Honda CB125 Hornet India Review 2025 The Smallest Bike with Hornet tag
The new Honda CB125 Hornet 2025 is finally here for India! Find its price, launch date, features, design, performance, safety, pros & cons and if worth purchasing over Hero Xtreme 125R and TVS Raider. Full story with a twist of fun!

A Buzz on Two Wheels: How the Hornet Came Back
If you came of age seeing Honda Hornets zip around city streets, you know it wasn’t just a motorcycle — it was an attitude on wheels. Then came the 160R that let college kids feel like street racers without terrifying their parents (or their bank balances). And now, in 2025, Honda back with even sharper sting — the CB125 Hornet, assured to dominate India’s crowded 125 cc space.
So, what’s the story behind the CB125 Hornet? Is it another commuter in a fancy suit? Or does this little hornet pack enough bang to make its competition — Hero Xtreme 125R, TVS Raider, and Pulsar N125 — beat it? Let’s see!

Design and Build Quality: Small But Swagger Loaded
Let’s get something straight: the CB125 Hornet doesn’t seem to have missed gym day. The angular tank extensions, streamlined underbelly cowl, and aggressive split seat are pure streetfighter. That chunky upside-down gold-finished front fork is more than just for flexing on Instagram — it’s the segment’s pioneer, providing real front-end stability.
The all-LED headlamp is so powerful it can blind your ex if they approach on a bike at night. The tail lamp is no less intimidating, with sharp, clean edges that give the rear a premium look. Honda’s quality of build here is quint essentially Honda — smooth, compact panels and no rattles, even if you miss a pothole the size of a scooter.

Tech and Features: Small Bike, Big Tech
If you were expecting a 125 cc bike to provide you with nothing more than a fuel gauge and an apology, the Hornet will be a rude surprise. There’s a clear 4.2-inch TFT screen — full colour, not the drab LCD that most cheap commuters still employ. It hooks up to your phone through Honda Road Sync — so you get turn-by-turn directions, call notifications, SMS notifications, and even control of music.”.
USB Type-C charging port? Check. Engine kill switch and side-stand cut-off? Yes, please. The attention to little things — such as a tank-mounted ignition slot — carries big-bike style on a shoestring budget.

Performance: The Zippy Street Fighter
So does it buzz or roar? For a 125 cc, it’s really more of an animated hum — but a good time! The 123.94 cc air-cooled single cylinder is set up for the actual Indian conditions: rapid take-offs, smooth overtakes, and great city fuel economy.
With 11 hp and 11.2 Nm, it’s peppy enough, particularly owing to its svelte 124 kg kerb weight. 0–60 km/h arrives in approximately 5.4 seconds — which is to say your office sprint or college dash won’t be dull. The 5-speed transmission is butter-smooth on a hot paratha — classic Honda smoothness.

Safety Features: Honda Doesn’t Cheap Out
Unlike other budget bikes that still feel ABS is aextra, the CB125 Hornet comes fitted with a 240 mm front petal disc with single-channel ABS as standard. The rear receives a 130 mm drum — plain but perfect for the daily ride.
LED lights everywhere enhance illumination — an added bonus for India’s surprise speed breakers and suddenly stopped cows. Tubeless tyres enable you to drive home safely in the event that you strike a stray nail.

Riding Capabilities: Designed for India’s Mayhem
The CB125 Hornet is nimble, light and actually quite easy in traffic. The sweep of the wide handlebar and upright riding posture suit taller and shorter riders equally well. USD front fork assists with cornering with confidence and smooth in rough roads — so your back won’t complain every time you drive over a pothole.
Weekend outing with your crew? It’ll do short highway bursts easily at 70–80 km/h. But it’s happiest darting through city traffic, passing autos and slipping through gaps your car can only imagine.
Competition: Who Needs to Worry?
Hero Xtreme 125R: A bit more affordable but otherwise less premium in build and lack in features.
TVS Raider 125: The Raider’s cool looks and snappy engine are its strengths, but the Hornet subdue it with USD forks and an LCD TFT instrument cluster.
Bajaj Pulsar N125: Traditional Pulsar DNA but feels dated in tech and design alongside the Hornet’s new design.
If you value brand reputation, premium finishes and tech, the CB125 Hornet is an hard-to-ignore contender.

Pricing and Availability: Mark Your Calendar
Honda is expected to introduce the CB125 Hornet in the initial weeks of August 2025, with bookings opening from August 1st. The predicted ex-showroom price floats around 95,000 to 1,00,000 — which would place it in the premium end of 125 cc town, but it does come with enough bells and whistles to earn the badge.

Pros and Cons
Pros:
Killer streetfighter style
First-in-class USD forks
Loaded TFT instrument cluster with Bluetooth
Honda’s refined pedigree
Ideal for daily commutes and college runs
Cons:
Slightly upmarket price point
Rear drum rather than disc
Not a highway mile-e-muncher

Last Word: Is the CB125 Hornet Worth Buying?
If your next bike has to be more than simply miles and steel, the Honda CB125 Hornet is a no-brainer. It’s a miniature streetfighter for looks, a sophisticated commuter for riding, and a larger bike for the car park.
Sure, you’ll pay a little more than the plain commuters — but you’ll get tech, premium suspension, and build quality that make every ride a tad more special.
So if your daily grind needs some extra buzz — this Hornet might just be the sweetest sting for your money.

FAQ
Q: What is the Honda CB125 Hornet launch date in India 2025?
A: The CB125 Hornet is launch in early August 2025, with bookings from August 1st.
Q: What is the expected price of the 2025 Honda CB125 Hornet?
A: The expected ex-showroom price is around ₹95,000–₹1,00,000.
Q: Is the Honda CB125 Hornet good for daily ride?
A: Yes! It’s lightweight, fuel-efficient, easy to ride, and packed with features that make daily riding fun and convenient.
Q: Who are the Honda CB125 Hornet competitors in India?
A: Its closest competitors are the Hero Xtreme 125R, TVS Raider 125, and Bajaj Pulsar N125.