What do you choose? Suppose you have two options, one girl's parents are well known, have presence everywhere, but there is nothing to love in the girl. Other is the parent's are not yet established, but the girl is the best you have found till date, and felt love immediately? What will be preferred, heart or head?

And before you advise, please keep in mind that you are advising a married man, looking for a bike to go on rides with his better half, and 'marriage' means buying a new bike.

I took the test rides of GS150R and unicorn on saturday. I thought that will clearly tell the winner, but now I am confused a lot.

I had to search the Swargate suzuki for a long time. Luckily, I found it on Saturday. Went there, saw a GS150R orange standing outside. Here's the experience:

The bike feels rock solid. The moment you sit on it, you know it is special. The tank feels HUGE like hunk, but with real metal n not plastic muscles. Orange color was looking good on the bike. But that bike is bit advanced for even the suzuki showroom people. When I inquired about GS150R, he shoved the test ride key in my hands. He didn't have any answers for what the modes were, what are the special features are etc. I forgot to ask what the oil reservoir thing near the rear shock absorbers is, but I doubt whether he'd know it (they certainly are not gas filled, the manual says they are oil reservoirs that help oil cooling, wonde how!). I tried the two rubbery feeling buttons on the speedometer. SEL buttom selects tripmeter and odometer, but other button was not doing anything. I couldn't change the mode, (it was in POWER mode), and couldn't figure how to reset the clock, it was showing 8.14 at 5pm. The speedometer self check is OK, nothing too great. Everything is easily readable though.

When we started the test ride (me and the suzuki person), one immediate thing to notice was the firing. It is smooth, and not 'silent' as in mute. It gives good feeling about the ride. We started the ride, and went on a fly over. Increasing the geares slowly, finally we were at speed 33-35 in 6 gear, without any knocking.

After we finished the flyover n took U turn, i gave throttle, n started taking gears at high rpm ( didn't see the rpm, coz I was not wearing helmet n so looking at the roads more). In no time we were at 80, two up, on up-climb! A grin was pasted on my face when i handed out the keys back to him.

I didn't expect the suzuki to produce such a bike that will create smiles. Especially after my Caliber 115, this experience was something of a novelty. After this surprise, we headed to Honda showroom. There is was a whole lot of different experience.

I was interested in GP edition, and even stopped a guy riding a GP edition Unicorn on the way to Honda, to ask about true owner's feedback. He was all praises about it. When we went there, I found out that GP edition is available, but they cannot guarantee delivery in January. I said I would like my registration to be done in Jan, but they were not agreeing at all. According to them, if I pay full payment, they will hold a bike for me and deliver it in Jan, which is pretty foolish.

Anyway I took a test ride of Unicorn. Honda guy said he had a old version unicorn, but upon my reply that they are all the same, he sheepishly agreed. I took the ride alone, and boy was I bored. Ya, sure, it's smooth, mute, but that's it. Meher uncle's trouble free bike, ye! No thrill, no feedback that urges you to kick ahead.

Now I am in a dilemma. Honda has presence all over India. The service centers or the availability of parts is guaranteed. However in case of Suzuki, I am not too sure about the availability of parts, or Service centers. Also, honda is tried and tested product, I have no idea about Suzuki.

When I consulted a few mechanics, they were all praises about Unicorn, they unanimously voted out Pulsar, but on suzuki, only some had experience. But those who did work or suzuki were praising it, assuring me to go ahead.

Now, which one will YOU go for, if you were in my place? I want to decide only between these two bikes, so please don't give other suggestions. I will be taking this bike to long rides, including Leh Ladakh, so please advise.