An In-Depth Look at the All-New 2019 Honda Monkey
History
Long before the Honda Grom took the Motorcycle industry by surprise in 2013, Honda had produced several small-displacement bikes, the Z-series of motorcycles were the building blocks of bikes like the Grom and now the new 2019 Monkey.
The original “Monkey” was designed as an attraction for Tama Tech, an amusement park in the suburbs of Tokyo. Designed to give children, and adults a safe two-wheel motoring experience and to promote the “joys of driving”, the Z100 used the same engine as Honda’s 50cc Super Cub engine. The term “Monkey” originates from how larger riders look on the bike.
The Honda Z50A
The success of the ride became so popular that Honda saw an opportunity to mass produce these as the CZ100 in Europe and Asia in 1963 and brought an off road version, the Z50A, to the U.S in 1968. Honda sold over 50,000 units in its first year. The Z50A featured 8-inch wheels and a folding handlebar with later models seeing an updated headlight and taillight and even dual rear shocks in 1972.
This ad from the 1970s shows an entire family having fun with the Mini trail 50 and 70.
A Modern Monkey
The all-new 2019 Monkey has many similarities to the Honda Grom but with a retro feel. It uses the same 125cc, single-overhead-cam, two-valve, fuel-injected, air-cooled engine with a four-speed transmission, as the Grom but has a different case covering to enhance its retro aesthetic. The Monkey comes in at an astounding 9 horsepower @ 7.000rpm and 8.1 lb/ft of torque @ 5,250rpm, plenty of power for all kind of “monkey business” and being the same engine as the Grom that means most if not all aftermarket mods and upgrades for the Grom work on the Monkey.
The 2019 Monkey comes in two colors: Banana Yellow or Pearl Nebula Red. The 2020 non-ABS model will be offered in Pearl Glittering Blue with Pearl Nebula Red in the ABS model.
Even though the look of the Monkey is straight out of the 1960s with its steel frame and chromed out parts, it has many modern features such as all-around disc brakes, LED lights, and an up to date LCD gauge and inverted forks. The ABS model even has an internal measurement unit that limits the rear wheel lift.
The Monkey’s LCD gauge features a speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge and two trip meters.
It even gives you a cute “Monkey” face when you turn it on that it even winks at you!!!
The glossy 5.6L fuel tank finished in the same paint color as the frame, swing arm and rear shocks crown the machine and proudly wears a historical 3D Old Wing logo design. Chromed steel high-level front and rear mudguards – plus the stamped exhaust shield, circular mirrors, and high-rise handlebars – all pay homage to the original Monkey.
The Monkey features dual rear shocks (non-adjustable) with 3.3 inches of travel. The best part is that they are color matched.
Built to Turn Heads
For riding around town the Monkey is a great choice, it’s quick, nimble and light (232 pounds wet). It also has a great fuel economy, the Monkey features a 1.5-gallon tank with an impressive 125mpg, allowing for a cost-effective ride around town or your daily commute, and the Monkey will certainly turn heads wherever you go.
The Monkey has no accommodations such as rear pegs for passengers, but that simply encourages you to buy your own. After all, the Monkey does come in at an affordable $3,999 MSRP (for non-ABS, and $4,199 with ABS), encouraging an entry-level price for an entry-level to the advanced level rider. The affordable platform just screams for you to customize this bike to make it your own.
Schedule an appointment today at Beaverton Motorcycles to check out the new Honda Monkey!