If you’re planning to buy a stylish and powerful 125cc bike in India, the choice often comes down to Honda CB 125 Hornet vs Bajaj Pulsar NS125. Both bikes promise sporty performance, fuel efficiency, and great road presence, but which one gives better value for money? Here’s a complete head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
Design and Road Presence
The Honda CB 125 Hornet features a muscular streetfighter look inspired by the CB series, with aggressive tank extensions, sharp LED lighting, and split seats. In comparison, the Bajaj Pulsar NS125 also brings a sporty design with perimeter frame styling, bold graphics, and a familiar NS silhouette that has a fan base of its own. Both bikes offer solid visual appeal, but the Hornet feels more modern and premium in overall styling.
Engine and Performance
The CB 125 Hornet is powered by a 124.7cc air-cooled engine producing around 10.7 PS of power and 10.4 Nm of torque. It’s paired with a 5-speed gearbox and refined for city riding and occasional highway cruising. The Pulsar NS125, on the other hand, comes with a 124.45cc DTS-i engine that delivers 11.99 PS power and 11 Nm torque. It also uses a 5-speed gearbox and offers peppy performance with a sportier edge. On paper, the Pulsar edges ahead in power figures.
Mileage and Ride Comfort
When it comes to fuel economy, the CB 125 Hornet is tuned for better mileage and is expected to return around 55–60 kmpl under regular riding. The Pulsar NS125 offers slightly lower mileage at around 50–55 kmpl. In terms of ride quality, both bikes offer a telescopic front fork and monoshock rear setup, but the Honda provides slightly better comfort due to refined suspension tuning and reduced vibrations.
Features and Braking
Both bikes offer alloy wheels, digital-analog instrument clusters, and CBS (Combined Braking System). The Hornet may come with LED lighting all around, whereas the Pulsar sticks with halogen indicators. Pulsar gets a front disc and rear drum combo, and the Hornet is likely to offer similar hardware.
Price in India (Ex-showroom)
The Honda CB 125 Hornet is expected to be priced around ₹95,000 to ₹1,00,000. The Bajaj Pulsar NS125 is already on sale and priced at approximately ₹1,04,922. If Honda positions the Hornet competitively, it might undercut the Pulsar in pricing.
Conclusion: If you’re seeking a more refined and stylish commuter, the Honda CB 125 Hornet appears to be a better choice. However, if you want rawer performance and already trust the proven Pulsar brand, the NS125 won’t disappoint. Ultimately, your decision depends on whether you prioritize fuel efficiency and modern styling or performance and aggressive road presence.
Disclaimer: Specifications, prices, and mileage mentioned above are based on available sources and may vary slightly across locations and updates.
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