Honda Unicorn Price- Mileage, Colors & Buying Guide

The Honda Unicorn has been on Indian roads since 2004, which is exactly why so many used ones are for sale. Riders want the same things from a commuter: a smooth engine, honest mileage and no surprises. The unicorn bike delivers most of that. What changes from one used bike to the next is how it was looked after.

This guide covers what to know before you shortlist one: the mileage you can really expect, colors, how the model has changed since the 150 cc days, specifications, running costs and a step-by-step inspection checklist. On price, you will find how a new Unicorn compares with a pre-owned one and how value drops over time. For what a specific bike costs today, check live listings.

So, is a used Honda Unicorn worth buying? Yes, for most daily riders, a used Honda Unicorn is one of the safer second-hand buys in the 150-160 cc class. It starts easily, rides smoothly and rarely asks for anything unusual. The catch is that condition matters more than the year on the papers, and the checklist below is how you find out which kind of Unicorn you are looking at.

Quick verdict

• Reliable engine. The 160 cc motor is known for easy starts and smooth running, and parts are available everywhere.
• Honest mileage. Owners commonly report around 50 kmpl, which is solid for the class.
• Comfortable for daily use. Upright seat, stable ride, light clutch.
• Plain highway pull. It cruises fine but does not surge when you open the throttle at speed.
• Check the history. Neglected chains, tired fork seals and missing service records are the usual traps.

New vs. pre-owned: what you actually trade

The savings are real. So is the homework. A cheap Unicorn with a gap in its service history is not a bargain.

Specifications  (Unicorn 160 class)

Honda Unicorn mileage: what to expect in real life

Start with the number everyone searches. Claimed Honda Unicorn mileage per liter sits in the 50s and low 60s depending on the source and model year. Treat that as a lab figure. It comes from a controlled test cycle with no traffic, no pillion and no potholes.

Owner-reported unicorn mileage tells a different story. Most riders put the unicorn bike average at around 50 kmpl, and long-term owners of older bikes report 50 to 55 kmpl when they service on time. Individual reports range wider, and the low end almost always points to a worn chain, a dirty air filter or heavy city stop-and-go.

If you are comparing unicorn 160 mileage across bikes, the Honda Unicorn 160 BS6 mileage is generally in line with older 160 cc models. The BS6 update brought low rolling resistance tyres and a counterbalancer for smoothness, not a dramatic jump in economy. When a seller quotes Honda unicorn 160 mileage that sounds too good, ask for the last three fuel fill-ups.

Colors and looks

The current model is sold in Radiant Red Metallic, Matte Axis Gray Metallic and Pearl Igneous Black. Earlier years came in different shade sets, so a used bike's paint tells you roughly when it was made. The Unicorn has not been sold as separate standard and Deluxe trims in its recent generations, so the real visual difference is between model years: halogen headlamp and analogue cluster on older bikes, LED headlamp and LCD console on 2025 onwards.

How the Unicorn changed over the years

• 2004 launch: the original 150 cc Unicorn, a monoshock bike that built the model's reputation for reliability.
• 2014 to 2016: Sharper CB Unicorn 160 launched; original Unicorn 150 discontinued late 2014 and re-launched in 2016 due to rider demand. 
• 2019: Unicorn 150 permanently phased out; platform standardizes to the 160 cc powertrain.
• 2023: BS6 Phase 2 (OBD2) update introduced along with E20 fuel compliance and new colors.
• 2025: OBD2B-compliant engine, full LED headlamp, full LCD console and a USB-C charging port.

For most buyers, a 2020 or later bike is the sweet spot. You get ABS and the smoother engine without paying for the latest features.

Strengths and trade-offs

Pre-purchase inspection checklist

Do these in order. Paperwork first, because a clean bike with a bad RC is still a bad deal.

Documents

• RC. The chassis and engine numbers must match the bike. Not roughly. Exactly.
• Service records. Look for regular entries, not a single stamp from three years ago.
• Insurance. Check it is active and note whether claims were made. A claim history can point to an accident.
• NOC and loan status. If the bike was financed, you need a bank NOC before the RC can move to your name.

Standing inspection

• Engine casing. Look for oil seepage around the gaskets and any fresh sealant.
• Chain and sprockets. Hooked sprocket teeth or a stretched chain mean the previous owner skipped maintenance.
• Front fork seals. Oil on the stanchions means a seal job is due.
• Frame and alignment. Look from the front. The handlebar and front wheel should line up, and the frame should show no weld marks or kinks.
• Tyres. Check tread depth and the manufacture date moulded on the sidewall.

Test ride

• Cold start. Ask for the engine to be cold. It should fire within a couple of seconds without rough idling or smoke.
• Clutch and gears. The clutch should bite smoothly, and every gear should engage without a clunk or false neutral.
• Straight-line stability. Let off the throttle at about 50 km/h. Any handlebar wobble means a bent fork or alignment problem.
• Brakes. The disc should bite evenly, and the rear drum should stop the bike without pulling to one side.
• Electricals. Test the headlamp, indicators, horn and console.

If you find worn parts, price them in. A tired chain set, brake shoes and fork seals can add up to real money, and it is fair leverage when you negotiate.

Maintenance and running costs

The Unicorn is cheap to keep. Servicing follows Honda's schedule in the owner's manual, with an engine oil change at regular intervals and a general check-up on top. The parts that wear first are the chain and sprockets, brake shoes and pads, tyres, clutch and throttle cables, and the battery. All are easy to find, and independent mechanics know the bike well. Verify the exact service interval for your model year in the manual before you commit.

With mileage near 50 kmpl, the fuel bill stays modest too. That is why so many daily commuters stick with it.

Who should buy it?

The Unicorn suits office commuters who ride 20 to 40 km a day, college riders who want a dependable first bike, and city riders who value stability over speed. It is a poor match if you want sharp acceleration or you ride long highway stretches with a pillion on most weekends.

Resale value and upgrading

The Unicorn has a deep second-hand market, so resale is easy when it has been looked after. Buyers ask for service records, a clean RC and low-wear parts. If you are upgrading later, a documented bike sells faster and closer to its fair value.

Why buy your used Honda Unicorn from Vutto?

The risks in the used market are familiar: tampered odometers, hidden accident history, repair bills that show up in week two. Here is what Vutto does about them.

• 200-point inspection on every bike before it is listed.
• 6-month warranty on refurbished two-wheelers.
• Best Price Guarantee on the bikes you buy.

That means the condition question is mostly answered before you ever see the bike. You still ride it and check the papers yourself, which is the right way to buy.

Upgrading later? Vutto also buys bikes: Best Market Price Guaranteed, instant vehicle evaluation, hassle-free RC transfer and same-day payment.

Browse the available Honda Unicorn bikes on Vutto, shortlist the ones that fit, and book a test ride. Take the checklist above with you.

Key takeaways

• A used Honda Unicorn suits daily commuting: reliable, comfortable, cheap to run.
• Expect around 50 kmpl in real riding, not the claimed lab figure.
• A 2020 or later bike adds ABS and the smoother BS6 engine.
• Paperwork and service history matter more than the odometer reading.
• Price worn parts into the deal before you negotiate.

Honda Unicorn FAQs

1. Is the Honda Unicorn 160 a good used bike? 
A: Yes. It is stable, smooth and cheap to maintain, and it holds up well with regular servicing. A bike with documented service history is a safer buy than a cheaper one without.

2. What is the real Honda Unicorn mileage? 
A: Most owners report around 50 kmpl, with a typical spread of 45 to 55 kmpl depending on traffic, tyre pressure and chain condition. Claimed figures run higher.

3. How does Unicorn 160 mileage compare with older Unicorns? 
A: The Unicorn 160 mileage is broadly similar to the older 150 cc bike. The BS6 update focused on smoothness and emissions, not a big jump in fuel economy.

4. What is the Honda Unicorn mileage per liter in the city? 
A: Plan on roughly 45 to 50 km per liter in regular city traffic. A worn chain or dirty air filter pulls it lower.

5. Is the Unicorn comfortable on long rides? 
A: The upright seating and stable handling suit long rides for the rider. Pillion comfort is firmer, so long trips with a passenger get tiring.

6. Which model year should I buy? 
A: A 2020 or later bike is a good target because of ABS and the BS6 engine. 2025 models add LED lighting, an LCD console and USB charging.

7. Does the Unicorn have ABS? 
A: BS6-era Unicorn 160 models have single-channel ABS. Check the specific bike, because older ones do not.

8. How much does it cost to maintain? 
A: Running costs are low. Routine servicing, oil changes and wear parts such as the chain and brake shoes are inexpensive, and parts are easy to find.

9. What should I check first on a used Unicorn? 
A: Start with the RC and service records, then the chain, fork seals and cold start. If any of those look wrong, walk away or negotiate hard.

10. Will the Unicorn hold its resale value? 
A: It resells easily because demand is steady. A clean RC and service history get you the best offer when you upgrade.