Bajaj Pulsar N160

The Honda Unicorn and SP160 you are considering are mechanically near identical, sharing their engines, chassis and quite a few features. Where they differ is in their styling and riding position, so choosing between these two will come down to your personal preference for which bike you and your pillion find more comfortable. 

The TVS Apache RTR 160 2V is a proven machine, but its older engine can't match the smoothness and refinement that most modern peers in the segment will offer you, and we'd instead suggest you look at the 4V version of the Apache for a better experience. You should also consider the Bajaj Pulsar N160, as that is another competent machine in this class and comes with a single-piece seat on some of its variants, which will meet your comfort requirements nicely. 

All of the aforementioned bikes have mostly flat and wide single-piece seats, which should be conducive to rider and pillion comfort, and to make an informed decision, we'd recommend a thorough test ride of each with your frequent pillion.

On the test ride, do a 15‑minute two‑up loop; have your pillion check knee bend, seat comfort, and grab‑rail reach. Also, ride over some speed breakers and rough patches to test suspension comfort thoroughly. 

Since you've said that your commute has bad roads, replacing your Jawa 42 with a scooter wouldn't be our recommendation. While they are innately more practical than motorcycles, scooters have their smaller wheels and shorter, thinner suspension units. It won't really enhance your comfort, at least not to a great extent. 

Instead, we would advise you to get a practical 160cc commuter like the Honda Unicorn / SP160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V or Bajaj Pulsar N160. These are comfortable, fuel-efficient and peppy machines perfectly suited to city use. To make an informed decision before you go ahead with your purchase, ensure to take a test ride of all three to see which one you gel with the best.

If, however, you want to go with a scooter as your next purchase, consider the following options. In the family scooter space, the TVS Jupiter 110 / 125 and Suzuki Access would be our top picks. If you want something sportier feeling and looking yet comfortable enough for daily usage, then the TVS Ntorq 125 & 150 are what you should be looking at. 

Again, a test ride of all of these is imperative before you make your decision. Make sure you intentionally go over bad patches of road and make tight, lock-to-lock U-turns to see if the handlebars foul with your knees, since you are a taller rider.

Between the three bikes you've shortlisted, all three are comfortable for city use, but they all sit at very different price points, and it wouldn't be right to compare the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V with the Honda CB350RS and Triumph Speed 400. If you want a straightforward commuter, then sticking to a machine in the 150-160cc space like the aforementioned Apache, Bajaj Pulsar N160, and Honda Unicorn would make sense. 

These bikes will be lighter and easier to manage within the city (which is where you'll spend most of your life), as well as be fuel-efficient and comfortable. 

If instead you do want to look at something more premium, the Honda and Triumph you have shortlisted are also good options. You should also look at the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350 in this segment. These bikes will be larger and more spacious than the 150/160cc options mentioned above, with better build quality, road presence and pillion comfort. 

However, they will demand a little more effort at slow speeds and will also not be as fuel-efficient as the commuters. 

Based on your needs, we'd recommend taking a look at the Honda Unicorn, Bajaj Pulsar N160 single-seat variants and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V. All bikes are well-finished, comfortable and smooth, so you should choose the one you find easiest to manage. 

The service experience is also an area where you should pay extra attention to. Therefore, in that regard, most people have reported Honda's service to be quicker and friction-free compared to Bajaj and TVS. 

We'd recommend a test ride of all three. Also, discuss the service intervals and cost to ascertain which would be the best fit for you. 

Since you already own a 150cc bike, it would make sense for you to stay in this same category. Of the options you have shortlisted, the Honda SP160 and Bajaj Pulsar N160 are the ones we'd recommend you go with. Both are smooth, comfortable, stylish and reliable bikes that will give you the fuel economy you desire when ridden sensibly. Another great option in this class you should take a look at is the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V. 

Make sure you take a test ride of these bikes to see which one suits you best. 

Since you already have a Unicorn, you could stick with Honda and get either a new Unicorn or its more stylish sibling, the SP160. Both are mechanically very similar, with the differences boiling down to features, seating ergonomics and a small price difference. These will return good fuel economy and also be reliable in the long run. It is an important thing to consider since your last bike is 17 years old. 

If you want to look elsewhere, bikes like the Bajaj Pulsar N160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Yamaha FZ models are worth considering. Of these three, the FZ has the best fuel economy but is the least engaging to ride. The Pulsar and Apache have slightly lower fuel efficiency but offer you more comfort, power and features. 

A test ride should help you decide which is the right bike for you.