You are mostly wrong here. The 5ah battery will loose less charge as your alternator generates enough charge to actually keep a 5ah battery charge retained and mostly within an hour or two journey it will get completely charged.
Whereas the 9ah battery will be left without charge i.e the rate at which you are draining the battery is not equal to rate at which you are producing power from alternator, this is what deep discharge means.

Just ignore mobile battery example if it made no sense.

Speaking of, if we want we can induct a truck battery too so that we can retain more charge. Nothing is impossible, its just that we dont need a truck battery here, I agree if I were riding all night long then I think a 9aH battery is needed, which ofcourse I will have to remove and charge it connecting it to a power source otherwise a 5ah should be good.

a 9ah will be holding the same amount of charge, just that it can hold more if given more time
That rate is same for 9ah and 5ah under the same load and charging rate.

why? Your battery wont get charged during the day?

or you mean to say a 5ah is enough for higher load than a 9ah under the same charging rate? :/

Please know that charging both the battery will not be same, its not like you are filling water into small and big cans, it cannot be the same. The rate of charge for higher ah battery will require more load (9ah*12V=108W as against 5ah*12V=60W) so output from the alternators has to meet this additional demand, also note you will need to rewind coil to get more power generated if what it generates on your bike is less than 132W to charge the 9ah battery and also needs modification of relays (RR) which will usually be designed to allow only 60W of power to the battery terminals.. So an 9ah battery may no doubt provide you more charge holding capacity initially when its fully charged, but it will be of no use unless you have kept it charged fully, other wise its just an 9ah battery with 4-5ah of juice in it.

Nice pun! Yes the battery will charge during the day or night, you will just need to run vehicle for twice as many hours to charge a higher ah battery if you are not doing any rewinding. Do you know what this means? You need to run the vehicle a lot during the day, and I dont run the bike just to keep the charge on an higher ah battery, coz you know the petrol price is nowadays right?

What I am trying to tell you is, on the long run an higher ah battery for a vehicle designed to use smaller battery will give no added advantage since the charging capacity only fulfills the requirement of smaller battery. So if the bike was intended for 3.5ah an 5ah battery will be sufficient if you have an 55W headlight and all other electrical stuff has led lights for indicators and tail light. Doesnt that make much sense than going for coil rewinding? I am telling you this becoz I too decided on upgrading my battery and later found it was not really a good idea.

its the same..
no, 9ah battery would continue to get charged to its full potential, as long as the voltage across it is ~14v, not that the charging will stop at 5ah.
coil rewinding is required!
i just wanted to tell that with a higher ah battery you can ride with all those higher wattage headlights ON even at very low rpm and still not get fully discharged..the battery would get charged later.

With a higher charging rate and higher ah battery, arent things better than one with a lower ah battery when you want to put higher loads?

yes, led lights would lower the burden on the battery..

False, voltage is not the only factor that attributes to charging, the charging current is what is important. V=IR, the resistance will increase substantially in an higher current battery so the voltage drop occurs. So if the voltage was 14 across 5A cell, across 9A there will be more cell blocks inside the battery which will give more resistance for current flow, and voltage will be way less. Try it out yourself to know.

So if you meet 14V across 9A cell its just the beginning criteria, next comes charging current, more higher it is more quicker it gets charged.

+1 You are right, with coil rewinding you can put 9ah battery and also DC conversion has to be done, rewiring and LED taillights etc.

hi Revankar,I think problem was with carb tuning, they must have tuned your bike for better fuel avg. Next time you face similiar problem ask them to tune your carb for better performance before going for change or openeing the carb

Honda CB Unicorn

Hi Guys,

Today i am writing about the ownership experience of My Honda CB Unicorn.

I got the delivery of this bike on 10/09/2011. I paid Rs. 1,000/- as booking token amount to Saipoint Honda, Thane in early 2008. Then i was admitted to the hospital for Typhoid and i couldn't make the rest of the payment then. I wanted to go for a bike, but my parents wont allow. After booking a unicorn, i started riding my friends Bajaj Avenger 180 at times when i needed a vehicle to go out and instantly loved the cruiser. In December 2010 i made up my mind to buy the Avenger 220. I made all the inquiries and arranged for cash as well. I decided that i will buy this bike after my Goa bike trip. I borrowed my friends Thunderbird. After riding for just 500 meters i started loving that bike. After a few 100 Kilometers i decided to go for a Bullet. After i reached Goa, i called my girlfriend that i am buying a bullet and not an avenger. Plans cancelled. No Avenger. Then later after making up my mind to buy Classic 500, i had some medical emergency in my family, and all my money for Classic 500 had to be given. Very desperate for a bike, now i wanted a bike that i easy on pockets and also give me a good fuel efficiency.

That's when i decided to go for a Honda CB unicorn. I was confused between Honda CB Unicorn Dazzler and Honda CB Unicorn. The reason i selected CB Unicorn because i had read that on long drives it has a better seating posture than Dazzler. Also it also gives better fuel efficiency than Dazzler minus a bit low performance [which i am okay as i told my self, you never ride at high speeds]

I made a full payment to Saipoint Honda after they made me wait for 45 days. I told them very clearly that i am making a payment provided you give me the bike in another 10 days as after which we Hindu's do not purchase any new things till Gudi Padwa. The sales person promised me the delivery and told me that i will be contacted when they get the bike from the godown.

5 days later i called them as i didn't hear from them. The lady told me that in next 5 days the delivery isnt possible. I lost my cool and told her why did they waste my money by asking me to make a payment. Then she told me that they will see to it what could be done. After which i used to call them daily and i never heard from them as they never used to answer the call. On the date of promised delivery, i had made up my mind that in case i don't get my bike today i will get all the money and also will never ever buy a bike.

Thankfully i got my bike on 10/09/2011. The dealer had so many CB Unicorn's and it was very evident that they were just increasing the wait time. But now that's none of my concern. I filled petrol of worth 100 rupees on day 1 and parked the bike in my parking. I didn't get any time after that to ride my bike. I had purchased a DSG jacket but had no helmet. In a week i also purchased a helmet and the next day i filled up my fuel tank. I filled up petrol from HP petrol Pump in Vitava, near Kalwa [Thane, Maharashtra]. The user manual says that the fuel tank is of 13.5 Liters. But the petrol pump guy filled 14 liters of fuel in my tank. Not sure how they managed to fill that, i was least concerned.



Now the problem. Ever since i purchased the bike and took it out from showroom, the bike used to run like there is no fuel in the bike, or the fuel is not reaching the engine. Even after filling 14 liters of fuel in my bike early morning when i used to kick start my bike the bike used to sound the same way even when i used to warm the engine at idling for 5 minutes. Even after that for 1st 3 to 5 kilometers it was the same. I was seriously pissed of with this bike, but i thought this is how the 150 cc bikes must be. On my 5 days trip to Goa, i was riding a Thunderbird 2006 model. I did more than 2000 kilometers on that bike. Even while riding my own bike i couldn't forget that experience so i thought that's how these bikes are. To further add to my frustration i saw that there was no power in this bike. I am very careful with my right hand. As written in the manual, no higher RPM and no sudden acceleration, but still when i start the bike from the signal, there used to be no power in 1st and 2nd gear. In 3rd gear when i used to open up the throttle a bit harder [as every one use to honk and i didn't wanted to inconvenience them] the bike used to run faster. Again i thought that's how the bike is. I used to be ultra careful with my new bike. Not to ride above 40 Kmph for 1st 500 kilometers. Intermittently the bike used to behave like there is no fuel when the tank is full of fuel. My expert friends who have bikes for ages, said "arrey tera bike hava kha raha hai". When i asked them what it is, he told me that air fuel mixture wasnt correct. Time for the 1st servicing.



700 Kilometers on the odometer


Got the 1st servicing done from Honda Authorized Service Center in Kharegaon Kalwa [Thane, Maharashtra]. I am very particular about getting my bike serviced in front of me. I was on a important call and that guy changed the engine oil. That was done so quick. Now i know that wasn't done correctly. Not all dirty oil was removed by slightly tilting the bike. But then it was my 1st time and i never knew that. So no point regretting over what happened. Then after changing the oil, that guy did lube my chain, stands and then asked another guy to take it for washing. I was like, washing the bike after oiling. But i never asked them any questions. The bike came back after washing. After which i told them that when i kick start the bike in the morning, the bike behaves like there is no fuel. And the same happens for another 5 kilometers approximately. I told them that i run my bike only after warming the engine for 5 minutes, which i think is enough as we don't have cold weather here in Kalwa. The person whom i spoke to was a manager at the service center. He told me that its a known issue with Honda CB Unicorn. I was like, i have to live with it all my life, regretting my decision to buy this bike and not a bullet. I wondered how people rate this bike so highly.

Bike was already in reserve so asked the petrol pump walla to fill fuel in my bike. This time again he managed to fill 14 liters. I was suspicious. When the bike has just hit reserve how did he manage to fill 14 liters in a 13.5 liters tank. I paid him the money and on my way to ride.

The same problem persisted. Even after full tank, no power in the bike and bike is behaving like no fuel in the tank. Till 1500 Kilometers i didn't go above 50 and then till 1500 to 1800 kms i didn't ride above 60 Kmph. Then i went for a trip to Neral on my Honda CB Unicorn with my friend who was riding a Yamaha R15 with no pillion rider. I was riding with a pillion rider. Loaded with DSG jacket ans Sygic Maps on my Samsung Galaxy S2 i was on my way to Neral, where my rear tyre punctured near Airoli circle [Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra]



Got the Tube replaced and was on my way to Neral. I was riding at a constant speed of 60 Kmph. MY impatient friend on R15 was asking me to increase the speed and i was like, i cannot till 2nd servicing. On my way back to Thane, he told me something that made sense. He told me that in the run in period, if you do not run your bike in all speeds for short period of time, how will you properly run in the engine. That thing made sense and i was cruising at the speeds of 60 to 80 kmph for some time, ensuring that i wasn't at a constant speed for a long time. Fortunately in such happier times, my bike didn't had its mind of its own like it normally has.

Next day my bike is doing the same thing. This time i decided that i will fill up my tank with fuel from a reputed Bharat Petrol Pump in Jogeshwari, Mumbai, Maharashtra. My bike was already in reserve. And when it was on reserve, it really pissed me off as there was absolutely no pick up and bike was stuttering more often.

On my way back home from work, abusing the bike, my choice of bike and my luck that i couldn't buy a bullet, i reached the petrol pump from where i wanted to fill up my tank. As usual, i him, full tank and normal fuel. He started filling the fuel to realize that he has filling more than 14 liters and still there was space in my tank. He filled 16 liters of petrol and i had to ask him to stop as it was already near the cap of the tank. Now this got me confused. What is the capacity of my fuel tank or did this petrol pump wala cheated me as well.

As usual, who will fight. I started my bike and Woaaaaa. Come on. I have never heard my engine like this. Super smooth. The pickup, excellent. My bike after 1500 Kms or so was now like a brand new bike. Exactly how i expected. The loaded fuel tank gave me more weight, more stability in riding the bike. Trust me guys, this is the 1st time when i enjoyed riding my bike. Next day when i kick started my bike, all problems were disappeared. Now i was falling in love with my bike.

Pickup, acceleration, all top class. I don't care about racing as i believe in safe driving, but the bike is exactly how i wanted. So i came to a conclusion that it was poor quality of petrol that i filled earlier in 2 occasions which was a cause of a problem. I couldn't blame anything else as that was the only thing that i changed.

I got my 2nd servicing done at 2700 Kms. I ensured that i go on a day when there are less customers. These guys changed the engine oil in front of me. I got them to wait patiently for all the oil to drip and put new oil. Some one earlier messed with my side indicator so that was broken when my bike was parked in my company parking. I got that fixed. They had to open the whole front side of the bike



Also the mechanic noticed some oil leakage from the top of the engine. They told me that the rubber has gone bad and needs replacement. I asked them, is that common, for that they replied No, but its best that you get that replaced. This will save oil and they promised that they will only charge for the rubber and no labor charges.

I asked them to change the rubber then





After changing the rubber, they also tightened the screw near the rear tyre because if which the bike used to make some noise on bumpy roads. The mechanic took the bike for a test ride and he told me that the pick up of the bike is not like a new bike. I was like, i didn't notice that, but if you feel it, fix it. I told them very clearly. I am not looking for very high fuel efficiency for which they make some changes which will reduce my engine's life, like a very leaner fuel mixture and all. They changed some clutch settings and i was good to go.

Its now 3300 kms on the ODO. The problems that i face with the bike is that in the morning, i set the fuel cock to on. Wait for the carb to fill with fuel to kickstart. The bike doesn't kick start in the morning, no matter whatever i do. After much frustration, i have to use the electric starter. When i use the electric starter, the bike behaves like there is no fuel again. This time i played with the idling settings and set it slightly high. I don't have an RPM meter but i can tell that the idling setting isn't high than 1500 clicks.

Now the bike never starts with a kick, i have to use electric starter. Use choke for 30 seconds to let the bike run on richer mixture. Then use my bike. With the change in fuel, i have ensured that i fill petrol from the same pump. This time i run out of fuel completely. The same petrol pump guy managed to only fill 14 liters petrol this time making me wonder what the hell is going on. I don't know if its the carb is a problem, but i will have someone look into that issue ASAP. Also i don't know if some one else has ever come across this problem. When i am on higher gears like 5th gear and suddenly when some one comes in front of me and i have to reduce speed, my gears dont downshift quickly. Like i am on 5th and i could stop my bike on 3rd gear. Now when i want to change to 2nd gear it wont. I have to leave the clutch a bit, then i can change. But again that is a gamble. It changes or the engine stalls. I will get this issue addressed as well.

Overall i am not very pleased with this Honda CB Unicorn. One quality of mine is that what ever i use i should have complete knowledge of that. While riding i think about that all the time [i ride safe as well] and may be my expectations are too much, or i may be a normal person with extraordinary problems with my CB Unicorn.

Next month planning a trip on my Bike to Kerala or Karnataka. Would need your inputs as well on that. Till that time, safe riding guys. ...Take care

Shantanu Ture

Unicorn ownership experience approved and merged.

hi shatur87700,My Uni is 3 yr and 25K km old. At some points I too faced problems which you are facing. Earlier I too got frustrated with them but now i have learned from experience... trial-n-err that engine roughness results only when carb is not tuned properly. I'll suggest approach any experienced mechanic at honda srvc cntr and ask him to tune you bike for good power. Since majority wants better fuel efficieny they tune bikes to lean mixture. Make sure you run the bike for some 10 km before going to mechanic so that engine is hot.Ride for a week and see if problem is still there then ask them to check tappet clearance, that can be another reson but less likely.Let us know the outcome.Rahul

After which i told them that when i kick start the bike in the morning, the bike behaves like there is no fuel. And the same happens for another 5 kilometers approximately. I told them that i run my bike only after warming the engine for 5 minutes, which i think is enough as we don't have cold weather here in Kalwa. The person whom i spoke to was a manager at the service center. He told me that its a known issue with Honda CB Unicorn. I was like, i have to live with it all my life, regretting my decision to buy this bike and not a bullet. I wondered how people rate this bike so highly.

Hi Shatur,

I am also facing this Issue and am also very frustated with this problem as do whatever but for sure this bike will stall in the first 3 Km.
Now I have started using choke but still it gives the same feeling that as if there is no petrol.

regarding the petrol capacity issue, I have read it somewhere that you can fill extra litres as the capacity is quoted keeping in mind that there should be some space in case of collision, however it's not recommended to exceed 13.8 KM of fuel capacity.

Hi, congrats on your new cb unicorn...
dazzler has got slightly better fuel effeciency since its weight is less..

it can take a bit more fuel than that mentioned in the manual

yes..air-fuel ratio may not be correct or your carb needs to be cleaned..


i dont use kick start at all..during cold starts warm up your engine for 1-2mins and then ride..

16L you should change your petrol pump..probably they were filling bad petrol and caused those missing problems..

better not play with air-fuel ratio when the bike is new..keep it stock..

i just use the self starter without using choke, fuel is always on, i dont face any cold start issues..
what happened to your rpm meter?

its there in all unicorns, but not always.. you have release the clutch after shifting one gear...
ask your service centre to check the carburettor, spark plug etc and make the AFR ratio to stock setting..

One clutch press means one shift, not anything more than that.
The reason is, multiple shifts with the clutch pressed will result in clutch loosing tension thus causing the gears to grind. To experiment, try shifting from 5~1 with just a single clutch press, and you'll see by the time it reaches 2 or 1 then there will be a really noticeable grinding.

I was told that you need a digital meter to read what RPM is your bike idling to get the correct reading

Buying a Unicorn

After much deliberation, I decided to buy the CB Unicorn. I'm going to be paying the vehicle price tomorrow (75k in Bangalore) and pay for accessories on delivery.

Can you guys tell me if there is anything specific to check on the Unicorn when I get the delivery?

Also, what accessories are a must and which ones do you think can be omitted?

Just check if there are any scratches on the body of the bike, get all the papers from the dealer. If you are taking the delivery of the bike with the number then ensure that you get the number plate work done the same day to avoid further hassle. Check the headlight [upper/dipper], side lights, brake lights are working fine. On my bike they had to adjust the headlight as on upper, the headlight beam used to go somewhere else. Ensure saree guard is fitted, side stand, side mirrors as well. Finally, fill up good quality fuel, ride the bike for some time after you fill up some fuel on the same day. Check for any problems, like i had and get that fixed the same day [i hope you dont have one]. As far as accessories, a seat cover should be a better buy, i don't feel a need for a grip on the handles. Also buy a garage cover. Also on the back of the bike above the tail light you will see a handle. If you can get some kind of cover for that you will save your bike from scratches, i have scratches on that handle. Pillion rider with a bag on the back caused that damage.

Ride safe. Respect the people on the road while you ride. Enjoy the ride