Honda CB Unicorn 150 ABS: Same Price, Other Options

Does the Honda CB Unicorn 150 ABS seems too mainstream to you? Well, here are some other options for you in the same ballpark

As bikemakers rush to meet the April 1 deadline to introduce ABS variants of their 125cc+ models, Honda has launched the ABS-equipped variant of the CB Unicorn 150 at Rs 78,815 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The ABS variant comes at a premium of Rs 6,500 over the standard variant. That said, if you are in the market for an ABS-equipped motorcycle in the same price range as the CB Unicorn 150 but want something different, look no further. Here’s a list of similarly priced, ABS-equipped motorcycles that have totally different characters.

1: Suzuki Gixxer:
The Suzuki Gixxer is one of the best 160cc motorcycles in India. Not only is it a very practical bike, it’s really fun to ride as well. Its 155cc, one-cylinder, air-cooled motor produces 14.8PS at 8,000rpm and 14Nm of max torque at 6,000rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed transmission. Suspension duties are taken care of by 41mm forks at the front and a seven-step adjustable monoshock at the rear. Stopping power comes from discs brakes at the front as well as on the back, but Suzuki has also fitted the bike with single-channel ABS. The Suzuki Gixxer has a sticker price of Rs 88,388 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and that makes it almost Rs 10,000 more expensive than the CB Unicorn 150.

2: Hero Xtreme 200R:
An ABS-equipped 200cc motorcycle under Rs 90,000? Yes, you read that right. At Rs 89,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi), Hero has hit a sweet spot with the Xtreme 200R, making it way more affordable than other similar capacity bikes such as the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V. By spending an extra Rs 11,000 over the CB Unicorn, you get a 200cc motorcycle that works quite well as a commuter motorcycle too. Quite a deal, no? The Xtreme 200R makes 18.4PS of max power and 17.1Nm of torque, and comes equipped with a five-speed gearbox. It gets a 276mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear and ABS is thrown in as an added safety feature. 

3: Honda X-Blade:
If you are really keen on an ABS-equipped motorcycle with a Honda badge and the CB Unicorn 150 seems too mainstream to you, then the Honda X-Blade might just be the bike for you. It offers that typical Honda refinement and reliability, coupled with a really funky design and premium features such as an LED headlight. With a price tag of Rs 87,776 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the X-Blade undercuts the Gixxer by Rs 1,000. The 163cc motor puts out 14PS of power and when this power is sent to the rear wheels via the five-speed gearbox, you get a city bike that can cover the 0-60kmph mark in 5.3s.

4: Aprilia SR 150:
Yes, the SR150 isn’t a motorcycle, but it is one of the few scooters that can put a smile on your face every time you ride it. Great looks, spectacular performance (for a scooter) and superior riding dynamics make the SR 150 the most fun scooter you can buy today. Under its slim body is a 155cc single-cylinder engine that puts out 10.5PS and 11.4Nm of torque. With a price tag of Rs 81,219 (ex-showroom, Mumbai), the Aprilia SR 150 is around Rs 2,400 more expensive than the CB Unicorn 150 but being a scooter, offers a lot more urban practicality as well.