Honda Unicorn Standard

Sir, I currently own a 9-year-old Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350, which is still in good condition. I am now 64 years old and would like to replace it with a 150cc motorcycle. My priorities are a comfortable ride, good pillion comfort, complete peace of mind, inexpensive spare parts and an upright riding position similar to the Thunderbird.

•3d

It seems you are looking for a no-nonsense machine with absolute reliability and comfort at the forefront, in which case our recommendation is the Honda Unicorn. The Unicorn has cemented its reputation as a reliable workhorse over the 2 decades it has been on sale in India, and it would be hard to go wrong with this machine. Take a test ride of the Unicorn and see if it fits your use case, and in case you feel like you want a livelier option, look at the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160.

I'm 35 years old and underwent spine surgery after an accident on December 03, 2024. I currently ride a Hero Pleasure for around 40km per day. At 5ft 3in tall, because of my back issue, the Pleasure doesn't absorb potholes or even small bumps in the road well, which is a major drawback. I am looking for a two-wheeler with very good suspension that is comfortable for my back and supports long-distance riding.

•5d

Since you mentioned comfort is your top priority, switching to a motorcycle makes sense, as it usually offers better ride comfort than a scooter. We would recommend you look at the 160cc segment, specifically options like the Honda Unicorn / SP160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160. These bikes have low seat heights, manageable kerb weights and will be much more comfortable than your Pleasure over road imperfections. Another upside will be that you will see a noticeable step up in terms of performance with just a small drop in fuel economy, provided you ride sensibly.If, instead, you want to go for a smaller 125cc machine, then look at proven options like the Honda Shine / CB125 Hornet, TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R. These bikes will be extremely fuel-efficient and will give you the step-up in comfort over your Pleasure that you want. Since you are a shorter person, their lower kerb weights and friendly seat heights will also appeal to you.Take test rides of options from both segments based on your preferences and then make your decision.

Hero MotoCorp Xtreme 125R

Honda Bikes Shine 125

TVS Raider

My budget is Rs. 2 lakh, but I am willing to extend it if it is worth it. My daily commute is 80 km, with 40 km in the morning and 40 km in the evening. My major priorities are comfort, good mileage, and reduced rider fatigue.

Since you have a rather long commute with comfort and fuel economy as your top priorities, we'd recommend looking at these 160cc options - Honda Unicorn / SP160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160. The Honda bikes are textbook commuters and are simple, no-nonsense machines which should also prove to be reliable and hassle-free to own. On the other hand, the TVS and Bajaj bikes are feature-rich, sporty commuters that will give you better performance while still being reaonably frugal and comfortable. In fact, if you want a little more pep, then the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N250 both are worth considering. These bikes offer a tangible step up in performance in comparison to their smaller siblings without sacrificing too much fuel economy and since you have a long commute every day, you will value the added performance on tap. Take test rides of these bikes to see which ones float your boat before you make a decision.

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

Bajaj Pulsar N250

I am 49 years old and have sciatica-related back pain. I want to choose between the Honda Unicorn and the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V. I plan to use the bike for the next 7 years. Please help me choose the right one.

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.

•2w

I need to buy a bike for fuel-efficient daily rides of approximately 40 km. My maximum budget is 3 lakhs. Please suggest.

Royal Enfield Classic 350

Since you have the budget that permits you to venture into the 300-400cc category if you so wish, you can look at the Royal Enfield Hunter / Classic / Bullet 350, any of the Honda CB350 models and even the 350cc Triumph 400 models like the Speed T4 and Speed 400. These bikes are premium machines with larger engines than normal commuters, which means fuel economy will range between 30-40kpl most likely, although mileage can vary quite widely depending on multiple factors. If you want to prioritise fuel economy and instead settle for something more frugal, like a 160cc commuter will be our recommendation. Options like the Bajaj Pulsar N160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Honda Unicorn / SP160 are our picks in this class. The Apache and Pulsar are more powerful and feature-rich machines, while the Unicorn and SP160 are straightforward, no-nonsense commuters. Make sure to decide which segment you want to shop in and then take a test ride of all the options in that class before you make your decision.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

Royal Enfield Bullet 350

•2w

Hi Autocar team, I regularly follow you and enjoy your reviews. I am looking for a very comfortable two-wheeler with exceptional suspension performance for potholes and bad roads because I suffer from back pain. I currently use a Honda Dio with small tyres (12/10-inch combination), and the ride is not very soft. Even small rumble strips send a jerk through the bike. I am always a solo rider and need your expert advice. I would prefer a scooter for practicality, but a motorcycle is also okay. My budget is around Rs. 1.5 lakh, and I ride about 25km a day in Pune city with occasional highway trips.

No scooter can match a motorcycle for comfort over bad roads, and if you value comfort over everything (and it seems like you do, going by the nature of your query), then going for a bike makes more sense. With your budget, you can get a capable 160cc commuter like the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, Bajaj Pulsar N160, and Honda SP160 / Unicorn. These bikes are also capable of being quite frugal when ridden sensibly, and you should take a test ride of all three before you make your decision.

I am 47 years old. My first motorcycle was a Suzuki Samurai, and I currently ride a Honda Shine (2013 model). I am now looking to replace my bike, but I am not sure whether I should go for the latest version of the Honda Shine or consider a different motorcycle altogether. I commute around 40 km to the office, three days a week, and typically ride another 20-30 km on weekends. I also have two daughters, and they are taller than their age would suggest. Would an EV be a better option for my usage? I live in a rented house, so I am not sure how convenient charging would be. I am also considering options such as the Honda Unicorn and a Royal Enfield Bullet. I have a lean build and weigh around 64 kg. Considering my requirements, which motorcycle would you recommend?

•2w

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.

Honda Bikes Shine 125

Royal Enfield Bullet 350

Which is the best commuter bike for long rides, good mileage, and reduced back strain? I currently ride a Yamaha FZ Version 2. My budget is between Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 1.5 lakh. Please suggest suitable options.

•4w

In the 150/160cc commuter bike segment, options like the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160 are great bets if you want your commuter to pack in a little bit of spice and some feel-good features like a USD fork, TFT display and the like. These bikes are also quite fuel efficient and comfortable, making them good daily-use machines. If, on the other hand, you want a simple, no-nonsense commuter, then we'd advise you to look at the Honda Unicorn / SP160. Both are mechanically very similiar but the SP has more features and sharper styling than the Unicorn which has the same silhouette since it debuted 20 years ago. Depending on the sort of bike you prefer, make a choice between these three. To make an informed decision, we'd recommend test rides of all three before you make your purchase.

I am a daily commuter who primarily travels by bike. I am looking for a comfortable motorcycle with a monoshock suspension setup and fuel efficiency of over 50kpl. Please recommend the best options in both the 125cc and 150cc segments.

•5w

In the 125cc class, if you're looking for a comfortable bike that has a monoshock for its rear suspension, then look no further than the TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R. Both are popular, proven, fuel efficient and have good ride and seating comfort, making them well-suited to daily use. These bikes should easily be able to return upwards of 50kpl in the real world even if you are a quick rider.Moving to the 150/160cc segment, options like the Honda Unicorn / SP160, Bajaj Pulsar N160 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V are mainstays of the segment and opting for any of them would make for a safe bet. The Honda models are the more straightforward option while the TVS bikes and Bajaj are the sportier, more feature-rich options. It will be quite tough to see fuel economy of 50kpl and above on these machines unless you are a very gentle rider and expect real-world economy to hover around the 45kpl mark, depending on how you ride. Take a test ride of these machines before you make your decision and before you do, choose which category of bike suits you best and proceed accordingly.

TVS Raider

Hero MotoCorp Xtreme 125R

•6w

Which 150cc to 180cc bike is the best for an upright riding posture, good pillion comfort, long-distance touring, strong performance, and minimal vibrations in India?

•6w

There are three bikes in this class that you cannot go wrong with - Honda Unicorn / SP160, Bajaj Pulsar N160 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V. The Unicorn and SP160 are mechanically identical and are simple, straightforward commuters, with the latter having slightly better features and more modern styling. If you want a reliable, no-nonsense machine, either of these two will be up for the job.The Pulsar and Apache, on the other hand, promise better features, performance and handling with similar fuel economy. These two are accomplished city bikes, and if you want your daily machine to have a dash of sportiness, then both are very compelling options.Take a test ride of all three to see which one suits you best before you make a decision.