Today, we compare five motorcycles in the strategic 125cc segment. This segment is one of the most important ones for the Indian motorcycle consumer, because it usually offers a blend of good fuel efficiency, decent yet stylish looks and the ability to transport two in comfort. Quite naturally, the strongest players in the market strive to provide excellence in every way possible on these visibly small but sales-garnering motorcycles. Let’s take a look at their details. Provided below is also a concise spec sheet.
Displacement
Compared to its sibling, the Yamaha Saluto is now powered by a full 125cc, whereas the SS125 only has a 123cc engine. The Bajaj Discover 125M, the Honda CB Shine and the Hero Super Splendor are all powered by 124.7cc engines.
Displacement table Motorcycle Displacement Yamaha Saluto 125cc Yamaha SS125 123cc Bajaj Discover 125M 124.6cc Honda CB Shine 124.7cc Hero Super Splendor 124.7cc
Power
It’s amazing to see how all five engines generate almost the same cubic capacity, but still are tuned to produce varied brake horse power. So, in this respect, the Bajaj Discover 125M takes the lead, producing 11.3bhp at 8,000rpm followed by the Yamaha SS125 and the Honda CB Shine, at just below 11bhp. And the Yamaha Saluto produces the least here at 8.2bhp made at 7,000rpm.
Power table Motorcycle Power Yamaha Saluto 8.2bhp at 7000rpm Yamaha SS125 10.9bhp at 7500rpm Bajaj Discover 125M 11.3bhp at 8000rpm Honda CB Shine 10.5bhp at 7500rpm Hero Super Splendor 9bhp at 7000rpm
Torque
All three motorcycles produce almost the same amount of torque at 1.1kgm, but peak torque is achieved at different rpms. The quickest peak-torque delivery is achieved by the Hero Super Splendor that makes it as early at 4,000rpm. Yamaha is not far behind with its new Saluto, making the same at 4,500rpm. If we solely compare this to the older Yamaha SS125, we can see that it makes the same at 6,500rpm, which is not most ideal. Therefore, Yamaha advances technically now.
Torque table Motorcycle Torque Yamaha Saluto 1kgm at 4500rpm Yamaha SS125 1.1kgm at 6500rpm Bajaj Discover 125M 1.1kgm at 6000rpm Honda CB Shine 1.1kgm at 5500rpm Hero Super Splendor 1.1kgm at 4000rpm
Suspension
All five bikes here are equipped with telescopic front suspension and dual shocks at rear.
Suspension table Motorcycle Front suspension Rear suspension Yamaha Saluto Telescopic suspension Dual shock absorbers, tubular swingarm Yamaha SS125 Telescopic suspension Dual shock absorbers, box section swingarm Bajaj Discover 125M Telescopic suspension Dual shock absorbers, box section swingarm Honda CB Shine Telescopic suspension Dual shock absorbers, tubular swingarm Hero Super Splendor Telescopic suspension Dual shock absorbers, box section swingarm
Fuel-tank capacity
A spot that takes a hit on the new Yamaha Saluto is the minimal fuel-tank capacity, at just 7.6 litres. The Hero Splendor has a capacity of 13 litres and the Honda CB Shine is equipped with a 10.5-litre tank.
Fuel tank capacity Motorcycle Fuel tank capacity Yamaha Saluto 7.6 litres Yamaha SS125 13.6 litres Bajaj Discover 125M 9.5 litres Honda CB Shine 10.5 litres Hero Super Splendor 13 litres
Brakes
The Yamaha SS125, Honda CB Shine and the Bajaj Discover 125M do offer an optional disc brake up front for a safer ride. The Yamaha Saluto and the Hero Super Splendor are offered only with a drum brake up front. Rear wheels on all five bikes use a drum-brake setup for braking.
Brake table Motorcycle Front brake Rear brake Yamaha Saluto Drum brake Drum brake Yamaha SS125 Disc/Drum brake Drum brake Bajaj Discover 125M Disc/Drum brake Drum brake Honda CB Shine Disc/Drum brake Drum brake Hero Super Splendor Drum brake Drum brake
Weight
Another very crucial detail Yamaha has worked on is decreasing the kerb weight of its Saluto. This two wheeler weighs only 112kg, making it the lightest motorcycle in the segment. It is followed by the Bajaj Discover 125M at 117kg, and the CB Shine at 118kg.
Weight table Motorcycle Weight Yamaha Saluto 112kg Yamaha SS125 125kg Bajaj Discover 125M 117kg Honda CB Shine 118kg Hero Super Splendor 121kg
Dimensions
The Yamaha Saluto is the longest motorcycle in this list measuring 2,035mm. Similarly, the Honda CB Shine has the broadest stance at 762mm, making it the widest. The tallest here is the Yamaha SS125 at 1110mm.
Dimension table Motorcycle L/W/H Yamaha Saluto 2035/700/1080mm Yamaha SS125 1995/730/1110mm Bajaj Discover 125M 1986/678/1044mm Honda CB Shine 2014/762/1071mm Hero Super Splendor 1995/735/1095mm
Price
At Rs 52,000, the Yamaha Saluto makes for a decent proposition as it joins the most-affordable club with Bajaj’s Discover 125M, which is only a bit cheaper at Rs 51,274. The Honda CB Shine costs Rs 55,524 and the Hero Super Splendor costs Rs 53,600.
Price table Motorcycle Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) Yamaha Saluto Rs 52,000 Yamaha SS125 Rs 56,555 Bajaj Discover 125M Rs 51,274 Honda CB Shine Rs 55,524 Hero Super Splendor Rs 53,600
Specifications table Specifications Yamaha Saluto Yamaha SS125 Bajaj Discover 125M Honda CB Shine Hero Super Splendor Price Rs 52,000 Rs 56,555 Rs 51,274 Rs 55,524 Rs 53,600 On sale Now Now Now Now Now L/W/H 2035/700/1080mm 1995/730/1110mm 1986/678/1044mm 2014/762/1071mm 1995/735/1095mm Wheelbase 1265mm 1295mm 1255mm 1266mm 1265mm Fuel tank capacity 7.6 litres 13.6 litres 9.5 litres 10.5 litres 13 litres Kerb weight 112kg 125kg 117kg 118kg 121kg Engine layout Four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled Four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled Four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled Four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled Four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled Displacement 125cc 123cc 124.6cc 124.7cc 124.7cc Power 8.2bhp at 7000rpm 10.9bhp at 7500rpm 11.3bhp at 8000rpm 10.5bhp at 7500rpm 9bhp at 7000rpm Torque 1kgm at 4500rpm 1.1kgm at 6500rpm 1.1kgm at 6500rpm 1.1kgm at 6500rpm 1.1kgm at 6500rpm Specific output 65.6bhp per litre 88.6bhp per litre 90.7bhp per litre 84.2bhp per litre 72.2bhp per litre Power to weight 73.2bhp per tonne 87.2bhp per tonne 96.6bhp per tonne 89bhp per tonne 74.3bhp per tonne Gearbox 4-speed, all down 5-speed, 1-down, 4-up 4-speed, all up 4-speed, all down 4-speed, all down Front suspension Telescopic forks Telescopic forks Telescopic forks Telescopic forks Telescopic forks Rear suspension Dual shock absorbers, tubular swingarm Dual shock absorbers, box section swingarm Dual shock absorbers, box section swingarm Dual shock absorbers, tubular swingarm Dual shock absorbers, box section swingarm Front brake Drum brake Disc/Drum brake Disc/Drum brake Disc/Drum brake Drum brake Rear brake Drum brake Drum brake Drum brake Drum brake Drum brake Wheels 5-spoke alloy 5-spoke alloy 10-spoke 6-spoke 5-spoke Rim size 18 inch 18 inch 17 inch 18 inch 18 inch Tyre size 80/100 x 18 - 80/100 x 80 inches 2.75 x 18 - 3.00 x 18 inches 2.75 x 17 - 3.00 x 17 inches 80/100 x 18 - 80/100 x 80 inches 2.75 x 18 - 2.75 x 18 inches