Honda SP 160 Pros And Cons Explained: A Must Read Before You Buy!

Honda SP 160 is one of the most popular bikes from the brand that gets you the perfect blend of aesthetics, performance, and mileage. Sitting above the Honda Shine and other models, has it got everything right, or has some things hindered its stake for the top spot? Find out here as I explain its Pros and Cons in detail. But before that, make sure to join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel, specifically curated for all the avid petrolheads with extensive coverage of the latest news and insights from the automotive space.

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PROS

1. Elegant Styling

The Honda SP 160 features a straightforward yet sporty design, exuding elegance and balance from all perspectives. Its broad 130-section rear tire adds to the impression of a larger bike. The single, wide seat provides ample space for both the rider and the passenger. The black engine components create a striking contrast with the bike's color options. However, the overall design remains quite neutral,, and although sporty, doesn't attract any special gaze on the roads.

2. Good Performance, Great Refinement

The SP 160's air-cooled, fuel-injected engine delivers exceptionally smooth performance compared to rivals. The engine responds progressively throughout the rev range, offering strong mid-range acceleration ideal for city traffic and overtaking slower vehicles. While highway passing maneuvers might require more planning due to a less potent top end, the engine remains remarkably cool even in congested urban conditions. Impressively, the low-end torque ensures confident performance, even with a passenger. Couple this up with the 50 kmpl ARAI certified mileage, in our tests, it returned around 40 km within city limits, inspiring confidence of 50 kmpl on highways.

3. 10-Year Warranty For The Peace Of Mind

Another thing that trumps it all is the confidence-inspiring 10-year warranty that the Honda SP 160 comes with. This presses on the fact that the brand has full confidence in the quality of components used and their reliability. On the flip side, since the machine is a machine, it might have a few niggles over time, and the customers can be sure of a hassle-free resolution for an extended period of time.

CONS

1. Lacks Features For The Price

The Honda SP 160 comes equipped with LED headlights and taillights, 17-inch alloy wheels, a fully digital instrument console, and petal disc brakes. However, competitors such as the Hero Xtreme 160R 4V provide additional features like Bluetooth connectivity, which the SP 160 lacks. When you are pricing the bike at Rs. 1.22 lakhs for the top-spec dual-disc variant, I expected a lot more on the features front.

2. Rich Price Tag

The Honda SP 160 comes at a price tag of Rs. 1.22 lakhs for the dual-disc top-spec trims, which in my opinion is a pretty steep ask for the segment and the overall package that it offers. Don't get me wrong, you get a solid performer with refined engine behavior, but even after all this, it feels a bit expensive for its price.

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3. Resemblance With Honda SP 125

Honda SP 125 price starts at Rs. 86,447 ex-showroom whereas the Honda SP 160 price starts at Rs. 1.18 lakhs ex-showroom. Even though the segments are different and the price is around 32,000, you get similar-looking motorcycles, which for the SP 160 owners, is a setback as the general sentiment demands something different when you are spending a big difference. However, you will notice some differences along the side profile, it takes a little effort to distinguish the two. While it may be a non-existent factor for some, I feel Honda could have offered something different to buyers spending more for their rides.