Honda Shine

The Honda Shine has been a popular 125cc motorcycle since its launch in 2006. Over the years, Honda has given it minor design tweaks and other important updates to keep it relevant. Today the bike is still a popular choice among customers who are looking for a very reliable commuter bike in the 125cc segment.

The Honda Shine comes with a simple commuter focused design that is simple and straightforward. The headlight section features a chrome outlining and the tank features a 3D Honda Logo. Both of these have given the bike a bit of premiumness but the design overall hasn’t changed much and the bike still looks quite basic.

One of the strong points of the Honda Shine is the engine refinement. The bike is able to deliver smooth performance consistently when commuting. The 123.93cc, single-cylinder engine is able to deliver 10.74PS and 11Nm. The power figures are adequate for a 125cc commuter and when combined with the low kerb weight of 113kg, the engine is able to offer peppy acceleration making overtakes in the city very easy.

The low kerb weight of the Shine 125 also makes it easy to handle in the city, the bike is very agile and nimble and is able to cut through traffic quite easily. The suspension setup is well tuned and doesn’t come off as either too firm or too soft. 

It absorbs most of the potholes a rider would encounter on the roads and keeps the bike stable and planted when riding at higher speeds. The rear suspension comes with 5-step preload adjustability which allows riders to tweak the suspension according to their needs. 

The brakes, depending on the variant, will either be 130mm drum units at both ends or a 240mm disc and 130mm drum in the rear. Both the drum and disc brake variants offer similar levels of braking performance but the disc has a bit more feedback, meaning you will know exactly how much bite you’ll get when you get on the brakes.

The Honda Shine is a comfortable motorcycle and it is able to strike that balance both in terms of suspension tuning and seat cushioning. Coming to the suspension, as mentioned earlier, it is neither too hard nor too soft allowing the bike to absorb most bumps and potholes in the road with ease while also keeping the bike planted when riding at higher speeds. The seat is spacious and well cushioned, allowing riders of all sizes to sit comfortably. The cushioning is also not too soft either, so long rides shouldn’t be an issue.

The Honda Shine 125 is quite basic in terms of features. It gets an analogue instrument console which is quite dated but gets the job done. Honda has also given the bike a silent starter and an engine kill switch but other than that, there’s nothing much to mention. The bike is very basic and misses out on a lot of features that some of its competitors flaunt.

The Honda Shine is a decent motorcycle, it offers reliable performance, good handling and overall makes for an ideal commuter bike. It doesn't get much in terms of features which is a major let down but if you are looking for a simple no-nonsense motorcycle that can get you from one place to another without much fuss, then the Shine would be a good choice for you.