THIS MONKEY’S A L’IL MISCHIEVOUS MONSTER
A57-year-old should be matured and in control, but the Honda Monkey still retains its mischievous character.
Which is a relief since the new model carries over only the silhouette of the original Monkey. Everything else is new, new, new. That the character remains is a product of Honda’s thoroughness in designing the new Monkey, a staple in its wide range of bikes. Launched in Milan last year, the Monkey stole the limelight and much was expected of it, but does it deliver?
Well, it won’t swing from branches or climb a coconut tree, but it still dances to your tune and displays a few new tricks. One of them is swiping the engine from underneath the MSX125’s nose. The engine, a 125cc air-cooled SOHC four-stroke with 6.9 kW @ 7,000rpm and 11Nm of torque @ 5,250rpm, is fuelled by Honda’s PGM-FI system.
This means the Monkey lost one trick (kill switch bangs from the exhaust) but gains plenty of others. The almost maintenance-free system means smooth power and extremely good fuel economy. There are four speeds in the gearbox and the Monkey’s ratios are well chosen.
Unlike its predecessors, the Monkey keeps up with traffic and can cruise highways quite well. Allied to the 5.6-litre fuel tank, this means it theoretically can go for 350km to 375km before going dry. Good enough for long-distance
travel, provided you are patient (it tops out at around 115kph).
When you are dealing with a Monkey, it always pays to be patient.
It weighs 107kg. Yes, more than some cubs which may come as a surprise. How can something so small be that heavy?
Still, the weight helps when you are being pushed around by the backwash of heavy vehicles and in long sweeping corners. Despite its weight, the Monkey is still an agile bike, helped no doubt by its diminutive size and 12-inch doughnut wheels. The well-damped suspension, upside-down forks in front and twin-shock rear, control the Monkey’s (and your) tendency to go bananas in the turns quite well.
But those cool-looking cast aluminium wheels are a pain to wash.
During the wash you will notice that the Monkey’s fit and finish are a cut above its peers and, in my opinion, only the SuperCub 125 is as well finished as the Monkey.
The brakes hide another of the Monkey’s tricks. The rear brake is now a 190mm hydraulic disc but that’s not all; the 220mm front disc brake is controlled by an IMU-based ABS system. The system works unobtrusively and is an essential safety feature.
It is clear that Honda took great care in recreating the new to mimic the original. The exhaust is a deadringer for the old one, but is tucked in well and superbly insulated. The chrome is lavishly applied all over the bike and likewise, the paint looks thick and oozes quality.
From the cut of the seat to the retro-style tank badges, this Monkey wears a lounge suit and is no slacker. True to its character, the Monkey will attract all sorts of attention and it helps that the bike looks so good.
The Monkey is equipped with bright LED light front and rear with a DRL built-in the retro headlight bucket. Instrumentation is sparse but the LCD screen (in another chrome/retro casing) displays more than enough information to go by.
Pop your derriere on the seat and you will be surprised that the Monkey, despite its miniscule size, will accommodate full-size apes in comfort. In fact, I dare say the seat is one of the most comfortable saddles of all the bikes I have ridden. That sofa is also a solo affair (the Monkey doesn’t come with pillion accommodations) and means you can shift backwards to a new position if you need to. The handlebars and footrests are conveniently positioned and doesn’t require orang utan arms, and even chimps can reach the floor with that 776mm seat height. A gorilla might need more preload adjustment, though.
The Monkey will definitely wipe that scowl off the gorilla’s face after a short ride. The Monkey just eats up traffic and goes ape if you show it a few corners. Bystanders will also appreciate the l’il mischievous monster. If you’re looking for some monkey business, the Monkey retails for RM13,999.00 without road tax and insurance.
At that price, the Monkey seems like an expensive proposition but the truth of it is, the Monkey carries a proud legacy and carries it off with style and character. The icing on the cake is that it is such a useful and practical bike for daily use. And who can resist that cheeky face it makes on the LCD display when you switch on the ignition?