Coming straight to the point. I inherited a 10 year old Honda Unicorn after my father's demise.
It’s been sometime and now the unicorn has started giving out some issues. Minor issues such as starting the bike first time of the day. Runs perfectly after that, but starting the bike is a time consuming and sweaty task; generally, the ones which we do not need at the start of the journey. This is mildly irritating.
For some time now I have been contemplating replacing the unicorn with another commuter bike. Something that can do a quick grocery run, night ice-cream rides with the kiddo, take us to the nearby family meets and office runs.
I am sure the ones who are reading will be - Activa! Right? Yes, exactly what my mind came down to as well, it’s easy! But it’s not!
The first pooja of Mom's new Activa
So last month we did get an Activa for my Mom and I had to drive it to her place. It’s a quick 15 km ride from my place, so after taking the delivery, we 3 - me, mom and kiddo started the ride to my mom's place. By the time we reached, I and mom had concluded that the Activa is only good for the rider and not the pillion. My kiddo did enjoy standing in the front at the start, but just after 10 minutes wanted a place to sit which was difficult to manage.
My first need in the commuter is the pillion comfort, Activa clearly lacked in that department. So Activa was out of question.
Mom suggested replacing the Unicorn with another Unicorn. She was shocked when I told her the cost of a new one. It was a simple case of expectations vs reality. She thought the new unicorn would cost the same as it did 10 years ago, possibly a 10k increase in the cost. So the expectation was 80 – 85k, but the actual cost is somewhere around 1.2L.
So if the plan is to spend that much, it then set my mind and heart on an adventure ride.
Initially, I was planning to replace my CBR with a middleweight adv tourer, but since that’s on hold till next year (given the new bike launches) and I have to replace the unicorn now, why not replace the unicorn with a smaller adv!
And so the Xpulse comes into picture.
![Replacing a Unicorn with Xpulse! Which one?-x.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/motorbikes/2241079d1686714968t-replacing-unicorn-xpulse-one-x.jpg)
The
xpulse I test rode.
So why a Xpulse and why not a Himalayan or a 390adv?
Both Himalayan and 390adv are way above a simple replacement. They would be an actual upgrade to the unicorn and will put them in similar category as the CBR. Simply put - consider Xpulse/unicorn are at level 1, CBR/Himalayan/390/250advs are level 2 and the CB500/Versys 650 are at level 3. So it makes sense to replace the Unicorn with the Xpulse and then next year a level 3 bike replaces the CBR.
Where the Xpulse is in the right category, it is also comfortable to ride, handles broken roads like none other(million times better than the Activa), has enough grunt, and the engine vibes are well controlled.
So it’s going to be an Xpulse for sure. Small compact – can do city and office ride, easy for those groceries and ice-cream runs, additionally now I can even explore what they call it “the un-charted territory” with the Xpulse.
Xpulse 2v is in the market and readily available where as the 4v would be launching soon, by January is the communication form the showroom.
Coming to the pricing:- Unicorn(would fetch) : 10 -12K (less as I am 2nd owner as per the RC)
- Xpulse 2V : 150k – 5k(discount) = 145k
- Xpulse 4v : 156k + 4k(price hike next year) = 160k
The 4V would have additional torque power and smoothness; however it would cost me more than what I would get for the unicorn. Plus the discount that I am getting on the 2v means I can put on some accessories on the bike, a crash guard or aux lights may be.
My mind says “
Go for the 2V as the 4V is simply not worth the additional cost”.
My heart says, “
Wait for the 4v, but also want a new bike, err let mind take the call!”
Now that the heart is kind of agreeing to the mind, mind is confused! Mind says “I have got you till the xpulse, you decide what to do, 2V or 4V, that you decide!”
Basically, please help me decide.
Should I go ahead and
take the 2v or book the 4V!?