Re: Please advice on - Unicorn Alternative!

Thread approved.

Re: Please advice on - Unicorn Alternative!

I wouldn't suggest you to buy the CB unicorn 160, it's weird and a 100% commuter. I blindly bought it for my elder brother in Nov 2017 and then Honda launched X-blade shortly after that, I was super pissed but couldn't sell that bike due to low resale value.
The seating position is too upright like a 100cc bike, the front forks, handlebar, switchgear is exactly same as in any Honda 100cc bike! I feel yucky driving it because of the commuterish feeling (I don't always ride it, I have my own lovely karizma ZMR).

Also Honda's seat cushion is a joke, that crap is so hard that it transfers every single undulation to your spine! After continuous complaints from my brother within 1 month, I went to a seat cover repair shop, told him to rip out that stock foam (which is surprisingly NOT FOAM, it's just a polyurethane block with no air bubbles that's why it's hard as a rock) and put a simple foam which comes in Hero Honda splendor, then told him to put a seat cover on top of it(custom size) made out of cotton strips which won't get compressed over the years. After all this modding, the seat lost its sporty shape but I don't care for aesthetics that much. As soon as I rode it, I felt like sitting on a dirt bike! Now I can't feel the huge potholes even at high speeds, although the seat height has increased by around 1-2 cms and that made the riding stance a little taller.

Also, the gear ratio is too tall for city riding, 3rd and 4th gear feel too long and I have to rev it at higher rpm's before shifting to 5th. I am comparing the gear ratios with other 160cc category bikes, none of them have got this tall gear ratio, usually such tall gear ratios should be used in higher powered bikes like cbr250 etc.

I can suggest you the following bikes:

Honda X blade
Almost the same as cb unicorn 160, just changed the body fiber parts and put an LED headlight which is too weak in my opinion. Test drive it first.

Apache 160 4V
It ticks off all your requirements. It is surprisingly comfortable yet sporty enough. It has got good low end torque and the exhaust note is always pushing you to rev it higher!

Suzuki gixxer
One of my favorite no nonsense sporty bike in 160cc class. It is smooth, agile, well balanced and just the right amount of sporty. The chassis is too stable and rigid, it's a hoot to lean in if you know how to use counter steering technique. Try to buy the Fuel injection variant, carburetor is an ancient tech and should be avoided if you plan to keep the bike for more than 5 years.

Re: Please advice on - Unicorn Alternative!

Try new fz v3. It has upright riding position with soft seats. It's a reliable and good bike, but if you the best bike in segment it's the 160 4v, but riding position is slightly aggressive and cramped, compared to Japanese bikes, fz will suit you the best

Re: Please advice on - Unicorn Alternative!

Thanks #arya809 and #bpk for your replies!!

After a long deliberation, eventually settled with Unicorn; unfortunately at the moment, we dont have an Unicorn alternative in the market!

So what has happened last week, for the Guy who was looking to buy anything other than Uni?

Well, after I posted in the forum, had shortlisted FZS FI V3, Apache RTR 160 4V, RE Himalayan, RE Thunderbird 500X. I had a soft corner for Himalayan, for minimalist looks and the praise its getting for a great riding comfort!

To begin with my (re)search, borrowed a FZ FI V2 from my cousin, used it for almost a Week and had a few revelations.

First, 10 min into a B2B traffic, the FZ started to boil. Hence ruled out the Himalayan with a heavy heart, as the Vlogs and forums all had cautioned about heating issues.If FZ boils, then I cant imagine about Himalayan!

My next revelation was about the ride posture: FZ is very planted in the road and gives a lot of confidence but i was not relaxed at all; happen to get my hands on a CB Shine just after a 20 km FZ ride and I fell instantly for the RELAXED posture.

Regarding Apache RTR, neither myself nor my extended family has ever owned a TVS motorbike; for our family, TVS is a brand to go only for scooters! (not meant to offend the TVS owners, just my personal experience). So I was bit wary of Apache!

One fine day, I happen to have this conversation with a colleague about motorbike purchase ( I had switched jobs recently and so yet to get to know the 'who is who'). To my surprise he owns both, a RE Thunderbird 500 and a Unicorn, the final two contenders of my wishlist. He has been using the RE for highway riding and the CB unicorn for city commutes. I was very excited, can find any better person for advice? He strongly suggested to go for the Uni and I took his word.


And so, I stopped looking for that elusive Unicorn alternative, went to the showroom today where I had visited earlier, agreed to pay the extra 6000 bucks , got the bike delivered in two hours and rode home with a big smile

The End.


P.S. I hope all will be well!!

Re: Please advice on - Unicorn Alternative!

Why you paid Extra for Unicorn? you should have gone for Xblade which offers better Console & modern looks

Re: Please advice on - Unicorn Alternative!

Congratulations on your new motorcycle

Re: Please advice on - Unicorn Alternative!

Congrats on your purchase, CB unicorn is an awesome motorcycle. Although, I might have preferred Apache 160 4V.

Re: Please advice on - Unicorn Alternative!

So there is no alternative for unicorn .its a very good machine in terms of almost everthing from my according to my 10 year ownership of it ..honda did not modify it in design since its launch way back in 2004. Still in demand and selling the same design for almost 15 years.
Congratulation for becoming the wing rider..