[woodsrat]

!

 

[woodsrat]

As they say the check's in the mail and they'll deliver it the next time a truck heads to Indy. So why did I buy it? Originally I wanted a CT-125 "Hunter Cub" assuming they come to the U. S. and then talked myself out of that and had decided to buy a Super Cub C-125--at least until the shop manual arrived. Those things are a two wheeled small bore Acura and underneath all that plastic is a very complicated and high tech motorcycle. The CT-125 is almost as complicated and covered with plastic as well.

I found myself repeatedly visiting the Monkey page on the Honda website and thinking to myself that these things were "real" without all the plastic. I love the painted gas tank and I'm really, really tired of plastic covered bikes.

I think I can deal with the F. I. I've been studying this system since I sold my '14 Grom and it's relatively simple. Maybe not carburetor simple but if backyard hacks are hot rodding these bikes with success I think I can deal with it.

Why does it appeal to me? Better get a shrink. I think I'm tired of buying motorcycles with a purpose and just wanted something that was just stupid fun. Once it's in my hands I can ride it, compare it to my fleet of modified step throughs and a '16 KYMCO K-Pipe and see if the Monkey is as much fun as folks say or if I've gotten sucked into a lot of hype.

One thing is for sure--the neighbors will think that the crazy old man (63) down the street has really lost it this time.

 

[woodsrat]

!

 

[woodsrat]

!

As they say the check's in the mail and they'll deliver it the next time a truck heads to Indy. So why did I buy it? Originally I wanted a CT-125 "Hunter Cub" assuming they come to the U. S. and then talked myself out of that and had decided to buy a Super Cub C-125--at least until the shop manual arrived. Those things are a two wheeled small bore Acura and underneath all that plastic is a very complicated and high tech motorcycle. The CT-125 is almost as complicated and covered with plastic as well.

I found myself repeatedly visiting the Monkey page on the Honda website and thinking to myself that these things were "real" without all the plastic. I love the painted gas tank and I'm really, really tired of plastic covered bikes.

I think I can deal with the F. I. I've been studying this system since I sold my '14 Grom and it's relatively simple. Maybe not carburetor simple but if backyard hacks are hot rodding these bikes with success I think I can deal with it.

Why does it appeal to me? Better get a shrink. I think I'm tired of buying motorcycles with a purpose and just wanted something that was just stupid fun. Once it's in my hands I can ride it, compare it to my fleet of modified step throughs and a '16 KYMCO K-Pipe and see if the Monkey is as much fun as folks say or if I've gotten sucked into a lot of hype.

One thing is for sure--the neighbors will think that the crazy old man (63) down the street has really lost it this time.

 

[woodsrat]

Well, after two weeks of ownership and riding it about I have no regrets. It fits me perfectly, is a hoot to ride and the fit and finish is outstanding. Thank you, Honda for listening to our requests for fun small bores!!!

 

[Olof]

För trying something different after 40 years on "proper" bikes. 600 miles so far and only gets better. Summer trip starts today, heading north in Sweden for a couple of weeks.

 

[Monkeymannnn]

Do you know how good it feels to be able to answer this question? Probably, because you’re here too. Used to own a Suzuki DR 350 back in the 90’s. Loved it but moved to the big city and that was that. Turn 50 this summer and was flipping through YouTube and a Monkey video popped up and game over. I can’t tell you exactly why all I can say is I’ve never moved on something as quickly as I did buying a monkey. I’ve been whizzing around town and on back roads for the past three weeks and I’m already watching videos on how to mod it up. And now I’m popping on forums trying to seek out like minded people.

 

[The Iron Sheik]

In looking at a lot of groms and one Monkey, I have noticed low mileage and people selling for bigger bikes. I know for certain that a significant number of people are buying mini bikes to learn on.
Regardless, my situation is this: ai am a new rider. I live in a suburban area. Speed limits range from 25-50. I would never think of taking it out on the highway. I have a car as primary transportation. I want a motorcycle ride for fun. There are some nice semi-rural roads nearby but you have to go through a lot of traffic initially to get to them. I’m trying to decide in a Monkey or a 250 or 300, like a TU250 or rebel 300. I live within an hour of the beach/shore. I think that would be an ideal place to ride a Monkey.
We do have some fairly steep roads in the immediate vicinity.
Never having ridden a small or big motorcycle, it’s difficult to think about what it would feel like in different types of traffic scenarios with a mini bike. I think part of it for me, is envisioning being at a red light , surrounded by cars and big trucks and being on a tiny motorcycle. It’s kind of irrational because the seat height isn’t really that low but are you any less visible on a small motorcycle?
What so you think about my situation? Monkey or standard size motorcycle?

I was in the same boat as you. I wanted a monkey since I had a Honda 50cc as a kid in the 1970's. But at the dealership, I just really liked the Grom instead so I bought the 2020 Grom. I haven't been on a bike for 30 years, but I still have my license. I love the Grom b/c I'm in control and it is lots of fun. I plan on upgrading to a full bike in a couple of years and will keep my Grom too.

 

[MonkeySee]

It appears lots of owners are in the over 40 yr age. I am 65 years old and bought mine because I remembered them as a kid and the retro look was done correctly. I used to own 6 of the Z-50s at the same time. Three of them were nice and the other three were kind of beat up. I have a red 2020 and when I saw them in the dealership for the first time I was hooked. They were hard to find locally and I finally found one over 100 miles away one way. I paid cash for it and never looked back. I only have a little over 100 miles on it because I bought it late last summer. I get a kick out of just looking at it in the garage. I love to drive it around the neighborhood and get lots of compliments on it. Unfortunately everyone wants to ride it and I tell some of them no because I have let other people ride my bikes only to wipe them out and not pay for the damage. These bikes are really worth the money IMO and are very well built. I love the fuel injection too. I have owned lots of bikes big and small and this one is the most fun and doesn't take up very much garage space and is very easy to move around. I like cruising at slower speeds and driving 60MPH on a highway doesn't really interest me that much. These bikes are just plain cool and that's why I bought mine.

 

[twist]

I'm going to take a contrarian view on a Monkey/Grom as a starter bike. Yeah, it's a very unintimidating choice because of its size. But for anyone that feels that they'd like to open up the amazing world of experiences on two wheels, there's just not enough capability and you're going to be way too limited on it. If all you want to do is run around within a few miles of home it might be the perfect choice. But eventually, you're going to want to take a day trip somewhere or even travel on two wheels. Can you do that on a Grom/Monkey? Maybe, depending on where you want to go. There are lots of great starter bikes out there that are perfectly capable of hitting the open road for a week long trip.

OK, so I know of a few cases where people used mini-moto bikes in an epic fashion. There's a Kiwi couple that did the entire Trans America Trail on Groms. And I'm sure someone will post up how they rode to Alaska and back from Florida on a Monkey. So sure, you could do it but for anyone with limited funds that wants to open up a bigger world of experiences a mid-size bike is going to be just as easy to learn how to ride; will be more noticeable to the drivers around you on the road; and also be capable of easily running 70 mph all day long on a backroad tour of the world while hauling your overnight kit.

I'm going to guess there are way more experienced motorcyclists owning these mini-moto bikes than first timers. The reasons for that are obvious to everyone.

 

[Marriedmonkeys]

My wife and I purchased two monkeys last fall. Never seen one in person. Watched a lot of videos. We were looking for small bikes for camping , fishing and hunting, but also something to run around back roads and town. But easy to load in the truck was also a concern. When I pulled up to the dealer to pick mine up I thought WHAT DID I DO!!! that thing is small... Well to make an even longer story short we have Two Monkey Children now and love them they are so much fun. And no we are not new to bikes we have been riding trail bikes for 45 + years.

 

[Stickmanptaz]

I’d been looking at the Grom for a while. Then, I saw the monkey and liked the retro look. However, I am a new rider and I’m wondering if I should spend 4500 on a Monkey or buy something a little bigger. There seems to be a lot of turnover with groms. I have just seen a monkey for sale with about a hundred miles on it. Do people primarily use these as training bikes, then move up? Why did you buy a Monkey and how/where do you use or intend to use it?
Is it your only motorcycle?

 

[Stickmanptaz]

The honda monkey 50 was my first bike back in 1978. Both my parents past away last year and I saw the blue honda monkey and it brought such great memories of my parents. So I got a 2020 blue honda monkey and it was one of the best decisions and fun I have ever made. I absolutely love it. I grew up on dirt bikes so this is my first bike for the street. I have no desire for the freeway. I have taken a 5 hour adventure ride up to Big Bear and had a blast on the trails. I commute to work on it. I enjoy riding on pch next to the ocean. Every where I go, I get smiles, thumbs ups, and have many conversations with folks interested in the Monkey. Plus you meet the nicest people on a Honda. I love my bike!

 

[twist]

My first bike was a Z50 basket case that I restored and rode when I was 14 years old. I mowed lawns all summer to make that happen.

 

[mikez]

I got the Monkey to hang on the back of my van when I go camping and fishing,it's the right size for me ,69years old,6ft,200lbs and I love the ride!Thanks Honda!

 

[Ghostrider.1127]

I have too much bikes , but something so cute and little was missing in my garages.

 

[twist]

I have too much bikes , but something so cute and little was missing in my garages.

No such thing as too many bikes - just not enough garage space or money.