Honda Monkey 125 MY2018: the evolution born from the amusement park [ROAD TEST VIDEO]
A myth which, perhaps not everyone knows, has written important pages in the history of two wheels and which is back in the limelight with a new generation, now also on sale in Italy at 4.090 euros
On the occasion of the presentation of the new Forza 300 and 125 (here you will find our articles on the 300 e here on 125), we had the opportunity to get on the saddle of a legend, a sort of minibike that saw the light in 1961 and thanks to which Honda is what we know today. The first, the original Honda Monkey, was a small motorbike to move around the TamaTech Luna Park in Japan, with small 5″ wheels and rigid suspensions. It was so popular that it became a series model, approved for normal circulation, just 2 years later. The folding saddle arrived in 1967, then the removable fork in 1970, a decade that marked its certainly unexpected success. Just think, many American motorcyclists preferred it to Harley-Davidson and this unconventional competition added to other reasons that led the brand towards its most difficult crisis. The Monkey goes through the decades and reaches the present day, not without an evolution which sees it gain electronic injection, for example, in 2009. In reality, today's Monkey keeps its style unchanged, but grows compared to the original model, both in size and displacement, becoming a more usable vehicle, which however brings its recognizable look to our cities and beyond.
In fact, the engine is no longer a fifty, but a 125 cc horizontal single-cylinder with 2 valves 9,4 CV and with a couple of 11 Nm. Thanks to the 4-speed gearbox and a weight of just 107 kg fun is guaranteed. Two disc brakes, 220 mm at the front and 190 at the rear, stop it with the gem of IMU control unit supporting the ABS, which thus guarantees the anti-lifting functionality of the rear wheel.
It grows in size and can be seen unequivocally if we place the original model alongside it, but the Monkey remains very compact, compared to current vehicles, with a length of 1.712 mm, it has a wheelbase of just 1.152, while the saddle is 776 mm from Earth. The little ones wheels from 12 inches they guarantee formidable agility, but at the same time the new Monkey has a stability never seen before and holds up well even at its maximum speed, close to 100 km/h.
Our test
Small but welcoming – We are talking about the Monkey 125, an icon of the past, which we had the pleasure of trying. Super easy to handle with well-shaped handlebars, footrests and controls in the right position, the Monkey is capable of satisfying even the most experienced motorcyclist, as well as the novice novice. The sensation is naturally different from that of a real motorbike, but a few kilometers are enough to realize how much fun the little Monkey 125 can really be. Very simple chassis, we are talking about a single-spar upper steel frame, capable of offering great fun in mixed riding and darting through traffic with ease. We tried it on the streets of Nice, where the sensation was that of riding almost a pitbike, reactive and fast in traffic, lightning-fast when changing direction. The saddle at 775 mm of ground allows anyone to touch the ground, even a 10 year old boy so to speak. The steering radius of 1,9 meters allows the small Monkey 125 to maneuver in traffic with extreme ease, thanks also to a weight contained in just 107 kg with a full tank of petrol. Dribbles the cars in the queue as if he were Cristiano Ronaldo.
The moderate power (as mentioned, 9,4 HP) certainly limits the performance and the thrill of speed, but not the pleasure of driving. The throttle response is in fact ready and snappy, also thanks to the decidedly reduced weight. The sound is excellent, enhanced by the classic noise of the small four-stroke single cylinder. The 4-speed gearbox is precise and the gears never stick. The gear spacing is successful, with the first 3 gears rather short and a fourth that we could define as rest. The fork absorbs the normal irregularities of the asphalt very well, while it sinks progressively during braking. The rear suspension (double shock absorber, wheel travel 104 mm) has a basically rigid calibration and performs its task sufficiently well, even on bumpy roads full of potholes, despite the small 10" wheels. Excellent braking, both front and rear, ready and modular, thanks to the ABS with IMU inertial platform. In short, driving it is fun, but also an experience linked to its history and the emotions that its appearance conveys, vitaminized in size, but faithful to that style with almost 60 years of history. Then there are tastefully modern details, such as the LED lights and the LCD instruments, while the only flaw, if you ask me, is that you can't carry a passenger. Please note that, in traffic, due to its small size, it requires greater attention, especially for motorists who are distracted while driving. In our opinion, fun in the saddle is always guaranteed. No stress also due to the need for little maintenance and, above all, for its record consumption, with a declared figure of 67 km on one liter of petrol!
Honda Monkey 125 is listed at 4.090 € and is available in two colours, yellow and red, in both cases with the lower part of the tank white.
Tester clothing:
Jacket: Alpinestars Wake Air
Pants: Alpinestars Crank Denim Pants
Gloves: Alpinestars Atom
Shoes: Alpinestars Stadium
Helmet: LS2 Twister
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