Honda has taken the wraps off the CB125 Hornet in India, opening up the sporty 125cc motorcycle space for the Japanese bike maker. The bike comes with segment first golden USD front forks and the fastest acceleration of 0-60 km/h in mere 5.4 seconds.
Reservations begin August 1st, 2025, and pricing information will be available in the days leading up to the launch. Honda is aiming to attract young rider in urban segment with a practical yet sporty daily commuter, that will compete against the established rivals such as the TVS Raider 125 and Hero Xtreme 125R.
Performance Specifications
The CB125 hornet houses a 123.94cc fuel injected engine which belts out 11hp at 7,500rpm and 11.2 Nm at 6,000rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox, and enhanced Smart Power (eSP) technology that contributes to better fuel efficiency.
As per Honda, the motorcycle can go from 0-60 km/h in 5.4 seconds, and is the quickest in its segment. This performance goal is in direct comparison against the segment leading TVS Raider 125 that created the category of the sporty commuter.
Read Also: Honda Shine 100 DX Unveiled In India With Premium Features
Design And Features
The CB125 Hornet’s aggressive streetfighter styling is characterised by silhouettes from sharp LED headlamp, high-mounted turn indicators and a muscular fuel tank. The bike now becomes the segment’s first to get upside-down front forks in golden finish.
Key features include:
- 4.2″ TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity through the Honda RoadSync app
- Voice guided navigation, call/SMS alerts, and music control
- Charge via USB Type-C to connect to your smartphone
- Single-Channel ABS
- All-LED lights
- Split seat design and monoshock rear suspension
Color Options And Market Strategy
It is available in 4 vibrant colours: Pearl Siren Blue with Lemon Ice Yellow, Pearl Igneous Black, Pearl Siren Blue with Athletic Blue Metallic and Pearl Siren Blue with Sports Red.
The introduction comes as both Honda’s 25th anniversary in India and also its global sales touching 500 million units in production of two-wheelers. It has a 45% share in the 125cc category in India with bikes such as the Shine 125 and SP 125.
Yogesh Mathur, Senior General Manager – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said, “Re-inventing the Sports category, we are excited to begin the next chapter of wing riding culture in India. Targeted at the adventurous urban youth, Rizz – the all-new 125cc sports bike is specially developed to attract Gen-Z buyers to Ride their Rizz to be Featured.”
Competitive Landscape
CB125 Hornet In a direct line of fire are the TVS Raider 125, which first introduced the sporty 125cc commuter segment along with the Hero Xtreme 125R and the Bajaj Pulsar NS125/N125. For Honda, the new model does fill a hole in its lineup, since the automaker didn’t have a direct rival in this hot, high-growth segment.
The Hornet is expected to be priced around ₹1-1.15 lakh (ex-showroom), which should keep it right in the mix with formidable competition in the segment. The segment-first USD forks and and other premium touches on the motorcycle could help justify a bit of a premium margin above its rivals.