Ergonomics and Handling
Even with its 160cc engine and all of its muffled sportiness, the Unicorn has been designed to please a wide audience base, which merits usability and comfort over outright performance. Ergonomics remain as rider friendly and relatively commuter oriented as on the 150cc model. The handlebar has been borrowed from the CB Trigger and has been positioned at a decent height, unlike some other motorcycles in the segment. The footpegs are forward set which form a comfortable rider’s triangle. The new Unicorn, just like its predecessor lends itself for hassle free, comfortable riding right from the word go. Comfortable, friendly ergonomics make this new Honda an ideal city tool that can also be easily used for long highway hauls. The weight of the motorcycle tips the scale at 135 kilograms which is 11 kilograms lighter than the 150cc Unicorn, and comes as a pleasant surprise. The lighter weight makes it even more flickable in traffic and cutting through between mile long jams is as easy as a walk in the park.
The suspension, as we figured is set slightly on the stiffer side, though the mono-unit is damped extremely well. While there is a wee bit of stiffness to be experiences while riding solo, the suspension gets a new level of composure with a pillion rider. The Unicorn, thanks to its extremely well sorted chassis and suspension feels rock solid in a straight line, even while doing triple digit speeds. The balanced chassis also allows for effortless, natural corner carving on the motorcycle – making it an extremely enjoyable and forgiving around bends. The slightly stiff suspension, which may be a little bothersome on broken roads, comes across as a blessing as one explores the motorcycle’s dynamic ability around a set of corners. We could have asked for a bit more grip from the MRF Nylogrip rubber though. The seat is wide, long and sufficiently comfortable for two-up riding. A bit more padding would have made our behinds a bit happier though.
Verdict
CB Unicorn as a brand has come a long way and the addition of the 160cc unit was a much awaited upgrade to keep up with the increasing competition. The bike maintains its understated demeanour and doesn’t present itself to the racer boys. It’s meant for the more sensible buyer who wants a bit of everything from his machine. The new Unicorn is in many ways better than the 150cc model it replaces. The engine feels more responsive and is willing to rev throughout the rpm range. We miss an FI unit on this one, but in all honesty, the responsiveness of the motor doesn’t leave much to complain about.
Finally, at Rs 74,414 for the CBS variant (Ex-showroom, Delhi), the Unicorn 160 does not come cheap but what Honda offers is quality mechanicals, unmatched reliability, good fuel efficiency and minimal expenditures on maintenance. The brand is known to retain its value well in the used bike market, and will pay you handsomely if you decided to upgrade a few years down the line. It’s not an out and out sporty machine, but it if you can live with understated looks, and need an all-rounder – look no further than the machine in the pictures here.
| Specifications | Honda CB Unicorn 160 |
| Engine Type | Single-Cylinder Air-Cooled four-stroke Engine |
| Cubic Capacity (cc) | 162.71 |
| Power (PS) @ RPM | 14.7 @ 8,000 |
| Torque (Nm) @ RPM | 14.6 @ 6,000 |
| Fuel System | Carburetor |
| Transmission | Five-speed manual transmission |
| Length x Width x Height (mm) | 2,045 x 757 x 1,060 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,324 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 150 |
| Seat Height (mm) | NA |
| Brake (Front/Rear) | Disc/Drum (Optional CBS) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (Litre) | 12 |
| Kerb Weight (kg) | 135 |
| Price (ex-showroom) | Rs 69,350 (Standard)/Rs 74,414 (CBS) |
Do you like the new Unicorn, or do you not? Do share with us your views and opinions in the comments section below.
