Honda
Honda CB 125 Hornet
Style and mileage of a sports 125, priced like a bigger, more powerful bike
In short
The CB 125 Hornet is a 2025 addition to Honda's naked lineup, priced from ₹1.15 lakh with USD front forks and a colour TFT console, features usually reserved for bigger-engined bikes. Its 10.99bhp is modest against 150-160cc rivals at the same price, but its claimed 55kmpl and real-world 51-57kmpl are the best in its price bracket.
- Engine
- 124 cc
- Power
- 10.99 bhp
- Claimed mileage
- 55 kmpl
- Kerb weight
- 124 kg
What works
- USD front forks and TFT navigation rare at this price point
- Real-world 51-57kmpl, best among similarly priced rivals
- 3-year, 42,000km warranty
- Bluetooth connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation
What doesn't
- 10.99bhp trails 150-160cc rivals priced the same
- Rear drum brake despite the premium styling
- Small 125cc engine may feel underwhelming for the sporty positioning
Best for: Style-conscious commuting, Mileage-focused riders, First naked bike
Price and variants
Ex-showroom Delhi. On-road estimate for Delhi; other cities on the price page.
The CB 125 Hornet comes in a single variant at ₹1,15,312 ex-showroom Delhi, so there is no trim ladder to climb: every CB 125 Hornet leaves the showroom with the same equipment.
That makes it priced 12th lowest among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed. Its closest price rivals are the Pulsar 150 (₹12 less) and the Unicorn (₹71 less).
On the road in Delhi, budget about ₹1.32 Lakh for the base variant once 8% Delhi road tax, registration and five-year third-party insurance are added. Dealers often quote higher by bundling accessories, extended warranty and handling charges; all three are negotiable.
| Variant | Ex-showroom | Rough EMI |
|---|---|---|
Standard | ₹1,15,312 |
Mileage
CB 125 Hornet's claimed mileage is 55 kmpl, and unusually, owners and our own riding land right on it: expect 51–57 kmpl in everyday use. Few bikes get this close to their brochure figure.
Among the 67 sports bikes we have reviewed it ranks 10th for mileage, 13 kmpl above the group average of 42 kmpl.
Engine and ride
The 124cc engine makes 10.99 bhp and 11.2 Nm through a 5 Speed. With a kerb weight of 124 kg that is 89 bhp per tonne, 66th best power-to-weight of the 73 bikes in this class we have reviewed.
The torque and power figures are well balanced, so it neither needs to be revved hard nor feels lazy when you do.
Chassis hardware includes USD front forks, a rear monoshock and single-channel ABS, with a disc, 240 mm up front and drum, 130 mm at the rear.
At 796 mm the seat is average for the class; most riders from 5'5" up will be comfortable at stops.
Our review
Riding impressions and the buying advice a spec sheet cannot give.
Verdict
The CB 125 Hornet borrows styling cues, USD front forks and a TFT console usually seen on bigger naked bikes, then wraps them around a modest 123.94cc engine making 10.99bhp. At ₹1.15 lakh, it competes on price with 150-160cc rivals that offer noticeably more power, so its appeal has to come from somewhere else, and that somewhere is mileage and kit.
Riding it every day
In city traffic, the light 124kg kerb weight and manageable power make it easy and unintimidating to ride, particularly for newer riders. The USD front forks give a noticeably planted feel over uneven city roads compared to typical telescopic forks at this price. Around town, acceleration is adequate rather than exciting, and it settles into a relaxed cruising pace comfortably.
What to know before buying
Real-world mileage of 51-57kmpl is genuinely strong, likely the best figure among similarly priced naked bikes. The rear brake remains a drum, and only single-channel ABS is fitted, both reasonable compromises given the segment. Buyers cross-shopping 150-160cc rivals at the same price should be clear-eyed that this is a 125cc engine wearing sportier styling, not a performance match for those bikes.
Who should buy it
The CB 125 Hornet suits a rider who wants naked-bike styling, a TFT display and strong fuel efficiency in a first bike, and who is comfortable trading outright power for those priorities against similarly priced 150-160cc alternatives.
Features and colours
- Single-channel ABS
- Front disc brake
- Tubeless tyres
- Alloy wheels
- Side-stand engine cut-off
- USD front forks
- Rear monoshock
- LED headlamp
- LED daytime running lamp
- LED tail lamp
- +6 more
On safety kit the CB 125 Hornet has single-channel abs, front disc brake, tubeless tyres and side-stand engine cut-off. ABS acts on the front wheel only; the rear can still lock under a hard stamp.
Against Xtreme 160R, Xtreme 125R or Pulsar N160, it gets usd front forks, colour tft console and turn-by-turn navigation that most rivals skip.
What it lacks: hazard lamps, which rivals at this price offer. The safety items in that list matter more than the console.
It is offered in 4 colours: Pearl Siren Blue with Sports Red, Pearl Siren Blue with Athletic Blue Metallic, Pearl Igneous Black and Pearl Siren Blue with Lemon Ice Yellow. Colour availability varies by variant and dealer stock.
Warranty, service and ownership
Standard warranty is 3 years or 42,000 km. After the free services, the recommended interval is every 6,000 km.
Honda runs one of the largest sales and service network in India, at roughly 6,000 touchpoints. Spares and a mechanic who knows the model are rarely far away.
The CB 125 Hornet launched in 2025, so long-term reliability and resale data are still thin. That is not a mark against it, just a reason to prefer the standard warranty and keep service records.
CB 125 Hornet: questions people ask
- What is the price of the Honda CB 125 Hornet?
- The CB 125 Hornet is priced at ₹1,15,312 ex-showroom Delhi in its single variant, as of September 2026. On-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance.
- What is the on-road price of the CB 125 Hornet in Delhi?
- Roughly ₹1.32 Lakh for the base variant in Delhi: ₹1,15,312 ex-showroom plus ₹9,225 road tax, ₹1,100 registration and about ₹5,931 insurance. This is an estimate; dealer quotes include handling and accessories.
- What is the mileage of the CB 125 Hornet?
- Claimed mileage is 55 kmpl. Owners typically see 51–57 kmpl in mixed city and highway riding.
- How much does the CB 125 Hornet cost to run per month?
- Fuel works out to about ₹1.76 per km in Delhi, so a 30 km daily commute costs roughly ₹1,369 a month before servicing.
- What is the EMI for the CB 125 Hornet?
- With 10% down, a 36-month loan at 9.5% on the base variant comes to about ₹3,660 a month. A shorter tenure raises the EMI but cuts total interest; see the EMI calculator on the price page.
- What is the engine capacity and power of the CB 125 Hornet?
- It uses a 124cc engine producing 10.99 bhp and 11.2 Nm, with a 5 speed.
- Is the CB 125 Hornet suitable for short riders?
- Mostly. Seat height is 796 mm, which suits riders from about 5'5". Shorter riders should sit on one at the showroom.
- CB 125 Hornet or Xtreme 160R: which is better?
- The Xtreme 160R is ₹5,510 less expensive to start and less efficient at 49.65 kmpl against 55 kmpl. Pick the CB 125 Hornet for style-conscious commuting, the Xtreme 160R for budget-conscious 160cc buyers. Our side-by-side comparison covers every spec.
- Which bikes are cheaper than the CB 125 Hornet?
- Among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed, the Pulsar 125 (₹93,507), the Apache RTR 160 (₹1.11 Lakh), the Unicorn (₹1.15 Lakh) start lower.
- Is the CB 125 Hornet worth its price against 150cc rivals like the Pulsar 150?
- The Pulsar 150 and similarly priced naked bikes typically offer more power for the same money. The CB 125 Hornet's case rests on its efficiency, USD forks and TFT navigation, so it suits buyers who value mileage and styling over outright performance.
- Does the CB 125 Hornet need premium fuel to run properly?
- No, it is designed to run on regular petrol widely available across India. Expect consistent performance on standard fuel, with no meaningful benefit typically reported from using premium grades on this engine.
CB 125 Hornet vs its rivals
Around ₹1.15 Lakh
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Before you buy
CB 125 Hornet from
₹1.15 Lakh