India’s motorcycle market is a thriving place and 125cc segments have proven to be the best for people who want top performance, fuel economy and price. These motorcycles cost less than ₹1 lakh yet remain close to being speed demons.That can give riders an affordable way into hand performance-combined with useful transport. On the following pages are five 125cc motorcycles that are set to become a benchmark in this ultra competitive segment, combining style with technology and value.
Bajaj Pulsar N125: The Iconic Performer
Indian motorcycle enthusiasts are well acquainted with the Pulsar family of motorcycles – and now N125 brings that inborn DNA to entry level performance. With a sticker price of about ₹98,000 (ex-showroom) the Pulsar N125 continues this heritage as it visually speaks of muscularity and tension.
What sets the Pulsar N125 apart from its peers is that it takes a performance-oriented approach in a segment where fuel efficiency normally reigns supreme. The bike’s 125cc DTS-i engine belts out an ample 12 HP, making it a fairly powerful machine by any measure in its class. Hurricane-shaped wolf-eye LED headlamp and a muscular fuel tank make sure you won’t go unnoticed in the city streets.Equipped with a digital-analog instrument cluster, USB charging port and tubeless tyres – which are features usually only found on bikes that cost much more. The bike strikes an effective balance between being practical for daily commuting and having some fun on the weekend, with a sharp handling and high performance chassis setup.
Hero Xtreme 125R: Bringing Technology to Its Pinnacle
Hero MotoCorp’s Xtreme 125R returns to the company’s traditional market with an innovative design; it sells for roughly 95,000 (ex-showroom).Sharp with younger riders in mind, the Xtreme 125R’s contemporary-style looks continue Hero’s direction in design philosophy, evidenced by well-placed edges and clean lines.
The motorcycle is featuring Hero’s new 125cc single-cylinder engine with 11.4HP output and a comfortable 5-speed transmission. What really sets the Xtreme 125R apart, though, is its impressive set of features. From the rich LED lamps to Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation functionality plus a fully digital instrument cluster, everything is first-class.
Hero has endowed Xtreme 125R with a range of advanced safety features, including single-channel ABS, petal disc brakes and an i3S start-stop system which enhances fuel efficiency in city traffic. Despite the bike’s sports-split seat style and aggressive-looking tail section design, along with vivid colors on offer that prove its energetic nature, it still has everyday convenience for small cargo.
TVS Raider 125: Feature-Rich Choice
TVS Motor Corporation has always been known for their advanced technology, and the Raider 125 is no exception. With a top of line variant price in the vicinity of ₹99,000 (ex-showroom) Raider brings exclusive features to the 125cc market.
The Raider features its own unique aesthetic and design, with LED headlamp located in a fashionable place of its own. Looking for well-balanced power output, it needs more than just the newest engines; the Raider is currently packing a 124.8cc power-plant equipped with patented Intelligo technology that can produce 11.2 HP and best fuel efficiency-through take action stop start systems.
The Raider truly is its segment’s leader. The exclusive features include riding modes (Eco and Power), an all-digital inverted LCD instrument cluster that offers voice guidance throughout driving, and wireless device connection. Another characteristic of this machine is that it provides not replacing the spark plug every 5000 kilometers and not adjusting valve clearance until 10000 kilometers; two notices that are sure to make riders very happy indeed. Similarly, convenient features now even extend to its Split Seat and USB port under the seat–going far beyond the pocket the pillion rider complains of every time he gets off.
Raider’s handling advantage comes from having a mono-shock rear suspension, as well as its lightweight body making it both nimble in city traffic and steady on the highway.
Yamaha MT-15 V2: The Premium Experience
Slightly over the Rs 10000 barrier at $105000 (ex-showroom), the Yamaha MT15 V2 deserves comment for bringing the respected MT’s series “Dark Side of Japan” design concept down-market. An aggressive front, muscular fuel tank and minimal fairing that reveals its machinery complete the look of this bike which could have come from a racetrack.
An alluring ride is presented by the MT-15. The 155cc,liquid-cooled mill features Variable Valve Actuation (VVA), a notch up in tech. This advanced technology engine is capable of turning out a fine 18.4 HP–the best power production in this group. Materials like the delta box frame, upside-down front forks and aluminium swingarm combine to provide good handling characteristics that are not usually found here.
Although it’s performance-oriented, the MT-15 doesn’t skimp on bells and whistles: LED lighting throughout the entire vehicle including an all-digital instrument cluster as well as Honda’s proprietary slipper clutch offer smooth, more controlled downshifts. The MT-15 should quickly prove popular among riders looking for a chiefly accessibly priced but premium more premium product.
Honda SP125: The Reliable All-Rounder
The SP125 from Honda, which sells for approximately Rs 90,000 (ex-showroom), epitomizes the Japanese company’s reputation for steadfast reliability. While it may seem a bit tame when presented in comparison to other machines on this list, Honda’s timeless engineering fuses seamlessly with contemporary forms of technology.
Honda SP125 is a 124cc refined machine featuring eSP (enhanced Smart Power) technology; it has a maximum output of 10.8 horsepower and can even go 60 kilometers on a single liter of fuel.RELATED: The engine is mated to a smooth 5-speed transmission, and features an ACG starter motor with silent start system.
The motorcycle’s appearance is modern, with an LED headlamp, digital instrument cluster, and engine start-stop switch. The SP125 is also remarkable in terms of its seats which have both very comfortable ergonomics sure to please commuters going long distances at work or play. Due to its reliable performance, comparatively low maintenance costs and excellent re-sell value, the SP125 is a pragmatic choice for individualistic riders who know what they want out of life.
How to Choose
Each of the 125cc motorcycles has a distinct demeanor, and will appeal to different riders who have different requirements. Just as the Bajaj Pulsar N125 captures the real Pulsar experience in a simplified package, so too does the spartan design. Hero Xtreme 125R owes its uniqueness to smart features and fastidious city look. TVS Raider strikes the perfect balance between comfort and high-end performance with its luxurious touches, while the Yamaha MT-15 V2 provides a piece of pure motorcycle engineering for those who seek the best without compromise. And the Honda SP125 is today’s motorcycle: a melding of modern features, and a machine that you can depend upon.
When making your selection among these high-quality models, think first about the primary use pattern in application, hence your feature preferences and the long-term cost of ownership. Take test rides on any model that appeals to you where practical to experience its ergonomics and ride first-hand. Which ever bike you go with, however, the modern 125cc category represents a truly good deal. In fact, these motorcycles wouldn’t stand out even in a higher price range.So this is truly an exciting time for people to enter the market for affordable but high performance street bikes