Honda CB 125 Hornet vs Honda Shine 125
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
Honda CB 125 Hornet and Honda Shine 125 are from different segments and turn up together on most shortlists. The CB 125 Hornet costs ₹33,312 more than the Shine 125, so the question is whether what it adds is worth roughly 41% extra.
The Shine 125 takes 3 of the 6 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 Shine 125.
Category by category
Price
Shine 125
The Shine 125 starts ₹33,312 lower (₹82,000 against ₹1,15,312), about ₹1,060 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
Tie
Identical mileage claims of 55 kmpl.
Performance
Shine 125
Shine 125 has the better power-to-weight ratio: 94 against 89 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
CB 125 Hornet
CB 125 Hornet adds single-channel abs that the Shine 125 does not have on any variant.
Features
CB 125 Hornet
CB 125 Hornet gets usd front forks, rear monoshock, led daytime running lamp and led tail lamp and 4 more items.
City manners
Shine 125
Shine 125 is 11 kg lighter and lower in the seat (791 mm), which you feel in traffic and when parking.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the CB 125 Hornet if
- your priority is style-conscious commuting
- your priority is mileage-focused riders
Buy the Shine 125 if
- you want the lower purchase price and EMI
- you ride two-up or on highways and want the stronger engine
- you are a new rider or shorter and want the lighter bike
- your priority is refined daily commuting
What each really costs
Base variants, Delhi, 30 km a day. Servicing and insurance are class-typical estimates.
| Cost | CB 125 Hornet | Shine 125 |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹1,15,312 | ₹82,000 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹1,31,600 | ₹95,000 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹82,160 | ₹82,160 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹30,000 | ₹17,500 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹6,316 | ₹4,560 |
| Five-year total | ₹2,50,076 | ₹1,99,220 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | HondaCB 125 Hornet | HondaShine 125 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹1,15,312 | ₹82,000 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹3,660 | ₹2,600 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 123.9 cc | 123.9 cc |
| Engine type | 1 Cylinder | Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled, OHC 2-valve, PGM-FI |
| Power | 11.0 bhp | 10.6 bhp |
| Torque | 11.2 Nm | 11 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 55 kmpl | 55 kmpl |
| Cooling | — | Air-cooled |
| Transmission | 5 Speed | 5-speed |
| Starter | — | Self start only |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | 100 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 124 kg | 113 kg |
| Fuel tank | 12 L | 10.5 L |
| Seat height | 796 mm | 791 mm |
| Ground clearance | 166 mm | 162 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1330 mm | 1285 mm |
| Length | 2015 mm | — |
| Width | 783 mm | — |
| Height | 1087 mm | — |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 240 mm | 240 mm disc / 130 mm drum |
| Rear brake | Drum, 130 mm | 130 mm drum |
| ABS / CBS | Single Channel ABS | CBS |
| Front suspension | Upside down Fork (USD) | Telescopic |
| Rear suspension | 5-step Adjustable Mono-Shock Absorber | Twin hydraulic shocks, 5-step adjustable |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 80/100-17 | 80/100-18 |
| Rear tyre | 110/80-17 | 80/100-18 |
CB 125 Hornet vs Shine 125: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the CB 125 Hornet or the Shine 125?
- The Shine 125 is cheaper by ₹33,312 at the base variant (₹82,000 against ₹1,15,312 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the CB 125 Hornet or the Shine 125?
- Both claim 55 kmpl.
- What is the on-road price difference between the CB 125 Hornet and Shine 125 in Delhi?
- About ₹36,600: roughly ₹1,31,600 for the CB 125 Hornet and ₹95,000 for the Shine 125, 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 ₹1,99,220 for the Shine 125, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The Shine 125 comes out ₹50,856 ahead.
