Honda CB 125 Hornet

The Honda CB 125 Hornet is a latecomer! Late to the burgeoning 125cc sporty commuter segment. In a space where the youth want a bike that is feature-loaded and looks modern without breaking the bank, the TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R are making hay while the sun shines. The question is whether Honda is too late to the party or if their game of playing wait and watch has worked in their favour.

Right off the bat, I have to say that Honda has done a commendable job with the design of this baby Hornet. Its inspiration from the bigger CB 1000 Hornet is evident, but we aren’t complaining. Whether it is the LED headlight cluster with its distinctive positioning of the DRLs and the high-beam unit, the shape of the fuel tank with the tank extensions that add visual mass, or the slightly upswept tail, this Honda’s design is hugely appealing.

In fact, the CB 125 Hornet could easily pass off as a 160cc-200cc bike, and that is a good thing for the buyer in this segment. Adding to the visual appeal are the golden-coloured USD fork, overlapping side panels, and the bright colours that are available. Personally, the Black colour and the HRC-inspired colours seen on the bike we’ve tested are my favourites.

As for the quality levels, there’s not a lot one can complain about. The plastic quality and the way everything has been put together is typically Honda, save for the crude welds on the frame that could’ve been neater.

The moment you swing a leg over the bike, you notice the sporty yet comfortable riding triangle. There’s a little bit of reach to the handlebar, while the footpegs are marginally rear-set. It isn’t a taxing riding position at all, and the youth will like it.

In keeping with the sporty intent of the CB 125 Hornet, the bike gets a USD fork and a preload-adjustable monoshock. The setup is on the firm side, but while tackling Mumbai’s monsoon-ravaged roads, it never got jarring at any point. In fact, carrying a little more pace than usual over these bad roads helps keep the bike settled.

The 125cc, single-cylinder engine in the bike is a tried and tested unit, seen in Honda’s other 125cc bikes, albeit in a sportier state of tune. In fact, this becomes pretty evident the moment you thumb the silent starter and bring the engine to life. The exhaust note is louder than that in a Honda Shine 125 or SP 125, and it gets louder as you feed in the revs. Very uncharacteristically Honda, but just what the segment wants

At low speeds, the engine offers decent tractability, allowing you to ride at 20kmph in third gear without any signs of lugging the motor. That said, this engine comes alive in the mdirange and revs with gusto to the redline. Progress is as expected of a 125cc bike in this segment, but it won’t excite you. In fact, the buzz in the pegs, seat, and tank becomes apparent as the rev counter bar approaches the redline, but I wasn’t too bothered by it.

More importantly, 0-40kmph and 0-60kmph feels quick, and even getting to 80kmph doesn’t feel laborious. The bike’s speedo will nudge past 100kmph as well, but beyond that, progress is slow.

Where the CB 125 Hornet also shines is in handling. The chassis is communicative, bike is planted at all speeds, and even the grip offered by the stock MRF tyres is good enough when you go around corners. However, what truly impressed me is the braking system of the bike. Whether it was the bite and progression of the front disc or the feedback through the lever, it instills a lot of confidence in the rider, and I think that’s required, considering the young and inexperienced riders who may begin their motorcycling journey with this bike. Not to mention the safety net offered by ABS.

Honda has done its homework in this department as well. The little Hornet has all-LED lights and a feature-loaded, colour TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity. What I liked about this was how easy and intuitive it felt to navigate through all the menus on the display.

For all the sporty intent of the CB 125 Hornet, the bike is pretty efficient. You can expect to get anything between 55-60kmpl. In our standard BikeWale fuel economy test cycle, the engine delivered a fuel efficiency of 59.4kmpl. That gives it an incredible range of around 700km.

While Honda has been napping all along as this segment has grown by leaps and bounds, the wait-and-watch game seems to have worked in their favour. The Honda CB 125 Hornet packs all that the customer demands in the segment and then some more. The styling is appealing, there are features galore, and the engine balances rideability and efficiency very well.

There is no denying that its price tag of a little above Rs. 1 lakh may seem like a psychological barrier for some. However, for the Rs. 6,000-7,000 extra that this bike demands over the top-spec TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125, we think it is justified.

Photography by Kapil Angane