Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has updated its venerable workhorse, the Honda CB Unicorn 150 with ABS ahead of April 2019 deadline. The ABS-equipped 150 cc commuter is priced at INR 78,815 (ex-showroom, Delhi) which is around INR 6,500 more than the non-ABS variant. The price hike is at par with the industry standard (Avenger ABS variant got dearer by INR 6,700).
As with the segment standard, the Honda CB Unicorn 150 ABS comes with a single-channel system (front wheel only). The braking system comprises 240 mm front disc and 130 mm rear drum. The motorcycle also receives tubeless tyres now.
There are no other mechanical changes to the commuter which has been raking up consistent sales despite having seen no significant updates in quite a while. Save for the addition of small ABS stickers on the front mud-guard, there is no visual change whatsoever. Interestingly, HMSI attempted to replace the CB Unicorn 150 on more than one occasion, the most recent one being the CB Unicorn 160, but couldn’t replicate its ancestor’s sales success.
To recap, the Honda CB Unicorn 150 is powered by a 149.2 cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine which produces a modest 12.73 bhp and 12.8 Nm of torque. The gearbox is a 5-speed unit. The motor has established itself as a smooth and efficient operator.
The Honda CB Unicorn’s diamond frame is suspended by telescopic front fork and monoshock rear suspension. The 18-inch alloy wheels come wrapped in 80/100-18 front and 100/90-18 rear tyres. The motorcycle continues to be offered in silver, red and black color options.
The non-ABS variant will continue to be sold until the April 2019 deadline. Given the immense popularity of the old Unicorn, we expect HMSI to keep it soldiering along as long as it makes business sense. We won’t be surprised if the company develops BS-VI version of the time-proven engine.
The Honda CB Unicorn 150 will continue to compete with the equally old Bajaj Pulsar 150 which is also set to receive the ABS update soon (has already been spotted at a dealership yard). The government’s new safety regulations are aimed at reducing the road fatality which has been at alarming levels for years. ABS does’t play a huge role avoiding accidents.
