New Honda Monkey - any thoughts?
Discussion
Hi all
I have a serious hankering for a Honda Monkey (the new one). I just like them (particularly in Banana Yellow) - I suspect it may for the same kind of reason that I really like a Fiat Panda of any vintage (similar sort of small, funky, utilitarian thing going on).
Anyway, I've read up on them - it'd be used for commuting and as a run-around, alongside my BMW F800R. I don't want to feel like I'm riding a clown bike - I'm 5'11" and not "heavy set" though, but test rides may be tricky to come by. I'm tempted just to buy and have it delivered, so any thoughts before I do that would be appreciated
Thanks!
I have a serious hankering for a Honda Monkey (the new one). I just like them (particularly in Banana Yellow) - I suspect it may for the same kind of reason that I really like a Fiat Panda of any vintage (similar sort of small, funky, utilitarian thing going on).
Anyway, I've read up on them - it'd be used for commuting and as a run-around, alongside my BMW F800R. I don't want to feel like I'm riding a clown bike - I'm 5'11" and not "heavy set" though, but test rides may be tricky to come by. I'm tempted just to buy and have it delivered, so any thoughts before I do that would be appreciated
Thanks!
I saw a group ride of Monkey Bikes a few weeks ago - seemed to attract a lot of attention and they seemed to be having fun, which is the whole point of owning a bike for pleasure.
Personally I'd have a Suzuki Van Van to scratch the simple, fun and a bit funky itch - but if this is your thing then why not ?
Personally I'd have a Suzuki Van Van to scratch the simple, fun and a bit funky itch - but if this is your thing then why not ?
They seem remarkably expensive, for what they are - twin shocks, tubular steel swingarm etc.
I had an MSX - The MSX has very much big bike ergonomics but essentially fitted with small wheels. Not sure if the same applies to the Monkey.
I prefer the MSX (though the syling ets worse, year on year) but the VanVan does look a whole lot more comfortable.
I had an MSX - The MSX has very much big bike ergonomics but essentially fitted with small wheels. Not sure if the same applies to the Monkey.
I prefer the MSX (though the syling ets worse, year on year) but the VanVan does look a whole lot more comfortable.
This popped up in my youtube recommendations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efpajlbY2lE
Want one even more since seeing that.
Want one even more since seeing that.
I also like the look of the modern Monkey bikes. I've never before owned a bike, or taken the CBT, but I haven't got the need for such transport really.
Having said that, in September when I was standing outside the office waiting for Deliveroo to deliver our lunch, there was a bike in the parking bay that caught my attention - I searched the reg on the MOT checker or another site, and it came back as being a Mutt mongrel 125. Nice looking bike! OK they're bigger, but about the same price.
Having said that, in September when I was standing outside the office waiting for Deliveroo to deliver our lunch, there was a bike in the parking bay that caught my attention - I searched the reg on the MOT checker or another site, and it came back as being a Mutt mongrel 125. Nice looking bike! OK they're bigger, but about the same price.
_Neal_ said:
Hi all
I have a serious hankering for a Honda Monkey (the new one). I just like them (particularly in Banana Yellow) - I suspect it may for the same kind of reason that I really like a Fiat Panda of any vintage (similar sort of small, funky, utilitarian thing going on).
Anyway, I've read up on them - it'd be used for commuting and as a run-around, alongside my BMW F800R. I don't want to feel like I'm riding a clown bike - I'm 5'11" and not "heavy set" though, but test rides may be tricky to come by. I'm tempted just to buy and have it delivered, so any thoughts before I do that would be appreciated
Thanks!
Sue Perkins is over 6 foot tall I think:I have a serious hankering for a Honda Monkey (the new one). I just like them (particularly in Banana Yellow) - I suspect it may for the same kind of reason that I really like a Fiat Panda of any vintage (similar sort of small, funky, utilitarian thing going on).
Anyway, I've read up on them - it'd be used for commuting and as a run-around, alongside my BMW F800R. I don't want to feel like I'm riding a clown bike - I'm 5'11" and not "heavy set" though, but test rides may be tricky to come by. I'm tempted just to buy and have it delivered, so any thoughts before I do that would be appreciated
Thanks!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIwfxSn9HwQ
I saw a Benelli TNT 125 a couple of weeks ago aren't they MSX/Grom alternatives for £2K?
_Neal_ said:
Anyway, I've read up on them - it'd be used for commuting and as a run-around, alongside my BMW F800R. I don't want to feel like I'm riding a clown bike - I'm 5'11" and not "heavy set" though, but test rides may be tricky to come by. I'm tempted just to buy and have it delivered, so any thoughts before I do that would be appreciated
How long before the novelty and 'fun' wears off?General running around and commuting sounds like Duke 390 sort of thing. Many Duke 390 buyers already have larger bikes.
Phone around a couple of KTM dealers and say you're considering a Monkey/Grom and wondering how much they'd do you a new Duke 390 for? They reduced them from £4599 to £3099 on their 2017 Black Friday sale, I don't know what their 2020 Black Friday deals will be like. I think they knocked the 790 Duke down to £6999 last year.
It may be bolted together like a Honda but I suspect a Honda may be an easier ownership experience from things working perfectly and needing replacement and trips back to the dealer perspective.
carinaman said:
I suspect a Honda may be an easier ownership experience from things working perfectly and needing replacement and trips back to the dealer perspective.
They are made in Thailand.Mine had to go back, fairly soon when it wouldn't start - one of the cutout switches.
The chain was also shagged after 4000 miles but the new axle, adjusters, chain and tyres were all pretty cheap.
I got £1500 px after 3 years and 5000 miles.
I resprayed the silencer which was rusting despite being stored indoors.
Another owner here, yellow Monkey with Yoshi exhaust.
Ok to put it in context I’ve got a few bikes as well as the Monkey a couple of modern bigger bikes and a couple of classics, I enjoy my bikes. I purchased the Monkey in February, I had gone into my local Honda dealer to look at the CB300 or CB500X for commuting, had a jump around on the Monkey and thought “I’ve got to have one of these”. It was ex -demo, they threw in the first service and I did a deal with the dealer that if I didn’t get on with it in the first couple of weeks I’d bring it back and exchange for one of the above.
Well a good few months on and it’s become my go to bike both for commuting and popping down the shops, it really is easy to live with. I do a 60 mile round commute into central London, have worked through “lockdown” and the only time I dragged one of the larger bikes back out for commuter duties was when there was no traffic at the height of the first lockdown. The Monkey now has approaching 5k miles on it and really is a fantastic urban bike, because of its wheel base it gets you through the traffic like nothing else. People love it and it’s difficult to get the arse against a fat bloke on a Monkey bike.
They do have their shortfalls. The quality of some of the components is rubbish, notably the suspension. Think it was designed for a 7 stone Thai. I’ve swapped mine out for a Racing Bros set up front and back and it transforms the bike.As another poster has said the chain is also made of chinesium. But bear in mind the bike was built down to a budget. I have not had any warranty issues.
There are a ton of tuning mods you can do to them and a huge knowledgeable community that have carried out these mods on the Grom / Monkey. Want to take the existing engine to 180cc no problem, swap out for a CB250/300 engine again not an issue except the expense if that’s what you are into.
Get one purchased you won’t regret it
Ok to put it in context I’ve got a few bikes as well as the Monkey a couple of modern bigger bikes and a couple of classics, I enjoy my bikes. I purchased the Monkey in February, I had gone into my local Honda dealer to look at the CB300 or CB500X for commuting, had a jump around on the Monkey and thought “I’ve got to have one of these”. It was ex -demo, they threw in the first service and I did a deal with the dealer that if I didn’t get on with it in the first couple of weeks I’d bring it back and exchange for one of the above.
Well a good few months on and it’s become my go to bike both for commuting and popping down the shops, it really is easy to live with. I do a 60 mile round commute into central London, have worked through “lockdown” and the only time I dragged one of the larger bikes back out for commuter duties was when there was no traffic at the height of the first lockdown. The Monkey now has approaching 5k miles on it and really is a fantastic urban bike, because of its wheel base it gets you through the traffic like nothing else. People love it and it’s difficult to get the arse against a fat bloke on a Monkey bike.
They do have their shortfalls. The quality of some of the components is rubbish, notably the suspension. Think it was designed for a 7 stone Thai. I’ve swapped mine out for a Racing Bros set up front and back and it transforms the bike.As another poster has said the chain is also made of chinesium. But bear in mind the bike was built down to a budget. I have not had any warranty issues.
There are a ton of tuning mods you can do to them and a huge knowledgeable community that have carried out these mods on the Grom / Monkey. Want to take the existing engine to 180cc no problem, swap out for a CB250/300 engine again not an issue except the expense if that’s what you are into.
Get one purchased you won’t regret it
stu67 said:
Another owner here, yellow Monkey with Yoshi exhaust.
Ok to put it in context I’ve got a few bikes as well as the Monkey a couple of modern bigger bikes and a couple of classics, I enjoy my bikes. I purchased the Monkey in February, I had gone into my local Honda dealer to look at the CB300 or CB500X for commuting, had a jump around on the Monkey and thought “I’ve got to have one of these”. It was ex -demo, they threw in the first service and I did a deal with the dealer that if I didn’t get on with it in the first couple of weeks I’d bring it back and exchange for one of the above.
Well a good few months on and it’s become my go to bike both for commuting and popping down the shops, it really is easy to live with. I do a 60 mile round commute into central London, have worked through “lockdown” and the only time I dragged one of the larger bikes back out for commuter duties was when there was no traffic at the height of the first lockdown. The Monkey now has approaching 5k miles on it and really is a fantastic urban bike, because of its wheel base it gets you through the traffic like nothing else. People love it and it’s difficult to get the arse against a fat bloke on a Monkey bike.
They do have their shortfalls. The quality of some of the components is rubbish, notably the suspension. Think it was designed for a 7 stone Thai. I’ve swapped mine out for a Racing Bros set up front and back and it transforms the bike.As another poster has said the chain is also made of chinesium. But bear in mind the bike was built down to a budget. I have not had any warranty issues.
There are a ton of tuning mods you can do to them and a huge knowledgeable community that have carried out these mods on the Grom / Monkey. Want to take the existing engine to 180cc no problem, swap out for a CB250/300 engine again not an issue except the expense if that’s what you are into.
Get one purchased you won’t regret it
Thanks Stu (and LuS1fer) - really useful stuff. Ok to put it in context I’ve got a few bikes as well as the Monkey a couple of modern bigger bikes and a couple of classics, I enjoy my bikes. I purchased the Monkey in February, I had gone into my local Honda dealer to look at the CB300 or CB500X for commuting, had a jump around on the Monkey and thought “I’ve got to have one of these”. It was ex -demo, they threw in the first service and I did a deal with the dealer that if I didn’t get on with it in the first couple of weeks I’d bring it back and exchange for one of the above.
Well a good few months on and it’s become my go to bike both for commuting and popping down the shops, it really is easy to live with. I do a 60 mile round commute into central London, have worked through “lockdown” and the only time I dragged one of the larger bikes back out for commuter duties was when there was no traffic at the height of the first lockdown. The Monkey now has approaching 5k miles on it and really is a fantastic urban bike, because of its wheel base it gets you through the traffic like nothing else. People love it and it’s difficult to get the arse against a fat bloke on a Monkey bike.
They do have their shortfalls. The quality of some of the components is rubbish, notably the suspension. Think it was designed for a 7 stone Thai. I’ve swapped mine out for a Racing Bros set up front and back and it transforms the bike.As another poster has said the chain is also made of chinesium. But bear in mind the bike was built down to a budget. I have not had any warranty issues.
There are a ton of tuning mods you can do to them and a huge knowledgeable community that have carried out these mods on the Grom / Monkey. Want to take the existing engine to 180cc no problem, swap out for a CB250/300 engine again not an issue except the expense if that’s what you are into.
Get one purchased you won’t regret it
Also as per the above looked at VanVans - not as desirable (IMO) despite having full-size wheels, and no cheaper (i.e. far older bikes for the same price as a one or two year-old Monkey).
Also @ carinaman - thanks for that, I do like the 390 Duke as well, but perhaps not suitably different enough from my other (orange) naked bike - hmmm, may need to make some calls.
Edited by _Neal_ on Thursday 19th November 10:21
_Neal_ said:
Also @ carinaman - thanks for that, I do like the 390 Duke as well, but perhaps not suitably different enough from my other (orange) naked bike - hmmm, may need to make some calls.
Thanks, seeing a Grom being ridden by a neighbour got me back into motorcycles after many years away and with hindsight I wish I'd got back on a motorcycle sooner. F800s are on my radar. TwigtheWonderkid said:
I like the look of the Benelli TNT Naked 125. No idea if they are any good, but they look like they'd be a real hoot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Smkun-wj3QThis illustrates that the MSX is good for taller riders.
Not sure what happened to the Kawasaki Z125 as I've never seen one on the road.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcqqjYmmd6U
Not sure what happened to the Kawasaki Z125 as I've never seen one on the road.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcqqjYmmd6U
_Neal_ said:
Thanks guys - not a fan of the looks of the Grom but a VanVan is a good shout too - hmmm.
Cost-wise I think they will hold their value decently (they seem to be anyway) so that's less of a concern.
Get a second hand one, yellow is the most expensive it seam, mine was £2750 and had only done 103 miles. They are great fun, 3 of us have them, Red, black and yellow, and we’ve got a tour planned next yearCost-wise I think they will hold their value decently (they seem to be anyway) so that's less of a concern.
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