Hero MotoCorp Leads February 2025 Sales – 125cc Motorcycle Market Breakdown & Insights

India's 125cc Motorcycle Market: February 2025 Performance Analysis

The Indian 125cc motorcycle segment witnessed modest growth in February 2025, with total domestic sales reaching 260,246 units, representing a marginal 0.57% year-on-year (YoY) increase from February 2024's 258,775 units. This slight uptick reflects the segment's resilience despite broader market challenges. However, month-on-month (MoM) figures reveal a more concerning trend, with sales declining by 9.17% compared to January 2025's 286,524 units.

Honda Maintains Dominance in 125cc Segment

Honda continued its stronghold in the 125cc motorcycle category, with the popular Shine and SP125 models collectively achieving 139,202 units in February 2025. This impressive performance represents a substantial 15.89% YoY growth from the 120,119 units recorded in February 2024.

Honda's sustained leadership in this competitive segment can be attributed to:

• Consistent reliability and fuel efficiency of the Shine and SP125 models
• Strong brand reputation among commuter motorcycle buyers
• Widespread service network across urban and rural markets

Despite this yearly growth, Honda experienced an 8.08% MoM decline from January 2025's 151,439 units, suggesting seasonal fluctuations in consumer demand.

Bajaj Pulsar 125 Series Faces Challenges

Securing the second position in the 125cc segment, Bajaj Auto's Pulsar 125 series (including the NS125) encountered significant headwinds. Sales dropped by 13.57% YoY, falling from 62,207 units in February 2024 to 53,768 units in February 2025.

This downward trend continued on a monthly basis as well, with MoM sales declining by 11.33% from January 2025's 60,640 units. The consistent decline raises questions about the Pulsar 125's market positioning and competitive pressure from newer models.

TVS Raider: YoY Decline Offset by MoM Growth

Once a rising star in the 125cc segment, the TVS Raider faced a steep 33.12% YoY decline, with sales dropping to 28,132 units from 42,063 units a year ago. However, a silver lining emerged in its month-on-month performance, with the Raider being one of the few models to register positive growth at 2.74% compared to January 2025's 27,382 units.

This contrasting trend suggests that TVS may be implementing new strategies to revitalize the Raider's market appeal after a challenging year.

Hero Xtreme 125R: The Standout Performer

The most remarkable story in the 125cc segment comes from Hero MotoCorp's Xtreme 125R, which demonstrated exceptional growth. With 16,178 units sold in February 2025, the model achieved a staggering 361.70% YoY increase from the modest 3,504 units recorded a year ago.

This extraordinary performance highlights the Xtreme 125R's growing popularity among young riders seeking performance-oriented 125cc motorcycles. However, the model experienced a 26.03% MoM decline from January's 21,870 units, suggesting some normalization after initial high demand.

Other 125cc Contenders: Mixed Performance

The remaining players in the 125cc segment showed varied results:

• Hero Splendor 125 maintained relative stability with 13,972 units, showing only a 5.44% YoY decrease and a minimal 1.02% MoM decline
• Hero Glamour struggled significantly with a 50.06% YoY drop to 7,942 units
• Bajaj Freedom, India's first CNG-powered motorcycle, recorded 1,027 units, establishing its presence in the alternative fuel segment
• KTM 125 continued its downward trajectory with just 25 units sold, marking an 87.62% YoY decline, though showing a 47.06% MoM improvement from January's 17 units

Hero MotoCorp's Overall Performance: Challenges and Bright Spots

Beyond the 125cc segment, Hero MotoCorp—India's largest two-wheeler manufacturer—faced considerable challenges in February 2025. The company reported total domestic sales of 356,615 units, representing a substantial 19.48% YoY decline from February 2024's 442,863 units.

Hero's Key Model Performance

• Hero Splendor remained the company's top-selling model with 207,763 units, despite experiencing a 25.25% YoY decline
• HF Deluxe recorded 70,581 units, representing a 7.30% YoY drop
• Hero Passion faced a sharp 50.17% decline with sales of 15,598 units
• Xpulse adventure motorcycle sales fell by 39.01% to 1,698 units
• Xoom scooter declined by 44.75% to 1,814 units
• Destini 125 dropped by 15.19% to 14,445 units
• Hero Pleasure was among the few positive performers with 41.32% growth, reaching 11,656 units
• Karizma 210 recorded zero sales, down from 2,128 units last year

Vida Electric Scooters: A Silver Lining

In contrast to the overall decline, Hero MotoCorp's electric division Vida delivered impressive results. The brand recorded a remarkable 339.31% YoY growth, with sales reaching 6,146 units in February 2025, up from 1,399 units in February 2024.

This exceptional performance underscores Hero's growing presence in the electric two-wheeler market and suggests a strategic shift toward future mobility solutions.

Strategic New Launches

To address the declining sales trend, Hero MotoCorp has introduced three new models aimed at revitalizing its market position:

1. Xoom 125: Targeting the premium scooter segment with sporty styling and performance
2. Xtreme 250R: Strengthening Hero's foothold in the premium motorcycle category
3. Xpulse 210: Enhancing its adventure motorcycle lineup with increased displacement

These strategic launches are expected to attract a broader customer base and improve Hero's competitive position in the coming months.

Market Outlook: 125cc Segment and Beyond

The February 2025 sales data reveals several key trends in India's motorcycle market:

1. Segmentation shifts: The 125cc segment continues to attract buyers upgrading from 100-110cc models, seeking better performance without significantly higher costs
2. Brand leadership consolidation: Honda's dominance in the 125cc segment is strengthening, while challenger brands face varied fortunes
3. Electric mobility growth: Hero's success with Vida highlights the growing consumer acceptance of electric two-wheelers
4. Premium segment expansion: New launches like the Xtreme 250R indicate manufacturers' push toward higher-margin products

As the Indian two-wheeler market continues to evolve, manufacturers must balance traditional strengths in the commuter segment with strategic investments in premium and electric offerings to maintain growth and profitability.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from February 2025 Sales

The 125cc motorcycle segment in India demonstrated resilience with marginal YoY growth in February 2025, even as most manufacturers experienced MoM declines. Honda's continued leadership, Hero Xtreme 125R's remarkable growth, and TVS Raider's MoM recovery highlight the dynamic nature of this competitive market.

Meanwhile, Hero MotoCorp's overall sales decline of 19.48% YoY raises concerns about the broader two-wheeler market, though the company's impressive performance in the electric segment offers a promising direction for future growth.

With strategic new launches and continued focus on both commuter and premium segments, manufacturers are positioning themselves to navigate the evolving landscape of India's motorcycle market in 2025 and beyond.