India is gaining a Honda CB125 Hornet: Euro launch to follow?
Honda India has announced a new CB125 Hornet, which was announced on HMSI’s 25th anniversary.
Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) has introduced two new bikes to the range, with the Shine 100 DX and CB125 Hornet both being revealed on the brand’s 25th anniversary.
Of the two bikes, it’s the learner legal Hornet that has piqued our interest. 125s sell well in the UK - 100s, less so. That means the chances of the Shine making the trip halfway around the world are slim at best, but that’s no great shame. And while it’s still not known if a Hornet 125 could also join the European range, it’s worth a look at the specs all the same.
Styling and Design
The CB125 Hornet adopts a sharp streetfighter-style design compared with Honda’s other 125 offerings. It features a twin-LED headlamp, integrated LED DRLs, and high-mounted LED indicators. At the side, it features angular tank shrouds, a sculpted fuel tank, and a stubby exhaust. A split seat and multi-spoke alloy wheels round out the visual package.
The front end is suspended by non-adjustable gold USD forks at the front, with a monoshock featuring preload adjustment at the rear. The ignition key is mounted on the tank, and the bike is available in four colour options, including dual-tone combinations with blue, black, yellow, red, and metallic accents.
Tech and Equipment
The new Hornet comes with a 4.2-inch TFT display offering Bluetooth connectivity via Honda’s RoadSync app. The system provides navigation support, call and SMS alerts, and music control through a paired headset. A USB Type-C port is standard for device charging on the go. The TFT screen is controlled using switches mounted on the left handlebar.
Performance and Engine
The motorcycle is powered by a 123.94cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine producing 8.2kW (11bhp) at 7,500rpm and 11.2Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. Power is down in the European competition, most of which makes around 15bhp, and the engine is air-cooled, which is a rarity in the Euro5+ universe. Low powered it may be, but that is offset by a claimed weight of 124kg, which is very light - even in the 125cc space. For reference, the class-leading KTM Duke 125 tips the scales at a shade over 150kg.
Chassis and Braking
The CB125 Hornet uses a 240mm front petal disc and a 130mm rear drum brake, which would probably need to change if it ever did make the trip to Europe. That means ABS is also single-channel, which again would need to be looked at. The petal disc design is claimed to improve heat dissipation under heavy braking. Tyres are tubeless, with an 80/100-17 front and 110/80-17 rear.
The CB125 Hornet slots into Honda’s small-capacity line-up as a feature-packed commuter motorcycle with a strong focus on styling and everyday usability. Pricing and market availability details are expected to follow soon.
Find the latest motorcycle news on Visordown.com
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
