Honda MSX125 (Grom)... should I?

[Andybow]

Cheers for the heads up, it’s definelty got to be a Grom or monkey as there’s so many bits for them.

[ATM]

Luke. said:

ATM said:

What about the new Malaguti Dragster?

Love this, but it's bloody pricey and a notta lotta dealer network.

Yeah but maybe when the shine has worn off prices will become more realistic. You cant blame them for trying it on.

[NAS]

I'm scouring the classifieds for an old Italjet Dragster here. They almost never come up. Rode one 20 years ago with the 180cc two-stroke. Almost ridiculously quick.

[ATM]

NAS said:

I'm scouring the classifieds for an old Italjet Dragster here. They almost never come up. Rode one 20 years ago with the 180cc two-stroke. Almost ridiculously quick.

Same engine as the original Gilerra Runner I believe. 2 stroke 180cc. The later Runner switched to 4 stroke I think.

[MC Bodge]

NAS said:

I'm scouring the classifieds for an old Italjet Dragster here. They almost never come up. Rode one 20 years ago with the 180cc two-stroke. Almost ridiculously quick.

Were there many about oriignally?

[NAS]

There were not that many sold to begin with, as they were very unpractical and expensive when new. Unfortunately

There are 3 for sale on the German sites, starting at around 4000€ and going up. The Gilera Runner 180 (around 20+ for sale) with the same engine costs around half here.

[ATM]

When the dragster was new their blurb claimed the front swing arm meant no diving under braking. I'm not sure how really other than the pivot being in line with the road rather than up high under the handlebars.

[MC Bodge]

ATM said:

When the dragster was new their blurb claimed the front swing arm meant no diving under braking. I'm not sure how really other than the pivot being in line with the road rather than up high under the handlebars.

The Honda C50 front fork didn't dive under braking.

[TimmyMallett]

I've been looking at Groms for a while now. Anyone know how they compare to a Benelli tnt? As in build quality and parts? They are a lot cheaper, almost...too cheap.


Subjectively they're a nicer looker, but I wouldn't want a minimoto with no spare parts in 5 years!

[stu67]

TimmyMallett said:

I've been looking at Groms for a while now. Anyone know how they compare to a Benelli tnt? As in build quality and parts? They are a lot cheaper, almost...too cheap.


Subjectively they're a nicer looker, but I wouldn't want a minimoto with no spare parts in 5 years!

And that's the thing, the Asian market alone for the MSX/ Monkey or indeed any bike with that range of Honda engine is just massive and it's really that market that drives all the add ons not the UK/Europe/US. I'm sure the Benelli is a nice thing, day one probably better than an MSX but really my head would be saying Honda. You are right the Grom's are cheap for what they are but be careful you can be into them another couple of grand to get them performing, stopping and riding how you may want them to. I've so far spent approaching another £1200 on suspension and exhaust for my Monkey, is that sane? of course not, I could have gone out and bought a KTM 390. But sinking money into bikes, cars or yachts is never very rational

[Krikkit]

TimmyMallett said:

I've been looking at Groms for a while now. Anyone know how they compare to a Benelli tnt? As in build quality and parts? They are a lot cheaper, almost...too cheap.


Subjectively they're a nicer looker, but I wouldn't want a minimoto with no spare parts in 5 years!

They're now owned by a Chinese giant, so I wouldn't be worried about medium-term spares problems. They've been steadily increasing the number of models on offer too which bodes well for the future.

Personally I like the Benelli for its mini-Monster looks, and it's not like the Grom is a flawless product either.

[airsafari87]

TimmyMallett said:

I've been looking at Groms for a while now. Anyone know how they compare to a Benelli tnt? As in build quality and parts? They are a lot cheaper, almost...too cheap.


Subjectively they're a nicer looker, but I wouldn't want a minimoto with no spare parts in 5 years!

I've had a Benelli TNT125 for a couple of years now.

For the money they are excellent little bikes. The OEM tyres are terrible but other than that there is nothing to complain about.

I rode mine all through the past 2 winters once I took my big bike off the road for winter. Gave it a good coating with ACF50 and other than a couple of nuts that have furred up the bike still looks brand new.

If I was to go out and buy another Grom type bike again I would still buy the Benelli over the Honda, purely from a cost perspective.

I haven't modded mine as such other than fitting Michellin City Grip tyres, cobbled together my own tail tidy and I fitted a decat pipe to it the other day.

[ben_h100]

Are these genuinely any good? I have held a full bike licence for 11 years, but for various reasons never got round to buying one.

These look like a cheap, economical option for a fair weather commute. Also easier to justify to the wife cost-wise and a good way for me to ‘get back into it’ before getting a bigger bike in a year or so.

For info I’m 5’11, 15 stone and have a 12 mile commute down rural A and B roads.

[airsafari87]

ben_h100 said:

Are these genuinely any good? I have held a full bike licence for 11 years, but for various reasons never got round to buying one.

These look like a cheap, economical option for a fair weather commute. Also easier to justify to the wife cost-wise and a good way for me to ‘get back into it’ before getting a bigger bike in a year or so.

For info I’m 5’11, 15 stone and have a 12 mile commute down rural A and B roads.

If you have a full licence then having one of these is a waste of time in my opinion.
Yes they are properly fun, yes they are cheap to run etc ... BUT when all is said and done they are still a gutless modern 125 four stroke with sh*t suspension.

I use mine to mess about on and to use as a short distance commuter, but I couldnt have it as my only bike, no chance!

[MC Bodge]

ben_h100 said:

Are these genuinely any good? I have held a full bike licence for 11 years, but for various reasons never got round to buying one.

These look like a cheap, economical option for a fair weather commute. Also easier to justify to the wife cost-wise and a good way for me to ‘get back into it’ before getting a bigger bike in a year or so.

For info I’m 5’11, 15 stone and have a 12 mile commute down rural A and B roads.

Get a 500cc+

[itcaptainslow]

ben_h100 said:

Are these genuinely any good? I have held a full bike licence for 11 years, but for various reasons never got round to buying one.

These look like a cheap, economical option for a fair weather commute. Also easier to justify to the wife cost-wise and a good way for me to ‘get back into it’ before getting a bigger bike in a year or so.

For info I’m 5’11, 15 stone and have a 12 mile commute down rural A and B roads.

They’re good fun but I’d never have one as an only bike unless I had just a CBT (where you know no different) and/or live in a city. They’re great up to 50mph but their limits are quickly hit on a NSL A road.

In short-a great second bike, a good “reset” from going quickly everywhere to get back to the joy of riding, but will become frustrating if you try and use it everyday to go everywhere, for every ride.

[chris4652009]

A great second bike for nipping to the shops and general dicking about on.

[WaspsNest]

Agreed. I had mine whilst I was learning, bought a Street Triple the week after passing my test last year but I’d never sell the Grom. Cheeky little bugger of a thing and so cheap to keep on the road and maintain.

Great craic to ride.

[Rene Souffle]

I’ve just bought another after missing my 2016 SF model so much.

2023 SP model (which means gold wheels rather than black).

Pick it up tomorrow, can’t wait

[rodericb]

NAS said:

I'm scouring the classifieds for an old Italjet Dragster here. They almost never come up. Rode one 20 years ago with the 180cc two-stroke. Almost ridiculously quick.

The shock absorber from the back of a Grom will fit on the front of a Dragster. I'll get around to buying an Ohlins shock absorber for a Grom (HO 424), to put on my Dragster soon....