TVS Raider vs Honda SP125: Detailed Comparison

How does the king of the 125cc sporty commuter segment fare against its Japanese counterpart? We find out

The TVS Raider is the king of the 125cc sporty commuters, but other manufacturers have also stepped up their game. The Honda SP 125 is one such competitor. We find out which one is the best 125cc bike for you: 

Price & Variants

• The TVS Raider is available in seven variants: Drum, Single Seat, Split Seat, iGO, SSE, SXC DD and TFT DD. 

• The base variant of the TVS Raider is Rs 5,878 cheaper than that of the SP125. 

• The bikes are almost similarly priced and the difference lies in the number of variants available for both of them, which is also reflected in the features and other specifications of the two bikes.

• If you are planning to get the TVS Raider on a loan, check out our EMI buying guide.

Dimensions & Design

• The TVS Raider has a slightly longer wheelbase, which should give it better high-speed and straight-line stability.

• The TVS Raider has a 20mm higher ground clearance, which should make it better equipped to deal with potholes and bad road conditions in the city. Check out the official accessories available for the TVS Raider 125.

• The Honda SP125 has a slightly larger fuel tank, which will be extremely helpful while commuting in the city with much less frequent fuel stops at petrol stations.

• The Honda SP125 is lighter than the TVS Raider, which should make it easier to handle in heavy traffic areas.

• During our tests, the Raider 125 felt very agile to ride in the city.

• Its excellent handling dynamics are complemented well by the engaging riding position.

• In terms of design, the TVS Raider’s design looks fresh and sharp with clean design lines striking a good balance between edginess and cohesiveness.

• The Honda SP125 has the muscular design out of the two and looks more like a commuter compared to the TVS Raider. 

• Confused between the Honda SP125 and the Honda Shine 125? Here's a detailed spec-comparison.

Underpinnings

• The TVS Raider has a more sophisticated suspension setup at the rear in the form of a gas-charged monoshock. 

• It provides even better damping compared to the SP125.

• TVS Raider 125’s 200mm rear disc brake in the TFT DD and SXC DD variants certainly takes the edge in this department with its superior initial bite and stopping power. Also, it gets single-channel ABS in the TFT DD and SXC DD variants, increasing its safety quotient in the process.

• The TVS Raider 125 has an engaging ride quality and sporty handling dynamics. 

• The  Raider’s sporty handling is partly due to the 17-inch wheels, as compared to the SP125’s bigger 18-inch wheels. 

• But the bigger wheels in the SP125 should make it better equipped to handle bad road conditions.

Features

• Compared to the TVS Raider 125, the Honda SP125 is rather basic.The SP125 gets a TFT instrument console that shows speedometer, odometer, tachometer, trip meter, fuel gauge, gear position indicator, side stand indicator and clock readings.

• It also gets Bluetooth connectivity for call and SMS alerts, and turn-by-turn navigation through the Honda RoadSync app. But the bike misses out on all-LED lighting.

• The TVS Raider is the clear winner in this category with a TFT instrument console in the TFT DD variant and an LCD instrument console in the rest of the variants. Both displays show speedometer, odometer, tachometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, clock and riding mode readouts. 

• The Raider also gets Bluetooth connectivity for call and SMS alerts, turn-by-turn navigation, voice assist, cricket and weather updates.

• It also gets all-LED lighting, making the bike the standout with the most modern feature list in this comparison. Here's a quick explanation about all the features the TVS Raider 125 offers. 

Performance

• The Raider is the most powerful bike of the two.

• The Honda SP125’s engine offers that smooth and stable performance expected from a Honda bike. The engine offers good low-end and mid-range grunt and is perfect for providing a comfortable riding experience in the city.

• The TVS Raider’s engine has two different personalities. In Eco mode, the power delivery is smooth and calm, making it ideal to commute in the city.

• Power mode is the sportier mode of the two and the engine’s power delivery is sharper and peaky in this mode. Throttle response also gets sharper.    

• The peaky nature of the engine is matched by the smooth gearbox, making the Raider a hoot to ride. 

Verdict

The Honda SP125 is quite simple and sedate commuter, with enough performance for the city. It has a comfortable ride quality, good handling dynamics and an engine that delivers smooth power delivery. If you are looking for a 125cc commuter bike that’s easy, simple, and takes the no-frills approach, then you should consider the Honda SP125 as your next purchase.

The TVS Raider 125 is the sportier bike in this comparison. With its snazzy design lines and graphics, it stands out on the road with its unmistakable styling. The bike has excellent handling dynamics and is agile enough for zapping in and out of traffic with ease. Its ride comfort is more than adequate for a stress-free ride inside the city. The feature list is one of the most extensive out of all the other 125cc bikes. Its sporty power delivery combined with throaty exhaust note makes the Raider more engaging to ride. If all of this fits your criteria, then the TVS Raider 125 is the straightforward choice for your next purchase. We have compared the TVS Raider 125 with the Bajaj Pulsar NS125, and the also with the Pulsar N125. Also for maximum information about the TVS Raider 125, check out our Ultimate Buying Guide.

Comparison With Other Rivals 

• When comparing the TVS Raider 125 to the Hero Xtreme 125R, the Raider 125 edges ahead in terms of comfort and fancy features.

• If you are looking for a sensible and comfortable 125cc commuter, the Honda Shine 125 is quite a lot better than the TVS Raider 125.

• The Bajaj Pulsar 125 is a more affordable motorcycle than the TVS Raider 125 but misses out on single-channel ABS.

• When looking at stylish, sporty and sensible commuters, the TVS Raider 125 and Bajaj Pulsar N125 serve the same purpose well.

• While deciding between the TVS Raider 125 and the Bajaj Pulsar NS125, the Raider will be a lot more comfortable to live with on a daily basis.

• As a sporty 125cc commuter, the TVS Raider 125 is a much better choice than the Hero Super Splendor 125.