At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Honda Shine 125
- 123.94 cc Air-Cooled, 2-valve
- 10.74 PS @ 7500 rpm
- 50–55 km/l (Owner Reported)
- 10.5-litre tank
- 2 variants available
- CBS (Drum & Disc options)
TVS Raider 125
- 124.8 cc Air & Oil-Cooled, 3-valve
- 11.38 PS @ 7500 rpm
- 71.94 km/l (ARAI)
- 10-litre tank
- 7 variants available
- Ride modes: Eco & Power (select variants)
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Honda Shine 125 | TVS Raider 125 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 123.94 cc | 124.8 cc |
| Cooling System | Air-Cooled | Air & Oil-Cooled |
| Max Power | 10.74 PS @ 7500 rpm | 11.38 PS @ 7500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 11 Nm @ 6000 rpm | 11.75 Nm @ 6000 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 | 3 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 | 10.3:1 |
| Bore × Stroke | 50.0 × 63.1 mm | 53.5 × 55.5 mm |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2 (OBD2) | BS6 Phase 2 |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual | 5-Speed Manual |
| Top Speed | 90 km/h | 99 km/h |
| Riding Modes | No | Eco & Power (select variants) |
| Traction Control | No | No |
| Idle Stop-Start | No | Yes (iGO variant) |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (Claimed) | Not Claimed (50–55 km/l owner reported) | 71.94 km/l (ARAI) |
| Fuel Tank | 10.5 litres | 10 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 1.3 litres | 1.6 litres |
| Riding Range | ~500–550 km (estimated) | ~650–700 km (estimated) |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | CBS | CBS (Synchronized Braking Technology) |
| Front Brake | Drum / Disc – 240 mm (variant dependent) | Disc – 240 mm (most variants) |
| Rear Brake | Drum – 130 mm | Drum – 130 mm / Disc – 200 mm (top variants) |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 80/100-18 / 80/100-18 | 80/100-17 / 100/90-17 |
| Wheel Size | 18-inch (F & R) | 17-inch (F & R) |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Fork | Telescopic Fork |
| Rear Suspension | Hydraulic Type (Twin) | Mono-shock, 5-step adjustable |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | No | Yes |
| Chassis | Diamond Type Frame | Single Cradle Tubular Frame |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 113–114 kg | 123–125 kg |
| Seat Height | 791 mm | 780 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 162 mm | 180 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1285 mm | 1326 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 2046 × 737 × 1116 mm | 2070 × 785 × 1028 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | Analogue | Digital / TFT (top variant) |
| Headlight | Halogen | LED |
| DRLs | No | Yes |
| Tail Light | Bulb | LED |
| Hazard Warning Lights | No | Yes |
| Riding Modes | No | Eco / Power (select variants) |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | No | Yes (SXC & TFT variants) |
| Call & SMS Alerts | No | Yes (Bluetooth variants) |
| USB Charging Port | No (USB-C on Disc variant) | Yes (SXC & TFT variants) |
| Distance to Empty | No | Yes (TFT variant) |
| Gear Indicator | No | Yes |
| Tachometer | No | Yes |
| Service Reminder | No | Yes |
| Clock | No | Yes |
| Side Stand Engine Cut-off | Yes | Yes |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹80,852 | ₹84,490 |
| Top Variant Price | ₹85,211 | ₹97,719 |
| Number of Variants | 2 | 7 |
| Standard Warranty | 3 Years / 42,000 km | 5 Years / 60,000 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
Shine 125 Variants
Raider 125 Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- Lower starting price — ₹80,852 vs ₹84,490
- Lighter at 113–114 kg vs 123–125 kg
- Slightly larger 10.5-litre fuel tank
- Renowned Honda refinement and engine smoothness
- Comfortable suspension well-tuned for daily use
- Proven long-term reliability and low ownership costs
- Disc variant available with USB-C charging port
- 18-inch wheels for softer road absorption
Cons
- No ARAI mileage claim — only owner-reported figures
- Lower peak power (10.74 PS vs 11.38 PS)
- Analogue instrument cluster on both variants
- No Bluetooth, ride modes, or connectivity features
- No LED headlight or DRLs
- No gear indicator or tachometer
- Shorter warranty — 3 years / 42,000 km
- Less ground clearance (162 mm vs 180 mm)
- Only 2 variants — limited choice
Pros
- Best-in-class ARAI mileage — 71.94 kmpl
- Higher peak power — 11.38 PS and 11.75 Nm
- 3-valve air & oil-cooled engine for better efficiency
- Superior ground clearance (180 mm)
- LED headlight, tail light, and DRLs standard
- Digital console standard; TFT with Bluetooth on top variant
- Ride modes (Eco & Power) on select variants
- 7 variants — widest choice in segment
- Mono-shock rear suspension with 5-step preload adjustment
- Superior 5-year / 60,000 km warranty
- Gear indicator, tachometer, and service reminder standard
- Higher top speed — 99 km/h vs 90 km/h
Cons
- Higher starting price (₹84,490 vs ₹80,852)
- Heavier at 123–125 kg vs 113–114 kg
- Top TFT variant significantly expensive at ₹97,719
- Smaller 10-litre tank than Shine 125's 10.5 litres
- Sporty seat may feel firm on long rides
- Drum variant misses several features offered on higher trims
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Engine Character
The Shine 125 uses a 123.94 cc air-cooled, 2-valve PGM-FI engine tuned for smooth, refined power delivery and long-term reliability — a Honda hallmark. The Raider 125 runs a 124.8 cc air & oil-cooled, 3-valve unit producing 11.38 PS and 11.75 Nm — around 6% more power and torque — with a more responsive, sporty character. The Raider's oil cooling also manages engine temperatures better in heavy city traffic.
Fuel Efficiency & Range
The Raider 125 leads decisively with an ARAI-certified 71.94 kmpl — one of the highest figures in the 125cc segment. Honda has not officially claimed an ARAI figure for the Shine 125; owners report around 50–55 kmpl. Despite the Shine's slightly larger 10.5-litre tank, the Raider's superior efficiency gives it an estimated range advantage of 650–700 km versus 500–550 km for the Shine.
Technology & Features
The Raider 125 dominates in this category. Its base drum variant already comes with a digital console, gear indicator, tachometer, service reminder, clock, and LED lighting — all absent on the Shine 125. The top TFT variant adds a 5-inch colour display with Bluetooth, turn-by-turn navigation, call and SMS alerts, and USB charging. The Shine 125 has an analogue cluster across both its variants with no connectivity features whatsoever.
Refinement & Reliability
The Honda Shine 125 earns its reputation through exceptional engine smoothness, minimal vibration, and Honda's proven long-term reliability. Its lighter kerb weight of 113–114 kg (vs 123–125 kg for the Raider) also makes it noticeably easier to handle in slow-moving traffic and while parking. Riders who prioritise a silky riding experience over outright performance will prefer the Shine.
Warranty & Ownership
The TVS Raider 125 holds a clear advantage with a 5-year / 60,000 km warranty versus the Honda Shine 125's 3 years / 42,000 km. That's 67% more years and 43% more kilometre coverage. For a daily commuter clocking 15,000–18,000 km per year, the Raider's warranty covers the majority of typical ownership — a significant financial advantage over the Shine.
Price & Value
The Shine 125 starts ₹3,638 cheaper (₹80,852 vs ₹84,490) and tops out at just ₹85,211 — keeping the entire range within a tight ₹4,359 window. The Raider's range extends to ₹97,719 for the TFT Dual Disc variant. For buyers wanting maximum features at a competitive price, the Raider's mid-range variants — particularly the ₹88,608 disc or ₹92,837 iGO — deliver strong value with a significantly richer feature set than either Shine 125 variant.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Shine 125 if…
- Engine smoothness and refinement are your top priority
- Honda's long-term reliability record matters to you
- You prefer a lighter, easier-to-manoeuvre motorcycle
- Budget is tight — ₹80,852 is the lowest entry point
- Your roads are smooth and ground clearance is not a concern
- You ride short daily distances and don't need advanced features
- 18-inch wheels for a smoother, more cushioned ride appeal to you
Buy the Raider 125 if…
- Best-in-segment ARAI mileage (71.94 kmpl) is important
- You want modern features — digital console, LED lighting, ride modes
- Bluetooth connectivity for navigation and alerts appeals to you
- Ground clearance (180 mm) matters for your road conditions
- Stronger outright performance and higher top speed suit your riding
- The superior 5-year / 60,000 km warranty is a priority
- You want more variant choices to match your exact budget and needs
Overall Winner for Most Riders: TVS Raider 125. A best-in-class ARAI mileage of 71.94 kmpl, more power, LED lighting across all variants, a digital console as standard, superior 180 mm ground clearance, a wider range of 7 variants, and a stronger 5-year / 60,000 km warranty make the Raider 125 the more well-rounded and feature-rich choice for the majority of 125cc buyers. Choose the Honda Shine 125 only if engine refinement, lighter weight, lower purchase price, or Honda's brand reliability are your non-negotiable priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
The TVS Raider 125 is better for most buyers thanks to its ARAI-certified 71.94 kmpl mileage, more power (11.38 PS), LED lighting, digital console as standard, 180 mm ground clearance, ride modes on select variants, 7 variant choices, and a stronger 5-year / 60,000 km warranty. The Honda Shine 125 is better if you prioritise engine refinement and smoothness, lighter weight (113–114 kg), a lower starting price, or Honda's reliability track record.
The Honda Shine 125 starts at ₹80,852 (Drum OBD2) while the TVS Raider 125 starts at ₹84,490 (Drum variant) — a base difference of ₹3,638 in favour of the Shine. The gap widens significantly at higher trims: the Shine tops out at ₹85,211 (Disc OBD2), while the Raider's TFT Dual Disc variant reaches ₹97,719 — a difference of ₹12,508. Both prices are ex-showroom and may vary by city.
The TVS Raider 125 has significantly better mileage with an ARAI-certified figure of 71.94 kmpl. Honda has not officially claimed an ARAI mileage for the Shine 125; owner-reported figures range from 50–55 kmpl. The Raider's certified figure is not only verifiable but also considerably higher, giving it an estimated range advantage of 650–700 km versus 500–550 km for the Shine.
The TVS Raider 125 makes more power at 11.38 PS @ 7500 rpm and 11.75 Nm torque, compared to the Honda Shine 125's 10.74 PS and 11 Nm. The Raider's 3-valve, air & oil-cooled engine also delivers a higher top speed of 99 km/h versus 90 km/h for the Shine. For riders who want more responsive acceleration, particularly for city overtakes and two-up riding, the Raider has a clear edge.
Yes, the TVS Raider 125 offers Bluetooth connectivity with a 5-inch TFT display on its top TFT Dual Disc variant, enabling call and SMS alerts, navigation assistance, and ride statistics. Eco and Power riding modes are available on select variants. The Honda Shine 125 does not offer any of these features — it has an analogue instrument cluster on both variants with no connectivity.
The TVS Raider 125 has a considerably better warranty at 5 years or 60,000 km, compared to the Honda Shine 125's 3 years or 42,000 km. For a daily commuter covering 40–50 km per day (roughly 15,000–18,000 km per year), the Raider's warranty provides protection for nearly the entire practical ownership period, significantly reducing the risk of unexpected out-of-warranty repair costs.