2024 Hero Glamour 125 vs Honda Shine 125: Specifications Compared

Which of these commuters would you pick for your daily commutes?

Both the Hero Glamour and Honda Shine 125 are commuter bikes. The Hero Glamour recently received a 2024 update, introducing a new colour option - a grey and black combination. Previously, the bike was available in three colours, including two shades of red and a blue combination. Additionally, Hero offers the Glamour Xtech, which has a slightly different design and features. On the other hand is the Honda Shine 125 which has consistently been Honda's top seller in the 125 cc segment and a regular in India's top 5 motorcycle sales charts. Both bikes are quintessential commuters, with minimal changes over the years. Here's a spec comparison between the two.

Engine 

The engine on the Hero Glamour 125 is slightly larger. While it's true that the power output is mildly higher than the Honda Shine 125, the peak torque is higher on the Shine 125. Both bikes are paired with a 5-speed gearbox. As a result, both have a very similar feel while riding, with only minimal differences.

Underpinnings

There is absolutely no difference in the underpinnings of both vehicles. They both come in two variants, which differ only in terms of the type of brakes used up front. The suspension setup is identical, featuring a telescopic fork up front and twin shock absorbers at the rear, with 5-step adjustability for preload. The tyres on both bikes are mounted on 18-inch alloy wheels and are tubeless, with an 80-section front tyre and a 100-section rear tyre. If you opt for drum brakes, you get 130 mm drum brakes on both the front and rear. For the disc option, you get a 240 mm disc with a combi-braking system (CBS) for enhanced safety on both bikes.

Dimensions 

Overall, the Hero Glamour 125 is a slightly larger bike in terms of length and width. Additionally, the seat height is 7 mm taller than the Honda Shine 125. This also increases the ground clearance, which rises by 18 mm on the Hero Glamour 125. The 0.5-litre difference in fuel capacity between the two bikes should not make a significant difference.

Features

The Honda Shine 125 has barely any features. Notably, it lacks a modern instrument cluster, instead offering a twin-pod analogue setup, whereas the Hero Glamour 125 boasts a digital instrument cluster. However, some argue that the analogue meter is more water-resistant, and commuter buyers may view this as an advantage rather than a drawback. In contrast, the Hero Glamour misses out on the integrated starter generator, a feature found on the Honda Shine 125. This technology eliminates the need for a mechanical starter, reducing the mechanical clatter heard during startup and making the Honda Shine 125 seem like a smoother vehicle. On the other hand, the Hero Glamour features Hero's i3S system, which automatically turns off the bike if it idles for more than 3 seconds. The bike restarts when you press the clutch to get moving again.

Price

In terms of pricing, the Hero Glamour 125 is ₹3,348 more expensive than the Honda Shine 125. However, this extra cost is not entirely justified when considering the digital instrument cluster as the primary distinguishing feature. A spec comparison reveals that there is little difference between these bikes, and for commuter buyers, they are essentially workhorses. Ultimately, the decision comes down to reliability, cost of parts, and the price difference. The competitive pricing of the Honda Shine 125 is a major factor contributing to its success over the Hero Glamour 125.