Re: Honda Unicorn 160

[QUOTE=nikkswest;1172978]The stiff suspension is fine on the riders back. No problems to the rider, it has been really good to the riders back.
But to the pillion it might cause some problems, you ride the bike on a ditch at a relative high speed, you can hear the pillion complain of the having a bad experience on the back.


Thanks a ton nikkswest. I just test drove (2Km city drive) unicorn 160 and so far it is good on my back. Shall try to drive this for some more time before taking a decision. One more question. How is the plastic chain cover. Does it make any rattling noise? I heard a owner talking about it and its quality.

Re: Honda Unicorn 160

[QUOTE=s.srinath;1173014]The user manual says oil and tighten the chain every 1000km, If You don't end up doing that yes the rattling noise is indeed there (not horrifying though). I did have this issue and once the chain has been tighten its all fine and back to normal.

Re: Honda Unicorn 160

Thanks Nikkswest for the prompt reply. Have a good time with your bike.

Oil Change for New bike

I purchased Honda CB Unicorn 160.

traveled 110km

what is best oil change interval for initial stage?

Re: Honda Unicorn 160

So, I got my unicorn 160 yesterday. Not expected from a guy who has owned a Karizma and a D200 people said. However, i purchased this bike for city rides and was really irked by the quality on the previous bike (not to mention which one).

Here's what I felt about the bike:
1.) I am running in the bike; however, the bike feels peppy under 4K rpm too. Reaching 60kmph is not a problem at all. Although the showroom waala said please keep the speed under 40 "Saar". Easy to handle in traffic; seating position makes it difficult for cornering (obviously its a commuter bike!)
2.) lot of false neutrals.
3.) SILENT and smooth!! A typical honda!
4.) Brakes are bad.. really bad. Wish I can hook on a rear disc sometime soon.
5.) Nice and smart cost cutting methods the chain guard, the mid section of the saree guard and the grab rail are all plastic.
6.) Neat fit and finish. I really loved the paint, fit and finish etc. However, the switches are of a bad quality.

More observations/modification updates as I go. Here's a pic: YEAH saree guard is off.



Cheers,

Karthik

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First oil change after the bike has run about 800 kms!

Ride safe!

Cheers,

Karthik

CB Unicorn 160 unusual engine sound

Guys,

I've a Honda CB Unicorn 160, about 3 months old. Right after the first service, the engine sound changed.

The engine was smooth in the beginning. Soon after, the engine began feeling rough after riding around 4-5km. The engine also started making a sort of rattling/ticking/tapping noise whenever i left the throttle after accelerating (as in you accelerate, and when you encounter an obstacle or a signal, you let go of the accelerator to slow down). But, it sounded smooth and nearly silent when idling.

I showed it to the A.S.S, but they just replied with a "everything's fine". I gave a complaint on the Honda site, and they called me to bring the bike for inspection by a technician. The technician diagnosed it as an issue with the camshaft and rocker arm, and they changed it under warranty. But still, no dice. The engine rattling sound was still there, so i decided to take it to a mechanic who i know well. He adjusted the valve clearance, and changed the clutch bell and said that it should be fixed, but in vain.

The valve clearance was under the limits specified, and all the nuts, screws and bolts were tightened to ensure that it wasn't any loose part of the bike, yet the sound continues.

I want to know, what could be the cause of such a rattling/ticking/tapping noise?

Thanks

Re: CB Unicorn 160 unusual engine sound


As with the engine behaving rough I think its normal. Even i have the same feeling with the bike, but with the engine making a rattling noise I m not able to think of a cause, but have you checked if its the loose chain hitting the chain cover?

Re: Honda Unicorn 160

Friends,

Any long term reviews for the bike? how is the initial niggles like clunky gearbox,heating issues now?, has the mileage improved?,any kind of inputs would be better. I'm looking to buy uni160 soon.


Thanks.

Re: CB Unicorn 160 unusual engine sound

I got the chain tightened, cleaned and lubed, the sound has reduced indeed, but still not normal. I even removed the chain cover, but no difference. My mechanic put in some STP oil (not sure what it is), and the sound decreased, but only for 1000km.

The bike feels slightly smoother than before after riding for a distance. I was reading the Unicorn Dazzler forum and came across a post describing almost the same symptoms. In that case he found out that the drive shaft/chain (i'm not very sure) had worn out prematurely. Not entirely sure whats the cause of the sound, but FE and performance remains the same, so can't complain much.

Another thing to note is that Honda's engine oil is absolute crap. Shell and Motul (10W40) make the bike feel much much better. Honda's oil made the bike run rough and heat up (so much that i couldn't bear the heat on my foot on the foot peg).

@naveens
I'm getting a mileage of around 50-55kmpl. Heating issues weren't present in the first place (I changed to Shell AX5 Oil 10W40). The gearbox is clunky in the beginning, but gets smooth with more kms. The only "clunkyness" i feel when shifting from first to second, when it slots in with a thud. Except for the above mentioned rattle sound, there are no problems. I went for a trip of 120km, still the bike is smooth, has power and heating is normal.

EDIT - My bike has covered only 2500km, so the roughness and the sound may disappear after more usage.

Here's my Uni160.

Re: Honda Unicorn 160

I've got new Unicorn baby since 3 days and completed 250 kms till now and i've found some issues which maybe sorted during first service like little wobbling, bike doesn't stand firmly on center stand, can feel every bump and potholes though doesn't hurt my back yet. For Engine break-in, i've been keeping the RPM below 4.3k and speeds varying accordingly from 40-58 kmph and I've got mileage of 55 kmpl in Reserve-Reserve basis. Hope the svc guys don't mess up as i'll keep strict check not to mess with my carburetor settings at ALL.

Re: Honda Unicorn 160

Hello All,

its just been a week with my Unicorn 160 (CBS version). not ridden much though (only around 80 kms till now). since this is my first bike, she would be my benchmark but i would pen down my experience for the benefit of others and for ones who are contemplating to buy her.

1. She is quite powerful with the 160cc engine. i have ridden a discover before this. i have to keep my speed in check everytime so that i am not shooting over 60 kmph. its very easy to fire her throttle up for want of more.
2. Suspension is quite good for the rider and the pillon as well. i had went with my friend to pick her up and then drove a bit. To both of us the potholes didnt give much pain except a bump. however, the engine guard scraped off the road on more than couple of occasions (over speed breakers).
3. Engine is smooth and silent as well.
4. With gearbox, there is some minor gear shifting issue. The foot pedal seems big to me (as i use both my toe and heel for gear shifting). i have to shift my foot a bit slightly here and there for gear shift. on a couple of occasions at red light a minor load on the gear pedal made the gear shift. Hopefully this will be resolved with future servicings. Gear shift could have been a bit more smoother than this but the gearbox is not clunky. higher gears (till 4th) give music when shifted to. Speed ranges are: 0-11/13: First Gear; 11/13- 25/28: Second Gear; 25/28-34/38: Third Gear; 34/38-57(my max speed till now): Fourth Gear. i have yet to go into Fifth Gear.
5. Mobility and maneuverability is wonderful within city.
6. Mileage: i have yet to measure this. after coming out of showroom, i filled up 7.5 lt of petrol and have run 78-79kms since then with two bars of fuel (till zero). but with this i am getting a very low mileage (if i calculate an approx value). Am i making any mistake here in calc?
7. She looks beautiful to me whenever i take her around with me and she is very responsive. i like that quality in her!
8. digital console is pretty good and has adequate amount of information on it with two tripmeters. Bike kill switch is not there.

i will post pictures in forth coming posts and more info. But i need some help with mileage calc.

There has not been any other feature which i found significant issue for riding. All in all a good bike to ride. I am happy with her!

Re: Honda Unicorn 160

Calculate mileage using the reserve to reserve method.

Fill a known amount of petrol when the bike goes to reserve. (Try to fill at least 5 litres)

Switch back to ON from reserve. Keep riding till the bike goes to reserve again.

Note the distance traveled and calculate the mileage.

For noting the distance, you can use one of the trips in the trip meter.

Another thing to note is that the bike's fuel gauge on the display blinks when there's still around a litre of petrol in the tank (apart from reserve).

Re: Honda Unicorn 160

Hey, thanks Shashank for this procedure. i am aware of this actually. i was trying to roughly calculate the FE. I will try to calc this time using reserve to reserve method.

Re: Honda Unicorn 160

Today i took her out for run..did around 100kms.

When i took her out,front tyre had 10 psi and rear had 20 psi. Got the air corrected to 25/30 psi after 1-2 kms run (searching for air). After that, got a puncture in front tyre (feeling really bad till now ) got it repaired from near by on-road shop.The rear tyre looked like to be loosing air. I got it rechecked after 20 kms and front/rear were 20/20. Filled them again to 25/30 ratio. Is this okay? or do i need to do something else.

one more observation. 4th gear tops out at 55 kmph after which 5th gear can be put in. Took her to 66 kmph on one occasion and she seemed to be running slightly out of breath. Did not dare to go beyond that and quickly got back to within 60 kmph for rest of the ride. Is that okay for the run in period and will it improve with service?

Re: Honda Unicorn 160

Refilling air every 20 odd kilometres is awful. You may want check the tyres and roads you ride on thoroughly.

What was the engine-RPM at that point (55 km/hr in 4^th gear)?