Honda CB125 Hornet Lands in India: First Impressions & Design Insight

Honda CB125 Hornet Lands in India

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has officially unveiled the all-new CB125 Hornet—a sporty, stylish 125cc street bike introduced to mark Honda’s 25th anniversary in India. Co-launched with the Shine 100 DX, the Hornet appears ready to shake up the premium 125cc segment.

Bold, Aggressive Styling

• The design draws inspiration from Honda’s CB lineup with sculpted fuel tank shrouds, sharp body panels, and a dual-tone paint scheme.

• A funky horizontally split LED headlight, muscular tank, stepped seat and upswept exhaust give it a signature street-naked appeal.

  
  

Engine & Performance Specs

• Powered by a 123.94cc single-cylinder engine, shared with the Shine 125 and SP 125, but tuned to deliver slightly more output—approx. 11.1 PS and 11.2 Nm.

• Mated to a 5-speed gearbox, it boasts a swift 0–60 km/h in around 5.4s, making it one of the quicker 125cc bikes in its class. 

  
  

Tech & Rider Features

• The bike’s features include a 4.2-inch full-color TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity via Honda’s RoadSync app, offering navigation, call/message alerts, and music controls.

• It also sports a USB Type-C charging port, and safety-oriented elements like all-LED lighting, an engine kill switch, and a side‑stand sensor.

  
  

Suspension, Brakes & Dimensions

• A standout feature: gold-finished upside-down front forks—the first in the 125cc segment—paired with a preload-adjustable rear mono-shock.

• Braking includes a 240 mm front petal disc and a rear drum brake, backed by single-channel ABS.

• It rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with wide tyres (80/100 front, 110/80 rear) for better grip. Fuel tank capacity stands at 12 L, with a kerb weight of just 124 kg. Ground clearance is 166 mm.

  
  

Price & Availability

• Bookings open on August 1, 2025, and Honda is expected to announce the ex-showroom price near ₹1,00,000. Deliveries should follow soon after.

  
  

What Sets the CB125 Hornet Apart

1. Eye-catching styling and color themes aimed at younger riders.

2. Segment-first features like USD forks, TFT dash, and app integration.

3. Lighter weight and responsive engine yield lively urban performance.

4. Competitive offering targeting rivals like TVS Raider 125 and Hero Xtreme 125R, blending sporty appeal with commuter practicality.

   
   

Final Take

With its flashy styling, modern tech, and segment-first suspension hardware, the Honda CB125 Hornet seems tailored for fashion-conscious young riders who don’t want compromise performance or convenience. Price positioning will be key—if it lands around ₹1 lakh, it could give competitors a run for their money.

Quick Specs Summary

Specification	Honda CB125 Hornet
Engine	123.94 cc single-cylinder
Power / Torque	~11.1 PS / 11.2 Nm
Transmission	5-speed manual
Instrument Cluster	4.2″ TFT with RoadSync app
Suspension	USD fork (front), mono-shock (rear)
Brakes	240 mm front disc, rear drum; single-channel ABS
Weight / Fuel Capacity	124 kg / 12 L
Launch & Price	Aug 2025 bookings; ~₹1,00,000 ex-showroom