will be short daily commutes of approximately 5-6 km one way in Hyderabad's traffic (around 12km two way), with occasional longer rides. I'm a relatively new rider, so low-speed usability, manoeuvrability and ease of handling matter to me. The N160 SS appeals to me because of its lighter weight, Crawl Tech, TFT and city-friendly characteristics. However, the Dominar 400 has been my dream motorcycle for the past ten years, ever since it was launched in India while I was still in school. While the Dominar 400 remains my dream bike, the Dominar 250 seems like a reasonable compromise for my primarily urban use, offering some of that Dominar experience without going straight for the 400. I've ridden the Dominar 400 and found it surprisingly manageable and planted, but I haven't been able to test-ride the Dominar 250 because dealerships don't have test-ride units. I've also heard that the Dominar 250 lacks low-end urgency, requires frequent gear changes in slow traffic and is relatively heavy for city use. On the other hand, my uncle, who has owned a Dominar 400 for years and uses it in Hyderabad, has suggested that the Dominar 250 could be a reasonable choice for my requirements. The Dominar 250 is currently quoted at approximately Rs. 2.42 lakh (on-road), compared with around Rs. 1.86-1.94 lakh for the N160 SS. Given my usage, beginner experience and long-standing desire to own a Dominar, would you recommend the N160 SS as the more sensible long-term choice, or is the Dominar 250 a motorcycle that I could realistically grow into and enjoy despite its compromises? I would particularly appreciate your thoughts on low-speed tractability, bumper-to-bumper traffic, manoeuvrability for a beginner, and whether the Dominar's additional weight and cost are justified for someone whose riding will primarily be urban.

•4d

There's no doubt that the Bajaj Dominar 250 will fit the bill well for your needs as a first-time motorcyclist. However, what stops us from recommending it wholeheartedly is that the smaller Dominar sells in extremely microscopic numbers which means sometimes you'll be waiting a long time for a small part, leaving your bike out of action which is never a good thing. Truth be told, the Dominar 400 (especially since it is now powered by a downsized 349cc motor) is a perfectly acceptable first bike and since you have had an inclination towards the Dominar for a long time, why not go ahead and scratch and that itch! The only caveat here would be that the Dominar is a hefty machine, weighing 190kg, which can catch you off-guard at slow-speed scenarios but in time, you'll get used to it. On the other hand, if you don't want to deal with the extra weight and purchasing cost of the Dominar 400, then the Pulsar N160 SS is a very different but nonetheless, a great option for a beginner. It has a peppy engine, predictable handling, good comfort and comes with all the latest gizmos and gadgets that people these days want their two-wheelers to be festooned with. Not to mention, it will also be far more fuel efficient than the Dominar. These are 2 very different bikes which will give you starly different experiences so its best you take a test ride and see which one you're leaning towards more before you make your decision.

Bajaj Dominar 250

Bajaj Dominar 400

Bajaj Pulsar N160

View all Posts