Honda Shine 125 Review: The Honda Shine 125 is a popular commuter bike in India, known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordability. Honda, a renowned Japanese automaker, has positioned the Shine 125 as a strong contender in the 125cc motorcycle segment. Over the years, the bike has gained a loyal customer base due to its simple design, refined engine, and superior ride quality. It’s especially suited for urban riders who want a balance between practicality and performance, making it one of the most successful models in its category.
Design and Styling
Honda Shine 125 sports a design that reflects a blend of modern aesthetics and conventional commuter-bike simplicity. It is not overly flashy, which helps it appeal to a wide range of riders. The bike has a sober yet elegant look, with a muscular fuel tank, chrome garnished exhaust, and sharp headlamp design. Here’s a breakdown of the design elements:
- Front Profile: The front of the Honda Shine 125 features a stylish halogen headlamp that complements the sleek design. The clear-lens turn indicators are neatly integrated with the headlamp unit, enhancing visibility and adding to the bike’s overall aesthetic.
- Fuel Tank: The fuel tank has subtle curves and a sculpted design that not only looks good but also enhances the ergonomics, making it comfortable for the rider to grip the tank during long rides. The chrome-finished 3D emblem adds a premium touch to the motorcycle.
- Seat Design: The seat of the Honda Shine 125 is wide and well-cushioned, offering ample comfort for both rider and pillion. The long seat makes it perfect for daily commuting and short road trips.
- Tail Section: The tail section is relatively simple, featuring a conventional tail light with well-integrated rear indicators. The rear grab rail is durable and provides good support for the pillion.
The overall fit and finish of the Honda Shine 125 are excellent for its segment, with Honda paying close attention to quality and detailing, giving it an edge over some competitors.
Performance and Engine Specifications
The Honda Shine 125 is powered by a 124cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine. The engine is refined and offers a smooth power delivery, making it suitable for city commutes and occasional highway rides. Here are the key performance specs:
- Engine Type: Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SI engine
- Displacement: 124cc
- Max Power: 10.59 bhp at 7,500 rpm
- Max Torque: 11 Nm at 6,000 rpm
- Bore x Stroke: 50 mm x 63.1 mm
- Fuel Injection: Yes, PGM-Fi (Programmed Fuel Injection)
The Honda Eco Technology (HET) ensures that the engine delivers optimal performance without compromising fuel efficiency. The Advanced Intelligent Ignition Control System (AIICS) also helps in better power delivery by adjusting the ignition timings as per the engine load, enhancing fuel efficiency and performance.
In terms of acceleration, the Honda Shine 125 can comfortably cruise between 60-70 km/h, which is adequate for city commuting. The top speed of the bike is around 95 km/h, which, while not meant for aggressive riding, is decent enough for daily use.
Transmission and Gearbox
The Honda Shine 125 is equipped with a 5-speed gearbox that is smooth and offers seamless gear shifting. The gear ratios are well-spaced, allowing the rider to extract the best performance out of the engine while maintaining good fuel efficiency. It features an all-down pattern gearbox:
- 1st Gear: Down
- 2nd Gear: Down
- 3rd Gear: Down
- 4th Gear: Down
- 5th Gear: Down
This gearbox setup is ideal for daily city riding, where quick gear changes are necessary in stop-and-go traffic situations. The clutch is light, making it less tiring for riders during long journeys.
Suspension and Ride Quality
Honda Shine 125 offers a comfortable ride, thanks to its well-tuned suspension setup. The bike is fitted with telescopic front forks and dual hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear. This suspension configuration ensures a good balance between comfort and handling, making it capable of dealing with rough patches, potholes, and speed breakers without transferring too much of the shock to the rider or pillion.
- Front Suspension: Telescopic forks
- Rear Suspension: Dual shock absorbers
The suspension is tuned to provide a plush ride, especially when riding within city limits. The bike maintains stability at moderate speeds, and even on uneven roads, the Shine 125 performs admirably.
Braking System
Honda Shine 125 is equipped with a Combi Brake System (CBS) that ensures better braking efficiency. CBS is a safety feature that applies both front and rear brakes when the rear brake lever is pressed, ensuring safer stopping power. This feature is particularly useful in situations where sudden braking is required.
The braking setup consists of:
- Front Brake: 240 mm disc or 130 mm drum (depending on variant)
- Rear Brake: 130 mm drum brake
The disc variant offers better braking performance and bite compared to the drum variant, especially in emergency braking situations.
Wheels and Tyres
Honda Shine 125 comes equipped with alloy wheels, which add a modern touch to the bike’s design while being lightweight. The tyres offer good grip on both dry and wet surfaces, providing adequate stability during cornering and braking.
- Front Tyre: 80/100-18 Tubeless
- Rear Tyre: 80/100-18 Tubeless
The inclusion of tubeless tyres is a plus point, as they reduce the chances of sudden air loss in case of a puncture and are easier to repair.
Fuel Efficiency and Mileage
One of the strongest selling points of the Honda Shine 125 is its excellent fuel efficiency. Owing to its PGM-Fi system and efficient engine, the bike delivers a commendable mileage of around 55-60 km/l in real-world conditions. On highways, the mileage can even stretch to 65 km/l under ideal conditions. The bike is equipped with a 10.5-liter fuel tank, giving it a decent range for longer commutes.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.5 liters
- Reserve Fuel Capacity: 1.3 liters
- Mileage: 55-60 km/l (real-world)
- Range: Approx. 570-630 km on a full tank
Technology and Features
Although the Honda Shine 125 is a commuter motorcycle, Honda has equipped it with modern features to keep up with customer expectations. Some of the standout features include:
- PGM-Fi (Programmed Fuel Injection): Enhances fuel efficiency and throttle response.
- Silent Start ACG Motor: Ensures a smooth and noiseless engine start, adding to the comfort of daily commuting.
- Combi Brake System (CBS): Improves braking performance and safety.
- Engine Start/Stop Switch: Helps in conserving fuel by allowing the rider to stop the engine during traffic stops easily.
Ergonomics and Comfort
One of the key reasons behind Honda Shine 125‘s popularity is its rider-friendly ergonomics. The bike offers a comfortable upright seating posture, which is ideal for city commutes and short tours. The handlebar is positioned perfectly for a relaxed riding stance, and the wide seat offers good cushioning for long rides without discomfort.
- Seat Height: 791 mm
- Ground Clearance: 162 mm
- Kerb Weight: 114 kg (drum), 115 kg (disc)
The light kerb weight makes the Shine 125 easy to handle in city traffic, while the decent ground clearance ensures the bike can easily tackle speed bumps and potholes without scraping the underbody.
Variants and Pricing
Honda Shine 125 is available in two main variants:
- Drum Variant
- Disc Variant
The drum variant is the more affordable option, while the disc variant offers better braking performance at a slightly higher cost.
The pricing for the Honda Shine 125 (as of 2024) is as follows:
- Drum Variant: ₹82,000 (approx. ex-showroom)
- Disc Variant: ₹87,000 (approx. ex-showroom)
The on-road price may vary depending on the state, taxes, insurance, and additional charges like RTO fees.
Colors
Honda Shine 125 is available in several attractive colors:
- Black
- Geny Grey Metallic
- Athletic Blue Metallic
- Rebel Red Metallic
These color options offer a good variety to cater to different customer preferences.
Competitors
The Honda Shine 125 faces stiff competition in the 125cc commuter segment. Its primary competitors include:
- Hero Glamour: Known for its strong engine performance and bold design.
- Bajaj Pulsar 125: Offers a sportier design and slightly better power.
- TVS Raider 125: A relatively new player with modern design and features.
- Hero Super Splendor: Competes in terms of mileage and pricing.
Honda Shine 125 Review 2024: Overview
The Honda Shine 125 continues to be one of the best-selling commuter bikes in India due to its combination of fuel efficiency, reliability, and practicality. With its refined engine, comfortable ride quality, and modern features, the Shine 125 offers excellent value for money. It is a perfect choice for riders looking for no-nonsense.