Hero Classic 125: The morning sun glints off chrome as I kick-start the Hero Classic 125 into life. The engine settles into a smooth idle with just enough vibration to remind you that you’re astride something mechanical, something real.

In an age where motorcycles increasingly resemble transformers with their sharp edges and digital displays, Hero MotoCorp’s latest offering stands apart with deliberate simplicity and old-school charm.

But is nostalgia enough to justify the ₹1.15 lakh price tag in India’s hyper-competitive 125cc segment? I spent two weeks and 600 kilometers finding out.

Hero Classic 125 A Design That Turns Heads

Let’s be honest—most 125cc commuters are about as visually exciting as a ceiling fan. The Classic 125 breaks this mold with refreshing confidence.

Taking obvious inspiration from British motorcycles of the 1960s, Hero has created something that photographs poorly but looks genuinely striking in person.

The teardrop tank with rubber knee pads, the round headlamp with chrome nacelle, the peashooter exhaust, and the spoke wheels combine to create a cohesive retro package that drew admiring glances throughout my testing period.

Available in four colorways—Vintage Red, Brunswick Green, Chrome Black, and the gorgeous Metallic Ivory tested here—the Classic 125 offers enough variety to satisfy different tastes while maintaining its period-correct aesthetic. The paint quality deserves special mention, with a depth and finish typically found on more expensive machines.

“We weren’t interested in creating another ‘retro-inspired’ motorcycle with modern lines and a round headlamp,” explains Anand Sharma, Head of Design at Hero MotoCorp.

“The Classic 125 is intended to capture the essence of motorcycling’s golden age while incorporating just enough modern elements to make it practical for daily use.”

This approach is most evident in the lighting—while the headlamp maintains a vintage appearance, it houses an LED unit that provides significantly better illumination than the period-correct halogen lamp would have.

Similarly, the analog instrument cluster incorporates a small LCD screen that displays fuel level, trip meters, and service reminders without disrupting the classic aesthetic.

The switchgear feels substantial, with positive clicks that inspire confidence. The mirrors, while styled to match the vintage theme, provide adequately wide rearward visibility. My only complaint involves the horn button, which required more thumb pressure than ideal during emergency situations.

Heart and Soul: The Engine

Powering the Classic 125 is an air-cooled, single-cylinder 124.7cc engine producing 11.5 bhp at 7,500 rpm and 10.8 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm.

These numbers might seem modest compared to the Pulsar NS125’s 12 bhp or the TVS Raider’s 11.4 bhp, but raw performance figures tell only part of the story.

Hero’s engineers have tuned this motor for accessible torque rather than peak horsepower, with over 85% of maximum torque available from 3,000 rpm.

This translates to excellent rideability in urban conditions, allowing the Classic 125 to pull cleanly from low speeds in higher gears—a boon in stop-and-go traffic.

The five-speed gearbox offers precise shifts with a satisfying mechanical feel. Finding neutral takes little effort, though occasionally I encountered a false neutral between fourth and fifth gears when rushing upshifts—something that became less frequent as I adapted to the transmission’s character.

Vibrations are well-controlled up to about 70 km/h, beyond which some buzzing becomes apparent through the footpegs. By 85 km/h, these vibrations extend to the handlebars, and while not uncomfortable for my 30-minute highway commute, they might become tiresome on longer journeys.

The top speed of approximately 95 km/h proves adequate for brief highway stretches, though the bike feels most comfortable cruising between 55-75 km/h.

Fuel efficiency impressed throughout testing, with the Classic 125 consistently returning 58-62 kmpl in mixed riding conditions. Even during more spirited sessions that kept the engine spinning above 6,000 rpm, consumption rarely dropped below 52 kmpl. With its 13.5-liter fuel tank, a realistic range of 750-800 kilometers is achievable—perfect for those who dislike frequent refueling stops.

Cold starting proved drama-free even on chilly mornings, with the engine requiring minimal choke and settling into a stable idle within seconds.

The engine heat management deserves praise too—even in bumper-to-bumper traffic under Haryana’s punishing afternoon sun, the Classic 125 never became uncomfortably hot around the rider’s legs.

The Riding Experience

Swing a leg over the Classic 125, and you’re greeted by a surprisingly comfortable 785mm seat height that should accommodate riders of most statures.

The ergonomics strike an excellent balance between upright comfort and engaged control, with relatively neutral footpeg positioning and a gentle reach to the wide handlebars.

The bench seat, finished in dark brown leatherette with white contrast stitching, provides adequate support for one-hour rides, though longer journeys might reveal its limitations in padding density. Two-up riding is possible, but the pillion portion of the seat is fairly compact—best suited for shorter trips rather than extended tours.

At 139 kg wet, the Classic 125 feels substantially more planted than the typical 125cc commuter. This additional heft—roughly 10-15 kg more than class competitors—works in its favor once moving, contributing to impressive stability on both straight roads and sweeping curves.

The 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel combination, larger than the 17/17 or 17/16 setups common in this segment, further enhances this planted feeling while allowing the bike to glide over smaller road imperfections that might unsettle its shorter-wheeled rivals.

Suspension duties are handled by conventional telescopic forks up front and twin shock absorbers at the rear. Neither end offers adjustment beyond rear preload, but the damping rates have been well-chosen for Indian road conditions.

The setup absorbs potholes and speed breakers with composed confidence, though particularly sharp impacts can overwhelm the rather basic dampening capabilities of the front forks.

Cornering behavior reveals the Classic 125’s commuter DNA despite its retro styling. While perfectly capable on winding roads, it prefers a measured approach to corner entry and mid-corner corrections.

Push too hard, and the narrow tire profile (90/90-18 front, 110/80-17 rear) begins to feel vague, though the MRF Zappers provide adequate grip in dry conditions. In the wet, however, a more cautious approach is advisable as the tires reach their adhesion limits relatively early.

Braking performance comes courtesy of a 240mm front disc with a two-piston caliper and a 130mm rear drum setup. Single-channel ABS is standard, intervening smoothly when needed.

Stopping power is adequate rather than impressive—requiring a firm two-finger pull on the lever for rapid deceleration. The rear brake offers good feel and modulation, useful for stabilizing the chassis during aggressive downshifts.

Ownership Considerations

The Classic 125 enters a crowded segment dominated by established players like the Honda SP125, Bajaj Pulsar 125, and the TVS Raider. At ₹1.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), it commands a premium of approximately ₹8,000-12,000 over comparable 125cc offerings, positioning itself as a lifestyle choice rather than a pure value proposition.

Maintenance requirements align with Hero’s typical schedule, with service intervals set at every 3,000 kilometers or three months, whichever comes first.

The air filter requires cleaning every 6,000 kilometers and replacement at 12,000 kilometers, while the engine oil change interval is recommended at every 6,000 kilometers under normal conditions.

Hero claims a parts cost advantage of approximately 9-12% over Japanese competitors, which should partially offset the higher initial purchase price over the ownership period.

The warranty coverage of 5 years or 70,000 kilometers (whichever occurs first) exceeds industry standards in this segment, demonstrating Hero’s confidence in the Classic 125’s reliability.

During my testing period, the fit and finish largely impressed, with consistent panel gaps and no rattles developing despite some enthusiastic riding over rough terrain. The chrome components showed good quality, though long-term resistance to India’s monsoon conditions remains to be evaluated.

The only quality concern emerged with the fuel cap hinge, which began to show slight lateral play after repeated use. While not affecting functionality, it bears monitoring as a potential weak point in the otherwise solid build quality.

Real-World Rider Perspectives

Ravi Deshmukh, 43, a bank manager from Karnal who purchased the Classic 125 two months ago, shared his ownership experience: “I’ve owned six commuter motorcycles before this, mostly focused on practical concerns.

The Classic is my first bike purchased partially for emotional reasons. The mileage is excellent—I’m getting around 60 kilometers per liter in my daily commute. My colleagues keep asking about it, which never happened with my previous bikes.”

For younger riders, the Classic 125 offers a different appeal. Priya Sharma, 26, a graphic designer, explained her purchase decision: “I wanted something different from the typical sporty 125cc options.

The Classic has character without being intimidating for a relatively new rider like me. I’ve added some customizations—a small luggage rack and different grips—and it really feels like my bike now, not just another mass-produced commuter.”

This customization potential represents another strength of the Classic 125. Hero has launched a range of official accessories including alternative seats, luggage options, crash protection, and aesthetic enhancements. The aftermarket is also rapidly developing offerings, with several workshops in metropolitan areas already specializing in Classic 125 modifications.

Where It Shines—And Where It Doesn’t

The Hero Classic 125 excels as an urban commuter with style and character. Its torquey engine characteristics, comfortable ergonomics, and outstanding fuel efficiency make daily commuting a genuine pleasure rather than a mere transportation chore.

The retro styling attracts attention without screaming for it, and the overall package offers a refreshing alternative to both basic commuters and more aggressive sports-styled 125cc motorcycles.

Long-distance touring, however, reveals limitations. The vibrations that become noticeable above 75 km/h, combined with the seat’s comfort limitations and modest top speed, make extended highway journeys less appealing.

This isn’t a motorcycle designed for covering 300-kilometer days, and attempting to use it as such would be missing its intended purpose.

Similarly, those seeking maximum performance in the 125cc class would be better served by sportier alternatives. The Classic 125 prioritizes character and rideability over outright acceleration or top speed, making it less suitable for riders whose primary motivation is performance metrics.

Hero Classic 125 The Verdict: A Charming Alternative

The Hero Classic 125 successfully delivers exactly what it promises—a charming, characterful commuter that brings joy to everyday riding without sacrificing practicality.

Its pricing positions it as a premium option in the 125cc segment, but the distinctive styling, solid build quality, and exceptional warranty coverage help justify the additional expenditure.

For riders tired of commuting on visually forgettable or excessively sporty motorcycles, the Classic 125 offers a compelling middle path. It’s a motorcycle purchased as much with the heart as with the head—a rarity in a segment typically dominated by strictly rational considerations.

In creating the Classic 125, Hero hasn’t simply built another retro-styled motorcycle; they’ve delivered an authentic experience that captures the essence of motorcycling’s simpler times while incorporating just enough modern technology to make it relevant for today’s riders.

It’s a balance few manufacturers achieve successfully, and one that deserves recognition even if the Classic 125 isn’t destined to top the sales charts.

Sometimes, standing apart from the crowd is reward enough—a philosophy that both Hero and potential Classic 125 owners seem to understand perfectly.