Honda Shine BS6: Same Price, Other Options

There’s a range of two-wheelers you could buy for the same price as India’s best-selling 125cc bike

India’s best-selling 125cc motorcycle, the Shine, has finally become future-proof with the launch of its BS6 iteration. The drum variant is priced at Rs 67,857 and at this price, there’s a variety of two-wheelers you could choose from. Here are our top five picks: 

Bajaj Pulsar 125 BS6 drum price: Rs 69,997

The first and the most obvious alternative to the Shine BS6 is the Bajaj Pulsar 125 BS6. The drum brake variant will set you back by Rs 69,997, making it Rs 2,140 more expensive than the Honda Shine BS6. For the added premium, you get a sportier design which is in line with the bigger Pulsar 150. It also comes with raised clip-on handlebars that looks more premium than the single-piece unit on the Shine BS6. 

The Pulsar 125 Neon BS6’s engine is slightly more powerful than the Honda Shine BS6. The 124.4cc single-cylinder air-cooled fuel-injected engine produces 12PS (1.26PS) at 8500rpm and 11Nm (same as the Shine BS6) at 6500rpm. Another advantage the Pulsar offers is a meatier rear tyre. It measures 100-section as opposed to the Shine’s low-rolling-resistance 80-section rear rubber. 

Hero Glamour 125 BS6 drum price: Rs 68,900

If you want a no-nonsense 125cc motorcycle as an alternative to the Honda Shine BS6, then the Hero Glamour 125 BS6 is an ideal choice at Rs 68,900 for the drum brake variant. This makes it dearer than the Shine BS6 by Rs 1,043. While it may look more premium compared to its predecessor, the design language is still conservative overall. Its semi-digital instrument cluster comes with a mileage indicator, a handy feature for your daily commute. The bike also gets an Autosail feature which is essentially a low-rpm assist to help the bike crawl at traffic speeds effortlessly.  

As far as the specifications are concerned, it makes almost the same amount of power as the Honda Shine BS6 (10.8PS, 0.06PS more). However, the peak torque is 0.4Nm less, at 10.6Nm. Like the Pulsar 125 Neon BS6, this motorcycle also comes with a wider 100-section rear tyre. It also offers considerably higher ground clearance at 180mm. On the other hand, the Honda Shine BS6 offers a ground clearance of 162mm.

Hero Maestro Edge 126 BS6 drum price: Rs 67,950

At Rs 67,950, the drum brake variant of the Hero Maestro Edge 125 BS6 is a great option if you’re looking for a practical 125cc scooter. For added convenience, it gets an external fuel filler cap, an underseat USB charger, a boot light and luggage hooks - one on the apron and one below the seat.

The scooter’s i3S start-stop technology will help conserve fuel by turning off the engine while idling at a traffic stop for a while. Its 124.6cc single-cylinder air-cooled fuel-injected engine churns out 9.1PS and 10.4Nm, which is more than adequate for your daily commute.  

TVS NTorq 125 BS6 drum price: Rs 65,975

The TVS NTorq 125 BS6 is priced at Rs 65,975 for the drum brake variant, making it Rs 1,882 less expensive than the Honda Shine BS6. It is not only affordable but is also the most feature-packed and sportiest-looking 125cc scooter in the country. It gets a fully digital instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity and even turn-by-turn navigation. The sharp design is further complemented by a range of vibrant colour options.

Its 124.8cc single-cylinder 3-valve fuel-injected motor churns out 9.38PS at 7000rpm and 10.5Nm at 5500rpm. The only downside is that it’s a bit on the heavier side at 118kg (kerb). This makes it 4kg heavier than the Japanese commuter motorcycle.

Hero Electric Optima HS500ER price: Rs 68,721

The Hero Electric Optima HS500ER e-scooter is the only EV in this list, priced at Rs 68,721. It offers a range of 110km per charge and a claimed top speed of 42kmph. Its lithium-ion battery pack takes about 4-5 hours to charge completely. While it may sound expensive for the kind of performance it offers, it compensates the lack of go with its ease of maintenance. Since electric vehicles have fewer moving parts, regular servicing will be a lot more affordable than a conventional two-wheeler.

It is also easier on the pocket when it comes to running the scooter as electricity costs less than petrol. All in all, the Hero Electric Optima HS500ER is an ideal choice for those who commute strictly within the limits of the city.   

All prices ex-showroom Delhi.