Honda
Honda Unicorn
A reliable naked commuter that newer, better-equipped rivals have quietly overtaken
In short
The Unicorn is Honda's long-running 160cc naked commuter, priced from ₹1.15 lakh with 13bhp and a claimed 50kmpl. It lacks the TFT console and Bluetooth features found on newer rivals like the TVS Apache RTR 160, priced identically but with more power and better efficiency, leaving the Unicorn to lean on Honda's reliability reputation.
- Engine
- 163 cc
- Power
- 13 bhp
- Claimed mileage
- 50 kmpl
- Kerb weight
- 139 kg
What works
- 187mm ground clearance, best-in-class for broken roads
- Reliable air-cooled single with strong low-end torque
- 3-year, 42,000km warranty
- Honda's wide dealer and service network
What doesn't
- No TFT console or Bluetooth, unlike similarly priced rivals
- Apache RTR 160 offers more power and better efficiency at the same price
- Only single-channel ABS and rear drum brake
Best for: No-frills daily commuting, Riders prioritising reliability, Broken road routes
Price and variants
Ex-showroom Delhi. On-road estimate for Delhi; other cities on the price page.
There is only one Unicorn to buy, priced at ₹1,15,241 ex-showroom in Delhi. The only decisions left are colour and whether to finance it.
That makes it priced 10th lowest among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed. Its closest price rivals are the Pulsar 150 (₹59 more) and the CB 125 Hornet (₹71 more).
On the road in Delhi, budget about ₹1.35 Lakh for the base variant once 8% Delhi road tax, registration and five-year third-party insurance are added. Dealers often quote higher by bundling accessories, extended warranty and handling charges; all three are negotiable.
| Variant | Ex-showroom | Rough EMI |
|---|---|---|
Standard | ₹1,15,241 |
Mileage
Unicorn's claimed mileage is 50 kmpl, and unusually, owners and our own riding land right on it: expect 47–52 kmpl in everyday use. Few bikes get this close to their brochure figure.
Among the 67 sports bikes we have reviewed it ranks 14th for mileage, 8 kmpl above the group average of 42 kmpl.
Engine and ride
Power comes from a 163cc single producing 13 bhp and 14.58 Nm, paired with a 5 Speed. At 139 kg the power-to-weight figure is 94 bhp per tonne, which ranks 59 of 73 in its class here.
The torque and power figures are well balanced, so it neither needs to be revved hard nor feels lazy when you do.
Chassis hardware includes a rear monoshock and single-channel ABS, with a disc, 240 mm, 2 piston caliper up front and drum, 130 mm at the rear.
At 798 mm the seat is average for the class; most riders from 5'5" up will be comfortable at stops.
Our review
Riding impressions and the buying advice a spec sheet cannot give.
Verdict
The Unicorn has been a steady, unglamorous presence in Honda's lineup for years, and that description still fits. At ₹1.15 lakh it offers 13bhp and a high 187mm ground clearance, but it skips the TFT console and Bluetooth connectivity that the identically priced TVS Apache RTR 160 offers alongside more power. It is a bike for buyers who value Honda's dependability over feature checklists.
Riding it every day
The engine's low-end torque makes stop-go traffic manageable without constant gear shuffling, and the high ground clearance means speed breakers and potholes rarely scrape the underbelly. At 139kg, it handles predictably at both low and moderate speeds. The seating position is upright and unstressed, suited to long daily commutes rather than aggressive riding.
What to know before buying
Real-world mileage of 47-52kmpl is respectable, though rivals like the Apache RTR 160 typically claim better figures alongside more power. The basic digital console lacks any connectivity features, and the single-channel ABS with rear drum brake feels dated against newer competition. Honda's service network remains a genuine strength for owners planning to keep the bike long-term.
Who should buy it
The Unicorn suits a buyer who wants a straightforward, no-frills commuter with Honda's reliability reputation and does not mind skipping a TFT display or the extra power that similarly priced rivals now offer.
Features and colours
- Single-channel ABS
- Front disc brake
- Tubeless tyres
- Alloy wheels
- Side-stand engine cut-off
- Hazard lamps
- Rear monoshock
- LED headlamp
- Digital console
- USB charging port
- +1 more
On safety kit the Unicorn has single-channel abs, front disc brake, tubeless tyres, side-stand engine cut-off and hazard lamps. ABS acts on the front wheel only; the rear can still lock under a hard stamp.
Against SP160, Apache RTR 160 or Apache RTR 160 4V, it gets usb charging port that most rivals skip.
What it lacks: led tail lamp, led daytime running lamp and ride modes, which rivals at this price offer. None of these are deal-breakers, but they show where the money went.
It is offered in 3 colours: Radiant Red Metallic, Mat Axis Gray Metallic and Pearl Igneous Black. Colour availability varies by variant and dealer stock.
Warranty, service and ownership
Standard warranty is 3 years or 42,000 km. After the free services, the recommended interval is every 6,000 km.
Service reach is excellent: Honda has about 6,000 dealer and workshop touchpoints across the country.
On sale since 2020, the Unicorn is established enough that early production issues have been worked through and used examples give a fair read on resale.
Unicorn: questions people ask
- What is the price of the Honda Unicorn?
- The Unicorn is priced at ₹1,15,241 ex-showroom Delhi in its single variant, as of September 2026. On-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance.
- What is the on-road price of the Unicorn in Delhi?
- Roughly ₹1.35 Lakh for the base variant in Delhi: ₹1,15,241 ex-showroom plus ₹9,219 road tax, ₹1,100 registration and about ₹9,435 insurance. This is an estimate; dealer quotes include handling and accessories.
- What is the mileage of the Unicorn?
- Claimed mileage is 50 kmpl. Owners typically see 47–52 kmpl in mixed city and highway riding.
- How much does the Unicorn cost to run per month?
- Fuel works out to about ₹1.92 per km in Delhi, so a 30 km daily commute costs roughly ₹1,494 a month before servicing.
- What is the EMI for the Unicorn?
- With 10% down, a 36-month loan at 9.5% on the base variant comes to about ₹3,650 a month. A shorter tenure raises the EMI but cuts total interest; see the EMI calculator on the price page.
- What is the engine capacity and power of the Unicorn?
- It uses a 163cc engine producing 13 bhp and 14.58 Nm, with a 5 speed.
- Is the Unicorn suitable for short riders?
- Mostly. Seat height is 798 mm, which suits riders from about 5'5". Shorter riders should sit on one at the showroom.
- Unicorn or SP160: which is better?
- The SP160 is ₹2,618 more expensive to start and less efficient at 50 kmpl against 50 kmpl. Pick the Unicorn for no-frills daily commuting, the SP160 for enthusiastic daily commuting. Our side-by-side comparison covers every spec.
- Which bikes are cheaper than the Unicorn?
- Among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed, the Pulsar 125 (₹93,507), the Apache RTR 160 (₹1.11 Lakh), the CNG Bike (₹1.04 Lakh) start lower.
- Is the Unicorn worth buying over the newer TVS Apache RTR 160 at the same price?
- The Apache typically offers more power, better claimed efficiency and a more modern feature set for similar money. The Unicorn's case rests on Honda's reliability track record and dealer reach, so the choice depends on whether you prioritise features or brand trust.
- Does the Unicorn's 187mm ground clearance make a real difference on bad roads?
- Yes, this is one of the highest ground clearance figures in its segment, and it typically helps over speed breakers, potholes and unpaved stretches without scraping the underside, which is a genuine advantage for riders on inconsistent road surfaces.
Unicorn vs its rivals
Around ₹1.15 Lakh
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Before you buy
Unicorn from
₹1.15 Lakh