The Hero Xtreme 125R is one of the latest entrants to the segment. The Honda SP 125 has been around for much longer and is known for being reliable. Here's which bike you should buy:

Price & Variants

• The Honda SP 125 is the more affordable bike in this comparison.

• But the Xtreme 125R's ABS Single Seat variant, which is closest to the SP 125's DLX variant in terms of pricing, offers much better safety features while the SP 125 doesn't offer any of those across its variants.

Dimensions & Design

• The Hero Xtreme 125R has a longer wheelbase than the Honda SP 125, which should make it more stable on the straight roads and the shorter wheelbase on the SP 125 should make it easier to change directions.

• The higher ground clearance on the Honda SP 125 should make it better equipped to handle potholes, speed breakers and bad road conditions.

• The SP 125 is about 20kg lighter than the Xtreme 125R, which means it should be easier to handle on city roads with heavy traffic.

• Talking about design, the Hero Xtreme 125R has sharp design lines all over and quite a striking headlight design that'll surely grab attention on the go.

• The Honda SP 125 has a simpler design language and comes with a selection of vibrant colour options that jazz up the whole design very well.

• The Hero Xtreme 125R gets a whole host of exciting colour schemes that accentuate the bike's sporty styling in a cohesive manner. You can check out the paint schemes in our detailed colours explainer.

Underpinnings

• The monoshock in the Hero Xtreme 125R should provide better damping, which means that the suspension setup should be able to handle the impact from the uncontrolled, bouncy movement of the rear wheel much better. This should result in better handling and overall better stability of the bike.

• Twin-shock absorbers are usually tuned to be on the softer side, which means they should be able to absorb bumps much better. As such, the Honda SP 125's suspension setup should offer a more comfortable ride.

• The Honda SP 125 is only available with a drum brake at the rear while the Hero Xtreme 125R is available with a rear disc brake and dual-channel ABS, thus increasing the overall safety quotient of the bike.

• The Honda SP 125's larger wheel size should offer better comfort whereas the Hero Xtreme 125R's smaller wheel size should allow for a sportier ride.

Features

• The Hero Xtreme 125R gets full-LED lighting and a USB charging port. In terms of the instrument console, the bike gets a LCD unit that shows speedometer, odometer, trip meter, fuel gauge, clock, gear position indicator and average mileage readouts. It gets Bluetooth connectivity for call and SMS alerts and turn-by-turn navigation. The major highlight is that the bike gets cruise control and three ride modes.

• The Honda SP 125 has a TFT console in the DLX variant. It shows speedometer, odometer, trip meter, fuel gauge, clock and gear position indicator readouts and gets Bluetooth connectivity for call and SMS alerts, turn-by-turn navigation, music control and weather updates.

• So, while the Honda SP 125 offers better convenience features, the Hero Xtreme 125R offers better practical features in terms of the cruise control and riding modes.

Performance

• The Hero Xtreme 125R's engine develops more power than the Honda SP 125, which is reflected in how the performance is delivered. The Xtreme 125R's motor feels aggressive while the SP 125's motor is the smoother of the two.

• Above 80-90kmph, the SP 125's engine feels stressed. The Xtreme 125R feels relaxed riding at those speeds.

• In terms of tractability, both engines offer good low-end grunt and riding in the city at low speeds in 3rd or 4th gear is an easy affair.

• In our real-world tests, we found the Xtreme 125R's gearbox to be clunky while the SP 125's gearbox was very smooth for a relaxed riding experience in the city.

Verdict

The Honda SP 125 is more of an urban commuter with an extensive features list and the price tag to match that. It is meant for someone who wants the everyday comfort of a commuter and the fancy features more commonly found in bigger bikes or the sportier bikes of the segment.

The Hero Xtreme 125R is Hero MotoCorp's answer to the highly competitive 125cc sporty commuter segment. Its combination of snazzy looks and agile handling should appeal to the younger customer base who are new to motorcycling but also want some sportiness in their first bike.

Other Rivals:

• TVS Raider 125: The TVS Raider 125 is the king of the 125cc sporty commuter segment whereas the Hero Xtreme 125R is the new kid on the block.
• Honda CB125 Hornet:The Honda CB125 Hornet is the most expensive bike in the segment whereas the Hero Xtreme 125R offers the same hardware and features at a more affordable price tag.
• Bajaj Pulsar N125:The Bajaj Pulsar N125 is the more affordable 125cc sporty commuter whereas the Hero Xtreme 125R has more aggressive looks and a smoother engine.
• Bajaj Pulsar NS125: If you love the NS200's styling but want a 125cc bike, then the Bajaj Pulsar NS125 will suit you whereas the Hero Xtreme 125 is a more refined streetfighter with sharper and more aggressive styling.
• Hero Glamour X125:Both bikes are loaded to the brim with features but the Glamour X125 is a commuter bike while the Hero Xtreme 125R is a sportier bike with agile handling characteristics.
• Honda Shine 125: If you want the smoothness and refinement of a Honda engine in a 125cc commuter, the Honda Shine 125 is the one for you whereas the Hero Xtreme 125R can take care of your sporty riding needs.
• Bajaj Pulsar 125: You'll like the Bajaj Pulsar 125 if you like the OG Pulsar styling whereas the Hero Xtreme 125R is a fresher, more powerful alternative.
• Hero Super Splendor 125: The Hero Super Splendor 125 is appealing for someone looking for a reliable 125cc commuter whereas the Hero Xtreme 125 is a sporty commuter meant for younger buyers.