Long time rider here. About 25-30K miles a year. Yes, my Ducati 748 has 93K miles and 3 x country trips.
My life has been riding:
Suzuki GSX-R 600/750,
Yamaha R1,
Honda 929 RR
Ducati 748 (current)
Ducati 1299 Panigale (current)
Triumph Scrambler (my old man bike)
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My wife got into bikes few years back, which was super cool. She rides the Triumph from time to time. However, she doesn't feel very confident about it. She has been wanting a smaller easier bike to ride. All my friends tell me about GROM/Monkey blah blah. I know nothing about it.
I have had enough Honda 50 CC and Vespa in SE asia earlier in life, that they didn't appeal to me.
Must be a age thing, but after spending 3 hours at a dealer today (I really wanted a CT125 Trail - but man that seating didn't work for me)... I really enjoyed the minibikes. Felt like I am missing out
Wife wants a Honda NAVI, and I would like to add a Honda Monkey. Used prices are same as new, which is odd. Dealer is of course happy to make deal on 2 bikes.
Wanted to check in here, if there are things we should look at, other models, that we missed? CA prices are high as usual. Checked on FB and Craigs, nothign much out there.
Thanks for the help
Pics for reference of what we are considering:
Also consider Kawasaki Z125, very similar to Grom but not as much aftermarket support. For more of a full size bike but with a small motor Honda XR150L. And, since a navy is basically a motorcycle shaped scooter (CVT drivetrain) maybe consider a mid sized 150ish cc scooter, ADV160, Zuma, etc. More fun that you'd think and insanely practical with under seat storage and good wind protection.
I have nothing useful to add other than I think the Honda NAVI and Honda Monkey both look really cool.
Speaking from a safety perspective (35 years as a motorcycle safety instructor), small(er) displacement bikes are the way to go, but I'd avoid the short wheelbase and short bikes like the monkey, Grom, etc. They are even harder to see than regular sized motorcycles. They are easily hidden behind...anything. Ger a taller but manageable motorcycle like a WR250. You want the motorcycle taller than the fenders of the cars around you. You want the headlight high enough that it easily seen in the rear view mirrors, and ideally through the front and rear windshields so oncoming cars see the motorcycle behind the approaching car(s).
I've owned a Grom since 2019, and absolutely love love love it. It's just fun.
Tom Suddard said:
I've owned a Grom since 2019, and absolutely love love love it. It's just fun.
How many miles, any issues?
As a lifelong streetbike rider, the Grom and that Kawi looks like its trying too hard to be a grown up street bike. I am not sure that is not fair, but that is what I am currently feeling towards them.
bremer310 said:
Also consider Kawasaki Z125, very similar to Grom but not as much aftermarket support. For more of a full size bike but with a small motor Honda XR150L. And, since a navy is basically a motorcycle shaped scooter (CVT drivetrain) maybe consider a mid sized 150ish cc scooter, ADV160, Zuma, etc. More fun that you'd think and insanely practical with under seat storage and good wind protection.
Dealer had a bunch of the kawi.
Wife is leaning towards a Navi for the auto shift.
I don't need another bike - but for some reason Monkey speaks to me.
I showed her the Super Cub scooter and she hated it :(
she doesn't like the "Scooter loook"
Enchanter said:
Speaking from a safety perspective (35 years as a motorcycle safety instructor), small(er) displacement bikes are the way to go, but I'd avoid the short wheelbase and short bikes like the monkey, Grom, etc. They are even harder to see than regular sized motorcycles. They are easily hidden behind...anything. Ger a taller but manageable motorcycle like a WR250. You want the motorcycle taller than the fenders of the cars around you. You want the headlight high enough that it easily seen in the rear view mirrors, and ideally through the front and rear windshields so oncoming cars see the motorcycle behind the approaching car(s).
compltely agree and understand, as a lifelong rider.
however a 37 inch seat height just isn't happening for her.
How about a Honda CB300 at 31in?
In reply to Enchanter :
Looked at that, and I think the weight has been an issue
deal done
bought these 2, traded my Triumph - $1200 put of pocket
nsxmr2elises2000 said:
Tom Suddard said:
I've owned a Grom since 2019, and absolutely love love love it. It's just fun.
How many miles, any issues?
As a lifelong streetbike rider, the Grom and that Kawi looks like its trying too hard to be a grown up street bike. I am not sure that is not fair, but that is what I am currently feeling towards them.
Absolutely zero issues, but only 2500 miles or so. Here's the thread I started when I was shopping:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/motorcycles-and-bicycles/should-i-buy-a-honda-grom-or-a-kawasaki-z125/151833/page1/
Congratulations on the purchase! You're gonna have a blast. 
I followed a guy through town on a two-stroke scooter yesterday. I was driving my new Cadillac electric supercar and thinking as I watched him that he was having more fun than anyone else on the road.
In reply to Tom Suddard :
Looks great!
Thanks looking forward to it. Bikes will be delivered this weekend, can't wait :)
Need to get a trailer hitch mount for the NSX
got honked on by a guy in white bmw
“is that a 50cc”
no. its a 125
“I had that exact bike in london 40 years ago. i loved that thing. cant believe they can squeeze in a 125 cc in it. love it”
rode 45 miles this morning
highest speed was 62 mph indicated
62 on a Monkey had to feel like 162. I can coax my 49cc Yamaha c3 up to about 40 and that feels fast, similar wheel size and wheelbase.
In reply to Sonic :
it didnt actually. Was surprised how well behaved it was
Of course nothing like triple digit smooth ess on a crotch rocket but wasnt as eventful as expected
Without a doubt, I'm just too big for one of the new Monkey bikes, but I'm kind of glad that the Dax wasn't available when I bought my Trail 125 last year, because it would have been hard to resist buying a blue one.
But I'm really happy with my Trail.
There are a lot of good parts for the 125s available from Thailand. You can run into some sketchy quality occasionally, but for the most part, the stuff that I've bought has been top notch and shipping has always been faster than expected.
Beezdeals has worked really well for me.
Shipping from Webike Japan is expensive, but their website has been great for seeing what's out there. I've found some good deals on great parts, but again... shipping. Check their used listings. I've bought brand new items that were used for display only, and for a fraction of the cost of new.
Sometimes, you need to do some Googling to find the right part numbers. There are many parts that crossover from bikes that aren't available over here, so it can take some time and effort to figure out what works.
Items that are labeled H2C seem to be Genuine Honda parts that are only sold Asia and Australia. But they come with Honda part numbers and have been absolutely top quality, at least in my experience.
Enjoy your Little Hondas
