Honda SP 125: Pros, Cons, Should You Buy One?

Bikes may be near perfect, but none of them come without their flaws

The Honda SP 125 has been one of the bestselling bikes from Honda’s portfolio, and for good reason. It’s a frugal motorcycle, which connects with the mass majority. That said, Honda has come up with a better version of the bike that promises to trump the previous model in every possible way. But it doesn’t come without its flaws. So if you’re planning to get one, we’d suggest you run through the bike’s strengths and weaknesses. 

Pros:

Punchy yet refined engine:

The 125cc engine offers strong bottom and mid-range punch, perfect for urban commutes. There's enough grunt for quick and comfortable overtakes with minimum vibes being translated through the handlebars. Yes, the power band tends to taper towards the top with some vibes creeping into the bars, but that's only if you have the throttle pinned -- something you ideally wouldn't do with a commuter.

Loaded with features:

The SP 125 features a full-digital LCD screen with a ton of useful information on display -- two trip meters and instantaneous and average fuel consumption among others. The SP also reads out distance-to-empty, a service reminder, and even a gear position indicator! These are features missing in a lot of larger, more expensive motorcycles. And of course, there's an eco indicator, which helps you modulate your throttle for better fuel efficiency.

The segment-first silent-start feature enables the engine to come to life silently and smoothly. It also gets an LED headlight. And while it misses out on ABS, it does get CBS as standard.

Excellent build quality and finish levels:

Honda should be proud of the SP 125’s build quality. The switchgear and grips feel premium and panel gaps are consistent all around. Cables and hoses are kept out of sight and the bike feels like it's put together well. 

More fuel-efficient than its predecessor:

The SP 125 is claimed to be 16 per cent more fuel efficient than the CB Shine.

Cons:

Ride quality on the stiffer side:

The suspension setup feels a tad on the stiffer side. Though ride quality is quite decent for light riders, a heavier rider or a pillion may face some back issues. Thankfully, the rear suspension setup can be made softer with 5 steps of preload adjustability, which sorts out the problem.

More expensive than its rivals:

With all the equipment, the Honda SP 125 doesn't come cheap. The drum brake variant, for instance, costs Rs 72,900 and the disc brake version is priced at Rs 77,100 -- Rs 7,000 more than the previous-gen Shine it replaces. 

Looks might not appeal to a younger audience:

While the Honda SP’s revised styling is quite appealing to the masses, it doesn’t quite cut it for the younger generation who prefer more sportier options.

Should you buy one?

Granted, the SP 125 is a tad on the expensive side. But, the bike comes with an extensive equipment list and a frugal motor, which helps its case. If you ask us, we'd give it a big thumbs up, especially considering none of its competition (Hero Glamour Fi, Pulsar 125 Neon) can offer these finish levels and long list of features.