As the morning sun glows over Pune’s bustling streets, a polished fuel tank gleams, reflecting the city’s movement. A middle-aged office worker, with a leather satchel strapped to the rear seat, skillfully maneuvers through the crowded roads. His ride—a 2025 Honda CB Shine—glides smoothly, responding with precision, a testament to Honda’s thoughtful engineering.
This bike may not boast flashy styling or high-performance specs, but what it offers is far more valuable—a reliable, efficient, and practical mobility solution for millions of Indians.
Since its debut 15 years ago, the CB Shine has become one of India’s best-selling motorcycles, crossing an impressive 10 million units sold. The 2025 version continues this legacy of excellence, featuring smart refinements while keeping the qualities that riders love intact.
After spending time with the new CB Shine, testing it in city traffic and on open highways, one thing is clear—Honda has made genuine, thoughtful improvements instead of just a marketing refresh.
In a segment where practicality matters more than style, the 2025 CB Shine proves that small, well-planned upgrades can make a big difference. This motorcycle is not just about spec sheets and power figures—it is about making daily life easier for the average commuter.
With refinements that enhance comfort, efficiency, and reliability, the CB Shine 2025 continues to be a trusted companion for daily rides, offering a better ownership experience in every way.
Refined and Sophisticated Design
The 2025 Honda CB Shine follows a measured approach to design, focusing on subtle enhancements rather than a complete overhaul. This smart evolution retains the classic upright proportions of the 125cc commuter segment while introducing modern refinements that elevate its premium feel.
The redesigned headlamp housing now features full LED elements, a significant upgrade from the older halogen bulbs. This seamless integration is complemented by modestly restyled side panels, which now have sharper character lines running from the headstock to the tail, giving the bike a more defined stance.
While the fuel tank keeps its familiar shape, subtle contouring improvements enhance both ergonomics and appearance. The knee recesses now provide a better grip, allowing riders to maintain stability during cornering.
Understanding the Indian market’s preference for chrome, Honda has used chrome accents strategically rather than excessively. These refined chrome touches on the mirrors, handlebar ends, and exhaust heat shield add visual elegance without appearing outdated or overdone.
The Honda wing emblems on the fuel tank now feature a three-dimensional metallic finish, further boosting the bike’s premium appeal.
At the rear, the LED taillight assembly introduces a distinctive lighting pattern, improving visibility and differentiation from earlier models. The newly designed grab rail not only looks more integrated but also offers better grip and smoother edges, preventing it from snagging on passengers’ clothing.
For 2025, Honda introduces six color options, blending traditional and modern choices:
Classic Shades: Black, Imperial Red
Contemporary Tones: Pearl Igneous Blue, Matte Axis Grey Metallic
The paint quality has also noticeably improved, offering deeper gloss and a more uniform finish, enhancing the bike’s premium feel.
What makes this design update stand out is how it achieves a more sophisticated presence without losing the simplicity that has defined the CB Shine over the years. In a market where some models rely on flashy aesthetics to appear premium, Honda proves that subtle refinements can communicate quality more effectively than excess.
Ergonomics and Comfort: Built for Daily Riding
The 2025 Honda CB Shine is designed with daily commuting in mind, offering enhanced comfort and rider-friendly ergonomics. Honda has made subtle but effective changes that make long hours on the road easier and less tiring.
The handlebar position is now 5mm closer to the rider than before, creating a more relaxed arm position. This small adjustment reduces fatigue, especially in stop-and-go city traffic.
The footpegs are positioned directly below the hips, allowing for better weight distribution. This setup makes it easier to navigate bumpy roads while keeping a natural posture.
Honda has carefully developed the seat to ensure both comfort and stability:
- Seat Height: 790mm – Suitable for riders of different heights.
- Slim Front Section: Allows shorter riders to place their feet firmly on the ground at stops.
- Balanced Padding: Firm enough for long rides but soft enough for daily commuting comfort.
- Slip-Resistant Covering: The textured seat material prevents slipping while allowing slight movement for position adjustments.
Honda has also focused on making the ride comfortable for passengers:
- Wider rear seat ensures better support for pillions.
- Optimized grab rail placement allows a natural handhold for stability.
- Passenger footpegs repositioned to provide more legroom, preventing knee clashes between the rider and pillion.
Though the CB Shine is a naked commuter bike, Honda has made small but effective changes for better comfort:
- Redesigned tank extensions help deflect wind away from the rider’s knees at higher speeds.
- Improved heat shielding around the engine ensures that riders feel less heat in slow-moving traffic, making it more comfortable in India’s hot weather.
While motorcycles don’t offer much storage, Honda has included useful solutions:
- Lockable compartment under the seat for keeping important documents and a toolkit.
- Optional storage accessories like a Honda Genuine tank bag, designed specifically to fit the CB Shine’s dimensions, provide extra space for daily essentials.
These thoughtful refinements ensure that the 2025 CB Shine remains one of the most practical, comfortable, and user-friendly commuter motorcycles in India.
Refined Efficiency: Engine Performance
At the core of the 2025 Honda CB Shine is a refined 125cc single-cylinder engine, a carefully upgraded version of the powertrain that has defined the model for years. While the basic architecture remains familiar, Honda has introduced subtle engineering improvements that enhance efficiency and reliability without altering the trusted formula that commuters rely on.
The air-cooled, two-valve engine maintains a simple yet durable design, making it easy to maintain and ensuring long-term reliability. Key refinements include:
- Optimized combustion chamber shape for better fuel burn.
- Improved valve timing for smoother power delivery.
- Redesigned intake and exhaust ports for better airflow, increasing efficiency.
These changes enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, all while keeping the engine’s accessible power delivery intact.
The CB Shine produces 11.3 horsepower at 7,500 RPM and 11 Nm of torque at 6,000 RPM. While these numbers may seem modest, the real-world impact is noticeable—the engine now offers better low- and mid-range torque, reducing the need for frequent gear changes in traffic and ensuring a relaxed riding experience.
Honda has paired the engine with a five-speed gearbox, ensuring smooth gear transitions and optimal power distribution.
- Short first gear – Helps with easy starts, even on inclines or with a passenger.
- Well-spaced ratios – Minimize frequent shifting, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
- Fifth gear – Offers comfortable cruising at 70-80 km/h, reducing engine strain.
Refinement is another area where Honda shines. The engine starts smoothly, with minimal vibrations even before warming up. The sound profile remains controlled, shifting from a gentle thrum at low RPMs to a more assertive but never harsh note near the redline. The addition of a counterbalancer shaft significantly reduces engine vibrations, making longer rides more comfortable.
Fuel economy remains a top priority for most buyers in this segment, and the CB Shine delivers. In real-world conditions, including city traffic and occasional highway cruising, the bike consistently returns 65-70 kmpl.
With a 10.5-liter fuel tank, this translates to a practical riding range of around 700 km, meaning fewer fuel stops and lower running costs—an essential factor for daily commuters.
Balanced Competence: Chassis and Handling
The 2025 CB Shine is built on a diamond-type frame made from tubular steel, a tried-and-tested design that balances rigidity and compliance, making it well-suited for Indian road conditions.
- 1,285mm wheelbase – Provides stability at high speeds while keeping the bike agile in city traffic.
- Optimized steering geometry – Enables easy lane changes without making the bike feel twitchy or unstable.
Honda has carefully tuned the suspension system to provide comfort on rough roads while maintaining control on highways:
- Front Suspension: Telescopic forks with 110mm travel – Effectively absorbs potholes and uneven surfaces.
- Rear Suspension: Twin shock absorbers with five-step preload adjustment – Allows riders to customize ride quality based on passenger weight or cargo.
The damping setup strikes a perfect balance—not too soft to feel bouncy, but also not too firm to cause discomfort on longer rides.
Braking performance is reliable and controlled, thanks to:
- Front: 240mm disc brake with twin-piston caliper – Provides strong stopping power.
- Rear: 130mm drum brake – Offers progressive braking.
- Combined Braking System (CBS): Automatically distributes braking force between front and rear wheels, improving safety.
The 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels offer better road grip, especially on uneven roads. Honda has equipped the bike with MRF Nylogrip Zapper tubeless tires, ensuring good traction even in wet conditions—a critical factor for monsoon-season riding.
Thoughtful Integration: Electrical System and Features
Honda has upgraded the CB Shine’s electrical package, ensuring modern conveniences without unnecessary complexity.
- Fully Digital Instrument Cluster: Displays speed, fuel level, odometer, two trip meters, and real-time fuel efficiency, helping riders monitor fuel usage more effectively.
- Full LED Lighting: Includes headlamp, taillight, and indicators, improving visibility and reducing power consumption.
- USB Charging Port: Positioned near the instrument cluster, allowing on-the-go phone charging with a weather-resistant cover for added protection.
- Dual-Tone Horn: Produces a louder, clearer sound, ensuring the rider is heard in heavy traffic—a small but vital safety upgrade.
The LED headlamp stands out as one of the most practical improvements, offering a well-spread beam pattern that provides better night visibility—especially on unlit highways.
The Complete Ownership Experience
Honda’s commitment to long-term reliability is evident in its service and maintenance approach:
- Service Intervals: Every 6,000 km, reducing maintenance frequency.
- Over 6,000 service centers across India, ensuring easy access even in smaller towns.
- Affordable spare parts, keeping ownership costs low.
- 3-year standard warranty (extendable to 5 years)—giving riders peace of mind.
The 2025 Honda CB Shine competes in a highly competitive 125cc commuter segment, where brands like Hero, Bajaj, and TVS dominate. Honda has positioned the CB Shine as a premium commuter bike, offering refined performance, reliability, and advanced features.
- Price Range: ₹85,000 – ₹95,000 (ex-showroom, depending on the variant).
- Value Proposition: Justifies the slightly higher price through better comfort, efficiency, and Honda’s brand reliability.
Unlike some rivals that focus on sporty designs or flashy features, Honda prioritizes:
- Smooth, refined performance.
- Practical comfort for daily riders.
- Long-term reliability with low maintenance costs.
2025 Honda CB Shine: Elevating Everyday Riding
The 2025 Honda CB Shine is not just another commuter motorcycle—it’s a carefully refined package that improves every aspect of daily riding. Instead of relying on gimmicks or unnecessary upgrades, Honda has thoughtfully enhanced essential areas, making a real difference for commuters.
From the smoother engine and better fuel efficiency to the improved ergonomics and LED lighting, every change is practical and meaningful. These refinements make the CB Shine a commuter bike that doesn’t just take you from point A to B but does so with comfort, efficiency, and reliability—qualities that truly matter in daily life.