The Honda CB 125 Hornet is a brand-new 125cc streetfighter making waves in India’s commuter market. It resurrects the Hornet name in a more commuter-friendly package for youthful urban riders. The Hornet is unique among 125cc bikes because of its aggressive design, high-end amenities, and powerful 124cc engine. To provide you with a comprehensive view, we’ll combine research, specifications, and owner reviews to assess its real-world mileage, on-road costs, and unique selling points.
The Honda CB125 Hornet combines a muscular fuel tank, inverted front forks, and an aggressive headlamp to deliver a sporty streetfighter look. The Hornet’s design borrows cues from its larger siblings: a low-slung front end with twin LED headlights, a sharp, muscular tank, and an upswept tail. The result is a bike that looks more premium than the typical 125cc commuter. Honda offers eye-catching colors too – as shown above in the Pearl Siren Blue with Lemon Ice Yellow edition – giving it a vivid, youthful appeal. (Honda also sells a more subdued Pearl Igneous Black scheme with gold wheels for a stealthier look
Honda CB 125 Price and CB 125 EMI: Value for Money?
The Honda CB 125 price starts at ₹1,12,000 ex-showroom (introductory, Delhi), positioning it as a premium option in the 125cc space. On-road, expect ₹1,27,889-₹1,29,205 in Delhi, including RTO (₹8,960) and insurance (₹6,929). In Bangalore, it climbs to ₹1,43,287 due to higher taxes. For other cities like Mumbai or Pune, it’s around ₹1,25,000 on-road – check local dealers for exacts.
Financing? CB 125 EMI starts at ₹3,227-₹3,691 per month for 36 months at 9.45-9.7% interest on a ₹1,00,800-₹1,15,100 loan (after 10% down payment). Use an online calculator like the other Source EMI tool for personalized figures. It’s affordable for first-time buyers, especially with Honda’s 3-year warranty.
Is it worth the premium? Absolutely, if features like the TFT screen matter. But if the budget’s tight, rivals undercut it by ₹10,000-15,000.
| City | Ex-Showroom Price | On-Road Price |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | ₹1,12,000 | ₹1,27,889 – ₹1,29,205 |
| Mumbai | ₹1,12,000 | ₹1,25,000 approx. |
| Bangalore | ₹1,12,000 | ₹1,43,287 |
| Chennai | ₹1,12,000 | ₹1,30,000 approx. |
Honda CB 125 Key Specs & Features
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Engine: 123.94cc air-cooled, fuel-injected single-cylinder (BS6), making about 11 bhp @ 7,500 rpm and 11.2 Nm @ 6,000 rpm. This gives the Hornet peppy acceleration in city riding.
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Suspension: 37mm inverted (USD) front forks and a 5-step preload-adjustable rear monoshock. These premium-type forks (a first in the 125cc class) give the Hornet crisp handling and a sporty stance.
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Brakes & Wheels: 17-inch alloy wheels with tubeless tires. Braking is handled by a 240mm petal disc up front and a 130mm disc at the rear, with single-channel ABS as standard. This setup is more sophisticated than the drum brakes still common in this segment.
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Instrument Cluster: A 4.2-inch full-color TFT display that connects via Bluetooth to the Honda RoadSync app. It provides turn-by-turn navigation, call/message alerts, and music info on the go. This is a high-tech feature rarely found on sub-150cc bikes.
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Lighting & Convenience:
Honda CB 125 All-LED lights (twin headlamp DRLs, turn indicators, tail lamp) for a crisp, modern look. There’s also a built-in USB Type-C charging port and an engine kill-switch for added convenience.
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Other Specs: Fuel tank capacity ~12 liters, kerb weight ~124 kg, and a sporty split-step seat. The Hornet carries Honda’s new steel frame designed for this model, balancing agility with stability.
Overall, the CB125 Hornet comes well-loaded for its class – it even gets features like an LCD-TFT cluster and USD forks that only costlier bikes normally offer. Users especially praise its styling and high-tech dash, calling it a “marvelous bike” for the 125cc segment.
Engine Performance & Mileage
The Honda CB 125 cc engine delivers a claimed 11 bhp and 11.2 Nm. In practice, this translates to brisk acceleration – Honda claims a 0–60 km/h sprint in just 5.4 seconds, which would make it one of the quickest 125cc bikes on the market. The five-speed gearbox shifts smoothly, and the engine’s torque makes city commuting effortless (hill starts and overtakes feel confident).
On the fuel efficiency front, Honda quotes an ARAI-certified mileage of 48 kmpl. In real-world riding, owners have reported even better numbers. For example, community fuel-economy data shows an average of around 54 kmpl under mixed conditions (mostly city use). This is excellent for a performance-oriented 125cc bike – rival commuters typically do 50–60 kmpl. In short, you can expect roughly 45–55 kmpl out of the Hornet, depending on riding style. The 12L tank then gives a healthy range of around 540+ km per fill under ideal conditions.
Honda CB 125 Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Standout styling and premium suspension
- Advanced connectivity for tech-savvy users
- Excellent fuel efficiency for daily use
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
- No dual-channel ABS
Conclusion & Call to Action
In summary, the 2025 Honda CB 125 Hornet brings an impressive mix of performance, style, and tech to the 125cc class. Its benefits include:
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Sporty design – looks more expensive than its price suggests.
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Advanced features – TFT display, Bluetooth, LED lighting, USB-C, ABS.
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Peppy engine – quick acceleration and excellent fuel efficiency (real 50+ kmpl).
On the flip side, some riders note its higher price tag for a 125cc bike. As BikeWale’s review points out, it is “a bit on the higher side” compared to more basic commuters. Also, being a new model, long-term service costs and resale values are still unknown.
Overall, for buyers seeking a premium 125cc ride, the Hornet is hard to beat on features and performance. Its unique blend of a Hornet-style streetfighter theme and commuter practicality has already won fans. If you’re in the market, we’d love to hear your thoughts: Have you checked out or booked the new Hornet? Do you think its sporty design and tech justify the price? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below – and don’t forget to subscribe for more in-depth bike reviews and updates!
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