Honda CB Unicorn 160 review, test ride

For the past ten years, the Unicorn has been an important motorcycle for Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India. Raking in good sales numbers in the all-important 150cc segment, and holding Honda’s flag high in the premium commuter segment, this was back then Honda’s very first motorcycle in India. Time and tide wait for none, however, and so many years down the line, this venerable motorcycle was starting to feel a bit long in the tooth in terms of styling, as well as several other key factors when compared to newer, superior rivals, given that such able rivals sell in the same space, the Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTS-i, Yamaha FZ-S and recently introduced segment leader, the Suzuki Gixxer to name a few.

The new CB Unicorn 160 is not a new motorcycle from the grounds up. Honda has clearly stuck to the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' policy that it follows strictly with so many other products as well, such as the Activa. The manufacturer has followed the same overall, conservative design for this bike as seen on the old Unicorn, with a basic blueprint that’s remained close to same. The old Unicorn was not a bad looking bike, but it did have a very plain-jane look. New bits add up to make the 160 a refreshing looking package though, and give it a snazzier appearance.
 

And a snazzy appearance it is – the headlamp looks quite smart, with clear lens turn indicators flanking it on either side. The CB Unicorn 160 comes with a pilot lamp to complement its headlamp, a functional boon. The front mudguard is neatly designed, in dual tone shades. The front forks are the same skinny ones, and have reflectors mounted on either side. The upright handlebars are familiar, with boring, if nothing else, switchgear mounted on them. On the intrumentation front, the CB Unicorn 160 cluster is now all-digital, sleek looking, minimalistic, and very functional. Maintained is a no-nonsense look about it that displays all the important readouts, a speedometer, odometer, tachometer, dual-trip meters, fuel-level indicator and clock.