Both the Honda Monkey and Honda Grom are made for the same purpose. But they have their own differences that make them stand out.
Which one is the best, Honda Monkey vs. Honda Grom? The Honda Grom slightly outperforms the Honda Monkey in performance and features. However, the Monkey stands out for its appearance and comfort. While both models possess similar functional expertise, they have their own unique features and designs to offer.
At the end, we will recommend the best value for money as well as analyze their overall features
Honda Grom
The Honda Grom, also known as the Honda MSX125, was first launched in 2013. The Honda Grom is a fun and easily maneuverable motorcycle. This vehicle has gained popularity due to its compact size and 125cc engine. Riders of all skill levels favor it because of its lightweight construction and adaptable style.
Whether you’re new to riding or an experienced rider, the Grom offers a distinctive and pleasurable riding experience. And this will be both practical and enjoyable.
Honda Monkey
The Honda Monkey is a model belonging to the Honda Z series of motorcycles. The Honda Monkey was first launched in 2019 as a small, compact motorcycle with a 125cc engine. It is a small, retro-styled motorcycle known for its compact design and playful nature.
Originally designed for use in amusement parks, it quickly became a popular model for public sale in Japan and beyond. With its distinctive style and lightweight design, the Monkey offers a unique and enjoyable riding experience.
Comparison Between the Honda Grom and the Honda Monkey
Here is a comparison table of the 2023 Honda Monkey vs Honda Grom.
| Feature | Honda Monkey | Honda Grom |
| Main features | Retro styling, compact size, playful nature, easy-to-ride | Known as Pocket bikes, customizable style, easy-to-ride |
| Engine | 123.9 single-cylinder four-stroke | 123.9cc single-cylinder four-stroke |
| Cooling System | Air cooled | Air cooled |
| Fuel capacity | 1.5 gallons | 1.59 liters gallons |
| Transmission | 5 speeds Manual | 5 speeds Manual |
| Power | 9 horsepower | 10 horsepower |
| Suspension | Inverted fork front, twin shock rear | Inverted fork front |
| Torque | 8.1 lb-ft | 8.1 lb-ft |
| weight | 231 lbs. | 227 lbs. |
| Color Options | Red, Blue, Yellow, Pearl Nebula Red, Pearl Glittering Blue | Red, Blue, Yellow, White, Matte Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red |
| Quick Shifter | Not available | Available as an aftermarket upgrade |
Now let’s discuss every aspect of both bikes by comparing them.
Design and Style
When it comes to appearance, the Honda Grom and Honda Monkey have distinctive styles that cater to different tastes. Riders who favor a contemporary appearance will appreciate the Grom’s sleek, modern design and sharp, sporty profile.
Its sleek and small design is enhanced by its flat seat and angular headlight.
The Monkey, on the other hand, has a retro design (classical or traditional) with a round headlight, a curved frame, and circular mirrors that give it a fun and nostalgic appearance.
Both bikes allow riders to customize their ride to their tastes by offering a variety of colors options and customization options.
Engine and Performance
- Transmission
The Honda Grom and Honda Monkey have the same transmission types. The Grom has a 5-speed manual transmission, requiring the rider to shift gears manually.
Similarly, the Monkey has a 5-speed manual transmission, allowing for more effortless shifting without needing a clutch lever.
- Engine
The Honda Grom has a modern 123.9cc four-stroke engine with an air cooling system. This cooling system regulates engine temperatures during operation.
Similarly, the Honda Monkey has the same 123.9cc four-stroke engine, and it also uses an air-cooling system to manage engine heat.
The manufacturer chose Air cooling as it is more efficient in dissipating heat from the engine than other available cooling systems
- Power, speed, and fuel efficiency
The Honda Grom and the Honda Monkey are similar in power, as they both feature a 123.9cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine. The Grom has a slightly higher horsepower of 10, while the Monkey has 9 horsepower with 8 lb-ft of torque. As a result, the Grom may be a bit faster than the Monkey.
The top speed of the Honda Grom is around 73 mph or 117 km/h, and it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 22 to 25 seconds. The Honda Monkey has a top speed of 56 mph or 91 km/h, but it can go even higher than that.
Grom is more fuel efficient than Monkey. The reason is the Grom is smaller and lighter, which means it can go further on a tank of fuel. Officially claimed that the Grom can reach 166.5 MPG. But I got around 100 to 105 MPG on average. On the other hand, though the Monkey is claimed to get around 156 MPG, it can’t reach more than 115 MPG on average.
Dimensions And Weight
The Honda Grom and Honda Monkey are small motorcycles with unique designs. They are smaller and lighter than regular bikes, which makes them ideal for urban commuting and casual riding.
Here’s a comparison of their dimensions and weight:
- Weight
The Honda Grom and the Honda Monkey are both lightweight motorcycles. The Grom weighs around 227 lbs (103 kg), and the Monkey weighs slightly more at approximately 231 lbs (105 kg). Despite the slight weight difference, both bikes are great for speeding. Lightweight motorcycles also have the benefit of being simple to control.
- Dimension
The Honda Grom measures 69.2 inches in length, 28.4 inches in width, and 40.0 inches in height, while the Honda Monkey measures 65.3 inches in length, 29.5 inches in width, and 42.5 inches in height.
Both bikes praise their compact size, which makes them easy to maneuver in tight spaces and navigate through traffic. Motorcycles with smaller dimensions often offer better fuel efficiency compared to larger bikes
Unique Features
Several features set the Honda Grom and Honda Monkey apart from each other. Also, making it easy to distinguish between the two bikes. Here are a few examples.
- Inverted Fork Suspension
The Honda Grom features an inverted hydraulic fork front suspension, which is similar to those found on high-performance sportbikes. This suspension system is designed to provide better control.
On the other hand, Honda Monkey is equipped with a dual-shock rear suspension system, which offers a little more damping force than a single-shock system.
- Brake
Honda monkey comes with front ABS(Anti-lock Braking System), and rear non-ABS hydraulic disc brakes. The front brake uses a single 220mm disc along with a 2-piston caliper. On the other hand, the rear brake of Monkey is powered by a 190mm single disc. But you won’t get ABS here.
So, you will get a decent braking performance from the Monkey, though dual-ABS would be a crunch.
When it’s Honda Grom braking, it has two options: dual-ABS and no ABS. The dual-ABS is powered by the same single 220mm front disc with a 2-piston caliper, and a single 190mm rear disc with a 1-piston caliper.
The non-ABS has the same disc properties, except for the ABS option. So, without any doubt, the ABS version of the Honda Grom is a clear winner among the three braking options of the two bikes.
- Foot Pegs
The foot pegs on the Honda Grom and Honda Monkey are positioned differently, resulting in different riding positions. The Grom’s higher-mounted foot pegs give riders a sportier, more aggressive stance.
On the other hand, Monkey’s lower foot pegs provide a more laid-back, relaxed riding position.
Off-road experience
The Honda Grom and Honda Monkey are made for riding on the road, but they can be used on some dirt roads with some changes.
The Monkey may work better because it has bigger tires and sits up higher. But both bikes are still best for street riding and might not be good on rough dirt roads. Make sure you’re ready and have the right gear if you want to go off-road.
Comfort
If you’re looking for a chill ride, the Honda Monkey is more comfortable than the Honda Grom. The monkeys got a comfortable, bigger seat, wide handlebars, and a more upright riding position.
So you can cruise in style. Both bikes are designed for city commutes and short trips, so don’t expect them to be all that comfy on long rides.
Price Range
The base Manufacturer’s Recommended Price (MRP) for Honda Grom and Honda Monkey may vary depending on the location and other factors
For a general idea,
- The Honda Monkey’s MSRP: $4,199
- Honda Grom MSRP: $3,399
Both bikes have a bunch of cool features like digital instrumentation, LED lighting, and disc brakes. But the Honda Grom has more color options and more stuff you can add later on to make it look even cooler. So, if you’re into customization, the Grom might be the way to go!
As you can see, regarding value for money, both bikes are relatively affordable and offer excellent value for their price. Though it’s a subjective matter, the Honda Grom is generally considered a better value for its price. The reasons are its more powerful engine, better fuel efficiency, and more significant aftermarket support.
Conclusion
Both the Honda Monkey vs. Honda Grom are small motorcycles that are specifically designed for urban riding. Although they share many similarities, the two models have several notable differences. These differences include engine size, styling, fuel tank capacity, suspension systems, and seat height variations.
The Honda Grom may be the better option if the rider values a more modern look, a larger fuel tank, and a slightly higher seat height. On the other hand, if the rider is drawn to a retro-style motorcycle with a lower seat height and traditional fork, and twin rear shocks, the Honda Monkey may be the better choice.
In conclusion, we recommend the Honda Grom as the optimal motorcycle choice, with only minor differences separating it from the other option.