At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Honda CB 125 Hornet
- 123.94 cc Air-Cooled, 2-valve
- 11.14 PS @ 7500 rpm
- 48 km/l (Claimed)
- 12-litre tank
- 1 variant available
- USD forks + TFT + Bluetooth standard
Bajaj Pulsar NS125
- 124.45 cc Air-Cooled, 4-valve
- 12 PS @ 8500 rpm
- 46.9 km/l (ARAI)
- 12-litre tank
- 3 variants available
- Perimeter frame & 5-yr / 75,000 km warranty
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Honda CB 125 Hornet | Bajaj Pulsar NS125 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 123.94 cc | 124.45 cc |
| Cooling System | Air-Cooled | Air-Cooled |
| Max Power | 11.14 PS @ 7500 rpm | 12 PS @ 8500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 11.2 Nm @ 6000 rpm | 11 Nm @ 7000 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 | 4 (DTS-i) |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 | 10 ± 0.5:1 |
| Bore × Stroke | 50.0 × 63.1 mm | 52 × 58.6 mm |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2 | BS6 / OBD2 |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual | 5-Speed Manual |
| Top Speed | ~95 km/h | 103 km/h |
| Riding Modes | No | No |
| Traction Control | No | No |
| Silent Start | Yes (ACG Motor) | No |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (Claimed) | 48 km/l (Claimed, not ARAI) | 46.9 km/l (ARAI certified) |
| Fuel Tank | 12 litres | 12 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 2 litres | 2.6 litres |
| Riding Range | ~660 km (estimated) | ~560 km (ARAI based) |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | Single-Channel ABS (standard) | CBS / Single-Channel ABS (top variant only) |
| Front Brake | Disc – 240 mm | Disc – 240 mm |
| Rear Brake | Drum – 130 mm | Drum – 130 mm |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 80/100-17 / 110/80-17 | 90/90-17 / 120/80-17 |
| Wheel Size | 17-inch (F & R) | 17-inch (F & R) |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Upside Down (USD) Fork | Telescopic Fork |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock | Nitrox Monoshock |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | No | Yes |
| Chassis | Diamond Type Frame | Perimeter Frame |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 124 kg | 144 kg |
| Seat Height | 796 mm | 805 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 166 mm | 178 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1330 mm | 1352 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 2015 × 783 × 1087 mm | 2012 × 810 × 1078 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | 4.2-inch Digital TFT | Semi-Digital / Digital (variant dependent) |
| Headlight | LED | Halogen / LED (variant dependent) |
| DRLs | Yes | Yes |
| Tail Light | LED | LED |
| Turn Signals | LED | Halogen |
| Hazard Warning Lights | No | No |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes (standard) | Yes (LED BT variants only) |
| Call & SMS Alerts | Yes (standard) | Yes (LED BT variants only) |
| USB Charging Port | Yes (standard) | Yes (variant dependent) |
| Tachometer | Yes (Digital) | Yes (Digital) |
| Gear Indicator | Yes | No |
| Distance to Empty | Yes | No |
| Service Reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Clock | Yes | Yes |
| Silent Start | Yes (ACG) | No |
| Side Stand Engine Cut-off | Yes | Yes |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹1,14,423 | ₹92,671 |
| Top Variant Price | ₹1,14,423 | ₹1,01,934 |
| Number of Variants | 1 | 3 |
| Standard Warranty | 3 Years | 5 Years / 75,000 km |
★ Green highlights indicate the stronger value in each row. Prices are ex-showroom India averages and may vary by city.
Variant-wise Price Comparison
All variants laid out — find the right one for your budget
CB 125 Hornet Variants
Pulsar NS125 Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- Segment-first USD front forks — better front-end stability
- 4.2-inch TFT display with Bluetooth standard on base
- ABS standard on the only variant — no compromise needed
- Full LED lighting: headlight, tail, DRLs, turn signals
- USB charging port standard
- Gear indicator and distance to empty on TFT console
- Silent ACG starter — noise-free ignition
- Lighter at 124 kg vs 144 kg
- Higher torque (11.2 Nm vs 11 Nm)
- Refined Honda PGM-FI engine character
Cons
- Significantly higher price — ₹1,14,423 vs ₹92,671
- Lower peak power — 11.14 PS vs 12 PS
- Lower top speed — ~95 km/h vs 103 km/h
- Only single variant — no choice
- Shorter warranty — 3 years (no km limit specified)
- No ARAI mileage certification (only claimed figure)
- Conventional diamond frame vs perimeter frame
- No rear preload adjustment on monoshock
- Less ground clearance — 166 mm vs 178 mm
- Narrower rear tyre (110/80 vs 120/80)
Pros
- Significantly lower starting price — ₹92,671 vs ₹1,14,423
- More power — 12 PS and higher 103 km/h top speed
- 4-valve DTS-i engine for better breathing at high revs
- Perimeter frame for superior chassis rigidity
- Nitrox monoshock rear suspension
- Rear preload adjuster
- Better ground clearance — 178 mm vs 166 mm
- Wider rear tyre (120/80-17) for more grip
- 3 variants — entry, BT, and ABS options
- Outstanding 5-year / 75,000 km warranty
- ARAI-certified mileage figure available
- Larger 2.6-litre reserve tank
Cons
- No USD front forks — conventional telescopic only
- ABS only on top LED BT ABS variant (₹1,01,934)
- TFT display not available on any variant
- No gear indicator in console
- No distance to empty display
- Halogen headlight on base variant
- Bluetooth only from second variant (₹97,904)
- Heavier at 144 kg vs 124 kg
- No silent ACG starter
- Semi-digital console on base variant
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Engine & Performance
The Pulsar NS125's 124.45 cc 4-valve DTS-i engine produces 12 PS @ 8500 rpm with a top speed of 103 km/h. The CB 125 Hornet's 123.94 cc 2-valve PGM-FI unit makes 11.14 PS @ 7500 rpm with a ~95 km/h top speed. The NS125 is the outright performance winner with more revs and speed. However, the Hornet's Honda refinement — smoother delivery, less vibration, and silent ACG start — makes it a more polished everyday experience.
Suspension & Chassis
The CB 125 Hornet's USD (Upside Down) front forks are a genuine premium differentiator — the only 125cc bike in its class with this hardware. USD forks reduce unsprung weight and improve front-end rigidity significantly over conventional setups. The NS125 counters with a perimeter frame — stiffer and more rigid than the Hornet's diamond frame — and a Nitrox monoshock with rear preload adjustment. The suspension philosophies differ: Hornet prioritises front-end feel, NS125 prioritises overall chassis stiffness.
Technology & Features
The CB 125 Hornet wins convincingly here. Its single variant comes packed with a 4.2-inch TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity, USB charging, LED turn signals, gear indicator, distance to empty, and ABS — all standard with no upgrade required. The NS125's base variant gets a semi-digital console with halogen lighting; Bluetooth and LED headlight only arrive from ₹97,904, and ABS requires the ₹1,01,934 top variant. Even then, the NS125 never matches the Hornet's TFT or LED turn signals.
Braking & Safety
Both bikes use a 240 mm front disc with a rear drum. The CB 125 Hornet includes single-channel ABS as standard on its only variant. The NS125 only gains ABS on its top-tier LED BT ABS variant at ₹1,01,934; the base and mid variants use CBS only. Buyers who want ABS with the NS125 must spend nearly ₹9,263 more over the base price — and still end up ₹12,489 cheaper than the Hornet. The Hornet also has wider front tyre contact via its USD fork geometry.
Warranty & Ownership
The NS125 has a massive warranty advantage: 5 years / 75,000 km versus the Hornet's 3 years (Honda does not specify a km limit for the CB 125 Hornet). For a daily commuter covering 15,000–20,000 km per year, the NS125's warranty covers nearly the full ownership period. Combined with Bajaj's lower parts costs and service rates, the NS125 is meaningfully cheaper to own over 5 years.
Price & Value
The NS125 starts at ₹92,671 — a full ₹21,752 cheaper than the Hornet's single ₹1,14,423 variant. Even the NS125's fully-equipped ABS variant at ₹1,01,934 is ₹12,489 less than the Hornet. The Hornet justifies its premium through USD forks, TFT display, full LED lighting, and silent start — features that genuinely cost money to engineer. Riders who prioritise features per rupee may still favour the Hornet; budget-minded buyers will choose the NS125.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the CB 125 Hornet if…
- USD front forks and superior front-end feel are a priority
- A TFT display with Bluetooth standard from day one matters
- ABS without having to choose an expensive variant is important
- Full LED lighting including LED turn signals is non-negotiable
- Silent ACG starter for a premium, quiet experience
- Lighter weight (124 kg) and Honda refinement suit your style
- You're willing to pay the ₹21,752 premium for the feature set
Buy the Pulsar NS125 if…
- Budget is a priority — starts ₹21,752 cheaper than Hornet
- More power (12 PS) and higher top speed (103 km/h) excite you
- Perimeter frame for stiffer, sportier chassis dynamics
- A wider 120/80-17 rear tyre for better cornering grip
- Better ground clearance (178 mm) suits your roads
- The outstanding 5-year / 75,000 km warranty is a priority
- 3 variants — choose entry, Bluetooth, or ABS based on budget
Overall Winner: It Depends on Your Budget. These two bikes target different buyers at very different price points. The Honda CB 125 Hornet is a genuinely premium 125cc motorcycle — USD forks, a 4.2-inch TFT with Bluetooth standard, full LED lighting, ABS standard, and Honda refinement justify its ₹1,14,423 price for riders who want the best-equipped 125cc in India. The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 is the stronger value proposition — more power, a stiffer perimeter frame, wider tyres, better ground clearance, 3 variant choices, and a dominant 5-year / 75,000 km warranty, all starting ₹21,752 cheaper. If budget allows, the Hornet is the most feature-complete 125cc you can buy. If value per rupee matters, the NS125 LED BT ABS at ₹1,01,934 gets you ABS, Bluetooth, and LED lighting for ₹12,489 less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
The Honda CB 125 Hornet is better for riders who want the most feature-complete 125cc — USD forks, TFT display, Bluetooth, ABS, and full LED lighting all standard. The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 is better for riders who want more power (12 PS), a stiffer perimeter frame, better ground clearance, wider tyres, a choice of 3 variants, a superior 5-year / 75,000 km warranty, and a significantly lower price starting at ₹92,671.
The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 starts at ₹92,671 while the Honda CB 125 Hornet costs ₹1,14,423 — a difference of ₹21,752 in favour of the NS125. Even the NS125's fully-equipped ABS variant at ₹1,01,934 is still ₹12,489 cheaper than the CB 125 Hornet's single variant. Both prices are ex-showroom and may vary by city.
Both bikes have similar claimed mileage — the Hornet claims 48 km/l and the NS125 delivers 46.9 km/l (ARAI certified). An important distinction: the NS125's figure is ARAI certified and independently verified, while the Hornet's 48 km/l is a claimed (unverified) figure. Both bikes share the same 12-litre fuel tank. For sports-oriented 125cc bikes, both are more focused on performance than maximum efficiency.
Yes, the Honda CB 125 Hornet is equipped with Upside Down (USD) front forks — making it the only motorcycle in the 125cc segment to offer this hardware. USD forks reduce unsprung weight and significantly improve front-end rigidity compared to conventional telescopic forks. The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 uses standard telescopic front forks.
Yes, but only on the top NS125 LED BT ABS variant at ₹1,01,934 — single-channel ABS. The base NS125 (₹92,671) and NS125 LED BT (₹97,904) use CBS only. The Honda CB 125 Hornet includes single-channel ABS as standard on its only variant at ₹1,14,423 — making ABS accessible without a variant decision.
The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 has a substantially better warranty at 5 years or 75,000 km, compared to the Honda CB 125 Hornet's 3 years (Honda has not officially specified a kilometre limit for the CB 125 Hornet's warranty). For a daily commuter covering 15,000–20,000 km per year, the Pulsar NS125's warranty covers the vast majority of the ownership period — a significant financial safety net that the Hornet cannot match.