Honda CB 125 Hornet vs Bajaj Pulsar N160
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
Honda CB 125 Hornet and Bajaj Pulsar N160 are both sports bikes and turn up together on most shortlists. They are priced within ₹6,688 of each other, so this comes down to what each does with the money.
The CB 125 Hornet takes 4 of the 7 categories we score, so this is close and comes down to what you weight. Our overall ratings are 6.5/10 for the CB 125 Hornet and 7.5/10 for the Pulsar N160.
Category by category
Price
CB 125 Hornet
The CB 125 Hornet starts ₹6,688 lower (₹1,15,312 against ₹1,22,000), about ₹210 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
CB 125 Hornet
CB 125 Hornet claims 55 kmpl against 45 kmpl. That is roughly ₹4,949 a year in fuel at 30 km a day.
Performance
Pulsar N160
Pulsar N160 has the better power-to-weight ratio: 103 against 89 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
Pulsar N160
Pulsar N160 adds dual-channel abs that the CB 125 Hornet does not have on any variant.
Features
CB 125 Hornet
CB 125 Hornet gets led daytime running lamp, led tail lamp, colour tft console and turn-by-turn navigation and 1 more items.
City manners
CB 125 Hornet
CB 125 Hornet is 28 kg lighter and taller in the seat (796 mm), which you feel in traffic and when parking.
Warranty
Pulsar N160
Pulsar N160 comes with 5 years of standard warranty against 3 on the CB 125 Hornet.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the CB 125 Hornet if
- you want the lower purchase price and EMI
- mileage matters more to you than outright performance
- you are a new rider or shorter and want the lighter bike
- your priority is style-conscious commuting
Buy the Pulsar N160 if
- you ride two-up or on highways and want the stronger engine
- dual-channel ABS is non-negotiable for you
- a longer standard warranty gives you peace of mind
- your priority is upgrading from a 125
What each really costs
Base variants, Delhi, 30 km a day. Servicing and insurance are class-typical estimates.
| Cost | CB 125 Hornet | Pulsar N160 |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹1,15,312 | ₹1,22,000 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹1,31,600 | ₹1,42,400 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹82,160 | ₹1,06,905 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹6,316 | ₹6,836 |
| Five-year total | ₹2,50,076 | ₹2,86,141 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | HondaCB 125 Hornet | BajajPulsar N160 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹1,15,312 | ₹1,22,000 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹3,660 | ₹3,870 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 123.9 cc | 164.8 cc |
| Engine type | 1 Cylinder | Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, oil-cooled, 2-valve DTS-i |
| Power | 11.0 bhp | 15.7 bhp |
| Torque | 11.2 Nm | 14.7 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 55 kmpl | 45 kmpl |
| Cooling | — | Oil-cooled |
| Transmission | 5 Speed | 5-speed |
| Starter | — | Self start only |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | 100 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 124 kg | 152 kg |
| Fuel tank | 12 L | 14 L |
| Seat height | 796 mm | 795 mm |
| Ground clearance | 166 mm | 165 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1330 mm | 1358 mm |
| Length | 2015 mm | — |
| Width | 783 mm | — |
| Height | 1087 mm | — |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 240 mm | 300 mm disc |
| Rear brake | Drum, 130 mm | 230 mm disc |
| ABS / CBS | Single Channel ABS | Single or dual-channel ABS |
| Front suspension | Upside down Fork (USD) | 37 mm USD forks (dual ABS) / telescopic |
| Rear suspension | 5-step Adjustable Mono-Shock Absorber | Monoshock |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 80/100-17 | 100/80-17 |
| Rear tyre | 110/80-17 | 130/70-17 |
CB 125 Hornet vs Pulsar N160: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the CB 125 Hornet or the Pulsar N160?
- The CB 125 Hornet is cheaper by ₹6,688 at the base variant (₹1,15,312 against ₹1,22,000 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the CB 125 Hornet or the Pulsar N160?
- The CB 125 Hornet claims 55 kmpl against 45 kmpl. Real-world figures for both will be lower.
- What is the on-road price difference between the CB 125 Hornet and Pulsar N160 in Delhi?
- About ₹10,800: roughly ₹1,31,600 for the CB 125 Hornet and ₹1,42,400 for the Pulsar N160, base variants, including road tax, registration and insurance.
- Which costs less to own over five years?
- Our estimate for five years at 30 km a day in Delhi is ₹2,50,076 for the CB 125 Hornet and ₹2,86,141 for the Pulsar N160, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The CB 125 Hornet comes out ₹36,065 ahead.
