My 2019 Honda Monkey Motorcycle Review and Ride

[@tonygeddes9558]

I’m 47 and bought myself one of these. I live in England in a coastal town and it’s the perfect bike for that. It’s not cheap but I’m planning on keeping the little fella for many years. I won’t be doing a lot of mileage, it’s just a fun little bike to cruise around town on when I feel like it. I’ll keep it well maintained and I know it’ll still be going strong years from now. I’m happy paying a premium for that. Each to their own I guess. It’s a fantastic little bike.

[@sharifela7993]

Hi Tony I am thinking of getting one and I am in Blackpool. Would you still recommend it and how tall are you? Cheers

[@philippruckert8221]

Thank you for your great video Sir!!! I bought the Monkey in black here in Germany and I love it so much. I took it for a ride and it could not only keep up but was even faster in terms of its acceleration and pretty much as fast in terms of top speed as my friends KTM RC 125 (15 hp at 148 kg) and the Honda CB 125 R (13,3 hp at 122 kg) without any mods. It made 122 km/h on a straight line with ease and no I had no wind coming from my back. The acceleration is phenomenal maybe caused by its light weight as well. I am not a skinny guy too (114 kg). It is such a joy to ride this little jewel by Honda. I LOVE MY MONKEY!!!

[@SPQR-Z]

Mini trail 50 the family had was around $250 in the early 70’s. Cool little bikes, then and now

[@muthrfuqrjonz3530]

evan h. Ya and now that same bike unmolested unrestored in great shape is worth 4-6k 🖕🏼

[@mikepugh6483]

Had a Honda XL175 in the 70s. Full size and street legal. Wish they would come out with one like that now.

[@irontale1834]

I am happy to hear that you have no problem riding it at 230lbs because I weigh around 220 I was worried that it would struggle with my weight

[@thomasbuetow8786]

Nice video. This little Honda will probably be my next new toy. Looks like fun. Just what I need since I'm retired and bored.

[@tenshin2002]

Great video! I enjoyed watching it a lot. Like the personal touch with the commute to work and your thoughts all around. Thanks for sharing!

[@caryd67]

Once some aftermarket parts start becoming available for this new model, keep your eye out for a stainless steel braided brake line for your rear brake. It might not cure the weak rear braking completely, but it should facilitate some improvement.

[@tlc8865]

Based off the BEST Honda's ever made, the Honda MiniTrail 50 ( HONDA still uses the same motor for 50 years, later as it is bulletproof reliable) . I had a 1976 Honda XR 75, Just great kick ass summer days, riding with great friends back in the 70's in New Hampshire. Great bike and memories for those days and the those awesome retro colors for those early Mini-trail 50's and CT-70's were the best ever. Great video and thanks , but I had a lot more fun riding my Honda minibikes in the woods ; ) !!!

[@brianbaldwin2169]

Had the exact same 1980 XL80S. Cemented my love of all things motorcycle. Cool Monkey, looks like fun.

[@lizzerzxoxo]

This is great! I ride a grom, so when I saw this I was amazed since I watched your statics videos. Ride safe and have fun! I have my eye on the super cub. 😁😁

[@canammasseymd.2534]

Saw one of these at the local dealer in Honda Red. Looked amazing. I wanted it right then and there. Flipped over the price tag......4,600. Nevermind. The yellow looks even cooler though. Great review. I look forward to more videos of this little bad boy. You gotta get a nice luggage rack for it. Wish I could afford one. I’ll stick with my ‘73 Honda st90 for now.

[@Ptero-Tech]

Love the bike, I need something like that for campus. Currently studying your solids videos for an exam tomorrow, thanks so much.

[@picklesbuster1498]

Brilliant bike honest review and fun I fell in love with one two and bought one two months ago I love it Safe riding and have fun mate

[@alex042687]

I had a 1971 Z50A all original that looked every bit as good as that. Bought from original owner, with title, which was rare for WA state back then. Sold it to a boss in Oregon. It was so clean it hurt my eyes to look at the chrome. All for $350.

[@quentinhorseradishlll2423]

*Expensive? Have you looked at what sellers are asking on eBay for old Honda minis from the 70's?*

[@rebellucy5610]

Nice Monkey! Congratulations. I might pick up one of these little guys at some point. Seems like theft is a common comment people are making. I had a dirt bike stolen from my shed a few years ago. Keep it locked and you should have no problems. People complain about the $4k price tag, but it is a Honda and will last forever. Thanks for the video.

[@abnormalmining9436]

Nice video. I started watching it and immediately started thinking this looks like Lubbock.... Turns out it is.. and then you go to the Engineering department where I graduated in 2008. Ha! Thanks for the review of the Monkey from a fellow Red Raider!!

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

I had a Honda SL125 as a 13 year old. I loved that bike.

[@Draconianoverlord55]

I thought this was one mottonosity video...you are really the coolest professor!

[@truenorth3077]

That's a cool little motor bike! We bought a Coleman mini bike and it's really fun to ride, and we are adults riding this thing. Had a Honda 80 back when I was a teenager. 😀

[@douglasjackson9058]

Thanks!Great review!Best I've seen! I would have liked to looked at the gauges to see what's there. Thanks again for taking the time to do this,going to go look at one.

[@jaykay643]

Great video and wow...what an upscale neighborhood. About the brakes, I rarely use the rear brake on my bikes unless its down a steep hill or emergency stop. I'm 63 and ordered a 2022 model but not happy about the price.

[@sparky6086]

Rear brake isn't to stop. It's to keep the back straight, as the front brake stops the bike, so it's squishy to lag behind the front brake. The same is true for a car braking system.

[@tylerbird1447]

Nice Jeff. Your campus police must be much more lenient on bike traffic than mine! I could never ride on a walk way with out getting a ticket. The Monkey looks sweet. I'm torn between it and the super cub.

[@davidcollins1853]

Wow! I had a commute like yours, and miss riding to work everyday. That bike is just perfect.

[@timothyhoffmann7005]

I had a original one mustard color rode the hell out of it. The thing never had a problem started right up and drove it all the neighborhood...... cant do that anymore.

[@ryanthomas2374]

Sweet bike! you need to include it in some of your lecture videos! Just a car and talk about the physics!

[@mfsb8473]

I was gonna buy one......until I heard the MSRP price of $4000. I'd pay $2500 tops for that bike.

[@michaeljkasnter]

Its way overpriced for sure, you could pick up a brand new BMW-310 for $1500 more, or get a real motorcycle used!! Honda is playing on older folks with money that had this same bike in the 70’s

[@rebellucy5610]

@Repeat Offender$4000 is expected. This little bike has quite a history. A 40 year old mint condition Z-50 costs $4000.

[@CensoredVA]

You can't even buy a taiwanese bike for $2500. Of the minibikes out there, this is the top of the line for sure, but bigger bikes aren't the same experience.

[@mfsb8473]

No doubt it's a cool little bike. But at the end of the day it's still a Honda 125. Honda sold a ton of mini trails and Trail 70 back in the day because they were fun and affordable. Unfortunately , this bike is priced too high . Just my opinion.

[@mfsb8473]

And by the way, you can buy a RPS 250 dirt bike at Walmart for $1300

[@keystonedaytrip238]

I love it 👍🏼 I’m looking at a 2020 in blue tomorrow :)

[@patmurphy389]

it looks like the honda 70 trail bike we used to have, which is what i learned to ride on too when i was eighteen, we used to ride around the neighborhood & on the back dirt roads. My dad used to ride it to work sometimes...lol...those were good times & we didn't even know it, ty for the video. Now i'm in my sixties & we got a yamaha vino 125cc & i ride it back & forth to work, i go by the back roads too & i wear my neon vest so people see me.

[@furzkram]

It has a traction / takeoff sensor on the rear and will prevent you stopping in the front wheel only.

[@thepixelhut1583]

Quality Honda product, worth every penny...

[@rustysenpaitherapper5038]

I was watching your Solid Mechanic videos, and then I cam across this video. That little bike is pretty cool, and now I know where to find you on campus.

[@ka1mla1]

I’ll be a serious player for one of these when the 2020’s come out. Hopefully Honda will step it up and solve these early availability issues. CONGRATULATIONS and enjoy!

[@rebellucy5610]

And give us some different colors. Yellow and red are all for now.

[@ka1mla1]

I just sent Honda a question about possibly offering more colors in the USA in 2020. I will let you know if I hear anything positive.

[@rebellucy5610]

I heard overseas they offered black. That would be nice. Maybe even a 70's color like green or orange might be cool

[@ka1mla1]

I’ve seen the black/white and blue/white combinations online. They both look great. I really like the blue one.

[@nativerambler9818]

Good review. Over priced, but I’m still going to get it. In a free market capitalist system, Honda can sell it for what ever price they want. Some people can wait and just get a slightly used one, like with the groms. But I feel like people are going to keep these longer than compared to the groms.

[@mountainbikerdave]

the Super Cup is a tank, virtually unstoppable. I'm thinking of getting one. but the monkey looks like a great fun commuter as well

[@joebauer7357]

It looks like my Honda mini trail I had when I was a kid

[@iceman2008able]

A lot cheaper back then. My Vega was cheap too. Motor blew up. Oppsy

[@sweetcostarica8714]

Back then they drove slower & more carefully. Today the Monkey, Grom, & similar are too slow & too small for modern impatience cell phone using drivers. Highly recommend a bigger, normal motorcycle for safety.

[@stuarthipkins7635]

yea

[@rts3613]

I had a blue and white mini trail 50. My brother and I bought it from the kid down the street, who upgraded to a YZ80. We paid $40 for it back around 1975.

[@crashman1963]

spot on

[@deborahchesser7375]

I agree , if you start on dirt you get used to letting the bike work and you don’t panic as quick

[@Lewismotorsports]

I would bleed the rear brake and see if that helps. The rear brake should be better than that.

[@GeneralAlex4]

Maybe if he lost weight it would stop quicker?

[@mrbadx19]

my brothers had a Z50 in the 70's, that was fun, my first bike was a Honda C70 (82) loved it, traded it for a Yamaha 180, bad move, looking forward to a Super Cub later this year.

[@EvolutioNSwe]

Great review video ... I am also looking to get me a Monkey here in NJ next spring .. For my 9 mile commute thru 35 MPH city streets all the way.. you just answered my questions pretty well ... Driving the Shelby GT350 to work gets me about 12-15 MPG so I could easily do 4 round trips probably on the Monkey for what the Shelby would do in 1 .. lol ... thank you again ..

[@EvolutioNSwe]

Hehe ... just keeping up with ... ehmm .. or exceeding the pace of NJ traffic ;-) On a Road Trip to New Orleans and back I got it up to 27 MPG with mixed in City driving in many cities like Memphis, TN for example .... along the way ..

[@thenavigator5889]

@@EvolutioNSwe haha, that's really good. I rarely put mine in 6th. that's where the savings really happen. when i had the '14 gt500, I upgraded some bolt ons and tune for 760hp and I couldn't believe my gas mileage. 24 mpg, I'd get. thats better than my explorer with 400 less hp. dont get me wrong as soon as I got into boost it would bring that number down but it was still up there at around 18 to 20.

[@metal2308]

I used to ride Honda VFR800 to college, great bike man looks great. please ride safely without you we might fail our exams sir.

[@northerniltree]

Does it have a reverse assist? Also, I have a short inseam. What's the seat height? What about cruise control?

[@Sebastian_Dinwiddie]

Amen! Everybody should learn to ride on a dirt bike. My first was a 79 XL75.

[@trevorjameson3213]

Agreed. I learned on a '72 Honda CL100 scrambler.

[@kirtlandpratt873]

74 xl350

[@kevinramsey9758]

looks like the z50 way back then - and yea I didn't ride my trail bike on the street either? When the trails were 4 inches of mud I stayed home and read scriptures. Loved the vid!

[@mebobbygillis]

I love this little bike.....It's a blast. I'm starting to want a CB300R as well.....those look great.

[@carminered]

"how perfect is this?" perfect. in fact, that might be the best commuting/parking setup of all time.

[@markart157]

easter true and its fast enough because it's super light

[@celticguy6405]

Cool little bike but is a bit uncomfortable carrying in my cargo shorts, any suggestions?

[@1960ARC]

Nice video and commute. Ever consider a vespa. I ride a Primavera 125 which tops out at 65 mph.

[@skip123davis]

i can buy twinstars around here for $1200 all day long. they hold up pretty good. no way i'd pay $4k for this. glad it suits you though! thanks for the ride old man!

[@edgufler1122]

A person will be able to go into a Honda dealer and get a Honda Monkey.. they won't be hard to come by. Some dealers have them now.. several of them. I enjoyed the video and ride along. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@dbx1233]

I saw an 18 wheeler parked in a Super Walmart and I counted 237 Honda Monkey's packed on the trailer. When the 18 wheeler pulled out of the parking lot a couple of them fell off. I loaded them in the back my truck and gave them to the orphanage. Your right their extremely plentiful.

[@edgufler1122]

well McKibben Powersport Honda in Winter Haven Florida got in 5 brand new ones. Go do a search on KZbin for a 2019 Honda Monkey unboxing. Not my fault they are plentiful in Central Florida. We have a lot of Honda Dealers - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaDMkJt9rZmBosU

[@conniewaite1371]

I had to wait 3years to get mine from our Honda dealer

[@THEGRIMREAPER5650]

Lovely video! I get my blue one here in Sydney Aus tomorrow!

[@tiffanibellanton1]

Have fun, you deserve it. Thanks for all the help!

[@jreid641]

I'm glad you mentioned your height. I'm thinking about buying one and I'm also 6'3", about 200lbs. It should work for me too.

[@MrCROBosanceros]

Where do they make those bikes?

[@davidfrison2765]

That's the good thing about these bikes.. They can hold a grown man.. They look bigger than the other ones..growing up...like they found a compromise between sizes to accommodate anyone of any age... If I owned a motorcycle course... I would keep a bike This size for the people who are uneasy about learning and those slow learners I would take extra time with them and get them comfortable with something like this and I guarantee after an afternoon on one of those bikes.. They are going to get comfortable on a big Harley Davidson alot faster

[@rikkmode]

badass! do you ever get scared they will ticket you for riding thru the park?

[@trevorjameson3213]

He said it was a shared trail, so maybe scooters and mini-bikes are allowed on it? I've never actually heard of such a trail, but maybe?

[@connerocks]

On my campus we have shared trails like this designed for pedestrians as well as mopeds and cycles.

[@markusantonio4866]

@@connerocks urban trail riding. In Portland, Or long trails like this were overran with homeless, pretty dangerous at times

[@edzaslow]

ABS is not for anti-dive. It's to prevent wheel lock-up under heavy (emergency) braking or where the road is wet and slippery.

[@josemariass]

What is this building with a big letters NKA at 9:19 Is a church ? By the way, nice motorbike...cheers from Ireland

[@choons]

He mentioned he lives in a college town so I'd guess it's a Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ) fraternity house.

[@quinnjim]

I bought my kids a $500 Chinese mini bike. It was a nightmare. The clutch kept sticking, the carb leaked gas....I am willing to pay for quality, but $4,000 just seems extreme. I wish there was some "middle ground" in the mini bike market.

[@petebusch9069]

One of the components that makes bikes like these fun is a cheap price which these do not have making them some kind of rich guy collector thing and what fun is that?

[@bryanlioo1151]

You should try google around for accessories.. There is a lots available from 3rd party Thailand brand and even original from Japan.. Good luck and enjoy!

[@insonh21]

Cool bike, looks like a lot of fun, I ride a 2009 Honda Ruckus 50cc, I'm 6'1" and go 270 and I can still get it up to 40MPH, I also have a teardrop camper and at 181lbs the Ruckus sits on the front of it quite nicely, that one would be a little to heavy and a little too expensive for me

[@itsmrwizzy6678]

Jeff if you dont mind me asking, are you above the recommended max weight of the bike? im 120kg and (hopefully) shrinking, i want one but read the max supported weight is 105kg.

[@davidfrison2765]

I would buy one just to say I did... Most kids today would never know the kind of fun we had on these bikes in the 80s . Only the kids with both parents working could afford one of those bikes and you were grateful if you lived next door and got to ride it passive aggressively lol by.. But it was worth it though.. Instead of your parents buying 5k in phones every year you and your brother shared this bike.. I still remember the mini trail 70..

[@1234jhanson]

David Frison finally someone else gets it! Thanks buddy

[@jeremyk9452]

If everyone thinks it’s overpriced go try and buy one from the 60s-70s that’s been restored.

[@clicks59]

Better yet, one that’s 100% original and not restored. I scored some gems in my younger years and had the wisdom to look forward. Still got them. One is a 1969 blue/silver Z50AK-1 and a 1970 sapphire blue CT70. Both original and unrestored. The other 10 have been rebuilt or restored……..

[@buster6093]

Seems like the US top speed 56mph is less than in Europe 65mph!?

[@maverickkartracing]

Pretty cool ride, can't get any better for your commute

[@yardsausage]

is there no rear brake adjuster that you could do your self?

[@2shoestoo]

No it has disc brakes

[@yardsausage]

@@2shoestoo ok..sorry, i guess i wasnt paying attention...

[@mikehoward8201]

I have a 2017 Honda Ruckus and love it…all these small bike and scooters are just such fun to own! And I get looks wherever I ride…people trying to figure out what that thing is! Ha ha.

[@outbackeddie]

That cute little motorcycle looks like a blast to ride. I would like to try that commute on an electric scooter or electric bike.

[@conniewaite1371]

You don't get far on electric,a monkey will get just over 100miles on 1 gallon of gas.i live 17 miles from 4 different towns. And the electric motors for cars and bi,especially are doing an injustice for the earth,the mining is terrible

[@kstew6847]

Absolutely beautiful bike and a great way to commute to work! Thanks for the video

[@johntheaccountant5594]

Might seem expensive in the USA, but the price of the Honda Monkey in Thailand (where it is manufactured) is 99,000 bt = GB £,2605 = US$3,127

[@Brad_Jenkins]

My first bike was a 1971 Honda QA 50. How did you do your audio while riding?

[@kino266]

ABS is useful for everyone on road (always reduces stop distance) and it does not work by reducing the dive

[@kino266]

nice protection by the way

[@teedee8028]

Great video! Happy riding.

[@9999plato]

All traffic lights with sensors are supposed to be calibrated to be tripped with a 50cc size vehicle to comply with traffic code. Not saying that they all do as we all know. I've had lights not trip with an 1800cc bike.

[@BrendaEM]

Might you be complaining about a bit much about other drivers for someone riding a registered motorcycle on a pedestrian sidewalk? : )

[@georgiaguardian4696]

This bike looks so fun to ride. Great retro design too.

[@firedog5339]

Hey! We are from the same city. You must be the guy that bought the first Monkey sold in town. Dealership said they had just sold the first one.

[@killaco23]

Wow, looks like you have really good taste in cars. Cool bike. Thanks

[@labarichidestafano2363]

Great video your voice brings comfort lol

[@sLeonardo22]

They couldn’t hide the horn? Sweet bike. Have a blast. I had a z50. Reminds me of those days

[@squeakD]

Honda has lost their damn minds with the pricing on this little bike. You could buy a nice used full sized bike for that price.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

I do think it's a little overpriced, but the full-sized used bike comparison isn't a very good one. These mini bikes are not intended to replace full-sized bike ownership for prospective buyers. It's for those who already own a "real" motorcycle but want to relive their youth or just have some fun on something like this.

[@jasper_of_puppets]

@Redrum You just don't get it.

[@throwingsparks]

More than likely ,Honda will be targeting those of us that remember the mini trail 50. I’ll take one!!

[@AridersLifeYT]

Pleasant review. Much appreciated.

[@manuhonkanen2111]

I saw a lovely w124T Mercedes on the driweway! By the way do you know what kind of a key can not open a door? . . . A Monkey! :)

[@Agwings1960]

I grew up riding the Honda Trail 50, and then 70. The on/off road mini bike concept definitely has room for growth, but for complete street legal operation an engine size of between 175 and 200cc would be much better.

[@Draconianoverlord55]

Biker respect, Do you have other rides?

[@motorcycleguy73]

There's a lot of accessories for this look online they've been importing these to Taiwan and other countries for years, anti-lock brakes ABS is so the brakes don't lock up when you're rolling the computer figures that you're still moving why are my wheels stopped and it will release them just like on your car. it has nothing to do with suspension.

[@Jason-qw2mg]

Keeping it real, love it! 🤙

[@countrycitymedia]

I just got mine! Do you recommend putting premium gas or just regular?

[@warrenmccarty256]

Was that a ranchero in the driveway

[@otakuskateboarding9617]

I knew those buildings look familiar! Guns up!

[@situated4]

This ride was very calming somehow. Thank you.

[@sparky6086]

Styled like the 1969 Z50, which I had as a kid in the early '70's!

[@Finn-og6xs]

Have fun, chief

[@glennsummers763]

....about 11:30 into your vlog its "inexperienced" drivers .. not "unexperienced".. cool little bike though. See ya soon!!

[@joedanero5360]

That's a neat little bike that I think any two wheel'd enthusiast would appreciate.