Honda CB125 Hornet vs Rivals: How It Stacks Up in the Premium 125cc Segment

Honda has officially taken the wraps off its newest offering in the 125cc commuter segment — the CB125 Hornet. With premium aspirations and sharp styling, the Hornet aims to challenge established players like the TVS Raider, Hero Xtreme 125R, and Bajaj Pulsar N125. But how does it fare in terms of specifications, features, and pricing? Here’s a detailed comparison across multiple parameters.

Contents hide

1 Engine & Performance: Who Packs the Most Punch?

2 Dimensions & Weight: Lightweight or Heavy Duty?

3 Suspension, Tyres & Brakes: Premium Touch or Practical Setup?

4 Features: Tech-Savvy or Basic?

5 Price Check: Value for Money?

6 Verdict: Which One Should You Pick?

Engine & Performance: Who Packs the Most Punch?

Bike	Engine	Power	Torque	Gearbox	Power-to-Weight Ratio
Honda CB125 Hornet	123.94cc, air-cooled	11.1hp @ 7,500rpm	11.2Nm @ 6,000rpm	5-speed	89.5hp/tonne
TVS Raider	124.8cc, air-cooled	11.4hp @ 7,500rpm	11.7Nm @ 6,000rpm (with iGo)	5-speed	92.6hp/tonne
Hero Xtreme 125R	124.7cc, air-cooled	11.5hp @ 8,250rpm	10.5Nm @ 6,500rpm	5-speed	84.5hp/tonne
Bajaj Pulsar N125	124.5cc, air-cooled	12hp @ 8,500rpm	11Nm @ 6,000rpm	5-speed	94hp/tonne

The Pulsar N125 leads in outright performance with the highest peak power and power-to-weight ratio. On the other hand, the Hero Xtreme 125R lags slightly in torque and carries the most weight, affecting its performance figures. Honda’s CB125 Hornet delivers a solid mid-range performance, while the Raider offers a momentary torque boost via its iGo tech.

Kickstarter Availability:

✅ Pulsar N125, Xtreme 125R
❌ Raider, CB125 Hornet

Kickstarters are a useful fallback for commuters, and it’s worth noting that the Raider and Hornet do not offer one.

Dimensions & Weight: Lightweight or Heavy Duty?

Bike	Seat Height	Ground Clearance	Wheelbase	Fuel Tank	Kerb Weight
Honda CB125 Hornet	796mm	166mm	1330mm	12L	124kg
TVS Raider	780mm	180mm	1326mm	10L	123kg
Hero Xtreme 125R	794mm	180mm	1319mm	10L	136kg
Bajaj Pulsar N125	795mm	198mm	1295mm	9.5L	127.5kg (BT variant)

The TVS Raider edges out the Hornet by just 1kg to claim the title of the lightest bike here, despite Honda’s marketing claims. However, the Hornet offers the largest fuel tank. The Pulsar wins in terms of ground clearance, offering almost ADV-level ride height, making it better suited for rough roads.

Suspension, Tyres & Brakes: Premium Touch or Practical Setup?

Bike	Front Suspension	Tyres (F/R)	Front Brakes
Honda CB125 Hornet	USD Fork / Monoshock	80/100-17 / 110/80-17	240mm Disc
TVS Raider	Telescopic / Monoshock	80/100-17 / 100/90-17	240mm Disc
Hero Xtreme 125R	Telescopic / Monoshock	90/90-17 / 120/80-17	240mm (CBS) or 276mm (ABS)
Bajaj Pulsar N125	Telescopic / Monoshock	80/100-17 / 110/80-17 (BT variant)	230mm Disc

The CB125 Hornet is the only bike in the segment to feature an upside-down (USD) fork, giving it a premium edge and better front-end feel. The Xtreme 125R has the widest rear tyre, while the Pulsar offers optional tyre sizes depending on variant. Rear discs are missing on all four bikes, with most lower variants relying on drum brakes or CBS.

Features: Tech-Savvy or Basic?

Bike	Display	LED Indicators	Bluetooth Connectivity	Silent Start
Honda CB125 Hornet	TFT	✅	✅	✅
TVS Raider	TFT / LCD (base)	❌ (bulb indicators)	❌	✅
Hero Xtreme 125R	LCD	✅	✅	❌
Bajaj Pulsar N125	LCD (BT in top variant)	✅	✅ (in BT variant)	✅

The Hornet and Raider are the only bikes offering a TFT dash, while others stick to LCD setups. Only the Raider uses bulb-type indicators, while others get full LED lighting. The silent-start feature is missing only on the Xtreme 125R.

Price Check: Value for Money?

Bike	Price (Ex-showroom)
Honda CB125 Hornet	Rs 1.12 lakh (introductory)
TVS Raider	Rs 87,010 – Rs 1.02 lakh
Hero Xtreme 125R	Rs 98,425 – Rs 1.02 lakh
Bajaj Pulsar N125	Rs 95,213 – Rs 99,213

Honda’s Hornet is the most expensive in its class, priced a full Rs 10,000 higher than the top-end TVS Raider, which also offers a TFT dash and broader variant range. The Raider emerges as the most affordable entry point, while the Pulsar and Xtreme sit in the mid-range, offering decent value but missing key features in lower variants.

Verdict: Which One Should You Pick?

Performance Buffs: Go for the Bajaj Pulsar N125, with the best power output and ADV-inspired design.
Tech Lovers on a Budget: The TVS Raider offers a lot of value with its TFT dash and lowest starting price.
Style Meets Premium: The Honda CB125 Hornet looks upscale and has unique elements like USD forks and full LEDs, but demands a premium.
Well-Rounded Option: The Hero Xtreme 125R brings decent performance, wide tyres, and Bluetooth, but could do with a weight cut.

Final Thoughts:
Honda has positioned the CB125 Hornet as a premium urban commuter. It scores on design, build, and unique hardware like USD forks. However, with a significantly higher price tag, it faces stiff competition from rivals offering similar — or in some cases, better — value at a lower price point. The 125cc space just got a lot more interesting.

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