Mini motos, or mini motorcycles, are simple, innocent, and designed to get the basics of motorcycling right. No flashy designs, top-notch technologies, or monstrous engines-just pure riding pleasure. These motorcycles cannot give you the thrill of sporty highway riding or exhilarating track performance, but if you need an easy-to-use, low-cost machine with superb fuel economy for a regular office commute, then mini motos are the saviors. This might not sound like too big a deal to many of you, yet there’s an entire market niche around them.
This is why Honda has constantly backed these mini motos. Honda’s dedication to mini motos is unparalleled. This Japanese giant has been manufacturing mini motos for over sixty years now. So in a way, it can be said that mini motos’ history is as old as Honda itself. It has largely maintained the classic look of its mini motos with only necessary modern amenities and today, we’re talking about each one of these available in ‘Murica. Currently, there are five models in the lineup, a figure higher than the total number of models on offer by its closest competitors (Benelli, CFMoto, and Kawasaki).
5 Navi
Power: 7.8 Horsepower
Navi is the most recent addition to the mini moto lineup, and it’s really a dirt-cheap option for urban riding. Available in four cool color options, the Navi is a brilliant hybrid of bikes and scooters. To start with, it’s an environmentally friendly two-wheeler with an impressive modern motorcycle-like design. There’s Honda’s ECO technology, which takes care of emissions while boosting fuel economy to an insane 110 miles per gallon. So you’ll be able to cover a week’s commute with ease.
Engine Specification
(Sourced from Honda)
Its similarities with scooters are also evident. It has a CVT transmission, which means you just need to twist the throttle to accelerate; there is no clutch or gear-shifting pedal. Just how scooters work. The Navi comes with a lockable storage space, too, but unlike scooters, it is located below the fuel tank. This allows the Navi to have a narrower body than a scooter, which means it is easier to handle. Unlike other Honda mini motos, the Navi is powered by a 109cc engine.
Pricing and Variants
4 Trail 125
Power: 9 Horsepower
The Honda Trail 125 is a modern take on the classic CT series motorcycles. It features a timeless design with modern amenities like fuel injection, an electric starter, disc brakes, and ABS. The 124cc air-cooled engine is efficient, quiet, and easy on the fuel intake. It produces usable power throughout the rev range and offers impressive fuel economy. While this may seem similar to other mini motos, there are inherent changes that make it a worthy ride on trails.
Engine Specification
(Sourced from Honda)
The Trail’s engine is calibrated with a longer intake than strictly road-going motos and a tuned exhaust for increased low and mid-range power. The rear sprocket also has three extra teeth for lower gearing. All these changes make the Trail 125 worthy of its name, which is traversing challenging terrain. Significant differences are also present in the chassis and suspension setup. It has an adventure-ready backbone chassis made of reinforced steel, and longer suspension travel than its siblings to allow more ground clearance. The wheelbase is also larger than the Super Cub or Grom to make it more stable and balanced on unpaved roads. The Trail 125 is perfect for your solo camping trip because there is a flat cargo carrier at the rear to take along camping equipment.
Pricing and Variants
3 Monkey ABS
9.2 Horsepower
The fun fact about this bike is that the ‘Monkey’ name doesn’t actually refer to the motorcycle, but rather its riders. This story began around six decades ago when Honda placed some Z100 (the earliest ancestor of the modern Monkey) at Tama Tech Park, Tokyo. When fully grown adults rode a Z100 at the park, it bore a funny resemblance to a monkey riding a tiny motorcycle. It was a pretty common performance at circuses at that time. This is how the ‘Monkey’ name came and became popular. Fast forward 60 years, the Monkey has evolved in many ways but still carries the retro-inspired look of the original 49cc Monkey bikes.
Engine Specification
(Sourced from Honda)
The current Monkey shares the same 124cc engine and five-speed transmission with the Grom. It also has the same hydraulic braking system. But there are several other features that make this bike distinct. On the styling part, a retro-inspired round LED headlamp and round-dial instrument cluster accentuates its ’60s origin. Then, there are differences in handling; the Monkey has twin rear shocks and ten percent thicker tire walls. This makes the Monkey better at handling bumps on urban roads. Changeable skins are not there, but Honda is offering a rear carrier as an accessory. Install it, and your Monkey will transform into a reliable delivery partner for your small business.
Pricing and Variants
2 Super Cub C125 ABS
9.6 Horsepower
You will be surprised to know that the Super Cub is the highest-selling motor vehicle of all time. It has a record of 100 million units sold worldwide since 1958. Even the biggest star models of modern times are far from reaching this amazing success. But what makes the Super Cub so special? That’s the interesting part because the Super Cub is not special, it’s simple! It doesn’t have a long list of mechanical and electronic specialties, rather, it is built to be approachable and effective.
Engine Specification
(Sourced from Honda)
Honda achieved this simplicity and effectiveness by incorporating four key features. First, a reliable four-stroke engine that is also fuel efficient; second, an easily accessible chassis and bodywork that allows male and female riders of any stature to easily ride, mount, and dismount the motorcycle; third, a clutchless gear system for easy operation; and fourth, an advanced design that never loses its charm. For the last 66 years, Honda has not changed this recipe, except for a few necessary modern inclusions. For example, its 125cc engine is now fuel-injected for improved fuel efficiency and power delivery. An electronic system opens the seat via a push button in case you want to access the fuel tank underneath. And there is a smart-key ignition system to bring the engine to life.
Pricing and Variants
1 Grom
9.9 Horsepower
The one word that can describe the Grom most perfectly is cute. Its small, almost toy-like design gives it a fun appearance. The unique bodywork is customizable, and Honda is offering a number of accessory graphics kits to make your imagination for fun a reality. To give this bike an edgy look and to achieve design harmony with every graphics kit, the engine, swingarm, exhaust, and wheels are given a blacked-out look. This cute and candy type design language is complemented by modern LED lighting and a multi-function instrument display.
Engine Specification
(Sourced from Honda)
You may mistake this bike for child’s play. But the handling department of the Grom is equipped with sport bikes like hydraulic forks, a single shock, and hydraulic disc brakes on both wheels. A front-wheel ABS variant is also there. Besides, the seat height is 30 inches, which means tall riders will not feel stuffed while riding it. Powering the Grom is a compact 124cc engine that not only produces enough power for city riding but is also a super money saver with epic efficiency.