Best 125cc Bikes in India (2026): Top Picks for Mileage, Comfort and Daily Use

Ask five riders which 125cc bike is best and you will hear five different mileage numbers for the same model. Listings for one popular commuter put its claimed mileage at 61.51 kmpl on one page and 63 kmpl on another. Owners, meanwhile, post figures anywhere from the mid-40s to 70.

This guide cuts through that noise. It ranks seven of the best 125cc bikes in India for daily use. Prices, mileage and top speeds for every bike except the Pulsars come from finance-company listings (Bajaj Finserv and Shriram Finance). Weight, warranty, brakes and features for Honda, TVS and Bajaj come from their own model pages. All Hero figures come from listings, so confirm them with a Hero dealer.

Real-world mileage is labelled as an estimate throughout. The guide is written for a first-time buyer or daily commuter with roughly ₹80,000 to ₹1.2 lakh to spend.

Best 125cc Bikes in India: Quick Answer

The Honda SP125 is the best all-round pick for most daily riders. Choose the Honda Shine or Hero Super Splendor Xtec for the lowest purchase price. Take the TVS Raider for style with sensible mileage. Go for the Bajaj Pulsar N125 or Hero Xtreme 125R if you want more performance.

• Best for low cost: Honda Shine 125 and Hero Super Splendor Xtec.
• Best for comfort and ease: Honda SP125, which is light and has a long warranty.
• Best sporty all-rounder: TVS Raider 125.
• Best for performance: Bajaj Pulsar N125 and Hero Xtreme 125R.

Top 125cc Bikes Compared at a Glance

The table ranks the bikes by how well they suit a daily rider. Prices are Delhi ex-showroom ranges from October 2026 and are approximate. Mileage is the claimed figure from listings.

The Raider top-variant price differs between listings (₹1,00,570 on one, ₹1,03,170 on another, October 2026). The Xtreme 125R mileage shows a WMTC figure and an ARAI figure, which are different test cycles.

CBS and IBS link the front and rear brakes so one lever brakes both. ABS stops the wheel locking in a hard stop. The sources used for the Pulsars and the Super Splendor do not show a claimed mileage, so ask the dealer for the ARAI figure.

The second table covers power, weight, tank size and listed top speed. A dash means the figure is not published in the sources used.

Two things stand out. The commuters (Shine, SP125, Super Splendor) cluster around 10.8 PS and cost the least. The Pulsars add about 1.2 PS but start higher.

Best 125cc Bikes for Mileage

The Honda Shine and Hero Super Splendor Xtec are the cheapest bikes here to buy. The Shine is also the lightest at 113 kg.

Claimed mileage is a lab figure, so treat it as a ceiling. The TVS Raider is listed at 67 kmpl. The Honda Shine is listed at 64 kmpl. The SP125 shows two figures. One listing says 61.51 kmpl. Another says 63 kmpl.

The Hero Xtreme 125R also shows two figures: 63 kmpl (WMTC) on one listing and 66 kmpl (ARAI) on another. These are different test cycles, so they are not directly comparable. Do not choose a bike on that gap alone.

Real-world mileage estimate: plan on roughly 50 to 60 kmpl for mixed city and highway use on any of these bikes. This is an estimate based on the owner reports below, not a measured test result. Use our Mileage Calculator to check your own tank-to-tank figure after the first service.

What owners actually report

These are individual owner posts on a public review site. They are anecdotes, not test data, but they show how wide the real-world spread is.

• An SP125 owner says the bike gives “a minimum 70km/l in long rides.” That is well above the listed claim. Treat it as an unusually good result.
• Another owner writes that mileage is “upto 65 km”. In rougher use it is “approximately 55 to 60 km”.
• A TVS Raider owner reports “approximately 47 km/l” at around 6,600 km.
• Another Raider owner reports about 45 km in the city and 50 on the highway.
• A different Raider owner says one litre “runs up to 59 km”.

The takeaway: the same model can return anything from the mid-40s to the 60s depending on traffic, load, tyre pressure and riding style. Budget for the lower end, and enjoy the upside if you get it.

Best 125cc Bikes for Comfort and Daily Commute

The Honda SP125 is the most comfortable pick for daily use. It combines low weight, an easy seat height and a warranty that can be extended to 10 years.

Honda lists its kerb weight at 116 kg (drum) and 117 kg (disc). Listings give the seat height as 790 mm.

Weight matters more than most buyers expect. A light bike is easier to park and to turn in a narrow lane. It is also easier to hold up at a signal, especially for shorter riders or pillion riders.

The SP125 has a standard warranty of 3 years. The limit is 42,000 km, whichever comes first. You can extend it by up to 7 more years, for 10 years in total. That is useful if you plan to keep the bike for a long time.

The three commuters have almost the same seat height, between 790 and 793 mm. So weight and tank size make the difference. The Super Splendor has a 12 L tank but weighs 123 kg. The Shine is the lightest at 113 kg with a 10.5 L tank.

No bike is perfect. One SP125 owner of the previous-generation top variant says it “starts vibrating as you cross 70km/h”. If you ride mostly at 50 to 60 km/h this will not bother you. Still, test ride at your usual speed before you pay.

Best Sporty 125cc Bikes

The Bajaj Pulsars are the most powerful bikes here. Both make 12 PS and are listed with 11 Nm of torque. The Pulsar N125 starts at ₹92,270 in Delhi. The NS125 starts at ₹99,622.

Choose them if you want a sportier feel. Ask the dealer for the claimed mileage before you sign, because Bajaj does not show a figure on these two model pages.

The TVS Raider 125 is the best middle path. TVS lists 8.37 kW and 11.2 Nm. The engine is 124.8 cc. Kerb weight is 123 to 127 kg depending on the variant, and the top two variants add a front disc with ABS.

The Hero Xtreme 125R sits at the premium end. It produces about 11.4 to 11.55 PS, depending on the listing, and weighs 136 kg, the heaviest bike here. Its top version adds dual-channel ABS, three ride modes and cruise control.

It is the pick for riders who want features and a planted feel more than lowest cost.

One honest caution on the Raider. A single owner reports a persistent “tik-tik-tik” engine noise at around 6,600 km that led to parts being replaced under warranty. The same owner stresses that this is not every bike. Check the warranty terms and your local service centre before buying any sporty commuter.

Brakes and ABS: What You Get on Each Bike

Disc brakes stop better than drums, and ABS adds safety on wet roads. Your best-equipped choices are the NS125, the top two Raider variants and the Xtreme 125R ABS versions.

• Honda SP125: drum on the STD and disc on the DLX.
• Honda Shine 125: drum or disc up front, with CBS.
• TVS Raider 125: the TFT and SXC dual-disc variants get a front disc with ABS.
• Hero Xtreme 125R: IBS, single-channel ABS or dual-channel ABS, depending on the version.
• Bajaj Pulsar N125: front disc and rear drum.
• Bajaj Pulsar NS125: front disc with single-channel ABS.
• Hero Super Splendor Xtec: drum or disc versions.

If you ride in the rain or on busy highways, paying extra for the ABS version is money well spent.

Top Speed and Highway Suitability

A 125cc bike can do light highway work, but it is not built for hours at 90 km/h. Listings show top speeds of 90 to 100 kmph for the commuters. These are listing figures, not tested numbers.

Here is how the listed top speeds compare.

• Honda SP125: 100 kmph.
• TVS Raider 125: 99 kmph.
• Hero Xtreme 125R: 95 kmph.
• Honda Shine 125 and Hero Super Splendor Xtec: 90 kmph each.

Top speed is not published for the Pulsar N125 and NS125 in the sources used. Bajaj says the Pulsar N125 is the quickest in its segment to 60 km/h, which helps in city traffic.

Our view is that these bikes are happiest at 60 to 80 km/h. That suits an expressway-free commute and short highway hops with a pillion. For regular long trips, the Xtreme 125R with cruise control (top version) and the Pulsars are the more relaxed choice.

What Is New in 125cc Bikes for 2026

Several models now carry newer equipment on the manufacturers’ own pages. The updates below are the ones listed for the current range.

• Honda SP125: Honda lists a TFT meter, Honda RoadSync connectivity and a 15W USB-C port.
• Honda Shine: Honda lists an engine that meets OBD2B and E20 rules, and a Limited Edition.
• TVS Raider 125: TVS lists an iGO Assist version with extra torque of 11.75 Nm.
• Bajaj Pulsar 125: Bajaj lists a Premium Split Seat TFT version from ₹1,04,318.
• Hero Xtreme 125R: OBD2B versions are now listed alongside the ABS versions.

These variants and prices change often, so check the exact version before you book.

Why 125cc? How It Compares With 100cc and 150cc

This class sits between a basic commuter and a sport bike. Take Bajaj as a like-for-like example. The Bajaj Platina 100 makes 8.2 PS. It starts at ₹72,942. The Pulsar N125 makes 12 PS. It starts at ₹92,270.

The Pulsar 150 makes 14 PS. It starts at ₹1,28,650. That is ₹36,380 more than the N125. You get 2 PS extra for that money. For most commuters the 125cc class gives enough power for a pillion and light highway use without the 150cc price and fuel penalty.

Ex-Showroom vs On-Road Price: What a 125cc Bike Really Costs

Registration (RTO) and insurance add a noticeable amount to the ex-showroom price. Expect roughly ₹13,000 to ₹15,000 extra. The table below shows three Delhi examples. Figures are indicative and your city, variant and insurer will change them.

On-road totals include other charges of ₹230 for the SP125 and Shine, and none for the Super Splendor.

Variants matter too. The SP125 DLX costs ₹7,587 more than the STD, and for that you get the front disc brake and extra equipment. Rules and rates differ by state, so run your own numbers in our On-Road Price Calculator.

If you plan to finance, work out the monthly instalment with the Vehicle EMI Calculator before you visit the showroom. A larger down payment cuts the interest you pay over the loan.

Running Cost and Service: Cost per km and Maintenance

Fuel is the main running cost for a commuter. Assume petrol at ₹100 per litre and a monthly ride of 1,000 km. At 55 kmpl the fuel bill is about ₹1,818. The mileage you actually get changes this a lot, as the table shows. These are estimates, not measured costs.

The gap between the low and best case is ₹590 a month, or ₹7,080 a year. That is the real cost of a mileage figure that does not match the brochure. Try your own numbers in the Fuel Cost Calculator.

Service costs for these bikes are usually modest. One SP125 owner reports about ₹400 for a free service. A paid service cost ₹1,200. That is a single data point, so ask your dealer for the service schedule and labour rates.

Which 125cc Bike for Which Rider

• College student on a tight budget: Honda Shine 125 or Hero Super Splendor Xtec. Lowest purchase cost.
• Office commuter, about 30 km a day: Honda SP125. Light, easy to handle and a long warranty option.
• Family rider with a pillion: Hero Super Splendor Xtec for its larger 12 L tank, or the SP125.
• First-time rider: Honda SP125 or Shine 125. Their 113 to 117 kg weight makes them easy to manage.
• Rider who wants style and some performance: TVS Raider 125.
• Occasional highway trips: Pulsar N125 or Hero Xtreme 125R, keeping speeds sensible.

Want a wider view? See our guides to the best mileage bikes in India and the best bikes under ₹1 lakh. There is also a list of the best bikes under ₹2 lakh. Looking at scooters instead? Read our best scooter guide.

Common Mistakes When Buying a 125cc Bike

• Trusting the claimed mileage. Plan on the lower end of the range, not the brochure number.
• Ignoring on-road price. Add RTO and insurance before you compare budgets.
• Skipping the test ride. Ride at your normal speed to check vibration, seat comfort and pillion space.
• Overlooking the service network. A bike is only as good as the nearest service centre.
• Paying for features you will not use. Compare the price gap between variants with what the extra brake and equipment gives you.

FAQs

Which is the best 125cc bike in India?

For most daily riders the Honda SP125 is the best all-round choice, thanks to its low weight, easy seat height and 3-year warranty. If you want the lowest purchase price, look at the Honda Shine 125 or Hero Super Splendor Xtec. For performance, pick the Pulsar N125.

Which 125cc bike is best for beginners?

The Honda SP125 and Honda Shine 125 suit beginners best. They weigh only 113 to 117 kg. Seat heights are about 790 mm, so they are easy to balance, park and manage in traffic. Both use a 5-speed gearbox and are simple to ride.

Which 125cc bike gives the best mileage?

On paper the TVS Raider leads with a listed 67 kmpl. The Honda Shine is listed at 64 kmpl. In real use, expect roughly 50 to 60 kmpl from most bikes in this class. That is an estimate; your traffic, load and riding style decide the result.

Which 125cc bike is best for long rides?

The Hero Xtreme 125R and Bajaj Pulsar N125 are better suited to longer rides because they make more power and feel more planted. The Honda SP125 also works for occasional trips at moderate speeds. Take breaks, and test ride at highway speed first.

What is the top speed of a 125cc bike?

Listed top speeds run from 90 to 100 kmph. The TVS Raider is listed at 99 kmph. These are listing figures, not tested numbers. Riding at 60 to 80 km/h suits these engines best, so keep highway trips short and sensible.

What is the price of the best 125cc bikes in 2026?

Delhi ex-showroom prices start around ₹82,722 for the Honda Shine drum. The top Hero Xtreme 125R costs about ₹1,09,550. Add roughly ₹13,000 to ₹15,000 for RTO and insurance to get the on-road price. Prices vary by city and variant across India.

Is a 125cc bike better than a 100cc bike?

A 125cc bike is the middle option. It makes about 10.8 to 12 PS. A 100cc Platina makes 8.2 PS. A 150cc Pulsar costs far more at about ₹1.29 lakh (Delhi ex-showroom, October 2026). It suits most daily riders who occasionally carry a pillion. Stay with 100cc only if budget matters most.

Expert Verdict: Which 125cc Bike Should You Buy?

Our pick for most readers is the Honda SP125. It is light, easy to ride and carries a 3-year warranty that can stretch to 10 years. Choose the DLX only if you want the disc brake and extra equipment; the STD is enough for most commutes.

If every rupee counts, buy the Honda Shine 125 or the Hero Super Splendor Xtec. They cost the least upfront. If you want a sportier bike, the TVS Raider 125 and Pulsar N125 are the right step up.

Whichever you choose, ride it first, ask for the on-road quote in writing and plan your budget around 50 kmpl, not the brochure figure. Prices are indicative as of October 2026; confirm with your dealer.

Sources: Owner experiences quoted above are from public owner reviews: SP125 owner reviews, Raider 125 owner reviews and more Raider 125 owner reviews. Specifications and prices: Honda SP125, Honda Shine 125, TVS Raider 125, Bajaj Pulsar N125, Bajaj Pulsar NS125.