Honda CB125 Hornet Expert Review

The CB125 Hornet has a sharp, youthful design with a sculpted fuel tank, angular headlamp setup and a chunky golden USD fork that gives it a strong presence from the front. Some elements around the DRLs and high beam section may not appeal to everyone, but the neat LED indicators, slim tail section and integrated grab rails are well executed. Fit and finish levels are solid, premium and free of visible panel gaps, while the blue paint scheme with colour-matched alloy wheels attracts plenty of attention.

The seat is broad and supportive, and the riding position strikes a good balance between sporty and comfortable. The handlebar sits slightly forward, so you lean a little ahead rather than sitting completely upright, while the foot pegs remain in a neutral position. Despite the relatively substantial seat height, the motorcycle feels easy to manoeuvre in traffic and at a standstill thanks to its low kerb weight.

The 124cc engine delivers smooth low-end response and a noticeably punchy mid-range, making overtakes in city traffic easy and keeping the motorcycle engaging to ride. The gearbox is butter-smooth, the clutch is fairly light and the engine is tractable enough to cruise at around 30kph in fourth gear. It feels happiest at about 70-75kph on the highway, while vibrations become noticeable past 80kph. Fuel efficiency is impressive, with 59.8kpl in the city and 69.3kpl on the highway.

Handling feels light and nimble, allowing the CB125 Hornet to change direction quickly and filter through traffic with very little effort. The USD fork and monoshock absorb smaller bumps well, but the front end can bottom out over sharper speed breakers and potholes, so it is not as compliant as some rivals on badly broken roads. The MRF tyres work reasonably well in dry conditions, although wet-weather grip feels less confidence inspiring. Braking performance is strong, with a sharp bite from the front disc and single-channel ABS.

The motorcycle gets a compact TFT display that is crisp and easy to read, along with Bluetooth connectivity through the Honda RoadSync app for navigation, call and message alerts. A silent-start system and a USB Type-C charging port add useful everyday convenience. Single-channel ABS comes as standard.

The Honda CB125 Hornet combines sporty styling, punchy performance, nimble handling, good build quality and a useful feature list in a practical everyday package. The suspension could be more compliant over poor roads, but that is its main drawback. It is priced higher than the top-spec TVS Raider 125 and Hero Xtreme 125R, yet the USD fork and Honda’s reputation for reliability help justify the premium.