Honda Unicorn
Encyclopedia
The Honda Unicorn is a motorcycle
developed by Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI)
and introduced in 2005. It was the first motorcycle in India to feature a mono-shock. The motorcycle was built and designed by the Honda R&D team based in Osaka, Japan. It was internally called the CBF150M. The engine was taken from CRF150F
post 2005 engine. The previous version of CRF150F was the old CBZ classic. The design of the bike was done keeping in mind Indian road conditions. Many new features were incorporated, including a two-way air jacket, diamond frame, and an engine producing a torque of 12.8 Nm at a relatively low 5500 RPM for better fuel economy. The first version of the bike featured spoke wheels and kick start
only.
Honda claimed the Unicorn accelerated from 0 to 60 km/h (0 to 37.3 mph) in 5 seconds and had a top speed of 101 km/h (62.8 mph). India Business Insight reported acceleration of 0 to 60 km/h (0 to 37.3 mph) in 5.28–5.86 seconds, and a top speed of 114 km/h (70.8 mph).
Honda released the second version to compete with the Bajaj Pulsar
and the TVS Apache
. Changes included alloy wheels, powder coated
engine with a polished head, electric starter, new graphics, clear lens indicator lamps, a trip meter, and a slightly smaller rear grab rail. Few performance changes included minor changes in Cylinder head
, Overhead valve
, ignition remap and a rear sprocket
increase of one tooth, which resulted in increased acceleration at the expense of reduced top speed.The airfilter was changed from a dry paper to oil coated to better suit dusty conditions and a new airflow screw in carburetor. A limited Moto GP "Unicorn Grand Prix" edition had the guise of a Repsol Honda RC211V
. HMSI sold 720,000 Unicorns in 2007. Prices in 2007 ranged from 50,000 to 59,500 Indian rupees depending on trim. The Unicorn overtook the Bajaj Pulsar
to rank highest in its category, the premium segment
, in the 2005 Motorcycle Total Customer Satisfaction (MTCS) survey of 7,000 customers conducted by the TNS specialist division, TNS Automotive.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
developed by Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI)
HMSI
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India, Private Limited is the wholly owned Indian subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, Limited, Japan. Founded in 1999, it was the fourth Honda automotive venture in India, after Hero Honda, Kinetic Honda Motor Ltd and Honda Siel Cars India.The entry of Honda into the...
and introduced in 2005. It was the first motorcycle in India to feature a mono-shock. The motorcycle was built and designed by the Honda R&D team based in Osaka, Japan. It was internally called the CBF150M. The engine was taken from CRF150F
Honda CRF150F
The Honda CRF150F is an off road trail bike that was introduced in 2003 as the successor to the Honda XR series. The 150F is a mid-range dirt bike for beginner to intermediate riders, teens or adults. It is mainly used for family recreation on/off road trails...
post 2005 engine. The previous version of CRF150F was the old CBZ classic. The design of the bike was done keeping in mind Indian road conditions. Many new features were incorporated, including a two-way air jacket, diamond frame, and an engine producing a torque of 12.8 Nm at a relatively low 5500 RPM for better fuel economy. The first version of the bike featured spoke wheels and kick start
Kick start
Kick start refers to a method of starting an internal combustion engine by pushing a ratcheting lever with one's foot. Kick start mechanisms were almost universally a part of motorcycle engines before the mid-1970s, and were phased out of production over the next twenty years or so as electric...
only.
Honda claimed the Unicorn accelerated from 0 to 60 km/h (0 to 37.3 mph) in 5 seconds and had a top speed of 101 km/h (62.8 mph). India Business Insight reported acceleration of 0 to 60 km/h (0 to 37.3 mph) in 5.28–5.86 seconds, and a top speed of 114 km/h (70.8 mph).
Honda released the second version to compete with the Bajaj Pulsar
Bajaj Pulsar
Bajaj Pulsar is a motorcycle brand owned by Bajaj Auto in India. The two wheeler was developed by the product engineering division of Bajaj Auto in association with motorcycle designer Glynn Kerr Tokyo R&D. Currently there are four variants available -with engine capacities of 135 cc,...
and the TVS Apache
TVS Apache
TVS Apache is a motorcycle launched by TVS Motors. TVS Apache is currently available in three variants: Apache RTR 160 Hyper edge,Apache RTR 180, Apache RTR 180 ABS...
. Changes included alloy wheels, powder coated
Powder coating
thumb|right|Aluminium extrusions being powder coatedPowder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. The main difference between a conventional liquid paint and a powder coating is that the powder coating does not require a solvent to keep the binder and filler...
engine with a polished head, electric starter, new graphics, clear lens indicator lamps, a trip meter, and a slightly smaller rear grab rail. Few performance changes included minor changes in Cylinder head
Cylinder head
In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
, Overhead valve
Overhead valve
An overhead valve engine, also informally called pushrod engine or I-head engine, is a type of piston engine that places the camshaft within the cylinder block , and uses pushrods or rods to actuate rocker arms above the cylinder...
, ignition remap and a rear sprocket
Sprocket
A sprocket or sprocket-wheel is a profiled wheel with teeth, cogs, or even sprockets that mesh with a chain, track or other perforated or indented material. The name 'sprocket' applies generally to any wheel upon which are radial projections that engage a chain passing over it...
increase of one tooth, which resulted in increased acceleration at the expense of reduced top speed.The airfilter was changed from a dry paper to oil coated to better suit dusty conditions and a new airflow screw in carburetor. A limited Moto GP "Unicorn Grand Prix" edition had the guise of a Repsol Honda RC211V
Honda RC211V
The Honda RC211V was developed in 2001 by HRC to replace the Honda NSR500 because regulations for the World Championship motorcycle road racing class were changed drastically for the 2002 season. Two-stroke engines were as before limited to and 4 cylinders, but four-stroke engines were allowed...
. HMSI sold 720,000 Unicorns in 2007. Prices in 2007 ranged from 50,000 to 59,500 Indian rupees depending on trim. The Unicorn overtook the Bajaj Pulsar
Bajaj Pulsar
Bajaj Pulsar is a motorcycle brand owned by Bajaj Auto in India. The two wheeler was developed by the product engineering division of Bajaj Auto in association with motorcycle designer Glynn Kerr Tokyo R&D. Currently there are four variants available -with engine capacities of 135 cc,...
to rank highest in its category, the premium segment
Premium segment
In marketing and advertising, premium refers to a segment of a company's brands or products that carries tangible or imaginary surplus value in the upper mid- to high price range. The targeted high income customer group is also frequently referred to as "premium". Premium brands are designed to...
, in the 2005 Motorcycle Total Customer Satisfaction (MTCS) survey of 7,000 customers conducted by the TNS specialist division, TNS Automotive.
External links
- Honda Unicorn website (Adobe Flash)