In its budget motorcycle hierarchy, Honda SP125 updated for MY2023 comes off as more premium than the company’s highest-selling commuter Shine
India is considered to be one of the, if not, the largest market for motorcycles and scooters. Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India has strived hard to stay relevant in this price-sensitive market by adhering to customer needs. Even though CB Shine is Honda’s rockstar among budget commuters in India, SP 125 is just as important.
For MY2023, Honda has updated SP125 to comply with phase II of BS6 standards along with OBDII for real-time emission tracking. Prices start at Rs. 85,121 for drum brake variant and Rs. 89,131 for disc brake variant (both prices ex-sh). There are five colours on offer, Black, Matte Axis Grey Metallic, Imperial Red Metallic, Pearl Siren Blue & a new Matt Marvel Blue Metallic shade.
2023 Honda SP125 – What’s Changed?
For starters, SP125 is slightly more premium than Shine. This gets a ton of additional tech and features that Shine simply misses out on. In terms of styling too, Honda SP125 updated for MY2023 comes off as one of the premium 125cc commuters to rival TVS Raider and Bajaj Pulsar NS125. While Shine takes on lower-tier 125cc commuters. With MY2023, SP125 gets a 100-section tyre, updated graphics and more.
To back up its premium appeal, Honda bestows a ton of equipment on new SP125. Making it one of the most VFM offerings in this space. The main highlight of this update is its beating 125cc heart. It is now BS6 phase II compliant, meeting RDE norms and also meets E20 compatibility (20% ethanol blend).
OBDII compliance allows Honda to monitor emissions of said vehicle in real time. Making its PGM-FI 125cc engine, even greener for years to come. Honda SP125 updated for MY023 also comes equipped with eSP (Enhanced Smart Power). Honda calls it future technology that has brought SP125 to global standards.
What Is Honda’s eSP Tech?
Honda’s eSP is a culmination of a silent starter generator (ACG), Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), friction reduction, fully digital meter, fuel efficiency details, ECO indicator and gear position indicator. ACG allows for silent cranking of engine without the need for a conventional starter motor.
The ECO indicator makes sure that rider is traveling in optimum gear, matching the speed traversed. If not on, rider can vary throttle inputs to get his ECO indicator to turn on. The 124cc engine makes 10.72 bhp of power and 10.9 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox, while Shine just gets four cogs.
Features & Rivals In Similar Price Bracket
Honda SP125 updated for MY2023 gets quite a few features over a Shine. For starters, SP125 gets LED headlights, a fully digital instrument cluster, ECO indicator, gear position indicator, service reminder, distance to empty, real-time fuel efficiency, average fuel efficiency and more. Once a novelty on Honda bikes, now SP125 gets an engine kill switch too.
Honda doesn’t include Bluetooth connectivity, which rivals from TVS and Hero offer. Speaking of rivals, we have Passion XTEC, Super Splendor and Glamour from Hero, Pulsar 125 and Pulsar NS125 from Bajaj and the benchmark of this segment TVS Raider 125.
Source: Bike - rushlane.com
