Honda CB125 Hornet vs TVS Raider 125: Specifications Compared

Honda's all new CB125 Hornet is aimed at taking on the TVS Raider 125. Here’s how the two sporty commuters fare against each other on paper

Honda India recently unveiled the all new CB125 Hornet - a 125cc streetfighter motorcycle. It gets a powerful motor, an all-new, aggressive design and loads of features. The pricing for the CB125 Hornet is yet to be announced, but in the meanwhile, here’s how it competes against its rival, the TVS Raider 125 (top-end SX variant) in terms of specs:

Engine 

The Honda CB125 Hornet gets the same engine as the SP125, but here it makes more power and torque (0.3PS and 0.5Nm more). Even though both bikes have practically the same output figures, it seems Honda has tweaked the gearing of the Hornet in a way that it offers quicker acceleration. In fact, Honda claims it’s the fastest (read fastest accelerating) in its segment. That’s pretty impressive considering the bike weighs 1kg heavier than the Raider 125.

Underpinnings 

In terms of the underpinnings there is not a lot of difference between these 125cc sporty commuters. That said, CB125 Hornet gets an inverted fork setup which makes it look a bit sportier than the Raider. We hope it’s tuned to offer a good balance of comfort and handling. The fatter rear tyre in the Hornet should ensure better grip, not to mention more muscular looks. 

Dimensions 

While both bikes are fairly light for the segment, the Hornet has a much lower ground clearance as opposed to the Raider. If you live in an area where there are lots of bad roads, then this may be a concern. But on the other hand, it may offer better range thanks to the bigger fuel tank. That said, we’ll be able to ascertain this only after we conduct a real-world mileage test of both the bikes.

Features

While both bikes offer similar set of console-related features, the Raider has the advantage of Voice Assist function, and also auto-navigation to the nearest fuel pump in case of low fuel. It even shows sports and weather updates. What’s more, the Raider also gets segment-first riding modes, as well as a micro-hybrid system that provides a small boost via the electric starter generator when the bike accelerates hard. The Raider also has an engine stop/start feature, which shuts the engine down when it idles for some time, and restarts with just the pull of the lever or twist of the throttle, provided the gear is slotted in neutral. Additionally, the Raider also has a small storage compartment under the pillion seat to keep small items. 

While the Hornet may not be big on fancy features, it excels in the safety department as it gets a single-channel ABS. This helps in preventing the front wheel from locking up while braking hard.

Price And Verdict

All prices ex-showroom Delhi.

The TVS Raider 125 stands out as one of the most value-for-money options in the 125cc sporty commuter segment. The bike offers a perfect blend of good styling, mileage and features for the price. While the Hornet is a new entrant, it will appeal to those who like aggressive sporty looks, peppy performance (at least on paper) and safety (read single-channel ABS). While both bikes get loads of features which are usable in their own ways, the verdict depends on the Hornet's price. If the pricing is competitive, it could make things a bit difficult for the Raider.