2025 Honda Unicorn
Honda Unicorn The Reliable Warrior of India’s Mid-Range Motorcycle Segment.
When one thinks of a motorcycle that has stood the test of time in India, the Honda Unicorn inevitably comes to mind. A symbol of practicality, durability, and smooth performance, the Unicorn has evolved subtly over the years while maintaining the core values that made it a favorite among the Indian working class. In a market driven by flashy designs and aggressive marketing, the Unicorn’s success lies in its understated appeal, mechanical reliability, and consistent delivery of what truly matters to Indian riders.
A Legacy of Trust
The Honda Unicorn first rolled out in 2004, marking Honda’s debut in the Indian motorcycle market as a standalone entity. At a time when flashy 150cc motorcycles were racing for attention, the Unicorn entered with a more subdued mission—to serve as a refined, commuter-friendly alternative. Its smooth engine, monoshock suspension (a first in the segment back then), and minimalist design attracted office-goers, middle-aged riders, and small business owners who prioritized long-term reliability over short-term thrill.
In many ways, the Unicorn helped redefine what Indian commuters expected from a 150cc motorcycle—introducing them to smoother performance, superior refinement, and Japanese engineering precision at an accessible price point.
Design: Simplicity with Purpose
The 2025 Honda Unicorn continues this legacy with a design that stays true to its roots. There’s no aggressive fairing or sporty LED strips—just a clean, elegant silhouette. It features a large fuel tank with subtle decals, a chrome-tipped exhaust, and a long, comfortable seat designed with practicality in mind.
The uncluttered front fascia sports a halogen headlamp, chrome garnish, and a raised handlebar that offers an upright seating position ideal for long city commutes and rural road rides alike. The analog-digital instrument cluster includes a speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer, and warning lights—nothing flashy, just enough to keep you informed.
What some may call “dated,” fans of the Unicorn call “timeless.” This simplicity has been part of its charm and helps the bike maintain a certain professional, mature appeal.
Engine & Performance: Where the Unicorn Shines
Powering the Honda Unicorn is a 162.7cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine, tuned for efficiency and refinement rather than raw power. It delivers around 12.7 bhp at 7500 rpm and 14 Nm of torque at 5500 rpm, paired with a smooth 5-speed gearbox. While these numbers may not stir excitement in performance enthusiasts, they translate into an incredibly usable powerband for everyday riding.
The engine is BS6-compliant and features Honda’s proven PGM-FI (Programmed Fuel Injection) technology for better fuel delivery and emissions control. Whether weaving through city traffic or cruising on highways at 60–70 km/h, the Unicorn’s engine remains calm, vibration-free, and incredibly fuel-efficient—offering mileage of around 50–55 km/l in real-world conditions.
This makes the bike especially popular among professionals who travel 30–50 km daily and require a no-fuss, affordable ride that delivers consistently.
Ride Quality: Made for Indian Roads
One of the Unicorn’s greatest strengths has always been its ride comfort. It features telescopic front forks and a hydraulic monoshock at the rear, which absorb potholes and speed breakers with surprising ease. The long seat, generous ground clearance of 187 mm, and kerb weight of around 140 kg ensure a planted and stable ride across various terrains.
The riding triangle is perfectly tuned for comfort: upright handlebars, slightly forward footpegs, and a neutral seating position. The bike also comes with a single-channel ABS as standard, mated to a 240 mm disc at the front and a 130 mm drum brake at the rear—again, nothing excessive, but effective and safe for the segment it targets.
Whether it’s urban congestion or rough rural roads, the Unicorn handles both with minimal rider fatigue. It’s not meant for corner carving or high-speed thrills, but for reliable, comfortable point-A-to-B commuting, it’s hard to beat.
Utility and Practicality: The Commuter King
The Honda Unicorn continues to dominate in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities due to its rugged build, low maintenance cost, and high resale value. Its metal body components, simple electronics, and widely available spares make it a favorite among mechanics and service centers alike.
Key highlights for practical users:
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Long seat: Ideal for family rides or carrying luggage.
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Refined clutch: Light and progressive, perfect for stop-and-go traffic.
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Fuel tank capacity: At 13 liters, the Unicorn offers excellent range on a single fill-up.
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Low ownership cost: Its reliability means fewer visits to the workshop and reduced long-term expenses.
For Whom is the Unicorn Meant?
The Honda Unicorn is not for thrill-seekers or Gen-Z riders hunting for sporty appeal. It’s not meant to impress at college bike meets or dominate Instagram reels. Instead, it’s a tool—an excellent, efficient, and reliable tool—for:
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Office-goers
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Government employees
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Rural buyers needing a strong, comfortable bike
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Middle-aged professionals
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Small business owners who travel daily
For these groups, the Unicorn delivers value that no other 160cc motorcycle consistently offers over a 5 to 10-year ownership cycle.
Price in India (Ex‑Showroom New Delhi)
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Rs 1,19,481 (one‑disc variant only)
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has launched the 2025 model in a single configuration, now compliant with OBD2B emission norms. This price reflects a modest hike of around ₹8,000 compared to the previous version.
🆕 What You Get for ₹1.19 Lakh
Key Updates & Features
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New LED headlamp with chrome surrounds, replacing the older halogen unit
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A fully digital instrument cluster that displays gear position, Eco mode indicator, trip meters, service reminders, and more
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A USB Type-C charging port, enabling smartphone charging on the go.
Mechanical & Performance Highlights
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Powered by a refined 162.71 cc, single-cylinder fuel‑injected engine, now OBD2B compliant
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Power output: ~13 bhp @ 7,500 rpm, Torque: ~14.58 Nm @ 5,250 rpm
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Transmission: 5‑speed gearbox
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Suspension and brakes: Telescopic fork (front), monoshock (rear), 240 mm front disc brake, 130 mm rear drum, 18″ alloy wheels with tubeless tyres.
Build & Dimensions
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Kerb weight: ~139 kg
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Fuel capacity: 13 litres
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Seat height: ~798 mm
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Ground clearance: ~187 mm
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Wheelbase: ~1,335 mm
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Offered in three refined shades: Pearl Igneous Black, Matte Axis Grey Metallic, and Radiant Red Metallic.
🚦Market Comparison & Perspective
In the current commuter bike market, the Honda Unicorn 2025 stands as a refined and dependable choice, though it faces stiff competition from newer 160 cc twins like the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N 160.
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Rivals typically offer sharper styling, more power, modern displays (TFT), dual-channel ABS, and broader dealer-adoption in younger demographics.
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Nonetheless, owners and Reddit users frequently praise the Unicorn for its unwavering reliability and comfortable ride over years of ownership. One rider wrote:
“Even I’m in the same dilemma… Yes, Honda Unicorn is still a sensible choice in 2025 if you prioritize comfort, reliability, and a smooth engine.
At ₹1,19,481: Is It Worth It?
✔ Pros
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Extremely reliable Honda engine with low maintenance
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Smooth ride quality, strong resale value, and simple design
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New digital cluster and LED light bring it just about up to modern expectations
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Still a reasonably priced premium commuter in real-world terms
❌ Cons
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Power and torque figures are modest by 160 cc standards
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Lacks sporty refinement, short on modern styling or dual-channel ABS
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Solo variant only—no higher-tier trims or options like ABS upgrades
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Seen by some as overly conservative and outdated compared to rivals
🏁 Final Thoughts
At an ex-showroom price of ₹1,19,481 in Delhi, the 2025 Honda Unicorn is a trusted commuter package—especially for riders valuing practicality over panache. Its legacy continues thanks to Honda’s engineering reliability, comfortable ergonomics, easy serviceability, and the incremental updates of LED lighting and digital display.
However, if you’re looking for more spirited performance, aggressive styling, feature-rich TFT instruments, or improved braking, newer rivals in the 150–160 cc space may offer better overall appeal.
Would you like to explore on-road pricing in your city, or compare features side-by-side with similar motorcycles like the Pulsar N160 or Apache RTR?
2025 Updates: Subtle but Sensible
Honda hasn’t tampered much with the Unicorn formula over the years, but the 2025 version brings:
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Updated colors like Metallic Grey, Pearl Black, and Imperial Red
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Improved seat cushioning and stitching
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Enhanced engine mapping for better throttle response
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Slight improvements to the semi-digital meter for better readability
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Minor tweaks for NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) control
Still, the updates are evolutionary, not revolutionary—true to the Unicorn’s DNA.
Last Updated On 6 august 2025.
See also this: Honda CBR500R: A Perfect Balance of Performance, Style, and Everyday Usability .
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