Honda XRM125 DS

Compared to other cub class underbone bikes which are designed keeping in mind function over form, the Honda XRM 125 does try to have an equilibrium between both the aspects, and that is very evident from the way it has been styled. There is a lot of off-road motorcycle influence in the overall design of the XRM 125, which makes it look rugged and funky as compared to other cub class bikes.

The front face of the Honda XRM 125 looks very unique with a CRF inspired headlamp, which gets a sporty looking bikini fairing around the petite but nicely looking headlamp. The front fender, like in any other dual-purpose motorcycle, has been mounted high just below the chin of the headlamp, and looks large and pointy. The slim dual-purpose tires around the spoked wheels only add to the purpose as well as the visual appeal of the bike.

From the sides, the Honda XRM 125 looks slim and sporty, and not lets you remind that it is a bike built to a cost. The sharp and pointy cowls ahead of the footwell make it look aggressive, which looks even flashier with body decals on them. The engine here is finished in an all-black theme, while the exhaust here gets a nicely executed chrome finished cover.

The rear side body panels of the Honda XRM 125 are slightly larger and curvier and do make the bike look a bit muscular while moving towards the rear. The well-contoured single-piece seat is large enough to seat two with ease, which is praiseworthy given the compact dimensions of the bike.

At the rear, the Honda XRM 125 gets a tail lamp in a tapered and angular design, which adds to the aesthetics of the bike, while getting a proper and fully functional rear fender. The instrument console of the Honda XRM 125 isn’t too basic as one would have expected, with the unit having three different asymmetric partitions for different entities – speedometer and odometer, fuel gauge and telltale lamps with gear indicators. While the switchgear is basic, the crash guards on handlebars make it look sporty. 

The petite dimensions and low kerb weight of just 97 kgs make the Honda XRM 125 a very easy bike to handle and manoeuver. The bike gets telescopic forks at the front and twin coil springs at the rear, just like any other conventional commuter motorcycle, which makes the ride quality pretty decent too. When it comes to brakes, the Honda XRM 125 gets a simple setup of a disc brake at the front and a drum brake at the rear.

The Honda XRM 125 has been fitted with a four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled, 124.89cc under its skin, which sounds very potent on paper, given the size and weight of the bike. The engine is married to a simple four-speed manual gearbox and pumps out a maximum power output of 9.7 PS and a peak torque output of 9.55 Nm.

While the Honda XRM 125 doesn’t feel too sophisticated when it comes to safety features owing to its basic price point, as it doesn’t get any of them, the crash guards on handlebars are unique additions to it. These crash guards do prove handy at times of head-on collision.

The Honda XRM 125, with its rugged design and off-road riding characteristics, does add some extra appeal and desirability to the otherwise plain and functional cub class bike which is just meant for commuting from one point to another. The mechanicals of the XRM 125 are simple but unique for its segment, like off-road tires and front disc brake on offer.