Photography: Shrenith Bhandary
Honda’s CB125 Hornet is the brand’s latest offering in the 125cc sporty commuter segment, aimed to appeal to buyers seeking style. In this segment, we already have the Hero Xtreme 125R, Bajaj Pulsar N125 and the TVS Raider 125 locking horns, and with the CB125 Hornet, Honda is looking to grab a piece of the pie.
At first glance, what caught my attention was the aggressive, naked streetfighter styling. The split dual LED headlamps, encased in a small housing, give it a big-bike feel, much like its elder sibling, the Hornet CB1000 SP. While the overall dimensions of the motorcycle are compact, the chiselled tank with side extensions makes it look big, though these come with their own set of problems—more on that later. From the rear, the bike looks sharp, further giving the entire package a stylish appeal. The design of the CB125 Hornet appears menacing and is sure to attract younger buyers seeking style.
One cannot attract younger buyers without a decent amount of features, and Honda’s treatment of the baby Hornet in this regard has been generous. Apart from the all-LED lighting, the 4.2-inch TFT colour dash is a great addition. It gets Bluetooth connectivity for calls, music, messages and turn-by-turn navigation. The dash is quite legible, even in bright daylight. Apart from the speedometer, tachometer, and gear position indicator, it can also convey information like trip distance and distance to empty, which can be accessed by using the four-way directional buttons on the left switch cube.
Powering the Honda CB125 Hornet is a 123.94cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that puts out 11.14PS and 11.2Nm, paired with a five-speed gearbox. For the suspension, you get USD forks, which is a first in its segment, and a monoshock at the rear. The baby Hornet rides on 17-inch wheels shod with MRF Zapper C tyres, though these are quite narrow, measuring 80- and 100-section at front and rear (except the Hero Xtreme 125R, the other two 125cc sporty commuters have the same section widths).
Hit the start button, and the Alternating Current Generator (ACG) will silently bring the engine to life. The clutch action is light and the gears slot into place smoothly (but what else do you expect from a Honda?). The engine delivers its power in a very linear manner, making it very easy to manage, especially for newer riders. Speaking of commuting, riding the CB125 Hornet in Pune’s chaotic traffic felt like a breeze. The small footprint of the motorcycle meant an easy-to-manoeuvre experience.
The USD forks and the monoshock deliver a very stable and comfortable ride and soak up bumps, small potholes and undulations that the roads of Pune have to offer. While the power figures might not seem impressive on paper, it does allow you to make quick overtakes, thanks to the kerb weight of just 124kg. Speeds of up to 80kmph feel doable, but anything beyond that, and the engine begins to protest. Braking power is adequate, thanks to the 240mm front disc with single-channel ABS and a 130mm drum brake at the rear. Being six feet tall, I was constantly pushing myself further behind as my knees would hit the tank extensions, which is due to the compact dimensions of the motorcycle. The riding position is comfortable, and you will not be sitting in a very committed way while riding it.
The Honda CB125 Hornet is a great choice for beginner riders and daily commuters who are looking for style and ride comfort. With the new taxation for motorcycles in place, the CB125 Hornet is now priced at ₹1.03 lakh (ex-showroom), making it a good choice.
