- Looks and Performance: The Bajaj Pulsar 150 is the best choice for young riders who like sporty looks, muscular tanks, and fast acceleration.
- Comfort and Mileage: Honda Unicorn is suitable for family use due to its excellent comfort, soft seats, monoshock suspension and 50-55 km/l mileage.
- Maintenance and Resale: While Pulsar spare parts are cheap, Honda Unicorn offers long-term reliability, low maintenance and better resale value.
The Indian 150cc bike segment has two bikes that have dominated the market for over two decades – the Bajaj Pulsar 150 and the Honda Unicorn . While the Pulsar 150 is known for its muscular looks, power and youth craze, the Unicorn is considered the first choice for its superior comfort, refined engine and family use.
If you are confused about choosing between these two bikes, this detailed comparison based on all the important points like design, engine, riding comfort, mileage, maintenance, and resale value will help you make the right decision.
1. Design and looks
Bajaj Pulsar 150: The design of the Pulsar 150 has always been muscular and aggressive. Its ‘wolf-eye’ headlight, sporty graphics, muscular fuel tank and twin-DTSI badging give it a distinct and stylish look on the road. This design is especially appealing to college youth and riders who like a sporty look.
Honda Unicorn: The design of the Unicorn is very sober, simple and elegant. It features a front cowl with chrome finishing, a single-piece broad seat and a simple tail-lamp design. It does not have any overly flashy or aggressive graphics but gives a classic family commuter look.
2. Engine power and performance
Bajaj Pulsar 150: This bike gets a 149.5 cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine, which generates 14 PS of power and 13.25 Nm of torque. The initial acceleration of the Pulsar is very strong. The Pulsar delivers good power delivery while overtaking at speeds of 50 to 80 km/h on the highway.
Honda Unicorn: The Unicorn is powered by a 162.71 cc BS6 engine that produces 12.9 PS of power and 14 Nm of torque. While the power output may seem a bit lower than the Pulsar on paper, the Unicorn’s low-end torque is impressive. Its engine is extremely refined and vibration-free, allowing the bike to be driven smoothly in 5th gear even at low speeds without getting stuck.
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3. Riding comfort and suspension
Bajaj Pulsar 150: The riding position in the Pulsar is slightly tilted forward due to the clip-on handlebars. It feels sporty while riding, but can be a bit straining on the back on long daily commutes or in traffic. Also, its seat is a bit firmer than the Unicorn.
Honda Unicorn: The Unicorn is considered the ‘king’ of the segment when it comes to comfort. Its upright riding position, extremely soft and long seat, and monoshock suspension at the rear easily absorb bumps on rough roads. This is the best bike for a family member who sits in the back.
4. Mileage and fuel efficiency
Bajaj Pulsar 150: The Pulsar 150 easily returns a mileage of 45 to 50 km/l in normal city and highway mixed use.
Honda Unicorn: Thanks to Honda’s eco technology, the Unicorn is ahead in fuel economy. This bike gives a good mileage of 50 to 55 km/liter in daily use, which reduces the cost of petrol.
5. Maintenance and build quality
Bajaj Pulsar 150: Bajaj spare parts are cheap and easily available in the market. Although maintenance is easy, some users complain about its plastic body parts or the engine making a rattling noise after a few years of use.
Honda Unicorn: Honda’s build quality and engine’s lifetime reliability are well-known. With timely engine oil changes, the Unicorn runs very smoothly for 5-8 years without stalling. The maintenance cost is negligible.
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6. Resale value
Bajaj Pulsar 150: Pulsar is in demand among the youth in the second-hand market, but its resale value decreases a little faster compared to the Unicorn.
Honda Unicorn: The Unicorn has the highest resale value in the used bike market. Even a 5 to 7 year old used Unicorn sells for a good price because it is always in demand in the market as a family commuter.
7. Price comparison
- Bajaj Pulsar 150: ₹ 1.30 lakh to ₹ 1.40 lakh (on-road)
- Honda Unicorn: ₹ 1.35 lakh to ₹ 1.38 lakh (on-road)
Final Conclusion: Which Bike is Right for You ?
- Choose Bajaj Pulsar 150: If you are young, you want a muscular look on the road, fast acceleration, sporty feel, and a distinct youthful vibe.
- Choose Honda Unicorn: If you are looking for a car for family, office commute or daily long journeys, where you want great mileage, soft seats, zero vibration and long-term reliability.