Honda Monkey 125 2023 — Specifications

Who would have bet, back in 1961, that a mini toy designed to entertain visitors at a Honda amusement park would become a global icon six decades later? The Honda Monkey 125, 2023 vintage, carries on this tradition of mechanical joy with a recipe all its own. No other machine on the market draws as many reactions in a parking lot. Not the Kawasaki Z125 Pro, nor even the Grom with which it shares its engine block.

Let's talk about that 124.9 cc single-cylinder. Honda dipped into the Grom's organ bank to give the Monkey a more modern four-stroke, with undersquare bore and stroke dimensions (50 x 63.1 mm) that favor low-end torque. On paper, 9.4 horsepower at 6,750 rpm and 11 Nm at 5,500 rpm won't make anyone dream. But this little monkey isn't trying to play sportbike. It wants to shuttle you around town, cruise along the coast, and park outside the harbor café. And for that, this power is more than enough. The gearbox moves to five speeds, which changes the game on the open road: fifth gear takes the strain off the engine when you're flirting with the 90 km/h top speed. Add in a claimed fuel consumption of 1.5 liters per 100 km and the 5.6-liter tank theoretically takes you over 300 kilometers. For a machine this size, that's remarkable.

On the chassis side, the steel backbone frame stays true to the minimalist philosophy. The 31 mm inverted fork and twin progressive rear shocks frame 12-inch wheels fitted with 120/80 and 130/80 tires. The 1,156 mm wheelbase and 775 mm seat height put the rider in a compact, almost childlike position. Braking comes via two hydraulic discs, with optional ABS overseen by an IMU inertial measurement unit that manages rear wheel lift. On a machine weighing 104 kg wet, this technology might seem like overkill, but it reassures beginners holding an A1 license who are discovering the joys of two wheels. The 175 mm ground clearance allows for some fun on rough trails without scraping the footpegs.

The Honda Monkey 125 price, set at 4,349 euros, will make the pragmatists wince. It's expensive for a 125. More expensive than a Honda CB125R, which is more powerful and more versatile. But the Monkey isn't judged on a spec sheet. It's judged on the effect it produces, on the pure pleasure it delivers with every ride. The used Honda Monkey 125 market remains very active, proof that resale values hold strong. Honda Monkey 125 forums are packed with owners sharing their finds in Honda Monkey 125 accessories, from luggage racks to cosmetic tuning kits, turning their machines into one-of-a-kind pieces. The custom community around this bike is one of the most creative in the segment.

Should you take the plunge? If you're looking for a rational means of transport, move along. If you want a Honda Monkey 125 that turns every bread run into a micro-adventure, that attracts stares and questions, that squeezes through anywhere and parks everywhere, then yes. The Monkey is not a sensible motorcycle. That's precisely why it's so endearing. Honda has managed to modernize the recipe, whether in the 2022, 2021, or 2020 version, without ever betraying the original spirit. And that, in an increasingly cookie-cutter motorcycle world, is well worth a few extra euros. The Honda Monkey 125 verdict is unanimous among those who've tried it: you get on smiling, you get off the same way. Hard to ask more of 104 kilos of metal and good vibes. Even in a 2-up configuration, packed in like sardines, the fun remains intact.