I am extremely happy to bring this review blog on an auriferous Honda Unicorn 150 CC, 2007 model that has run 1,23,000 plus Km and is still counting. Many bikes that got released were in service for many years and later they become debris in the pages of history. However, legends like Honda Unicorn remain on the roads making their own space at your service, still get sold in the market without any commercials due to their proven track record. This is a story of one such bike which is used by my friend in city, for touring long distances in different climates and even on Leh-Ladakh like terrains.
I am a biker and driver who likes to travel very long distances. I have owned many bikes and gained very good technical experience and expertise on bikes, where I was also well guided by bike gurus like Late Shree Dilip Bam Sir.When I met with this bike and its rider, I found this information worth sharing with the motoring community. This blog narrates the story of the bike, the rider, travel vlogs on the bike by the rider, maintenance, and the condition of the bike in pictures, post usage.
First meet of the Bike & the Biker
The Bike was purchased in November 2007 in Pune. The first owner used it for Leh-Ladakh as his first ride, his second trip was to UP from Mumbai and a 3rd trip was from Mumbai to Bengaluru. There were multiple short trips to Pune-Mumbai as well. The bike was run till 2009 and it was stalled for a year till end of 2010 at home because the rider had to move abroad. However, the bike was stored with utmost care at home by his father. My friend who then studying for graduation and had to travel long distance to college in 2011 wanted a bike for commuting to college, approached the owner’s parents and purchased the bike in 16th February 2011. The bike was in immaculate condition and had 24,000 Km on the Odometer. This was the first meet where bonding started between a Man and the Machine. The saga of journey of both has just begun.
The Biker and his first experience of his long ride
I will be writing about the bike in the flow, in parallel I would like to highlight the zeal of the Rider that led to the excellent symbiosis between the Man and the Machine. The proud owner of this bike is my friend, Saiesh Rane often called as Rider Rane in friends circle.
It was a sleepy afternoon of February 2008, when Saiesh Rane suddenly got a call from his cousin and came to know that his cousin has taken a new bike for a ride to our native place KARWAR. Hearing cousin's feat (It was considered a feet then) that very moment Saiesh decided, he is going to do it. But unfortunately, he was too young at that time. The very description of his cousin's journey on the bike and his experience of riding through ghat’s gave him an adrenaline rush.
Fast forward half a decade later he had his first bike, a Honda unicorn 150 and was restless like anything to fulfil his long awaited desire of riding to his native place KARWAR (Yes, people from Konkan have a very strong bond with our native place). He had just graduated and was working at a start-up. Two important things needed for a ride are time and money, he was low on both. But he was headstrong, started saving and was looking for an opportunity where his patience paid off. He got a chance and made arrangements for his ride.
It was quite clear for him that he would ride solo. It was a matter of concern for his family, to be frank he was also worried too. He started quite early, still remembers that he had mixed emotions but as the time passed, he started cruising over NH4, all his worries and concerns faded and a new confidence aroused in him, he was enjoying every single moment of it. The sheer pleasure of riding for long stretches cannot be explained in words. It was like a meditation, no thoughts, no worries, nothing, just him with his bike (as if it was an extension of his body) and the road beneath. To everyone’s surprise he had reached his destination quite early, but still he hasn’t managed to reach that place in that time frame. That was his first experience and after this he was like – ‘Yeh Dil Maange More’ :D
Apart from working Saiesh is also a photographer. While watching travel and ride vlogs he came across Mumbaikar Nikhil's channel and it inspired him to make one travel vlog of his own ride. But again, there was a catch, such kind of vlogs do require hi-tech cameras, gadgets which are quite expensive, and he was short of funds. As it is said necessity is the mother of innovation, he came up with an innovative idea, more clearly made a desi-jugaad of mounting his old Digi-cam on the dashboard of his bike with a selfie stick.
It was one heck of a ride as he was riding and shooting footages at the same time. But once he had edited the whole video of his ride it made him feel that he had produced something original. It gave him an opportunity to relive his ride and he realized that he was in love with the whole process of vlogging and he embarked upon a journey of becoming a Moto-vlogger.
After uploading his first video and sharing with his friends and family, he received criticism, but he took it positively and decided to work upon specific areas suggested in feedback. He became more and more interested in riding, shooting, editing and voice over. So, whenever he got time he used to ride and make a vlog about it. Gradually, his improvement was visible through his vlogs and appreciation he received encouraged him to do more.
On a personal level, he was quite benefited by his passion for riding because of his immense desire to ride. In parallel, he focused on his job and always figured out how to complete tasks in hand before time as that would save him time and time saved is time earned. He would love to leave the typical 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM job and be a full-time vlogger but being the sole bread earner and coming from a middle-class family it is not possible.
Lastly, he would say that passion for riding requires a very stable financial support and time, he faced lot a of hurdles while pursuing his passion, but his desire overcome all those hurdles. So, he suggests -
“Don’t let your passion be your dream, follow it, make it happen”.
He recorded his trips and posted on YouTube channel named as “Rider Rane”. With permission from Saiesh Rane, I will be referring the links of the rides in this blog as a proof of the Honda Unicorn’s performance, capability and the reliability in different climates.
Modifications on Honda Unicorn for the rides
Knuckle guards – 700 INR
Additional array of LED lights for night rides fitted under the front number plate – 400 INR
Fog-lamps with wiring kit – 1500 INR
Wind shield from JDR – 700 INR
Top Box from JDR – 7000 INR
Installation with mounts – 3000 INR
Below are the pictures and a video link that projects the feasible modifications can be done for touring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDYnZWb-qW4 A video on modifications done for touring
Maintenance
Maintenance is an admixture of several jobs during the 1,23,000 Km. General servicing was done every 3000 Km early as a safe measure, even though synthetic oil serves till 3500 Km.
Service: 350 INR
Motul oil, full synthetic 10W30: 700 INR / litre
Total cost: 1050 INR
Incident of Piston Rings:
The bike encountered turbulence due to some missed inspection. At 93,000 Kms in 2015 the biker observed white smoke from the silencer. Only piston rings had to be replaced, piston & engine block remain untouched. The vehicle needed another running in period due to new piston rings, and the new rings needed proper bedding in the engine. The bike is running very well with the changed set of piston rings, where the piston and block remain the same.
Total cost: 3500 INR
Chain Sprocket:
These were changed twice; one was due to open cover and the these were exposed while bike fell off the stand. The second one was changed at 95,000 Km due to wear and tear.
Cost: 1250 INR / set
Clutch plates and clutch cables:
Clutch plates were changed at 27,000 Km. Cables were changed twice and this was done preferably for self-comfort for smooth gear change. There were no instances of cable cuts.
Clutch plates cost: 800 INR during first change and 1150 INR during second change.
Cable cost: 150 INR
Brakes:
Front brake pads were changed twice, the rear liners are changed on the need basis. The rear liners are much prone to hardening in rainy seasons or due to water, hence at an average they are changed approximately at an interval of 6000 to 7000 Km.
Front Brake Pads: 300 INR
Rear Liner: 220 INR
Battery:
The battery has been changed twice in the duration of 1,23,000 Km run. There is less load on the battery while starting. Early morning, the bike is started using a kick start, warmed up for few minutes before a ride. The current battery being used was replaced in September 2019, a new model from Exide with a warranty of 2 years.
Price: 1600 INR
Tyres:
Tyres have been changed twice. After a thorough study of the bike’s handling, front tyre currently used is Michelin and the rear tyre is CEAT. No changes in the profile.
Front tyre Michelin: 1500 INR
Rear tyre CEAT: 2200 INR
Riding Gear
PGS Jacket, All Seasons
Pro-Bikers Knee Guard & Gloves.
Vlogging instruments
The initial rides had a local workaround (Desi-jugaad) type of a setup where a Point & Shoot camera mounted on a selfie stick and was tucked in a space present in the bottom left side of the Instrument Panel Cluster. Due to some shaky videos used in fast actions like higher speeds, an action camera is used later at 1080P, 60FPS using a SJCAM SJ6 Legend with an external Microphone.
Miscellaneous parameters, Speed and Fuel Economy
Parameters like tyre pressure, type of fuel, temperature, speed, weight, seasonal conditions and wind does matter a lot. Here, I am narrating few parameters that were considered during the rides.
The tyre pressure was maintained for front at 30 PSI and rear at 40 PSI as per the sweet spot that were adapted and learnt during the seasonal rides. Usage of Nitrogen was a blessing in disguise for stability at high speeds that lead to more life for tyres and in the hot climate rides, the nitrogen being the only a single element unlike air helps to maintain tyre temperature well. The bike performed well in the temperatures ranging from 15 - 45 Degree Centigrade. No complaints whether it was road or no-roads. The bike is driven to most of the villages where there are no roads and it performed extremely well and, on the highways, where roads were made up of tar or cement.
An external visor is used for wind blast, that is very useful in fatigue free long rides and it is also useful in getting a relatively streamlined flow of air. During long rides a break at every 150Km is taken, that will help the bike and the biker during daytime.
The bike can cruise at 100 Kmph with ease and the highest speed that the bike can take is 122 Kmph. With pillion rider that bike cruises at 100+ Kmph even after 1,23,000 Km on ODO and performs extremely well in coastal rains and on Western Ghats.
The range of the bike is phenomenal, goes up to 600 Km on one full tank filled with 14L of petrol. Reserve fuel of 2L which is enough to take you to the next petrol pump. The bike gives an average of 43Kmpl in city and 47 Kmpl on highway. Solo driving gives a fuel economy of 47 Kmpl and with a pillion and luggage gives a fuel economy of 43 Kmpl with 100+ Kmph speed.
Below is the latest image of the bike after 1,23,000 Km
Verdict and few words from the rider
The bike has good looks, great on range and fuel economy, refinement of the engine is top notch, overall reliability of the bike and price point reachability are the key factors to consider here. As the rider is 6 feet tall, the comfort level and the stance presented by the bike is divine.
I asked a simple question to Rider Rane, “Which bike you will buy next?”
He smilingly replied- “Will go for a Honda Unicorn with eyes closed :)”
Rides done on the Honda Unicorn
1. Pune to Karwar roundtrip, 1250 Km - First longest and solo ride in November 2015
2. Pune to Ratnagiri roundtrip, May 2016, 600 Km
3. Pune to Alibaug roundtrip, Aug 2016, Monsoon 1 Day trip, 350 Km
4. Pune - Murudeshwar - Karwar - Goa - Pune in January 2017, Winter & Night solo ride , 1864 Km
5. Pune to Karwar roundtrip via Amboli Ghat - Solo ride, Febraury 2017, 1100 Km
6. Pune to Karwar Monsoon ride via Anshi Ghats, return via Amboli Ghats, July 2017, 1200 Km
- Destination covered Shree Ramnath Temple, Streets of Karwar, Shree Mallikarjun Temple.
7. Pune to Devkund roundtrip, Monsoon ride, July 2018, 240 Km
8. Pune to Badami solo roundtrip, September 2018, 1000 Km
9. Pune to Jejuri roundtrip, December 2018, 120 Km
10. Pune to Goa roundtrip, February 2019, 1000 Km
11. Pune to Karwar solo roundtrip, Night ride, April 2019, 1250 Km
12. Pune to Hampi roundtrip, March 2020, 1300 Km
Links of the ride videos with the bike
With the permission of Saiesh Rane “Rider Rane”, I have posted below links of the videos for your reference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP8FawSV4sA PUNE - SADASHIVGAD - KARWAR - KINNER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUV96wrGr1c Shree Mallikarjun Temple, Cancona Goa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXYg9hocHPg&t Shree Ramnath Temple, Majali, Karwar
https://youtu.be/fipMF3RUEe8 FAST AND FURIOUS RIDE | PUNE TO HAMPI - DAY 1 - #Motovlog #100kms/hr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYm2fLUuOPg HAMPI - This is a Travel Vlog
https://youtu.be/egsuJqz3WYo PUNE TO KARWAR | SOLO NIGHT RIDE - HONDA UNICORN 150 - ANSHI GHATS
https://youtu.be/U_z2-Q7e5F0 PUNE TO GOA IN 7 MINUTES | CHAPTER 1 | HONDA UNICORN | KARIZMA R
https://youtu.be/qfMCNjQS8aA PUNE - JEJURI - PUNE | ROUND TRIP ON Honda Unicorn & Royal Enfield Classic 350 | Weekend ride
https://youtu.be/Fb0ow3qRpGw Devkund Waterfall Trek | Tamhini Ghat | Bhira village - Pune to Devkund
https://youtu.be/VsZJqX38L3M STREETS OF KARWAR - VLOG - MONSOON RIDE
https://youtu.be/hS_htJANzTU Pune-Karwar-Cancona(Goa)- Murudeshwar-Pune (PART -2) TOTAL DISTANCE COVERED
Thank you so much :)
Absolutely brilliant story of the Unicorn. I know it is a super refined machine.
These days, very few people take cars to 1.23 lakh kms and Rider Rane's Unicorn has set a record of sorts.
It is amazing to see
1. technically just one sprocket replacement in 95k kms( since you mentioned that the earlier one was due to oversight - at how many kms was the first sprocket changed?)
2. only one instance of clutch replacement at 27k kms; when was the second?
3. brake pads change only twice
4. only one instance of rings replacement at 93k kms
My uncle in Chennai had a Unicorn done only 4k kms in 4 years and pleaded with me to take the machine. Then, I had 2 scooters and wasn't interested in a bike, but now I'm getting ideas :D
Beautiful! I have a borrowed Unicorn - 1st gen. And, I have been planning to make it a tourer. Your story is a good source of inspiration. I will keep you posted! Cheers!
Ah the good old Unicorn. Here's mine from 2005 December, done 90k clicks and still starts and purrs like it was ridden away from the showroom 15 years ago. The emission control from 2007 made the exhaust sound more muted and added weight near the air filter intake with some sort of breathing restriction. Fortunately, mine is just 139 kg kerb weight unlike todays 148 kg with saree guard.
Save for the tank, wheels and front shocks and minor engine bits, i think i've changed every part on my CBF-150 Candy Tahitian Blue:Shockked:
That's a nice story and your friend has maintained it extremely well. The Unicorn is a bulletproof machine, it has stamped it's dominion in the 150cc commuter segment in a very plain Jane fashion. The strongest points of the motorcycle are the engine and the gearbox. The engine is a very competent, free revving and refined unit with an equally good gearbox. The Unicorn brand itself has a high esteem in the minds of the common people and many will buy it blindly without any second thoughts.
My cousin brother bought the CB Unicorn 150 back in October 2016. This was the from the re-launch batch after Honda was forced to bring back the bike after they had discontinued the bike back in 2014 to make way for the Unicorn 160. I was a previous Pulsar 150 user (1,09,523kms on ODO before selling it off) and learnt riding on the bike. In early 2016, my bestie at College got himself a CB Hornet 160R (first batch) and I learnt riding a Honda on it. This was my first experience with a non-Bajaj and the first bike with a monoshock I never rode. I narrated my experience to my brother after being handy with the Hornet. And the very comfort was the reason (besides the first Gen Unicorn's legacy) as to why we bought the bike.
And little did I know that the bike was ridiculously heavy 148kgs without all accessories (without petrol). It takes me a few weeks to get used to the weight. My Pulsar was a 2008 model and had a handlebar. It weighed like 138kgs. Also, this version of the Unicorn wasn't as qualitative as the old gen (I've heard so much about it). We got an engine replacement (lawsuit against Honda) at 7400kms. We got an entirely new engine everything was fine after that. I stopped servicing at ASC and took the charge of getting the bike maintained by myself.
Observations:
- Plastics and other accessories weren't as qualitative as the old bike.
- The 240mm disc didn't do much justice to stop that heavy bike. The Hornet had a bigger disc. Even the 110cc Livo has the same disc as Unicorn. Seriously Honda, you expect a 39kg extra bike to stop in the same way as a Livo?
- Notchy gear shifts. Switched to a thinner ester based oil instead of Castor.
- Comfort: Well, no other bike comes close to the comfort this bike will ever provide you. I remember taking it over a huge pothole and expecting a heavy buttsore. But nothing of that sort happened.
- Efficient: I've never got anything less than 52.1kmpl from this bike.
- Good cruising speed: 70km/hr. The bike isn't a performance machine and can do 70km/hr while the rider is carefree. It can be pushed further but we don't have that kind of roads here.
- Highway rides were always a pleasure and the heavy weight of the bike made it a stable ride against the windblast.
- Old people's bike: My brother was 44 years old when he bought the bike. He recently graduated to an Access 125 as he prefers not ride the motorcycle anymore.
What became of the bike? It was disposed off at 46,001kms, early Feb 2020 inorder to make way for my Honda xBlade.
So what now? Well, the new CB Unicorn with the Unicorn 160's engine is everything Honda got right and should have, back in 2016. Why didn't they? Necessity is the mother of all inventions. The biggest necessity being the kill switch bashing. Honda took it to heart it seems, making CB Unicorn BS6 the first bike to equip it with. They re-did the frame and used the 160 Unicorn frame along with the engine, shaving off 8kgs. Yes, the BS6 CB Unicorn is 140kgs with all accessories. It's basically a Unicorn 160 underneath with an updated engine and 150 Shell on top which all of us love and admire so much. It's a timeless design.
I think it was a terrible move to launch a Unicorn 160, especially with a moniker that was targeted or familiar with conservativeness. The pseudo sport mentality never worked for them. They should have directly invested with the future of the 160cc engine and released Hornet alongside the Unicorn long ago.
But again, the bike was a huge fan following and loyal customers will always go for it.
OT: Sorry for derailing your topic with such a huge experience post OP. It was indeed a great read. I hope you will clock a lot more miles on the bike. Keep us posted.
Very detailed and inspiring review.
I had owned a 2009 Unicorn from 2009 to 2014. Sadly, I couldn't clock more than 24000 kms as I was away for college studies for 4 years. The refinement and reliability is unmatched for this bike. Still remember the tag line for the bike, Be a Wing Rider!
Kudos to you and your Unicorn! Love the spirit and commitment to your bike. clap:
Back in the day, the Unicorn was among my favorite bikes. I had never experienced any clutch that was as smooth as the Unicorn's. Hope you clock tons of miles! Good luck!
