Honda Unicorn

autocar.india

•4w

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.

autocar.india

•7w

The Honda Unicorn is a proven and reliable machine, and for someone like yourself that values comfort over performance, it makes sense. The Unicorn's flat, single-piece seat, neutral ergonomics and comfortable suspension will ensure that over bad roads, you're shielded from the jolts to a good degree. Its not as if the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V isn't a comfortable machine but it has a sportier riding position which will not be as comfortable as the Unicorn's upright and neutral one. In the same vein, you should also look at the Bajaj Pulsar N160, especially the variants with a single-piece seat. Overall, the Pulsar and Apache are more feature-rich and sportier than the Unicorn which is a straightforward, no-frills commuter and a test ride will help you decide which one is the better choice for you.

autocar.india

•9w

Since you have had a long and drama-free stint with your Shine, the logical next step to make would be the Honda Unicorn. For your use case, which is mostly inside the city with short weekend leisure rides, the Unicorn makes for a good fit. It will offer a noticeable step up in performance and comfort compared to the Shine with only a small drop-off in fuel economy. The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is lovely if you want a relaxed bike with new-age reliability and old-school feel, but since you have mentioned you are on the slimmer side of the spectrum, its weight could be a problem at slower speeds and its fuel economy will also be noticeably lower.If your landlord and the building you reside in, don't have a problem with you installing a charging solution at home, you can consider electric scooters like TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ather Rizta and Vida VX2. If not, stick with a petrol-powered bike for now.To decide between the Unicorn and Bullet, we'd recommend a test ride of both since they are very different machines.

autocar.india

•22w

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.

autocar.india

•35w

If you are open to the idea of a larger, premium machine, then bikes like the TVS Ronin, Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and Honda CB350 will be the options we recommend. If you want to instead go for a commuter bike, there are loads of great options in the 160cc space, such as the Honda Unicorn / SP160, Bajaj Pulsar N160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Suzuki Gixxer. Take a test ride of all the bikes you shortlist with a pillion to see what suits you best.