At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Honda Shine 125
- 123.94 cc Air-Cooled
- 10.74 PS @ 7500 rpm
- ~50–55 km/l (Owner reports)
- 10.5-litre tank
- 2 variants available
- Renowned Honda refinement
Hero Super Splendor XTEC
- 124.7 cc Air-Cooled
- 10.8 PS @ 7500 rpm
- 69 km/l (ARAI certified)
- 12-litre tank
- 2 variants available
- Bluetooth digital console
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Honda Shine 125 | Super Splendor XTEC |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 123.94 cc | 124.7 cc |
| Cooling System | Air Cooled | Air Cooled |
| Max Power | 10.74 PS @ 7500 rpm | 10.8 PS @ 7500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 11 Nm @ 6000 rpm | 10.6 Nm @ 6000 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 | 2 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0 : 1 | 9.9 : 1 |
| Bore × Stroke | 50.0 × 63.1 mm | 52.4 × 57.8 mm |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2 (OBD2) | BS6 Phase 2 (OBD2B) |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual | 5-Speed Manual |
| Top Speed | 90 km/h | 95 km/h |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (ARAI) | Not Claimed | 69 km/l |
| Mileage (Real-world) | ~50–55 km/l | 55–60 km/l |
| Fuel Tank | 10.5 litres | 12 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 1.3 litres | 1.0 litre |
| Riding Range (est.) | ~500–550 km | ~750–820 km |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | CBS | CBS |
| Front Brake | Drum / Disc 240 mm (variant dependent) | Drum 130 mm / Disc 240 mm (variant dependent) |
| Rear Brake | Drum – 130 mm | Drum – 130 mm |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 80/100-18 / 80/100-18 | 80/100-18 / 100/80-18 |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18-inch (F & R) | 18-inch (F & R) |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Telescopic | Telescopic Hydraulic Shock Absorbers |
| Rear Suspension | Hydraulic Type | 5-step Adjustable Hydraulic |
| Chassis | Diamond Type | Tubular Double Cradle |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | No | Yes |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 113–114 kg | 122–123 kg |
| Seat Height | 791 mm | 793 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 162 mm | 180 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1285 mm | 1267 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 2046 × 737 × 1116 mm | 2045 × 740 × 1110 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | Analogue | Fully Digital |
| Headlight | Halogen | LED |
| DRLs | No | Yes |
| Brake / Tail Light | Bulb | LED |
| Turn Signals | Bulb | Bulb |
| Hazard Warning Lights | No | No |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | No | Yes |
| Call & SMS Alerts | No | Yes |
| USB Charging Port | No (Optional on Disc) | Yes (standard) |
| Gear Indicator | No | Yes |
| Distance to Empty | No | Yes |
| Service Reminder | No | Yes |
| Clock | No | Yes |
| Idle Stop-Start | No | No |
| Side Stand Engine Cut-off | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | No | No |
| Keyless Ignition | No | No |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹80,852 | ₹82,876 |
| Top Variant Price | ₹85,211 | ₹86,611 |
| Number of Variants | 2 | 2 |
| Standard Warranty | 3 Years / 42,000 km | 5 Years / 70,000 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
Honda Shine 125 Variants
Hero Super Splendor XTEC Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- Lower starting price at ₹80,852 ex-showroom
- Exceptional Honda engine refinement and smoothness
- Higher torque output (11 Nm vs 10.6 Nm)
- Lighter kerb weight (113–114 kg vs 122–123 kg)
- Larger reserve capacity (1.3 litres vs 1.0 litre)
- Trusted Honda PGM-FI engine for long-term reliability
- Strong Honda after-sales network across India
Cons
- No Bluetooth or digital connectivity
- Analogue instrument cluster — no digital features
- No ARAI-claimed mileage figure
- Lower owner-reported mileage (~50–55 km/l)
- Shorter warranty (3 years / 42,000 km)
- Halogen headlight with no DRLs
- No gear indicator or service reminder
- No rear preload adjustment
- Lower ground clearance (162 mm vs 180 mm)
- Smaller 10.5-litre tank, shorter riding range
Pros
- ARAI-certified mileage of 69 km/l — outstanding economy
- Fully digital Bluetooth-enabled instrument console
- Call & SMS alerts on the instrument cluster
- LED headlamp with DRLs and LED tail light
- USB charging port standard on both variants
- Gear indicator, distance to empty, service reminder
- Larger 12-litre fuel tank for exceptional range
- Superior ground clearance (180 mm vs 162 mm)
- 5-step adjustable rear suspension
- Exceptional 5-year / 70,000 km warranty
- Higher top speed (95 km/h vs 90 km/h)
Cons
- Slightly higher starting price (₹82,876 vs ₹80,852)
- Heavier kerb weight (122–123 kg vs 113–114 kg)
- Engine not as refined or smooth as Honda's unit
- Lower torque (10.6 Nm vs 11 Nm)
- Smaller reserve fuel capacity (1.0 litre)
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Fuel Efficiency & Range
The Super Splendor XTEC leads decisively with an ARAI-certified 69 km/l. Honda has not claimed an ARAI figure for the Shine 125, with owners reporting ~50–55 km/l. The XTEC's larger 12-litre tank further extends this advantage, giving an estimated range of 750–820 km versus the Shine 125's ~500–550 km.
Technology & Features
The Super Splendor XTEC is a generation ahead on features — offering a fully digital Bluetooth console with call & SMS alerts, LED headlamp with DRLs, LED tail light, USB charging port, gear indicator, distance to empty, and service reminder. The Shine 125 uses a basic analogue cluster with halogen lighting and zero connectivity.
Warranty & Ownership
The Super Splendor XTEC offers 5 years / 70,000 km warranty — nearly double the Shine 125's 3 years / 42,000 km. This gap is one of the most significant differences between these two bikes and meaningfully reduces long-term ownership risk for the XTEC buyer.
Engine Refinement
While both are 125cc air-cooled units producing near-identical power, Honda's PGM-FI engine in the Shine 125 is widely regarded as one of the smoothest, most refined commuter engines available. It produces slightly more torque (11 Nm vs 10.6 Nm) and vibrates less at city speeds. For riders who prioritise engine feel above all else, the Shine 125 has a genuine advantage.
Price & Value
The Shine 125 is marginally cheaper at ₹80,852 vs ₹82,876 for the base XTEC — a difference of just ₹2,024. However, the XTEC delivers dramatically more features, better mileage and a far superior warranty for that small premium. On pure value-for-money grounds, the XTEC wins comprehensively despite the higher sticker price.
Ground Clearance & Weight
The Super Splendor XTEC has a significantly higher ground clearance of 180 mm versus the Shine 125's 162 mm — an 18 mm advantage that matters on speed breakers and rough roads. However, the Shine 125 is notably lighter at 113–114 kg compared to the XTEC's 122–123 kg, making it easier to manoeuvre in tight city conditions.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Honda Shine 125 if…
- Engine smoothness and refinement are your highest priority
- You prefer the absolute lowest purchase price
- Honda's after-sales network is stronger in your area
- A lighter motorcycle (113–114 kg) matters for city use
- Digital features and connectivity are not important to you
- You trust Honda reliability above all else
Buy the Super Splendor XTEC if…
- ARAI-certified mileage and lower fuel bills matter
- Bluetooth connectivity and digital features are desired
- A 5-year warranty gives you peace of mind
- LED lighting and modern instrument console appeal to you
- Longer riding range from the 12-litre tank is useful
- Higher ground clearance (180 mm) matters for your roads
Overall Winner for Most Riders: Hero Super Splendor XTEC. For just ₹2,024 more at the base variant level, the Super Splendor XTEC offers significantly better ARAI mileage (69 km/l), Bluetooth connectivity, call & SMS alerts, LED headlamp with DRLs, USB charging, gear indicator, service reminder, a larger 12-litre tank, superior ground clearance, and an outstanding 5-year / 70,000 km warranty. The Honda Shine 125 remains the choice for riders who specifically value Honda's legendary engine smoothness, lighter weight and brand preference — but for everyday value and features, the XTEC wins decisively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
The Hero Super Splendor XTEC is better for most buyers due to its ARAI-certified 69 km/l mileage, Bluetooth digital console with call & SMS alerts, LED headlamp with DRLs, USB charging port, gear indicator, larger 12-litre tank, superior ground clearance (180 mm), and an exceptional 5-year / 70,000 km warranty — all for just ₹2,024 more than the base Shine 125. The Honda Shine 125 is the better choice if engine smoothness, lighter weight (113–114 kg) and Honda brand preference are your main criteria.
The Honda Shine 125 starts at ₹80,852 while the Hero Super Splendor XTEC starts at ₹82,876 ex-showroom. The XTEC is approximately ₹2,024 more expensive at the base variant level — a very small premium for the significant additional features it offers. At the disc brake variants, the Shine 125 Disc (₹85,211) is ₹1,400 cheaper than the XTEC Disc (₹86,611). All prices may vary by city.
The Hero Super Splendor XTEC has significantly better mileage with an ARAI-certified figure of 69 km/l. Honda has not officially claimed an ARAI mileage for the Shine 125, with owner-reported figures ranging around 50–55 km/l. The XTEC's certified mileage advantage combined with its larger 12-litre tank gives it a theoretical range of 750–820 km versus the Shine 125's estimated 500–550 km.
No. The Honda Shine 125 does not offer Bluetooth connectivity on either of its variants. It uses a basic analogue instrument cluster with no digital features. The Hero Super Splendor XTEC, on the other hand, features a fully digital Bluetooth-enabled console with call and SMS alert notifications on both its variants as standard.
The Hero Super Splendor XTEC offers a significantly better warranty of 5 years or 70,000 km compared to the Honda Shine 125's 3 years or 42,000 km. The XTEC's warranty period is nearly double, making it a major advantage for buyers who want long-term ownership protection and reduced repair risk.
The Honda Shine 125 is notably lighter at 113–114 kg compared to the Hero Super Splendor XTEC's 122–123 kg. This 9 kg weight difference makes the Shine 125 easier to manoeuvre in tight city traffic and simpler to handle for shorter or lighter riders. It is one of the genuine advantages of choosing the Shine 125 over the XTEC.
Yes. The Hero Super Splendor XTEC is available in both drum and disc brake variants. The XTEC Disc Brake OBD2B (₹86,611) comes with a 240 mm front disc brake. Similarly, the Honda Shine 125 Disc OBD2 (₹85,211) also offers a 240 mm front disc. Both bikes use CBS braking systems on all variants.