Honda SP160

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.

The Honda SP160 is based on the same platform as the popular Unicorn and should have similiar strengths like good comfort, exceptional fuel efficiency, as well as durability and reliability in the long run. 

The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is one of the best options in the sporty commuter bike segment and will offer you good performance and features without sacrificing comfort and practicality. Do bear in mind that if you are a tall person, then this bike will feel a little cramped, especially with its tight seat-to-footpeg distance.

Coming to the TVS Ronin, this bike will offer you more performance and comfort than the other 150/160cc options you're looking at, but it will return lower fuel economy. And since you're looking at the base variant, you'll only get single-channel ABS like the smaller bikes. 

The Yamaha FZ-X Hybrid will likely be the most fuel-efficient machine of this lot, but it offers lacklustre performance, and its comfort levels aren't that high either.

Our advice would be to take a test ride of everything you shortlist before making a decision. 

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. 

For your specific needs, a straightforward 125/160cc commuter bike would be the best fit. If mileage is the absolute top priority, then going for something in the 125cc space like the Honda Shine, Hero Super Splendor / Glamour models will be advisable. 

If you want something a little more powerful, then bikes like the Honda Unicorn / SP 160, Bajaj Pulsar N160 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V single-seat variants are machines you should look at. 

The Avenger will be able to do what you are looking for. But being a cruiser, its ergonomics are very laidback, and its suspension isn't the most comfortable either. 

We would recommend taking a two-up test ride of each bike you consider before you make up your mind. 

The Yamaha FZ-X Hybrid is a reliable, proven, fuel-efficient and decently comfortable machine which will serve you well inside the city. 

The Honda SP160 is essentially a re-skinned Unicorn with a few more features. So, its performance and fuel economy too will be very similar to that bike. 

Both of these Japanese commuters are decent options in the class and we would encourage you to take a test ride of both to determine which one suits you better. 

Since you have a rather long daily commute, we would recommend you stick with 160cc options like the Honda Unicorn / SP160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160. All options are comfortable, fuel-efficient and reasonably peppy, although the TVS and Bajaj will have an edge over the Honda. 

If you still wish to go with something smaller for the benefit of fuel efficiency, our top picks are the TVS Raider, Hero Xtreme 125R, Honda Shine / SP125, Honda CB125 Hornet and the Hero Glamour / Super Splendor models. The traditional commuter options will have fewer features and more straightforward riding positions. While the sporty, premium 125s will have a little more pep in their step, a sportier rider's triangle and more features.

Take a test ride of everything you shortlist before making a decision. 

Since you have owned a Pulsar and are attached to it, you could stay within the Bajaj fold and get the newer Pulsar N160. The N160 will be a big step up in terms of ride and handling, refinement and comfort from your old Pulsar 150.

On the other hand, Bajaj is preparing to refresh the entire Classic Pulsar (the 125, 150 and 220F) portfolio later this year, and you could wait for some months and get one of these new bikes instead, too. 

If you want to look outside the Bajaj umbrella, options like the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Honda SP160 / Unicorn are worth considering. 

Take a test ride of these bikes so you can make a more informed purchase. 

In the 150-160cc commuter bike space, you have a good variety of options from different brands to choose from. Among the straightforward, simple commuter options, bikes like the Honda Unicorn / SP160 and Yamaha FZ models will be a good fit with their excellent fuel economy as well as comfortable ride and seating position. 

If you want something a little sportier, you could even consider the Bajaj Pulsar N160, which will also give you some features like a USD fork, which isn't found in most other bikes in the class. The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is also a great option, but it can feel a little cramped, especially in the leg region. So we would recommend a test ride for all of these bikes before you decide. 

Since you have a longer commute, with its longer suspension and bigger wheels, a motorcycle will be more comfortable than a scooter, so we recommend going with a bike only.