Honda Unicorn

Autocar India

•1d

Look at bikes like the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, Bajaj Pulsar N160, Honda Unicorn or Honda SP160 for your usage. They are reliable, comfortable, fuel efficient and low maintenance machines that should fit well within your budget. If you want a more premium product, then options like the TVS Ronin and RE Hunter 350 are to be considered. And if you're open to considering a dual purpose bike, the Hero Xpulse 210 is a fantastic option for commuting with its peppy engine, long travel suspension and flat, comfortable seat. First, decide what sort of bike would fit your usage best, take exhaustive test rides of each and then make your decision.

Autocar India

•6w

Since you have mentioned you're looking at the Yamaha FZ, we'll give you the best recommendations in this segment. If you want something with performance, features and sharp styling that doesn't sacrifice comfort or fuel efficiency, then our top picks in the segment would be the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160. Both are offered in multiple variants with different permutations and combinations of features and tech, so pick the one you like best.If you want a simple, straightforward commuter, then pick between the Honda Unicorn and SP160, depending on which one you prefer the look of. A test ride of these should help you narrow down which bike is right for you.

Autocar India

•8w

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

•8w

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.

Autocar India

•9w

Pretty much every single 150-160cc commuter comes with at least single-channel ABS, so that won't be a deciding factor for you. Our top picks in this class are the Bajaj Pulsar N160 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V if you want something sportier and feature-rich. If you want to stick to a simple, no-nonsense machine, then the Honda Unicorn remains a safe bet. If ridden sensibly, you should see in excess of 45kpl for all of these 150cc bikes.In the 125cc class, if having ABS is non-negotiable, then your options are restricted to the TVS Raider and Honda CB125 Hornet. Of these three, the TVS is our top recommendation. The 125s will be quite fuel-efficient, and you'll seldom see a mileage figure below 50kpl, no matter your riding style.You should first decide which segment you want to stick with and then take a test ride of the bikes accordingly before you make a decision.

Autocar India

•10w

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.

Autocar India

•10w

Since you have mentioned you want a comfortable, long-lasting bike in a place where showrooms and service support aren't likely to be as advanced as in major cities, we'd recommend you go with the proven Honda Unicorn. The Unicorn has remained largely unchanged in the more than two decades it has been on sale, and procuring spare parts and common replacement parts should be an easy affair. The Unicorn also has a spacious single-piece seat that's not very tall and can easily accommodate two large people. So comfort should also be a non-issue. We'd recommend a test ride of the bike to see whether it fits you well before making a decision.

Autocar India

•12w

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.

Autocar India

•15w

Between the TVS Ronin and the Honda Unicorn, the latter is likely to be more fuel efficient owing to its smaller engine. Both bikes are quite comfortable, and which one you find more comfortable would be dependant on your physique. In terms of long-term reliability, the Unicorn is an established name that has cemented its reputation for being a trouble-free workhorse. The Ronin, while much newer, also hasn't had any troubling issues reported by and large by owners. These are two very different bikes that you're considering, and we'd advise a test ride of both before you make a decision.

Autocar India

•16w

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.