Jul 17, 2015 08:35 PM
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10 Years ago, in Chennai, in the month of January, she glided right into my life. My first motorcycle. The Honda Unicorn 150 cc.black. I was not sure about the colour, in fact I was at first stuck with the red, then blue. But at the showroom, she just stood out.
I became a wing rider. She was in every way a lady. Very forgiving as I learned to handle the 5 speed. Stable when I wringed the throttle and the speedo raced to 115 Kmph mark. After all these years I can only remember just once where I had a close call when an auto cut into me. Even then she did not throw me.
That same year was my first solo long distance ride.Chennai to Bangalore. Took me 6 hours and just a tank of petrol. Of course this was just after the first service. Now she does the same distance in half a tank. Yes after 10 years and 50, 000 kms she still consistently gives me 60 kms per liter. Of course I have taken care of just as well as she has taken care of me.
Together we have traveled to different parts of South India. I have had the Bullet AVL 500, the Thunderbird 350, the Yamaha FZ S and still have the CBR 250 R. But I still rate her as the best touring motorcycle for India. She has the required power to haul you and your luggage, give a range of at least 600 kms on a full tank and never break down.
I have changed the tires - both sets - three times. The entire spoke and rims once-this year in fact. Had done a complete paint job around 4 years ago. Changed the plastics once. I think the paint job and plastics needs to re done/changed.
Of course its time for a bit of engine work. She has been consuming oil a bit more than usual.
But never.not even once in 10 years has she ever failed me. We have been through sun, rains, more rains, roads, no roads, 2 heart breaks, lousy pay, zero savings, a perpetual state of depression but she just kept going. The gears would fall in place every time and the engine would sing all the way to 7000 rpm.
A few days ago I read that the Unicorn is to be discontinued to make way for the new Unicorn 160. I am sure the 160 will continue the legacy. But there will only be one Lady.
