The Indian two-wheeler market is one of the most important for nearly every motorcycle maker worldwide. This segment is no longer about fulfilling only your commuting needs; now, it comes with style. Most of Indians prefer affordable and fuel-efficient bikes to ones packed with sheer power.
The 125cc segment is growing rapidly in the country, with various automakers adding a variety of new models for commuters looking for power and style along with fuel efficiency. These bikes offer you the best of everything. With high mileage, they are powerful enough to manage the city traffic while being low on maintenance efficiently. Despite this, at one point, people felt that 125cc bikes might replace the 100cc segment. This did not happen at all due to the mileage and prices. The price of these bikes is a primary concern for many people for not switching to this segment.
125cc bikes are robust, give good mileage, and give a premium experience, but all these were not able to impress Indian buyers who want reliability, low price, and frugal commuter. Honda Shine is one of the best bikes in this segment and is growing not fast but indeed penetrating the 100cc segment.
Top five 125cc bikes in India with the highest average
1. TVS Star City+
Price: ₹ 71,205 – ₹ 73,955
Mileage: 86 kmpl Petrol
Displacement: 109.7cc
Max power (bhp): 8.19 PS @ 7350 rpm
Max Torque: 8.7Nm @ 4500 rpm
Stroke (mm): 48.8
Max speed kmph: 90 Kmph
Front Brakes (Type / Dia) (mm): Drum: 130 | Disc: 240
Rear Brakes (Type / Dia) (mm): Drum: 110 (Synchro)
Some of this frugal bike’s features are not found even in top-end bikes, like USB chargers & LED headlights. The power and torque could be much higher but adequate for excellent acceleration. The 4-speed gearbox and 110cc engine are strong enough for riding even on highways. The 17-inch wheels and soft suspension give a satisfying ride even on bad roads. A trip meter could have been a good addition. Many minor accidents on Indian roads involving bikes are caused due to side-stand. A small indicator for the same would have been great too.
2. Bajaj Platina 110
Price: ₹ 66,317 – ₹ 69,216
Mileage: 80 kmpl Petrol
Displacement: 115.45cc
Max Power: 8.44 bhp@7,000 rpm
Max Torque: 9.81 Nm@5,000 rpm
Top Speed: 90 Kmph
Front Brake Type: 130 mm Drum
Rear Brake Size: 110 mm Drum
Kerb Weight: 119 kg
India’s most significant segment of motorcycle riders falls into the 100-125cc bike segment that comes with 4-speed transmissions. Thus Bajaj Platina 110 has a 115.45cc engine it comes with 5-speed transmission. The 5th gear in it is popularly known as “highway gear.” It is one of the most powerful bikes in the segment, with 8.6hp and 9.81Nm of torque. The gear-shift indicator is one of the best features in the instrumentation cluster. It suggests when to go up or down for gears. Moreover, the seat is long, which makes it ideal for long riders.
3. Bajaj Platina 100
Price: ₹ 63,130
Mileage: 75 kmpl Petrol
Displacement: 102 cc
Max Power: 7.9 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Max Torque: 8.34 Nm @ 5,500 rpm
Top Speed: 90 Kmph
Front Brake Type: 130 mm Drum
Rear Brake Size: 110 mm Drum
Kerb Weight: 117 kg
Bajaj Platina 100 is one of the oldest models on the list, which was first launched in 2006. Since then, it has undergone a lot of changes. Buy the bike for its comfortable seating position, excellent fuel efficiency, and good braking. In addition, be prepared to ride an old-style bike with smaller section tyres. There is a bit of vibration at a higher speed too. There are three variants, Platina 100 KS, Platina 100 ES (Drum), and Platina 100 ES (Disc).
The bike is fitted with a fuel-injected, air-cooled engine that gives out 8.3 Nm of torque at 5500 rpm and 7.79 BHP at 7500 rpm. The motorcycle has no issues if you ride at 70kmph speed. Beyond that, primarily on highways, you might feel the vibrations.
When it comes to mileage, it is one of the best in the market. The bike can have a mileage of 60-70 kmpl on city roads and 70-75 on highways. 11 liters fuel tank can take your bike up to 750 km with a full tank.
4. Honda Livo
Price: ₹ 75,002 – ₹ 79,002
Mileage: 74 kmpl Petrol
Displacement: 109.51 cc
Max Power: 8.67 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Max Torque: 9.30 Nm @ 5,500 rpm
Top Speed: 85 Kmph
Front Brake Type: 130 mm Drum
Rear Brake Size: 130 mm Drum
Kerb Weight: 115 kg
Honda Livo is fitted with a 109.51cc BS6 engine that produces a maximum torque of 8.34 Nm @ 5,500 rpm and a maximum power of 7.9 bhp @ 7,500 rpm. The bike is available in 2 variants(drum and disc), with four colour choices. In addition, the bike is fitted with hydraulic dual shock absorbers in the rear and telescopic forks in the front that give the bike stability.
The ARAI mileage for the bike is 75kmpl, whereas the user reported mileage is around 70-75 kmpl. The bike has a fuel tank of 9 litres. The bike can go upto 630 to 650 km on a full tank.
5. Bajaj Discover 125
Mileage: 80 kmpl
Arai: 82.4kmpl
Engine: 125cc
Power: 11 PS @ 7500 rpm
Torque: 11Nm
Price: Rs. 56,051(Ex-Mumbai)
Top speed: 100 Kmph
Bajaj Discover 125 is one of India’s most reliable fuel-efficient 125cc bikes. A 124.5cc 4-stroke, single-cylinder DTS-i engine powers the bike. It is also fitted with Exhaust Torque Expansion Chamber or ExhausTEC. This improves low and mid-range torque in the bike. The engine produces 10.8 BHP of peak power and 11 Nm of peak torque. The 2018 model of the bike got some good cosmetic updates, like an analog tachometer that houses information about fuel level, trip distance, odo reading, and speed. Seat and tail lamps are also new. Despite such high mileage, the bike’s power output is one of the best in the segment. The top speed is claimed to be around 105-110 kph.
6. Yamaha Saluto
Mileage: 78 kmpl
Engine: 125cc
Power: 8.2 BHP @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 10.1Nm @ 4,500 rpm
Price: Rs. 55,898(Ex-Mumbai)
Top speed: 98 Kmph
Overall Riding Range: 592.8 km
Yamaha Saluto was launched in April 2015. The bike is fitted with a 125cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled, single-cylinder SOHC engine. The engine produces a peak power of 8.2 BHP at 7,000rpm and a peak torque of 9.8Nm at 4,500rpm. Blue Core Technology used in the bike is the primary reason for its better mileage. The lightweight of 112kg further adds to its fuel efficiency, which stands at close to 78kmpl. Safety comes from its dual drum brakes on both wheels. Due to its lightweight, it is very easy to handle in heavy traffic.
7. Hero Super Splendor
Mileage: 75kmpl
Engine: 125cc
Power: 9.1 PS
Torque: 10.4Nm
Top speed: 90 Kmph
Price: Rs. 55,989(Ex-Mumbai)
Known for reliability, durability, and fuel efficiency, Hero’s Super Splendor is the only Splendor bike in the 125cc segment. It is powered by a single-cylinder, four-stroke, 125cc engine that can crank up a maximum power of 9.1PS at 7,000 rpm and torque of 10.35NM at the speed of 4,000 rpm. The powerful engine of Super Splendor extracts the best out of each fuel drop, resulting in lower emissions and better fuel economy. Developed on ASFS technology, Hero’s Super Splendor delivers an average of 75kmpl.
8. Hero Glamour FI
Mileage: 72kmpl
Engine: 125cc
Power: 9.1 PS
Torque: 10.4Nm
Top speed: 97 kmph
Price: Rs. 60,218(Ex-Mumbai)
Powered by a single-cylinder, four-stroke, 125cc air-cooled engine, Hero Glamour FI is a stylish motorcycle with attractive color schemes. Its engine has fuel injection that offers optimal fuel efficiency and excellent driveability. Hero Glamour FI wins the fuel-efficiency battle with a superb overall mileage of 75kmpl. Mated to a 4-speed gearbox, the bike’s engine produces a maximum power of 9.1PS and torque of 10.35NM. Some other features of this beautiful bike include alloy wheels, a front disc brake, rear-view mirrors, and a real-time mileage indicator. The bike is very responsive and crisp but could not match the price and specs of Shine.
9. Honda CB Shine
Mileage: 65kmpl
Engine: 125cc
Power: 10.6 PS
Torque: 10.3Nm
Top speed: 100 kmph
Price: Rs. 65,688(Ex-Mumbai)
The largest-selling 125cc commuter motorcycle in India, Honda’s CB Shine caters to customers who are ok with simple looks but expect efficiency and respectable performance. CB Shine is powered by an air-cooled, single-cylinder Honda Eco Technology (HET) engine, which returns a maximum output in terms of power, ensuring an outstanding balance of fuel efficiency and performance. Its powerful 125cc engine can churn out a power of 10.6PS at 7500 rpm and torque of 10.3Nm at 5500 rpm. Shine gives an overall average of 66 km. CB Shine is not the cheapest in the segment and does not gives the best average, but still, people prefer it. It shows that price and mileage are essential, but reliability, engine, handling, etc., are more critical.
Yamaha SS 125(Discontinued)
Mileage(city, Highway): 68, 74kmpl
Arai: 75kmpl
Engine: 123cc
Power: 10.7 PS
Torque: 10.4Nm
Price: Rs. 56,555(Ex-Mumbai)
Specially designed for people who love speed, Yamaha’s popular model SS 125 boasts speed and high performance. With a wild appeal and sporty look, Yamaha SS125 features quality mileage of 68kmpl as well as a 950 km range for fuel efficiency. It’s a single cylinder, air-cooled engine worth relying upon as it generates a power of 10.7PS at 7500 rpm and maximum torque of 10.4NM at 6500 rpm. Packed with lots of features, Yamaha SS 125 is a facelift version of Yamaha’s Gladiator that commits to offering speedy, flawless, and smooth performance to bikers.
Suzuki Slingshot(Discontinued)
Mileage(city, Highway): 65, 74kmpl
Arai: 73.5kmpl
Engine: 124cc
Power: 8.8 PS
Torque: 10.0Nm
Price: Rs. 57,829(Ex-Mumbai)
SlingShot is Suzuki’s 125cc motorcycle that offers top quality, comfort, style, excellent mileage, and performance at an affordable price. This bike is powered by a fuel-efficient single-cylinder, 125cc air-cooled engine that can produce a maximum power of 8.8PS at 7500 rpm and maximum torque of 10NM at 3500 rpm. The bike offers an average speed of 0-60km/hr in 7sec and a top speed of 104km/hr. With 12 liters tank capacity, Suzuki SlingShot delivers an overall mileage of 67kmpl. It performs like 150cc bikes while consuming fuel like 100cc bikes.
Needless to say, the 125cc segment is full of exciting yet reliable machines that ensure performance and power at the same time. If you’re considering buying a new bike, I hope the above list helps you select an affordable, fuel-efficient yet powerful bike to serve your purposes.