5 Reasons to LOVE the Tiny Honda Monkey (in-depth review)

The Honda Monkey, Honda Grom, Honda Trail 125, Honda SuperCub 125, and Honda Navi are all part of the Honda MiniMoto family. The Monkey, with classic styling, offers a more quirky alternative to the others. Is it true you meet the nicest people on a Honda? Today we investigate 5 reasons to love the cute, tiny Honda Monkey 125. #honda #minimoto #hondamonkey #hondagrom #motorcycle

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⚡2024 Gear Guide Download:

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00:00 Intro
01:46 History/Models
02:37 Ergonomics
03:56 Specs
05:02 Features
08:04 1-Fuel Economy
11:22 2-Style
12:09 3-LightWeight
16:05 MiniMoto Models
17:26 4-Slow Is Fun
21:09 Top Speed?
23:01 5-Customization
24:37 Final Thoughts ---
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[BigRockMoto]

Do you think modern e-bikes have made small motorcycle like this obsolete? Sound off below.

🏍TODAY’S GEAR:

⚡2024 Gear Guide Download:

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[jonathanrosenesq]

Happy Fathers day to all u dads. This was the bike that started it all as a 12 year old in 1969. Mom was furious, how my Brother and I would be killed or worse. He slept on the couch for a few days after the purchase. As a WW 2 combat veteran he knew us boys would survive. He passed in 2022 and miss him daily but still ride and love bikes because of him. This review is priceless as he shows home much "FUN" a well made simple bike can be. It's a magic bike and stole my heart, thanks Dad in heaven.

[ohwell]

I am 80 and bought the Monkey in 2023 installed the T-Rex racing center stand, T-Rex windshield and rear shocks from Man in the box the $120 ones and they have made a huge difference to have adjustable shocks on the rear and a K-N oil cleanable air filter. Have no plans for further upgrades. Get between 114-138 MPG in the 45-50 MPH range. Just right for me as I have been ridding for 65 years on many big bikes 1000cc machines. But now this is just as much fun for me now.

[Jimo]

I bought a Grom last year, super fun but not practical. That being said the Honda mini motos will be running 50 years from now and almost all e-bikes will be in the trash or obsolete in 5 to 10 years, or even less in some cases.

[TheGraytOutdoors]

So glad to see you talking business on the Honda Monkey.. I have 2, that’s right 2. Both 2020s, one with ABS and one without.. No they’re not powerful, they won’t break any land speed records, and the rear suspension bottoms out easily BUT if you’re buying this bike expecting those particular things to be better, well, you’re buying it for the wrong reason.. however, all those things can be upgraded. It’s a two wheeled Time Machine that makes you feel like a kid sitting at the end of his driveway, looking both ways before he takes off down the street like a little rebel.
I haven’t changed anything more than the rear shocks on both mine and honestly, it’s all I feel is necessary to have a great time on this bike.. I would suggest a tire upgrade if you intend to go off road much with it.. the tires that it comes with are great on pavement but will washout badly on gravel, dirt, and sand.. I’ve set mine up for fishing and camping and it’s done both on many occasions (yes I have a YT channel as well😉) Also, I have heard that the older 4speeds can go faster and hold speed better than the newer 5speed.. I can run 55mph steady loaded down and have hit 70mph on the downhill, but with those 12” wheels, that can be a bit sketchy..
great episode my friend!!

[vailmcc]

In 1969 my parents bought me a Mini Trail, blue in color and it had lights.. I've had a dozen bikes since then, but I had more fun on that little bike than all those other bikes combined. As they say.. it's much more fun to go fast on a slow bike, than it is to go slow on a fast bike! Thanks for the review, Ian! It reminded me of a far better time..

[Atomtravels]

The Monkey is great. I actually drove one from Oslo, Norway, crossed the arctic circle to end the trip at the North Cape. About 2000 km (1250 miles) in six days. Great little charmer❤

[bdydrppup]

I bought my monkey in 2020 as a first step getting back into motorcycles from an 8 year absence. It is just the most fun you can have on a bike. Great campground bike, backroads, we cruised the Florida keys on it, rode the "going to the sun road" in Glacier national park. I put a rack and milk crate on the back and can haul firewood with it. I call it the smile bike. I smile the whole time riding it. I'm 6' 210lbs and look ridiculous on it. Everyone around me smiles watching me look silly on it. My wife has the trail 125 and it is also a hoot to ride. I've had 4 other bikes over the past 4 years, but the monkey remains a constant. Highly recommend.

[donblack]

I would buy the Honda Monkey all day over the e-bike.

[ridgetop]

Just for a few hundred dollars more you can make some very good upgrades to the monkey. I just put on a different handlebar to straighten out the hand position a little. Then I did the rear shocks for under $200. Huge change. And then the rear rack. The bike has been perfect since then. Also, every single person that tries riding it ends up laughing the whole time in loving it. It’s crazy how fun it is.

[kevinc]

Fun as heck, they are. I had a Grom and did several 500 mile trips up into Northern Quebec from my driveway in Vermont, all done on back roads. Had tons of fun, this bikes performance surprised me, FYI I am a smaller frame guy and not very heavy..

[MFCHRIS]

I've got my red Monkey 125, 4 speed, since 2019, it puts a smile on my face. I'll never sell it.

[wpkambiancesounds]

I have one as my first bike. So fun on the trails here in New Mexico. I was so scared of getting a bike but after riding this, i started loving them and understand why so many people ride.

[JEEPNICK]

I love my 2024 monkey. Always a smile on my face. I grew up riding my uncles mini trail. Had to have one for nostalgia.

[bagrever]

Thumbs up for the metric conversions. Really helpful.

[lenneavy]

My SO was interested in learning how to ride a bike but 125ccm I had back then was too tall. She tried bunch of bikes at Honda dealer and when we got to the Monkey, I knew we will have a banana yellow bike in our garage. Perfect bike for a total, especially smaller, beginner - you are always in control with the Monkey. Low power doesn't surprise, yet it still can deliver sufficient dynamic from the traffic lights start to city speed limits. On a highway you are pretty much stuck behind the first truck or campervan you will reach but it is typical for every 125 ccm bike.

Also fun fact, Monkey was used to beat the record of the longest distance driven without refueling - 4, 183.8 kilometers (2, 599.7 miles). It was of course heavily modified to pull this off, starting from ~110 l tank.

[mattb]

55 year ole kid here..and i got a blue and silver funky monkey 2020..couldn't get one back in the day but i have one now..i put.the rex engine guards on rex rack on the back with locking box and up graded front and rear suspension. And reduced front drive sprocket. What a blast to scoot around on .although i think my harley is pissed at me .

[TheJimCramer]

I believe the brightness may be adjusted by holding the set / select buttons for a couple of seconds, which brings up a menu. You can then scroll through the menu until you reach the brightness level. I have the CB500F, and it's most likely the same setup. Cheers!

[JeepsCafe]

I almost purchased a Monkey today. After watching your vid and all the fun your having, I just might go back for it.

[cantfixasandwich]

I been watching you for quite a while, 2 months ago I pulled the trigger on my first bike. I went in to look at some cfmotos that where sitting on the lot for a while, then I saw a used 2020 Honda monkey sitting in the corner. Went and checked it out. It had 2000 miles on it and ohlins suspension. I had to have it. Got it home, put a r Rex rear rack on it and a top box on it. I’ve been commuting on it ever since! Absolutely best choice I ever made. Things also a blast to rip through the wooda