The Honda SP125 fills in the gap between the sober-looking Honda Shine 125 and the properly sporty Honda CB125 Hornet. The SP 125 comes with two variants and it costs Rs 89,279 for the STD variant, and Rs 96,866 for the DLX version (both ex-showroom Delhi). If you’re planning to buy one, this article covers everything you need to know, via images
Design
The SP125’s design language is built to be sporty and muscular. At the front, it gets a sharp LED headlamp. The muscular fuel tank is complemented by aggressive shrouds, giving the bike a strong street presence. The motorcycle also features sporty graphics, and 5-spoke split alloy wheels. At the rear, the red-coloured suspension adds a bit of a zing to the motorcycle, and the M-shaped tail light and chromed exhaust heat shield rounds off the look.
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Sharp but balanced looks: While the bike looks sleek, it will still appeal to a wide range of buyers as it is not as aggressive-looking as the CB125 Hornet nor as boring as the Shine 125
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Solid build quality: The overall build quality is pretty good for a bike of this segment. We found no rattles or loose panels despite riding hard.
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Could do with a visual overhaul: While the design looks objectively sporty, it’s high time Honda gave it a facelift as the overall design has remained unchanged for years.
Colours
The Honda SP125 is available in a palette of five distinct colours for both the variants. These options provide a good range for buyers looking for either subtle or vibrant shades. The available choices are Pearl Igneous Black, Imperial Red Metallic, Mat Axis Grey Metallic, Pearl Siren Blue, and Mat Marvel Blue Metallic.
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Matte and Metallic Finishes: Buyers can choose between multiple matte and metallic paint finishes.
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Graphics is a mixed bag: While some may like the sporty graphics, others might find it to be a bit too loud. Thankfully, the grey coloured version comes without graphics but still looks premium.
Engine And Performance
At the heart of the SP125 is a 123.94cc, air-cooled that complies with E20 fuel (petrol blended with 20% ethanol). It produces 10.87PS and 10.9Nm, working alongside a 5-speed gearbox. The bike also gets a silent starter for noiseless starts.
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It delivered an impressive 63.8kmpl in mixed city-highway use. And with a 11 litre fuel tank, it can easily cover a range of about 600km, which is more than enough for daily use.
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The motor is quite refined, and is also peppy enough. The low-end torque allows you to ride around town in 3rd gear comfortably.
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The gearbox is smooth and accurate too. You can sustain 75-80kmph on the highways comfortably, but don’t expect it to be brisk beyond that.
Features
The SP125 gets a TFT instrument console with automatic brightness adjustment. This screen displays a wealth of information, including real-time mileage, average mileage, distance-to-empty, a gear position indicator, and service reminders. With the Honda RoadSync app, you can manage calls, get turn-by-turn navigation, receive weather updates, and control music via voice commands. Other convenience features include a new Idling Stop System to save fuel in traffic, a 15W USB-C charging port, and an integrated headlamp beam and passing switch.
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The console is legible, and the automatic brightness is quite handy. It also has a dark mode for night rides.
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The top DLX variant gets a TFT whereas the base STD variant still comes with a LCD console.
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That said, except for the lack of turn-by-turn navigation, the LCD console is still fairly info-packed. This includes a gear position indicator, mileage indicator, clock, and other details.
Underpinnings And Other Specifications
The SP125 is built on a diamond-type frame, suspended by a telescopic fork at the front and 5-step pre-load adjustable twin shock absorbers at the rear. It rides on 18-inch tubeless tyres, with an 80/100 section at the front and a wider 100/80 section at the rear for better grip.
Brakes include a 240mm front disc and 130mm rear drum setup or a drum brake at both ends.
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We rode the DLX variant, and it feels easily flickable – ideal for roads with heavy traffic. The handlebar leverage is also good.
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It’s not really ideal for aggressive cornering as the front-end feels a bit vague. But then again, the SP125 is not really designed for it.
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The overall braking performance is strong enough, but you’ll have to pull the levers hard if you want to come to a halt quickly. You also need to really put your foot down hard to get the rear brake to bite properly.
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Practical Dimensions: A 160mm ground clearance and 790mm seat height make it suitable for Indian road conditions.
All in all, the SP125 does its job of being a fuss-free, efficient 125cc commuter reasonably well. We hope Honda tweaks the design as it has started to show its age now.
