Release the pure fun of motorcycling. It’s what the Monkey’s made for.
When you first see a Monkey with its shimmering new blue paint, you smile. When you first ride a Monkey, you’re guaranteed to be wearing the biggest grin, especially with its brand-new engine. Sure, it’s small enough to pack away behind a camper van, and wriggle through gaps in city traffic nothing else will get through. But what the Monkey is really all about is the sheer, basic joy of riding. And that’s the beauty of it.
There’s nothing else quite like a Monkey. It has style all of its own. And character like nothing else. Chromed high-rise handlebars, plus frame, swingarm and shock absorbers painted the same colour as the peanut fuel tank – and the high-level mudguards – all draw attention, as do the chunky block-section tyres. But underneath it has a brand-new, fuel-efficient air-cooled 125cc engine and 5-speed gearbox bolted into a sturdy chassis that features IMU-controlled ABS braking. It’s also small and light, just 104kg, with a comfy seat set just 775mm from the ground. A small bike with a big heart, built to put the fun in your function. That’s Monkey.
The original Monkey was a ‘60s icon. It was the two-wheeled machine to be seen on, and nothing’s changed. The 2023 model pays homage to the original with a new check seat and two-tone silver metallic fuel tank, the final touch is the colour-matched pearl nebula red to give you a true nostalgic feeling.
Find out what makes a small bike such big fun.
The Monkey’s brand-new air-cooled, EURO5-compliant 125cc power unit is tuned to deliver enjoyable and flexible around-town performance. It’s economical too, thanks to low-friction technologies and PGM-FI fuel injection. The five-speed gearbox is managed by clutch, just like a big bike and the extra gear makes longer runs even more enjoyable.
Who knows where the Monkey will take you. So we’ve built it tough just in case. Its steel backbone frame provides strength and stability, along with the oval-section swingarm. Up Side Down (USD) front forks wear a premium Alumite finish and are matched by dual rear shocks – now with 2-stage springs for extra comfort – and 104mm axle travel. Fat, 12-inch block pattern tyres make for a smooth ride and the seat is made of plush, high-density urethane.
Our 21st century Monkey’s style, with its chromed steel high-level front and rear mudguards – plus the evocatively-stamped exhaust shield and high-rise handlebars – is reminiscent of the original. To give it the perfect modern touch, we have introduced three new colour options to personalise your ride.
Just to make sure the Monkey stands out from the crowd even more, it’s got full LED lighting – even the indicators. And the key features an ‘answer back’ system that makes the lights flash at the push of a button, so you’ll never lose your Monkey in a car park.
The looks are retro but the circular instrument cluster is full LCD and features a speedometer (which winks cheekily as the ignition is turned on), odometer with twin trip meters and six-segment fuel level indicator.
The Monkey’s not just funky, it’s clever. The single-channel ABS is controlled by an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) so the rear of the bike won’t lift under heavy braking. A single 220mm front disc and 190mm rear provide the stopping power.
The Monkey’s a feeling. Of living carefree in the moment and making memories for now, and the future. Its history with Honda might go all the way back to 1961 – when the world was a different place – but what it represents, what it is and what it means, is as important now as it ever was. The Monkey is two-wheeled freedom at its best.
