What’s The Difference Between The Honda SP160 And The Unicorn?

Honda has just launched the new stylish commuter, the SP160. It is a sportier version of the already available Honda Unicorn. So, that begs the question of what’s different between them. Let’s take a look:

Design-wise, the Unicorn retains the more commuter-centric design with the simple design lines all over. The SP160, being more of a sporty commuter, gets a muscular tank design with tank extensions, fin-like elements on the side panels, sharper lines on the rear panel and a chunkier headlight cowl. Along with these, the M-shaped tail light gives the motorcycle a bolder and sportier stance. Just like its name suggests, it looks like a bigger, beefier sibling of the Honda SP125 in several ways.

The Unicorn is longer by 20mm but the SP160 is wider and taller by 30mm and 10mm respectively. The SP160 also gets a 10mm lower ground clearance at 177mm, and a 12mm longer wheelbase at 1347 mm compared to the Unicorn. Kerb weight of the SP160’s Single Disc variant is the same as the Unicorn’s while the Double Disc variant is heavier by 2kg. The Unicorn gets a 2mm taller seat at 798mm, and a 1litre larger fuel tank, at 13 litres.

When it comes to underpinnings, both motorcycles get a diamond frame, telescopic fork and a monoshock. The SP160 gets a larger 276mm petal disc brake at the front compared to the 240mm conventional disc on the Unicorn. The Single Disc variant gets the same 130mm rear drum brake as the Unicorn’s whereas the Double Disc variant gets a 220mm unit at the rear. The wheels on the new sporty commuter is an 18-inch setup compared to the 17-inch ones on the Unicorn but the alloy wheel design is the same. 

Features- wise, single-channel ABS comes as standard on both motorcycles. The SP160 gets a fully-digital instrument console while the Unicorn gets a triple-pod analogue unit. While most of the information shown is the same on both bikes, the SP160 shows the mileage, gear position and clock as well.  

What has remained the same is the 162.71cc, single-cylinder, BS6.2-compliant, counterbalanced engine producing 13.4PS and 14.58Nm and comes mated to a 5-speed gearbox. 

The Honda SP160, with its prices starting from Rs 1,17,500 (ex-showroom Delhi), is Rs 7,700 costlier than the Unicorn with not many major differentiating elements between them. But the SP160 does have a digital LCD instrument console, disc brakes at both ends and fresh sporty design elements making it look a little more modern.