It also has a removable oil filter, new on this model. Think of this mini bike like a go-kart with only two wheels: a simple steel tube frame, no suspension, and a disc brake on the rear wheel only. The Monkey is outfitted with the same 125cc engine as the Grom, so that means it has the same power and top speed, but Honda installed a dual-shock rear suspension for a little more damping force. (The Grom is about 230 pounds.). HONDA MOTORCYCLES (17-20) GROM 125 (22+) GROM 125 . Five-speed transmission Light weight Small but mighty There's a lot of performance packed into the Monkey's 124 cc four-stroke engine, and because it's a Honda, you know it's going to be super reliable. If the vast majority of your riding is around town or messing about in the countryside, then one of these is perfect, especially given the relative price compared to normal bikes. If youre in a dense city where youll have to take tight corners at higher speeds, the Grom is still worth considering. Look at the architecture of the 124cc single-cylinder engine (9.7bhp and 7.7 pound-feet of torque) and the lineage right back to the first Super Cub is instantly recognizable which is great because, if they havent got that engine bulletproof by now, then I dont know what Honda has been up to. The Honda Monkey has a 1.5-gallon fuel tank, which means that it costs only a few dollars to fill up. 125 cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine, lightweight and easy to handle for beginners, 4-speed manual transmission, also easier for beginners, Inverted front suspension with 3.9 inches of travel, Rear mono-shock suspension with 4.1 inches of travel, 49 cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, only requiring a drivers license in most states, Light and manageable 194 pounds (It weighs less than I do! Do I need a motorcycle license for a Grom? Check those posts out. Also, in 12 years of ownership (14,700+ miles), I'm averaging 100mpg, not 114 with my Ruckus. By looking at it, you can see its somewhere in between a scooter and a sports bike, making it a good starter option for both commuters and enthusiasts, as well as just an all-around fun bike to have in the garage. This may not be a big concern for some riders. Plus, it's just a lot of fun to drive. Harry has written for all major publications in South Africa, both print and digital and produced and presented his own TV show called, imaginatively, The Bike Show, for seven years. The Grom is a small and lightweight bike thats easy to maneuver and, if you squint your eyes, it looks like a shrunken sportbike. Either one you choose will likely give you a big smile as you ride it, even if you are only riding at residential speeds. Nickname. Then the Navi plays its trump card: Its scooter architecture means theres a sweet little lockable cubby where the engine ought to be. 2. If youre not into the sportbike aesthetics that the Honda Grom has and prefer something more sedate, then the Monkey could be a better choice for you. Press J to jump to the feed. Plus, with a 45-inch wheelbase, you know its easy to ride around in tight situations. It would be better suited for this journey in every way. My Merch - http://Motonosity.com/shopIn my quest to race every Grom that I can, I took the 171cc GY6 Honda Ruckus out for some fun with Aaron from Central Texas Powersports and his modded Grom. According to Revzilla, the Honda Monkey can be summed up in a few words, A Grom with retro clothes. And theyre not wrong. Anyone know what one will be more reliable? The Honda Monkey also made its North American debut at that corporate office itself only a few miles from the beach. 2023 Simply Motorcycle. Everything weve said about the Super Cub, Trail 125, the Grom, and the Dax 125 applies here as this is Honda badge engineering at its best. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. I'm more concerned with rough roads, mountains and elevation South of the USA border. I've heard of lots of people doing long touring rides on a super cub, which is essentially a grom/monkey. The Ruckus is less expensive than the Grom, but only marginally. Good point. I don't plan on going on the highways.. even with a big bike I would avoid the USA highways.. Have we left anything obvious out? And according to Go Rollick, although the Grom is small, its fun to ride even though it is pretty slow. The bike has a price tag of $2,899, so it's a little more pricey than the Metropolitan, but not expensive by any means. I'm seriously thinking of doing the lower 48 states, up to Alaska and then down through all the countries on the way to Argentina? Riding the Honda Grom compared with the Monkey is a bit more challenging. Plenty of ways to do it, it seems.. Style vs utility. This includes larger tires with deeper treads and a lightweight skeletal frame. The majority of them are designed to be practical transport for anyone, being light, nimble, cheap to run, and, as the name suggests, small. Sixty years later, it retains its classic look but comes with modern features like anti-lock brakes and front suspension. For offroad pounding, the handlebar could be a bit wider, but thats not really what were here for. The Honda Monkey is a relative newcomer to the brands mini-moto lineup as it made its debut in 2019. Front end nearly done, waiting on wheels. Honda rebel 500, any advice, pros and cons? Both the Honda Monkey and Honda Grom are great choices for those new to motorcycling. The MSRP for the 2021 Honda Monkey currently sits at $3,999 (plus a $200 destination charge). Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Im completely off course here but since you have considered models outside the two originally mentioned I would really look into a klr 650 for this trip. 25 mph is the top speed, which is plenty for junior, although tuning experts would no doubt be able to get much more out of it. From where I sat yesterday, cruising all over town on it, it deserves to do well. Who do you think will win this race! This will cause you to pull your weight forward, making long-distance riding a little uncomfortable. After working my fingers to the bone these 30-some years, I personally feel like Ive earned the luxurious comfort and prestige that comes with Honda PCX ownership. The biggest downside is the lack of a fuel gauge, so beginners have to learn the range of their bike quickly, so they dont strand themselves when the fuel light comes on. The Honda Monkey has thrived in California and there is little indication of a rebellion against its peculiar charms. Having said that, the right-hand front and right-foot rear slow the 236-pound scoot pretty dang effectively anyway. wheelbase is 5.6 in. The first Honda Grom hit the market in 2014 and was later upgraded in 2017. It was just so appealing without being sickly sweet or a blunt result of some marketing geniuss global vision. START MONKEYING AROUND Here's a lesson in primate evolution: Back in the caveman days (the 1960s) the first Honda Monkey showed the world how much fun Homo Sapiens could have on a motorcycle. Suspension is not cutting edge, but the inverted fork (26.8 mm tubes) does cushion the ride with 3.5 inches travel, and the trick single-sided swingarm/engine monoshock out back gives 2.76 inches of wheel travel. Also, in 12 years of ownership (14,700+ miles), I'm averaging 100mpg, not 114 with my Ruckus. The higher speed also comes with better acceleration. Disc brakes front and rear match the performance perfectly and, unlike the other models in the Honda pocket bike range, you might want to avoid the Monkey if you are tall. Fine because it is about to become the cheapest motorcycle-like scooter in Canada at an almost jaw-droopingly cheap $2299. This little bike has a rugged tubular frame and tough good looks. One, this is superb for meeting emission requirements. You're reviewing: OEM Honda Vee Rubber Tire. Get the latest motorcycle news first by subscribing to our newsletter here. 50mph on a 50cc scooter is possible, but not without alot of tweaking. Maybe it has something to do with taking you back to being a kid? The Ruckus motor is half the displacement of the Navi! The display dash on the Monkey welcomes riders with a double wink and has the same functionality as the Grom; however, the Monkeys dash is not equipped with a tachometer. On the dyno the Trail doles out 7.9 hp at 5,710 rpm and 7.4 pound-feet at 4,650 rpm. The Honda Monkey is obviously the premium offering in the "MiniMoto". The 2021 Honda Monkey is powered by a small 125cc engine that produces around 9 hp and 8.1 lb-ft of torque. If youre in the market for a small bike, youve probably seen and heard a lot about the Honda Grom and the Honda Ruckus. Plus, if you had a bit too much to eat this holiday season, you may already be pushing the Ruckuss weight limit yourself, never mind a second rider. But now with three choices for machines that are or look like motorcycles, which is going to rise to the top? For mini-motorcycle enthusiasts, deciding between the Honda Monkey and Honda Grom can be tricky. The engine size on it is the same, however, the 2022 model does have a slightly higher compression ratio, which could mean a little more power. Just dont forget to check your state laws, as some states will require a motorcycle license even for <50 cc if you carry a passenger. Super easy to ride with its clutchless four-speed gearbox handling the 9.5bhp from the 124cc engine. You have been successfully subscribed to Honda Powersports email updates, 2023 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Powersports Division, We use cookies to improve your experience on this site and show you personalized advertising. Otherwise, the suspension specs are the same as the Groms; 3.9 inches of travel in the front and 4.1 in the rear. With the addition of a five-speed gearbox, standard ABS, and spikier acceleration, Honda gave the 2022 Monkey what riders wanta bike with more kick and one thats built to go faster. But having more speed will definitely be a lot better than needing it. Kenda K761 Dual Purpose Tire. Neither the Grom nor the Ruckus is ideal for carrying a passenger, and neither will be especially comfortable for two people over long periods. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App. This is thanks to an upgraded rear sprocket with 38 teeth improved from the previous 34. I just cant choose between the Grom and the Ruckus when it comes to style. The reliable powertrain of this scooter is also very fuel-efficient and its fuel economy is claimed to be around 114 miles per gallon by Honda. I'm not a fan of the looks of the Grom personally .. but love the Ruckus so that's playing with my mind as well. Either would make a good choice for in-town transportation, and both are highly versatile. Can Motorcycles Use the HOV\Carpool Lane? . From my limited research it very well could be.. so far.. haven't found anyone who's done a long distance trip outside of the USA. Related Products. Ruckus then. Our luxurious 50.6-in. Now it's getting even better, because for 2022 the Honda Monkey gets a new engine (the same as our newest . The more speed,the more roads you can use. 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