It’s onerous to not love the Honda Monkey bikes, relationship all the best way again to the unique 61 years in the past. The primary American iteration of the Monkey was the 1968 Honda Z50M, higher referred to as the Mini Path. Though a dual-sport bike, the Honda Mini Path’s major constituency was youngsters studying to trip within the dust—it launched numerous life-long careers on two wheels. Quick ahead to the all-new 2022 Honda Monkey, which is a homage to its ancestors, whereas being up to date for grownup consumption.
- Not like the 1961 Honda Monkey, the 2022 is designed for adults. Whereas it appears to be like remarkably just like the Mini Path 50, the 2022 Honda Monkey has grownup ergonomics. The seat top is 30.5 inches—three inches larger than the Honda Insurgent 1100, and fewer than a half-inch shorter than a Honda CB500F. Whereas the seat top may appear a bit tall, the seat is comfortable, so that you sink into it properly. Additionally, the 231-pound curb weight makes the Monkey straightforward for many adults to tame. Total, the rider triangle is compact, although not cramped, making it comfy for hours-long rides round city. That comfortable seat—one rider solely—is notably comfy and gained’t drive you off the Monkey prematurely.
- Honda outfitted the MiniMoto Monkey with a extra muscular motor this yr. The bore bought 2.4mm narrower, and the stroke was stretched 5.2mm. Though the change drops a cubic centimeter, the long-stroke, fuel-injected, SOHC, two-valve, air-cooled motor is impressively torquey. A bump within the compression ratio to 10:1 provides to the Monkey’s grunt. The electrical begin will get proceedings underway immediately.
- The Monkey’s motor additionally will get a brand new five-speed transmission. The outdated four-speed was okay, however restricted the effectiveness of the Monkey. The five-speed widens the obtainable ratios, because it’s decrease in first gear and better in fifth gear. Together with the extra torque from the brand new motor, the decrease first gear makes the Monkey simpler than ever to get off the road at a cease signal. The handbook clutch returns, although we surprise why Honda didn’t entice new riders with an computerized centrifugal clutch, as was used on the Mini Path and the present Tremendous Cub C125. Sure, we all know a absolutely computerized DCT is an excessive amount of to count on on a $4199 motorbike.
- We like the best way the 2022 Honda Monkey pulls away from stoplights. You’ll need to get on the fuel when the sunshine turns inexperienced so you possibly can keep out of the best way of automobiles—particularly Teslas. If you’re lazy, you’ll have vehicles bearing down on you. You don’t want full throttle, although that’s not a foul thought. Given the Monkey’s modest energy output, you don’t have to fret about refined actions of your proper wrist—excellent news for brand spanking new riders, and an invite to enjoyable for skilled motorcyclists. The clutch is mild, although we wouldn’t complain if Honda added an help operate for these all-day rides.
- So long as the highway you’re on has a pace restrict no larger than 50 mph, the Monkey does superb. Prime pace varies significantly, relying on the highway’s grade and the rider’s weight. Whereas we’ve hit over 60 mph on the Monkey on downhills, take into account something over 50 mph a bonus. As you get previous 40 mph, the speed of acceleration slows. You’ll need to wring the Monkey’s neck in fourth gear to have a little bit of zip on faucet. Fifth gear is extra of an overdrive—a pleasant function when cruising at larger speeds on flat floor or slight downhills.
- Along with the brand new motor and transmission, the chassis is kind of totally different. Whereas Honda didn’t contact the rake or path, the wheelbase is 1.5 inches shorter than final yr, and the dual shocks have 0.7 inches extra journey. As you’d count on from a motorbike with a 45-inch wheelbase and 12-inch wheels, the dealing with is exceptionally agile. Skilled motorcyclists should modify the quantity of physique English used, or they’ll override the bike. New riders want no introduction—it simply works for them. The straightforward dealing with of the 2022 Honda Monkey is a big a part of its enchantment.
- You are feeling a bit weak in visitors because of the small bodily measurement of the Monkey. It helps to remind your self that whereas it’s a MiniMoto, you’re sitting larger than on most cruisers, so folks can see you. The dearth of acceleration is one other trigger for nervousness, so trip sensible.
- Honda did a implausible job with the suspension. You’ll count on a small motorbike with 12-inch wheels to be a tough trip. That’s not the case, due to expertly tuned suspension from the manufacturing unit. There are 4 inches of journey on the rear, and the inverted fork has a contact extra. Though you need to be cautious of potholes because of the small wheels, the suspension is very happy to easy out tough or uneven pavement, even when tapped out in fifth gear. When you nonetheless really feel the imperfections of the highway, jolts are eradicated. The fats Vee Rubber tires give the suspension items a little bit of help
- The Vee Rubber tires acquit themselves properly. Nobody thinks of the Thai model as offering premium rubber, but the ADV-style tires deal with the Monkey’s humble calls for effortlessly. We will drag the pegs in slower corners and maintain our line at 50 mph in quick sweepers. The tires brake effectively, resisting locking up and calling on the ABS to bail them out.
- The 2022 Honda Monkey’s brakes is not going to intimidate a brand new rider. The pads provoke braking gently, and by no means really feel aggressive. This motorbike desires you to make use of the rear brake together with the entrance—that additional deceleration will turn out to be useful in emergencies. We not often felt the ABS kick in, although we didn’t abuse the brakes. Skilled riders will need to discover among the obtainable brake improve paths.
- We took the Monkey out on some city dust with laughter-inducing success. The Monkey doesn’t trouble anybody, so bystanders aren’t whipped right into a frenzy after they see one ridden on a path in a smart method—the sound from the scrambler-style muffler retains issues quiet. The Vee Rubber tires had no downside discovering and retaining traction off-pavement; ensure you keep away from rocks, because the exhaust header is weak beneath the circumstances. In any other case, have enjoyable within the dust.
- The LCD sprint feels misplaced. Nevertheless, it’s straightforward to learn, and the pace is displayed in a tiki-like font—fairly cool. An analog-style speedometer would have been good, however you’ll be the one one to know. The spherical chrome case is trendy, matching the LED headlight, flip indicators, and mirrors. There’s a gas gauge that feels superfluous—you’ll by no means trip it removed from a fuel station. We would favor a gear place indicator within the restricted house.
- You gained’t be placing a lot time into upkeep. Apart from placing fuel within the 1.5-gallon tank once in a while, altering the oil and (new) oil filter every now and then, and checking the chain sometimes, there’s not a lot so that you can fear about.
- You get two shade selections when shopping for a 2022 Honda Monkey. Nevertheless, we are able to’t think about why anybody would go along with Pearl Black over Banana Yellow. A Monkey and Banana are made for one another, and it appears to be like nice with the Arai Defiant-X’s Quantity White retro paint scheme. Whatever the shade you select, chrome is ample.
- We’re not even going to attempt to keep away from the cliché—this motorbike is extra enjoyable than a barrel of monkeys! If you would like retro city transportation that brings smiles to nearly anybody who sees it, you possibly can’t do higher than this pleasantly approachable primate. At $4199, it’s onerous to not discover a place in your coronary heart and storage for the loveable 2022 Honda Monkey.
Pictures by Kelly CallanRIDING STYLE
- Helmet: Arai Defiant-X
- Jacket: Joe Rocket Alliance
- Again safety: Joe Rocket SW Backbone Protector Degree 2
- Gloves: Joe Rocket Tremendous Moto
- Denims: Joe Rocket Anthem
- Boots: Joe Rocket Outbreak
2022 Honda Monkey SpecsENGINE
- Kind: Horizontal four-stroke single
- Displacement: 124cc
- Bore x stroke: 50 x 63.1mm
- Compression ratio: 10.0:1
- Fueling: EFI w/ 24mm throttle physique
- Cooling: Air
- Valvetrain: SOHC, two valves
- Beginning: Electrical
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Clutch: Multiplate moist
- Closing drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Entrance suspension; journey: Non-adjustable 31mm inverted fork; 4.3 inches
- Rear suspension; journey: Non-adjustable shocks; 4.0 inches
- Tires: Vee Rubber
- Entrance tire: 120/80 x 12
- Rear tire: 130/80 x 12
- Entrance brake: 220mm disc w/ Nissin caliper
- Rear brake: 190mm disc w/ Nissin caliper
- ABS: Normal
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 45.0 inches
- Rake: 25 levels
- Path: 3.2 inches
- Seat top: 30.5 inches
- Gasoline capability: 1.5 gallons
- Curb weight: 231 kilos
- Colours: Pearl Black; Banana Yellow
2022 Honda Monkey Worth: $4199 MSRP
2022 Honda Monkey Evaluate Photograph Gallery
