This is the coolest damn thing. I would LOVE to have one of these, I wish it was available over here. Is there any hope?!?
Looks like Honda is bringing the MSX125 to the US after all! It is called the Grom. http://powersports.honda.com/2014/grom.aspx Specifications ENGINE <TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px" class="specs engine" summary=ENGINE><THEAD><TR><TH colSpan=2></TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR><TH scope=row>Engine Type</TH><TD>124.9cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR class=alternate><TH scope=row>Bore And Stroke</TH><TD>52.4mm x 57.9mm</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR><TH scope=row>Compression Ratio</TH><TD>9.3:1</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR class=alternate><TH scope=row>Induction</TH><TD>PGM-FI with automatic enrichment</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR><TH scope=row>Ignition</TH><TD>Electric</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR class=alternate><TH scope=row>Valve Train</TH><TD>SOHC; two valves per cylinder</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px" class="specs drive-train" summary="DRIVE TRAIN"><THEAD><TR><TH colSpan=2> DRIVE TRAIN </TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR><TH scope=row>Transmission</TH><TD>Four-speed</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR class=alternate><TH scope=row>Final Drive</TH><TD>Chain</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px" class="specs chassis-suspension-brakes" summary="CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES"><THEAD><TR><TH colSpan=2> CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES </TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR><TH scope=row>Front Suspension</TH><TD>31mm inverted fork; 3.9 inches travel</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR class=alternate><TH scope=row>Rear Suspension</TH><TD>Single shock with steel box-section swingarm; 4.1 inches travel</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR><TH scope=row>Front Brake</TH><TD>Single 220mm disc with hydraulic dual-piston caliper</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR class=alternate><TH scope=row>Rear Brake</TH><TD>Single 190mm disc with hydraulic single piston caliper</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR><TH scope=row>Front Tire</TH><TD>120/70-12</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR class=alternate><TH scope=row>Rear Tire</TH><TD>130/70-12</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px" class="specs dimensions" summary=DIMENSIONS><THEAD><TR><TH colSpan=2> DIMENSIONS </TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR><TH scope=row>Rake</TH><TD>25 deg.</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR class=alternate><TH scope=row>Trail</TH><TD>81mm (3.2 inches)</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR><TH scope=row>Wheelbase</TH><TD>47.4 inches</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR class=alternate><TH scope=row>Seat Height</TH><TD>29.7 inches</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR><TH scope=row>Fuel Capacity</TH><TD>1.45 gallons</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR class=alternate><TH scope=row>Curb Weight</TH><TD>225 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel?ready to ride)</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE style="MARGIN: 0px" class="specs other" summary=OTHER><THEAD><TR><TH colSpan=2> OTHER </TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR><TH scope=row>Model Id</TH><TD>Grom 125</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR class=alternate><TH scope=row>Emissions</TH><TD>Meets current EPA standards. Models sold in California meet current CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment.</TD><TD class=highlight></TD></TR><TR><TH scope=row>Available Colors</TH><TD>Metallic Black, Pearl Red</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Help the economy! Never heard about this before. What will you do with it? I'll be surprised if it sells unless someone comes out with a racing league for them.
They will sell a shit ton of these. I know lots of people who would love a scooter, but couldn't stand being seen on one. Sure, I'd rather a SM for zipping around town, but this is less than half the price of even a DRZ-400S!
Last thing I expected Honda to do. Doesn't seem to make any marketing sense. Of course I could be wrong. I was wrong about those side by side buggys, thinking who would want a gas powered golf cart with off road tires that wasn't even street legal, and cost as much as a decent used Jeep. I still don't get it, but they sure do sell. I see this thing as basically a kids bike, it's way to small for most adults. My Zuma 125 looks like it has a LOT more room. I think most kids old enough to have a motorcycle license would opt for a used Ninja 250. If this thing does sell, it will probably be to the "mod squad", like the Ruckus appeals to. It looks like it might be a good next step up from a bmx bike. But one thing is for sure, it is WAY to small for me. And that name..... This is the U.S. after all. They could have at least given it a cool sounding name if they want it to appeal to kids.
http://powersports.honda.com/2014/grom.aspx I t looks like the Grom is coming to the USA! If it will hit 60mph I may just have to trade the zuma 125 in. I sure would miss my cvt and under seat storage, but a wheelie would be a nice trade off
I can just see kids terrorizing the streets on these things, causing accidents and losing their just acquired licenses by the boatload. It will be almost like turning them loose on the street with mini motocrossers.
I can see this 50 y/o old doing the same thing. My zuma just doesn't wheelie or do stairs too well. Just wait until the aftermarket jumps on this. I hope the big bore kits are already being developed along with the fuel management, pipes, knobbies and skid plates. Oh and I am going to need a rear rack to replace my underseat storage.
1. This thing is gonna cause a lot of trouble with hooligans on the street. 2. This thing is gonna be a lot of fun! 3. I applaud Honda for trying something totally new. But, I will be surprised if they sell many. Of course, if something happens to oil prices, it will sell through the roof.
Exactly! There is another thread on this over in thumpers but I'm thinking this one will get more traffic. Here are the uses I could see it for. Urban Commuter-I'm thinking 50mph would be easy on it. Plenty for any city street. Park the dang thing anywhere, almost small enough to take into the office with you. Most companies let employees bring their bicycles inside. Learner bike-No real bodywork to damage, drop friendly, low seat height. FI so no worrying about a choke, electric start so no kicking. Vertically challenged trail bike-Put some of those Kenda 12" semi knobby tires and go for some mild dirt. Learn to wheelie-Ok I confess, I've been riding for 32 years and I still can't hold a wheelie at the balance point. Too chicken to damage my expensive sport bike plastics. Camping/road trip bike-Small enough that it looks like it would fit in the back of a minivan/hatchback. Take the family on a road trip, bring this along for some 2wheel fun for you. Kinda like stuffing those old CT70's in the trunk. Mini-Motard You sure as hell bet if enough of these pop up, someone is gonna start racing them For 3k I'm certainly gonna give it a hard look!
As far as oil prices, I don't see adults giving up their SUVs for something like this. It has a manual transmission, which most of them wouldn't have any idea what to do with. And it is not adult sized, at least as far as actual transportation goes. It is a playbike. If it develops an aftermarket, it could be the next big thing for builders and tuners, like the Ruckus is now. If not, it will probably be a flop. We already have the Madass 125, with a similar engine, and it never really became popular. But it wasn't a Honda either, though it uses a Honda designed engine.
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