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Honda's suspenseful Unicorn is finally revealed

Honda has finally unveiled the bike that threatens to flip the whole premium segment on its ear. Called the Unicorn, Honda's choice of name leaves nothing to the imagination.

The high point of the motorcycle, and in fact, the only real step forward for Indian motorcycling on the whole, is the monoshock suspension system that returns after a long break.

Yes, the first monoshock motorcycle in India was the Spitfire (made by Brooke Bond, this 50cc, on/off road bike had a 5.5 bhp Moto Morini engine and cost Rs 10,000 in 1986).

However, there is more to the Unicorn than just rear suspension. Honda says the motorcycle, like the Eterno, was designed to meet the needs of Indian customers, and in that sense, it is unique within Honda's huge global range of motorcycles.

Honda's research showed that people buying motorcycles in the premium segment looked at acceleration, fuel economy (not less than 55 kpl), styling, ride comfort and stability, reliability and price as factors in the purchase decision, in that order of importance.

As a result, Honda's tuned their 13.3 bhp, 149.1cc engine to produce a class-leading 1.3 kgm of torque at a class-lowest 5500 rpm. As a direct consequence, Honda have chosen slightly taller ratios for the gearbox and still claim a 5-second run to 60 kph, which is quicker than the competition.
 

Quick Comparo	Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSi	Honda  Unicorn	LML Graptor	TVS Fiero F2
Engine capacity(cc)	143.9	149.1	150.8	147.5
Max power (bhp/rpm)	12.8@8500	13.3@8000	13.5@8000	12@7000
Max torque (kgm/rpm)	1.2@6500	1.3@5500	1.28@6500	1.05@6500
0-60 kph (secs)	5.2	5 (claimed)	5.3	5.4
Top speed (kph)	121	101(claimed)	114	104
Fuel economy	57	60 (claimed)	52	53
Price (ex-Mumbai, disc/kick)	51,616	50,059	50,934	51,827
'Honda's 13.3 bhp, 149.1cc Unicorn claims a  5-second run to 60 kph, quicker  than the  competition'	The largest seller in the segment, the Pulsar would be the Unicorn's primary competition. The Pulsar's strong points are its muscular yet frugal engine, macho good looks, stable handling, thanks to the swingarm extension, and its reasonable value for money proposition. The Pulsar, however, is a bit noisy, though it does not vibrate. Bajaj service, however, is still catching up with the sheer numbers of Pulsar sales.	While a test ride will allow us to say more, the Honda Unicorn's spec sheet is impressive and ahead of the competition in almost all fronts. The new Honda promises to be quick and torquey and will also be frugal, a point the manufacturer was particularly emphatic about. The monoshock should take its ride and handling to another level and pricing is very attractive. And that is before you consider the badge on the tank.	The most recent entrant prior to the Honda, the Graptor is a likeable, friendly motorcycle. The power and torque figures don't really translate into scorching performance, but it is a lively performer and will keep up with most bikes. The low seating aids its handling a lot, though the ride quality can feel spiky. The Graptor's biggest weakness is LML's slowly expanding dealership and  service network.	All the motorcycles in this table are all-rounders, but the F2 was built to be the best commuter. And in some ways, it is. The Fiero is quiet, efficient, refined and frugal. It performs its duties with utmost dedication, but the slick motor is outgunned on performance, and fuel economy and the F2 feels more like an upscale executive commuter than a 150 in its own right. That has its pros and cons.
Note: All figures from Business Standard Motoring tests, except for the Honda Unicorn

The Unicorn's engine uses a high torque output, 5-speed gearbox, a CV carburettor and a digital ignition system with multiple maps (similar to Yamaha's Fazer) to balance high acceleration with steady fuel economy "� Honda claims 60 kpl in daily use.

Honda openly admits that the bike's styling isn't the freshest in the segment, but reiterates that the look is based squarely on consumer feedback. So the front fairing is vaguely reminiscent of the Kawasaki Bajaj Wind 125 and the rest has strong CBZ overtones.

As a package however, while the Unicorn is easy on the eye, it isn't distinguished by any particular element, apart from the impression of solid build quality and superb finish levels. The three-pod instruments and double tail lamp a la Karizma are nice touches.

To tackle ride quality and stability requirements, Honda chose a combination of a long wheelbase (1,340 mm) and monoshock rear suspension.

In conjunction with a single-downtube frame employing the engine as a stressed member, the Unicorn promises to be supremely stable and possess a very high quality of ride. Honda also assures super ergonomics, to round out what should be a very comfortable motorcycle.

Among the other details, Honda chose to include a primary kick starter (and omit an electric start altogether) and unlike the Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSi and TVS Fiero F2/FX, offer a regular one-down, four-up gearshift pattern. Also, like the Activa, the Unicorn will have 'Tuff-up' tubes that slow down pressure loss if they get punctured.

Honda has priced the Unicorn very close to the similarly spec-ed Pulsar 150 DTSi, the difference working out to a few hundred rupees. Honda has announced that their sole kick start and disc brake Unicorn will be Rs 50,043, 50,059, 47,811, 50,323 and 51,124, ex-showroom in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai respectively. However, the omission of the electric starter could be an oversight. Bajaj currently sells twice as many starter-equipped 150s than it does kick-starts.