New thought with the rear end works extremely well.

Like we mentioned last month, the Unicorn isn’t the first Indian bike to feature a monoshock, that honour goes to the Bond 50 of the late ‘80s. That said Honda has to be applauded for taking the next step at least on the dynamic ability front and is sure to spur other manufacturers to look down this route.
The diamond type chassis architecture is similar to that of the CBZ with a single downtube using the engine as a stressed member. However the wheelbase is extended to 1340mm for greater stability while the frame as been beefed up at crucial junctions to minimise flex. Telescopic forks handle damping up front while at the rear is a monoshock unit mounted within the confines of the frame with its upper mount on the top end of the chassis rail and the lower mount being affixed on to the rectangular section swingarm. This is the most basic of monoshock suspension systems prevalent in the world, cost factors preventing Honda from using a link-type setup. All said and done though the present system on the Unicorn works like a treat and endows her with dynamic abilities far in excess of the competition.
Ride quality of the Unicorn is plush and strikes the right balance between one and two-up riding. She soaks in small bumps and undulations with ease but crucially the dynamics don’t go for a toss with a pillion on board, the rear never bottoming out even with two heavyweight testers on board. That’s a key element of the Unicorn’s damping and something other manufacturers have yet to come to grips with.
As far as the handling goes, the Unicorn can rightfully stake claim to being the best handler in the business. Tremendous levels of feedback give you the confidence to lean her right over and the bike remains composed even when confronted with bumpy and undulating corners. The Unicorn doesn’t suffer from a flighty and vague front end and the whole package feels well integrated and works in unison. In spite of using only a 3.0 rear tyre cornering grip is in abundance even when fully cranked over.
Ergonomics are spot-on and a slightly forward-biased riding position strikes a right balance between sporty and commuter-friendly riding. Even the pillion is well catered for with a substantial seat and good peg to seat ratio.