At the age of 80 decided to buy a Honda Monkey a 2023 and now have 1,800 miles and it is so easy to ride. Have my motorcycle endorsement and registered until 2029. Guess you could call me an optimist.
brilliant test Chris ! bought one for the Mrs to learn to ride on but couldn't let it go when she passed her test .now the big bike is in hibernation for the winter it's the perfect machine for the welsh backroads in the winter ( or any time really ) you can't help but smile riding one ,so much fun . There's a small group of us that have regular spins out in mid Wales, so many people come and chat about the bikes . I've never seen so much interest in a bike it can add so much time to a trip out .One guy offered to buy mine on the spot !
I did 2000 mile trip on my grom through Norway in snow, rain and sun. No issues at all. Now I have a monkey which is super comfortable to ride and I want to do something similar. Maybe take it to the Mediterranean. Lovely bikes. I’d love a 200/250CC though. Since I tour on it I don’t like the idea of putting a tuning kit on it
Ridden mine to John O Groats and back in a day twice… I do live in Scotland. But it’s still a 10 hr round trip, super super comfy and they’re so much fun.
Have mine in the sitting room with Xmas lights as my tree, I run the northeast monkey owners group and started the UK group, had 12 mini bikes of various types, get way more attention than any other bike i have owned, currently an ornament as just bought a GS lol what a difference.😂
Grom wins the mini motorcycle award, in my opinion. Aftermarket is massive for this thing, even more than some sportsbikes. Compared to Kawasaki Z125Pro, it's a 5 speed instead of 4, which a 125cc engine sort of needs in this category.
I have one in my fleet, I have done 15,000 trouble free miles on it , If you have a GS and a V4R and a Guzzi and a Classic 70s triple this delivers something completely different . Its not fast. Its not 'practical' , its not cheap its not thrilling in the conventional sense but by god does this bike feel like a living thing , it just goes on and on . Any maintenance is completely doable by the silliest oaf . The thing is mega comfy and its incredibly well made. Its sort of the perfect bike for someone who will commute maybe 3 or 4 miles most every day on 30 - 40 mph roads. Troubles: They do munch 420 chains, youll maybe get 1800 miles out of one but 20 quid later for a DID and youre grand, VEERUBBER VRM133 tires suck in the wet, passable in dribbles but Ive had a spin in heavier downpours, Buzzy by nature, Rear shocks feel a bit too soft, 130 quid china shocks sorts this. Oil gets dirty fairly quickly due to a lack of a paper style filter and requires a new gasket or delicate hands to clean the spinner via removing r/h side cover . £20 odd quid for gaskets and oil (1.1L) Oh and the headlight sucks, I have an Aux light I made a custom bracket for which really does help.
There's a few of these and Dax on my commute in France and the wee Monkeys sometimes get to work before the TMaxs and me on my Triumph as they are so nippy
There great monkeys bought a new one in red after returning to biking after twenty years I’ve done a few mods termignoni decat exhaust changed both sprockets yss rear shocks it’s only 10 bhp but great fun 100 plus mpg had it up to 70 on dual carriage way not sure if it was true speed anyway just get one.
I do like the new monkey but you can't beat an old school 8 inch wheel one. I get why they had to get more grown up but if that made you smile the old will have you crying laughing!
Most electric assist bikes are over 3k and will be worth nothing after a few years, these wont depreciate after 2500 so its free motorcycling. Wooop wooop
That Discovery is in too many shots to not be associated; an esteemed organ such as Bike World would shurely not drive around with a number plate deliberately obscured by muck?
This bike looks interesting until you see the price, $4k brand new and $3k used from Japan. It’s mainly used for daily commute and it’s not really worth it when compared with modern scooter with all the comfort and features for daily commute. In my country this bike is slightly popular but if you want to sell, you must be shocked to see the price drop 📉
At the age of 80 decided to buy a Honda Monkey a 2023 and now have 1,800 miles and it is so easy to ride. Have my motorcycle endorsement and registered until 2029. Guess you could call me an optimist.
Pessimists, personally speaking, are those who miss loads of opportunities and watch the optimists with envy.
Go, optimist, go😊
brilliant test Chris ! bought one for the Mrs to learn to ride on but couldn't let it go when she passed her test .now the big bike is in hibernation for the winter it's the perfect machine for the welsh backroads in the winter ( or any time really ) you can't help but smile riding one ,so much fun . There's a small group of us that have regular spins out in mid Wales, so many people come and chat about the bikes . I've never seen so much interest in a bike it can add so much time to a trip out .One guy offered to buy mine on the spot !
I did 2000 mile trip on my grom through Norway in snow, rain and sun. No issues at all. Now I have a monkey which is super comfortable to ride and I want to do something similar. Maybe take it to the Mediterranean.
Lovely bikes. I’d love a 200/250CC though. Since I tour on it I don’t like the idea of putting a tuning kit on it
I think there's a stroker kit available for those. Bumps the displacement to 180cc or thereabouts.
Ridden mine to John O Groats and back in a day twice… I do live in Scotland. But it’s still a 10 hr round trip, super super comfy and they’re so much fun.
Have mine in the sitting room with Xmas lights as my tree, I run the northeast monkey owners group and started the UK group, had 12 mini bikes of various types, get way more attention than any other bike i have owned, currently an ornament as just bought a GS lol what a difference.😂
Can we get a follow up on the Grom? Comparison review
There’s some better than that coming soon!
@@BikeWorldTVshow Grom vs Monkey vs Dax? 😆
@@BikeWorldTVshowOooo! Your wife’s CG125 LDT bike? Please!
@@BikeWorldTVshow Definitely do a Dax at some point!
Grom wins the mini motorcycle award, in my opinion. Aftermarket is massive for this thing, even more than some sportsbikes. Compared to Kawasaki Z125Pro, it's a 5 speed instead of 4, which a 125cc engine sort of needs in this category.
First moto I ever rode was a Honda Z50. So much fun. Haven’t stopped since….
I saw one of these in the 90's for the first time and been dreaming of one ever since, even if its just a 50 cc, I dont care... I want one! xD
I have one in my fleet, I have done 15,000 trouble free miles on it , If you have a GS and a V4R and a Guzzi and a Classic 70s triple this delivers something completely different . Its not fast. Its not 'practical' , its not cheap its not thrilling in the conventional sense but by god does this bike feel like a living thing , it just goes on and on . Any maintenance is completely doable by the silliest oaf . The thing is mega comfy and its incredibly well made. Its sort of the perfect bike for someone who will commute maybe 3 or 4 miles most every day on 30 - 40 mph roads.
Troubles: They do munch 420 chains, youll maybe get 1800 miles out of one but 20 quid later for a DID and youre grand, VEERUBBER VRM133 tires suck in the wet, passable in dribbles but Ive had a spin in heavier downpours, Buzzy by nature, Rear shocks feel a bit too soft, 130 quid china shocks sorts this. Oil gets dirty fairly quickly due to a lack of a paper style filter and requires a new gasket or delicate hands to clean the spinner via removing r/h side cover . £20 odd quid for gaskets and oil (1.1L) Oh and the headlight sucks, I have an Aux light I made a custom bracket for which really does help.
Those 70s-80s hONDAS were so fun !
Exuberance comes through!
Whee!
I’ve got a Trail 125 here in the USA, but you’re correct - nothing tops a Monkey for reindeer games chicanery!
Get it ,tune it,143 _181cc kits 2v ,4v ,dohc ,/parts are very cheap from Asia ,quick 30hp,you learn alot building a grom
I have a red one, Honda quality, love it.
I see Chris. I see a monkey. The nothing that's going to stop me clicking straight away.
These shouldn't be 3000 used
Worth it
I agree. 2k that’s fine but 3k would get you more serious bikes not a toy. But I bet it’s tremendously fun! Is it worth the extra grand? Maybe…
Supply and demand, if people weren’t paying it they wouldn’t be.
It's a shame they don't do a low seat for people like me that are vertically challenged. I suppose I could wear Cuban heels!
@BIGGIEsmalls13 there only 100kg so easy to manage even if your short, plus you only need to get one foot down
I’ve got a variety of bikes and my Grom gets used a lot because it’s so fun but also so accessible.
see Chris, click video, be happy
Saw a few bits of Gower I've not seen in a while watching that !
Two requirements:
Install thumper exhaust system.
Install Denali Soundbomb air horn.
Chris I like your jacket- can you tell us what it is?
I wonder whether it is better to spend 3k on a Monkey or maybe slightly more on a KTM Freeride. These are pretty affordable as used bikes.
There's a few of these and Dax on my commute in France and the wee Monkeys sometimes get to work before the TMaxs and me on my Triumph as they are so nippy
I love minimotos! ❤
I see quite a few Groms around here in Oz.
Hi! I'm 6'4" and 220 lbs, so you think I fit on one of these? I'd love to have one!
Great bike.
My first mini bike I learned to ride on bulletproof.
Impossible to find a new or used monkey for less than $4k in the states :'(
2nd hand pricing on this is nuts in taiwan, its like what? 6000 USD+ ?
Are you guys getting a go on the Hornet sp this weekend ?
@@shadowred1980 Yep, Chad’s there for us, just is this time!
Honda Monkey just proper joy machine 😂😂😂
Chris make it project bike
There great monkeys bought a new one in red after returning to biking after twenty years I’ve done a few mods termignoni decat exhaust changed both sprockets yss rear shocks it’s only 10 bhp but great fun 100 plus mpg had it up to 70 on dual carriage way not sure if it was true speed anyway just get one.
Mine has 20,000 kms on it and I love riding it 😂
Looks like a mini Royal Enfield bear 650! LOL!!
I do like the new monkey but you can't beat an old school 8 inch wheel one. I get why they had to get more grown up but if that made you smile the old will have you crying laughing!
I rather like that. I’d have one definitely
Have you pulled the trigger Chris? 👍👍
Monkey vs Grom, vs TW200..
Most electric assist bikes are over 3k and will be worth nothing after a few years, these wont depreciate after 2500 so its free motorcycling. Wooop wooop
Monkey Vs grom please
That Discovery is in too many shots to not be associated; an esteemed organ such as Bike World would shurely not drive around with a number plate deliberately obscured by muck?
3 grand???. It's like 321000 INR in India which is more expensive than the Himalayan 450!!
prices are crazy these days!! 👎
You say "under four grand" as if it were good value. For four grand, you can almost buy a real 450 cc motorcycle...
This bike looks interesting until you see the price, $4k brand new and $3k used from Japan.
It’s mainly used for daily commute and it’s not really worth it when compared with modern scooter with all the comfort and features for daily commute.
In my country this bike is slightly popular but if you want to sell, you must be shocked to see the price drop 📉