Honda SP 125 – Mileage king No Doubt
The Honda SP 125 is one of the most popular motorcycles in India today. If you go around in your neighborhood, you will definitely see this bike everywhere. In fact, I personally know around 10 to 12 people who own this motorcycle, and almost everyone says the same thing: it gives a mileage of 65 to 70 kilometers per liter. That itself is more than enough for middle-class families and daily office goers.
When you look at the bike, from the front it looks really stylish and sharp. But when you see it from the back, it is not that impressive. The main reason is the rear tyre. Honda gives it only a 100-section tyre, which makes the bike look a little thin from behind. Many people feel that if Honda gave a 120 or 130-section tyre, the bike would look much more powerful and muscular. After all, customers are paying good money, so why not give a better tyre? That is one area where Honda could improve.
Coming to the engine, it is very smooth. In fact, Honda engines are always known for their refinement. But in the case of the SP 125, while the engine is smooth, some riders feel the power is slightly less. Maybe Honda has reduced the power in order to give better mileage, because fuel efficiency is the main selling point of this bike. Some people even say that the Japanese engine quality has been adjusted a little bit for India. Still, for city riding, traffic conditions, and normal commuting, the engine does the job perfectly.
I have personally ridden the SP 125 many times, on highways, in traffic, and also on longer trips. Every time, I found it comfortable and easy to handle. It is not made for off-road riding, but on city roads and highways, it performs very well. That is why almost everyone in India has at least seen or ridden this bike once. In terms of mileage, it is a king. For daily use, especially if you want a bike that saves money on fuel, this is one of the best options you can buy.
Now, let us go into more detail and understand the bike through its specifications. I will explain 7 important specifications in very simple English, so that even a new rider or someone who does not know much about bikes can easily understand.
HONDA SP 125 BIKE SPECIFICATION
| Specification | Deatils |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 124cc, single cylinder, air cooled, PGM-FI |
| Max power | 10 Hp @ 7500 rpm |
| Max torque | 10.9 Nm @ 6000 rpm |
| Transmission | 5 speed manual, wet clutch, chain drive |
| Frame type | Diamond type steel frame |
| Front suspension | Telescopic fork |
| Rear suspension | Hydraulic twin shocks |
| Front brake | 240mm disc + ABS |
| Rear brake | 130mm drum |
| Front tyre | 80/100-18 |
| Rear tyre | 100/80-18 |
| Top speed | 110 km/h |
| Mileage | 65 km/h |
| Fuel tank capacity | 11 L |
| Curb weight | 118 kg |
| Seat height | 790mm |
| Ground clearance | 160mm |
| Wheelbase | 1286mm |
| Lighting | LED Headlamp, halogen tail and indicator |
| Price | Rs 91,800 - Rs 1,35,000 |
1. Engine
The Honda SP 125 comes with a 124cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine. This means the engine size is small but perfect for city use. The engine uses Honda’s latest eSP (Enhanced Smart Power) technology, which makes it smooth and fuel-efficient. It produces around 10.7 horsepower. That is not too high, but enough for daily use. The engine is designed in such a way that it gives more mileage than speed.
Simple explanation: This engine is not for racing or very high speeds. It is mainly made for people who want to save petrol and get a smooth ride in city traffic.
2. Mileage
The biggest selling point of this bike is mileage. In real-world conditions, it gives around 65 to 70 kilometers per liter. Some people even claim more, depending on how they ride. In today’s world, where petrol prices are always increasing, this kind of mileage is very attractive.
Simple explanation: If you fill one liter of petrol, you can travel almost 65 to 70 kilometers. This means you save a lot of money every month compared to bigger bikes.
3. Design and Looks
From the front, the SP 125 looks modern and stylish. It has sharp headlamps and attractive graphics. But from the back, it looks a little plain because of the thin rear tyre. If Honda gave a wider tyre, the bike would look more muscular. Still, compared to older commuter bikes, the SP 125 has a premium design.
Simple explanation: The bike looks really good when you see it from the front, but from the back, it looks a little simple. Overall, it is still more stylish than many other 125cc bikes.
4. Comfort and Riding Position
The seating position of this bike is upright and relaxed. That means you can sit straight without bending too much, and your back will not hurt even on longer rides. The suspension is also decent, with telescopic forks at the front and twin shock absorbers at the back. This makes it comfortable on city roads and highways.
Simple explanation: You can ride this bike for many kilometers without feeling tired. The seat and handlebar are placed in such a way that it feels natural and easy.
5. Power and Performance
The bike is not very powerful, but it is smooth. The top speed is around 100 to 105 km/h, which is enough for Indian roads. The bike can easily handle city traffic and normal highway speeds. But if you want very fast performance, this bike is not for you.
Simple explanation: This bike is made for daily travel, not for racing. It can go fast enough for highways, but its main goal is smooth riding and good mileage.
6. Features and Technology
The Honda SP 125 comes with some modern features. It has a fully digital instrument cluster, which shows speed, fuel level, time, and even real-time mileage. It also has LED headlamps for better night visibility. The bike uses fuel-injection technology, which improves performance and reduces pollution.
Simple explanation: The bike has a digital screen instead of old-style meters, it has bright LED lights, and the engine technology makes it modern and eco-friendly.
7. Price
The Honda SP 125 is priced around $1,050 to $1,100 (about ₹90,000 – ₹95,000 in India) depending on the model and location. For the mileage it offers, many people feel it is worth the price. However, some say that for this price Honda should have added a wider tyre and slightly more power.
Simple explanation: The bike is not too costly, and you save a lot of money on petrol. But some people feel Honda could give more features for this price.
MY OPINION
One of the reasons the Honda SP 125 sells so well in India is trust. Honda has built a very strong reputation in the Indian market with bikes like the Shine and Unicorn. People believe Honda engines last long, need less maintenance, and are reliable for years. The SP 125 continues that same trust. Even though the power is a little less, most people do not complain because mileage is the main factor in India.
Another point is spare parts and service. Honda has service centers in almost every city and town in India. So even if something goes wrong, parts are easily available, and mechanics know how to fix it. That gives customers peace of mind.
But yes, Honda can definitely improve in some areas. A wider tyre, a little more power, and maybe some additional comfort features would make this bike unbeatable in the 125cc segment.
For now, if you are a middle-class person, a student, or an office-goer who needs a bike mainly for city travel and daily use, the Honda SP 125 is one of the best options. It is reliable, smooth, fuel-efficient, and stylish enough for its category.
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