Honda SP 125

The SP 125 is Honda’s premium offering in the 125cc segment. It’s basically a Shine 125 with modern features such as a fully digital instrument cluster, silent starter and side-stand cut-off. With all these modern features, is the SP 125 a capable motorcycle that can stand out in this highly competitive segment?

Honda has put in a bit of effort to make the SP 125 stand out, with the addition of vibrant graphic schemes and a slightly sporty design. Overall, the bike has a youthful and sporty vibe which sets it apart from the Shine 125. The reshaped tank with longer extensions gives the bike a more aggressive look and the LED headlight along with the sharp-looking tail lamp makes the bike stand out. It has good build quality, even with the smaller things like switchgear and grips feeling quite premium. The cables and hoses are also kept out of sight to give the bike a clean look.

The SP125’s 123.94cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine makes 10.8PS at 7500rpm and 10.8Nm at 6000rpm. The engine packs strong bottom- and mid-range power which makes riding in the city very easy. The 125cc bike has enough power for easy overtakes in the city the only issue is that at higher speeds (such as 75-80kmph), the acceleration feels weak and you also start getting some vibrations in the handlebar. But this isn’t a deal breaker as the vibrations aren’t too harsh.

The SP 125 is built on a diamond chassis and suspension is handled by a telescopic fork and preload-adjustable dual shocks. The braking on the disc variant is handled by a 240mm disc and 130mm drum at the front and rear respectively, while the drum variant gets 130mm drum brakes at both ends. The bike gets an 80-section tyre at the front and a 100-section tyre at the rear.

When it comes to handling, the SP125 can feel a bit heavy and requires slightly more input from the rider. But what the SP125 loses in terms of agility, it makes up for with stability. The bike feels quite stable while taking corners and the suspension absorbs everything quite nicely.

The tyres, which provide good grip, the refined engine, and the comfortable suspension, all three things come together to give a lovely riding experience. While the brakes in both the disc variant and drum variant have enough bite, the front brake lever can feel a bit soft when you’re braking hard. But again, it isn’t a major deal breaker.

The suspension setup at the front is soft but not too soft. But the suspension at the rear seems firm. That said, this can be changed as the shocks come with 5-step preload adjustability. The seat is quite spacious and comfortable and doesn’t feel too hard. With a seat height of 790mm, the SP 125 is suitable for riders of all heights. Moreover, with a kerb weight of 116kg, the bike feels light and is easy to move around in parking lots. 

The SP125 comes with a range of features such as an LED headlight and a digital LCD instrument cluster. The console comes with two trip meters and displays a lot of information like average fuel consumption, distance to empty and a gear position indicator. The bike even gets a service reminder, something which even some larger bikes don’t come with. Other features include a silent starter which makes starting the bike very smooth and silent. The bike does not get CBS (Combined Braking System) and not ABS.

The SP125 is a good bike and an all-rounder that can satisfy most commuter needs without much trouble. The engine refinement is top class and the ride quality is very comfortable. That’s why it is a good choice for someone who is starting out on motorcycles and is looking for a simple commuter that also looks stylish. If you’re someone who wants more features then, the TVS Raider 125 or the Hero Xtreme 125R would be an ideal choice. Other than this, there are quite a few options to choose from like the Bajaj Pulsar NS125 and Hero Glamour Xtec.