Honda CB125 Hornet - Honda's Answer to the TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125 | First Look

Honda is celebrating 25 years in India with the launch of two new models. First up is the Shine 100DX, a more premium version of their popular Shine 100. It features new stickers, colours, more chrome, and importantly, a digital display. While the core of the bike remains the same as the Shine 100, this DX version aims for a slightly more upmarket feel. Bookings start August 1st, and while pricing isn't out yet, expect it to be a bit more than the standard Shine 100, which begins around ₹68,000.

A New Contender: The Honda CB125 Hornet

The real excitement, however, is the arrival of the new Honda CB125 Hornet. This bike brings Honda's Hornet design language, seen on larger models, to the sporty 125cc commuter segment. It's aiming to compete with rivals like the TVS Raider, Hero Xtreme 125, and Bajaj Pulsar N125, a segment that's really taking off in India.

Key Takeaways

• New Chassis and Monoshock: The CB125 Hornet features a completely new chassis to accommodate a rear monoshock, a significant upgrade.
• Updated Engine: While based on the Shine 125's engine, it offers slightly more power and torque, pushing just over 11 horsepower.
• Premium Features: Expect a 4.2-inch TFT display, modern switchgear, a fuel tank-mounted key, and gold USD forks – a standout in its class.
• Distinctive Styling: The design includes a unique headlight setup with multiple lighting elements and paneling that makes the bike look larger and sportier.
• Comfortable Riding Position: It offers a comfortable yet engaging riding posture with a wide handlebar and a slight forward lean.

Design and Features

The CB125 Hornet is built on a new chassis, which allows for the inclusion of a rear monoshock. The engine is related to the Shine 125 but has been tweaked for a bit more performance. Honda has packed this bike with premium features. You get a 4.2-inch TFT display, controlled by new switchgear, which looks good from the rider's perspective. A fuel tank-mounted key is another nice touch.

Up front, the bike sports gold USD forks, which is quite a unique feature for this segment. The styling is aggressive, with a distinctive headlight design that incorporates high beam, low beam, and pilot lights, making it stand out. It also has type-C USB charging and indicators mounted high up.

The side panels give the bike a sense of bulk and sportiness, making it look bigger than a typical 125cc motorcycle, similar to what Hero did with the Xtreme 125. The V-shaped fuel tank has plenty of paneling, adding to its visual appeal.

Comfort and Practicality

Moving towards the rear, you'll find split seats. The rider's seat looks spacious, and while the seat height isn't expected to be too tall for a commuter bike, the riding position feels comfortable and engaging. The handlebar is pleasantly wide, and the slight lean forward contributes to a good feel.

The pillion seat, however, is not as spacious, so if carrying a passenger comfortably is a top priority, you might want to consider other options like the Shine 125 or SP125. The bike does have a nice, large grab rail at the back and a sleek LED tail lamp.

For tires, it's equipped with MRF Nylogrip Zappers, featuring a 110-section tire at the rear for a slightly wider stance. The exhaust note is deeper than the Shine 100 and hopefully more exciting than the SP125 and Shine 125, matching the bike's sporty character.

Pricing and Availability

On the safety front, it comes with a front disc brake and single-channel ABS, which is a good addition. Bookings for the CB125 Hornet also open on August 1st. Honda hasn't revealed the prices yet, but it's expected to be priced competitively, likely around the ₹1 lakh mark or slightly higher, similar to its main rivals.

This new CB125 Hornet looks like an exciting prospect for the 125cc segment, and we're keen to get our hands on it for a proper ride soon. Let us know your thoughts on this new offering from Honda in the comments below.