Stock vs Modified - My Honda Monkey Has THOUSANDS In Mods But Is It Better Than The Stock Bike?

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( tfl-studios.com ) Alex has a new (to him) bike - a modified Honda Monkey! This MiniMoto has thousands of dollars in mods, but does the "Super Monkey" a badass way to spend your cash over keeping the bike stock? Let's find out!
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#Honda #Monkey #Mods

[@fuwafuwarowatari]

I think the stock one looks better. I've had a mechanically stock Grom for a few years, great bikes.

[@04poppop]

If some change then only Yoshimura, puffing great and looking too

[@shannondoherty4803]

I have a red 21 totally stock. It will run 58-60mph on flat ground with 1500 miles on it. I like the way it looks is why I bought it. The only thing I would like to change is the huge airbox

[@reggievonramstein]

There's no excuse for rusty chains

[@rik999]

Two suggestions for Tommy. (1) Oil your chain. (2) Practice riding with your toes not your heels on the pegs. That foot pointed down riding style can lead to broken parts in your foot.

[@chrisdooley6468]

Solid recommendations

[@bobsmithers]

Broken parts in your foot...LMAO! Ouch!!)

[@bobsmithers]

Would need upgraded mods in your foot!

[@nielsdebakker3283]

@@bobsmithers Stylish Ti pins for instance.

[@travelinman482]

rik999 Yes, to #1 suggestion. No, to #2 suggestion. You’re supposed to it the arch of your foot directly over the foot pegs. How can anyone break their toes riding a bike properly?

[@ontheway4034]

Put the stock seat back on! The comfort is worth it and you’ll enjoy riding the bike a lot more. 😀

[@Ethan.s..]

Pretty odd reason to keep a seat on, cause you like how it looks despite it being awful to ride because of.

[@user-gq2vn1xj2r]

This is so true. The Monkey has one of the best seats of any bike sold today!

[@travelinman482]

Yeah, Alex isn’t exactly the brightest bulb in the TFL building. lol

[@Xcorgi]

The bone stock Monkey looks the best. Because it is the perfect mix of street and dirt bike look. Even though mechanically the blue upgraded one is beneficial, for all the money you’d have to invest, it just wouldn’t be worth it.

[@whatevenisthisfor]

Exactly!! Get it stock, keep it stock it's a mini bike people gotta chill

[@aaronbehindbars]

That modded Monkey was a pretty good deal with all that stuff! I had a 2019 and sold it earlier this year for $3900 and it had reworked suspension (nothing high end like Ohlins), exhaust, flashed ECU, and some cosmetic upgrades. It was around $1700 in upgrades. I'd say Alex bought that one right. I do miss mine sometimes, but there will always be more different bikes in the future. That was my 4th 12" wheel street bike (Grom, Z125 Pro, and Kymco Spade), so I think I've moved on from that phase of my life. Almost bought a used Trail 125 shortly after I sold my Monkey and I am still kicking myself for not picking that up.

[@rattanack1413]

Tell me about it. Found a well mantained ct90 and was sold with in 1 hour of posting... it was listed for 1500 clean red nothing needed. Was located in los angeles area

[@16driver16]

@@rattanack1413 drive up to Oregon or Washington a d pay $500 less

[@aaronbehindbars]

@@SkinnySkates I've had as many as 5 motorcycles at once. It no longer makes sense, and likely never did, for me to have multiple bikes. I'm happy with the bike I own right now.

[@bobsmithers]

@@SkinnySkates Monkeys are keepers! Keep it stock and put it in the closet when not riding.

[@TeamDNFracing]

I live in Thailand with an unlimited amount of upgrades for the small motorcycle selections available today. I personally own a Honda CT125 that I have modded to suit my riding areas here in Chiang Mai. I also have a KZbin Chanel that I highlight the mods I've done with my bike. I've had countless people on my Chanel say: Leave it stock or go buy a larger bike, etc. etc. Now, I did all of this to my bike because it is what I wanted to ride the area I ride in. I really wish people would just except that people are different and to each his or her own on what they want to modify. I love my CT, it fits me perfect now. If I had a stock one, I'd still start modifying it..... Looks good, keep it up.....

[@leelemon3373]

Either way reliving the glory years. Thanks for the review. Happy New Year 2022

[@yorkchris10]

Yes, I think I'd check factory parts catalogue. Some OEM manufacturers sell lighter slip-ons. KTM has a power parts catalogue. I think scramblers started out as modified street bikes, but this mod doesn't seem like a segment opening.

[@gigawattrc]

Buy the modded one. Sell off all the “upgrades” and be in it for almost nothing. Love the channel guys!

[@followthewhiterabbit7504]

Many years ago, I bought a second-hand 1976 XL175. It was modded, mostly cosmetic. As the modded parts wore out - muffler, sprockets etc - I replaced them with OEM parts. I rode that bike for around five years and sold it for more than I paid. The lesson here, is that an unmodded vehicle, well kept, will fetch the highest price in the second-hand market.

[@soulerflare7]

I remember a kid in my neighborhood had a XL 75 in '75 or '76 and I still dream about that bike . I know it was alot smaller than yours but there were so many choices back then .

[@michaelmcglothlin366]

Yep. I started collecting the Honda Mini-motos. I plan to only ride the Navi. The Ruckus, Grom, Trail 125, and Super Cub have less than 10 miles each. The Metropolitan and Monkey are less than 50. The OEM parts will be gold one day. (I'll be long gone by then!) But that's where the money will be.

[@JustJay-is4qm]

I’m getting one soon. I been on the fence about it. Great vid

[@montey1017]

They are fun to build. After spending all day working on cat 3500s its nice to work on something held together with 4 bolts. Also a $100 part makes a noticeable difference. People love to see it in a parking lot

[@soulerflare7]

What 100 dollar part ?

[@montey1017]

@@soulerflare7 pick one. The TB racing cam is a good start. Ebay 320mm progressive shocks. Brass swingarm bushings. A tachometer.

[@BrunerTuner]

LOL the 9 vehicles owned at the end really got me. As someone with 11 right now, and looking at these bikes..I get it. From one KZbinr to another, great work!

[@smoothmove7566]

Will top out around 50 to 55....finally somebody tells the truth. 9300 trouble free miles on my stock 2020 blue Monkey. ;)

[@jordangraf673]

I just watched a video where a dude did 67 on a stock monkey. I’d imagine elevation has a lot to do with your top speed.

[@armadilllo]

@@jordangraf673 that guy is f o s, elevation? yep, start at the top of mt Everest and ride down, maybe you'll get it to 60.

[@jordangraf673]

@@armadilllo lol yeah I recently got a grom and realized they’re not nearly as fast as people say. I’ve gotten to 63 but that was all she had. Maybe if I was going down a big hill I could get more. The new groms have a 5th gear so that may have something to do with it.

[@armadilllo]

@@jordangraf673 Maybe, but there is no way my monkey will do 60 but that's not why I got it, still the funnest bike I ever had and I've owned at least 45 over the years.

[@jordangraf673]

@@armadilllo I agree. I have two way faster bikes and I have the most fun on the grom

[@supersteve8305]

I like the tach, temp gauge, air intake and exhaust mods. everything else I would keep original. Fun comparison.

[@dalejones4322]

Cool video. I'd like to see a series with these two bikes in it. Back road, highway, off road, or take them to that track you do the drag races and explore all their tracks. Thanks guys

[@jbean530]

Agreee. Drag race it at the track. I want to drag my Grom at the track one day.

[@Zoli4119]

What a supportive dad! Great comparison video!

[@jeffjohnon4223]

A 14 tooth sprocket is the best mod for all the 125's,take off the Catalytic converter and replace it with a chunk of pipe and you will keep up with most any modded bike,and you will only have about 15 dollars in mods.

[@garylsmalley]

Now that a good idea. Does anyone make an after market u bend to replace the cat?

[@jeffjohnon4223]

@@garylsmalley Just cut it of at both ends,get pipe that slips over the existing one,clamp it or weld it on.That is the easy way.If you have a welder you can cut up the existing pipe and fit your own chunk from the head to the muffler,there is enough bends in the pipe you remove to fit the new route.

[@garylsmalley]

My son, Hunter Honda, and I have the exact set of Monkeys, red and blue. We were just talking today about mods. Flash and cam. After seeing this I may rethink. Lot of money for not really big results

[@16driver16]

I'd have to change the exhaust(probably custom my own with the stock pipe and much better clearance) and some better tires when the stockers wear out. Maybe the ohlins suspension, Anything else would be a waste of time and money.

[@16driver16]

So they made the seat and footpegs, levers less comfortable because they look good? You gonna look at the bike or ride it?!

[@suckerpunch1235]

I’m not spending money on my monkey. It does what I want it to do which is to go slow and look cool at the campground. I did add some rear view mirror brackets because I couldn’t see around myself.

[@nicolasrodrigue529]

Give your chain some love.

[@stephen39a]

Great video! You really need to lubricate that chain Tommy!

[@florme6494]

I’m getting old now, I love the look of stock bikes. I don’t mind adding a fender eliminator and maybe some heated grips. Comfort seat and bar risers are understandable too.

[@captricharddee3634]

As an old fart myself, I totally agree ith you. I purchased a Grom and all I've done is fit Michelin City Grip 2 tyres, a tail tidy and some grip puppies.

[@pkarms8621]

There are only 3 aftermarket items I like. The tac and temp gauges along with the mini faring. But to each their own and that's the reason the aftermarket companies are in business.

[@timschutte6924]

Amen, put the stock seat back on now !!!! I really need to get one. Fun to ride and wrench on.

[@BB-1990]

Could have that seat reupholstered with a little more, and better cushioning. It does look good, just needs a little love.

[@earlsmithson4749]

Fun video guys. I just purchased a CT 125 and about 500 bucks in mods. To me the joy is a lot about the journey. Working (molding if you will) on the bike gives me a great deal of pleasure and makes it my own. Alex I dig your Monkey as is but even you want to change things to personalize it to your taste. Looking forward to future vids on the Monkey. Really dig this whole TFL thing.

[@kenfreeman6417]

I’m on the fence. the monkey or the ct. mostly for camping and trails. the monkey brings back my childhood. But I think the ct would be a better camping and trial bike.

[@john-nx4xn]

​@@kenfreeman6417 what did you decide?

[@kenfreeman6417]

@@john-nx4xn I haven’t pulled the trigger on one yet. Ct haven’t come to canada in bulk yet. I probably won’t look at them seriously. Until next summer.

[@john-nx4xn]

@@kenfreeman6417 thanks for responding. Would you look for a used Honda CT 70 or buy a new ice Bear and mod it?

[@kenfreeman6417]

@@john-nx4xn I would buy a ct. the new ct are 125cc. Same engine as the grom and monkey. so I would stick with the real deal. Not a clone. I would try if I could to buy one second hand. To avoid dealer fees.

[@findingneutral]

Excellent information. This bike is super cool oem or modified 👍👍

[@joshisms2pesos711]

what is the black plastic covers under the front fender? I've seen some people with rust under their fenders from rock chips. I would really like to know. Did the previous owner just stick a universal rubber trim on there? I want something that covers the entire under side of the front fender and a little bit of the front.

[@breakdownbill1]

How did you obtain your Yoshimura pipe,I been waiting 2 months on back order and it still hasn’t been shipped out yet

[@travelinman482]

Alex: I like the look of this aftermarket seat but it’s small, uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous as it limits my arm movements. But I’m going to keep it on. Me: So, you’re not that bright?

[@ninja1970fin]

Smaller rear sprocket gives better top speed on the expense of acceleration. With the stock sprocket the super monkey would have taken off much faster than the stock one. Nice mods! Thanks 👍I have a stock monkey '19

[@roygumpel8415]

???

[@themadscientest]

The real fun in tuning small engines is getting just a little bit more speed out of your build, when you factor in percent change in top speed you get more bang for your buck having fun with small stuff!

[@Zuccleberry]

Would love to see a video similar to this one over the 2022 Honda Navi once it comes out I really want to see if they mods do anything

[@solosaga5091]

"How many people have been starring at YOUR monkey?" 😂😂😂😂 Yeah, I'm a child.

[@krusher74]

no one even talks to the stock bike looser!

[@Dundertaker1]

"But I didn't pay for the mods!"....biiiizactly!

[@HappyHermitt]

Minibike fans should check out the Kymco Spade. Its a sweet bike. 150cc with a vertical cylinder. You don't see that very much on the minis

[@choppercity100]

That blue one is cool there both are cool but it’s just fun to change stuff on the lil bike

[@mattb3283]

Some wisdom from an ole school rider..as fun as it may be to pump out your trail bike..keeping it as close to factory will only make it more valuable when you hit my age.

[@BB-1990]

Just keep the stock parts.

[@AnaloguePhoto]

Got to get my self one of those. In the mean time, I'll attend one of those Monkey-mini-moto lingo classes 😲

[@WhiteGravey]

how do you find deals like that? all i see on offer up and CL are 10k 20 year old dirtbikes.

[@ReisterJP]

KP mini stock has a vertical 5 speed 150cc motor does about 60 to 65mph and I can upgrade motor with honda crf parts.

[@TheOmnipresent12]

Just learning about the Monkeys... safe to assume a bad idea to even think about taking out on a major highway? Pretty much strictly for suburban streets and trail riding realm yes/no?

[@armadilllo]

mine cruises comfortably at 45, faster than that is just annoying, you have to wring it out to get to 55 and it takes forever.

[@WW-wf8tu]

Interesting that the 1 thing you want to change(Alex)is the best mod on the bike. lol. Proving most everyone has different vision. :)

[@johnw65]

Today, my son installed new front and rear sprockets on his Grom, dropping the gear ratio, which increased his top speed by 5 mph! It's a wider heavier chain good for 8000 miles

[@RKmndo]

They need turbo kits! 😂 That would be awesome in the mountains!

[@redemptionmusic619]

I am buying a Monkey this week. I’ve been reading many of the channels dedicated to the Honda Monkey. I’m 60 yrs old. I though about doing some performance mods i.e., yoshimura exhaust, chimera air intake … But then I saw that you have to reprogram the computer or chips on the monkey to adjust for the modifications. Then one KZbinr said the reprogramming wasn’t working and he had to go back to the original exhaust and air intake. Question: should I leave it alone? Just as the manufacturer intended ? JC

[@joecamel6835]

You don't have to reprogram it unless you do all the mods , just do the exhaust the CAT deletion will give all the power the air intake is dumb in my opinion .Let it idle 10 minutes after exhaust system install and it will adjust itself .

[@michaelmcglothlin366]

I'm almost your age. I say leave the powertrain alone. The Honda engineers with their slide rules have perfected power, fuel economy, and reliability. Mess with any of those three variables and the other two suffer. If you want to go faster, buy a faster bike. If you do buy go-fast parts, keep the stock ones. You'll probably want them later, the next buyer surely will.

[@armadilllo]

leave it stock

[@edstenson7764]

What is the top speed of the stock vs modded bikes?

[@h-man2561]

I was wondering what the mileage you get on dirt roads with hills on one tank. Is there a small bike you've seen for two? I'm looking to get around when the RV is parked. Thanks!

[@steveptasznik6147]

I got 169 on a tank of gas. Hills consisted of freeway overpasses.

[@pujapete3665]

biught my 5 speed with scorpion system + the original system.sold the scorpion,fitted the original and not noticed any difference.yes its less noisy but the scorpion was near on £500.scorpion had a nice sound but got tired of it after awhile

[@babybossaeron530]

i love 125 cc， for having fuel efficiency esp in a long ride.

[@marnixhoebers5176]

Honda has to build a bike to be compliant, modding anything is mostly to remove the dorky compliance features.

[@reallyemptypockets6509]

Alex is always buying stuff to make him look cool {poseur}, Tommy is just cool.

[@Thefrostedslime]

I think- if anything- people building their monkey to do different things isn’t them “trying to fool somebody”, it’s a tip of the hat to how versatile these bikes can be, that you can put mods on it to make it more eye grabbing like the blue one, or make it capable of light off roading

[@armadilllo]

that's not eye grabbing, it's just ugly now

[@LittleBlueSubie]

Dude! Tommy! Oil that chain! At LEAST spray it with a splash o' WD-40 after every ride. (I use a cleaner and heavyweight oil on my bike, but it's a bit bigger). That thing is rusty!

[@BB-1990]

Hell, some Pam would do the trick.

[@clarkleakins879]

The only modification that will increase rider pleasure: The cam change, and exhaust, air filter, probably add a few HP. Might improve power off road up a steep grade. Worthwhile? We don't know the specific $$$. The sprocket change probably adds top speed. Not good when off road. The temperature monitor is a wise addition. The small wind deflector probably helps at higher speeds, especially if you tuck down. Decades ago, I knew a man from San Clemente, built up a Honda XR75, with cam and exhaust modification.Kept up quite well with our larger dual sports. He also built a Honda XL250 with similar, and it was a monster! I have no idea the costs. They were cool!

[@johnsb1550]

Took me awhile to respond but great video, I have two blue 2021 monkeys and together they don't have 1000 miles on them. I have done just like most people do and start changing stuff, making it my own. I'm thinking that there are as many parts for the monkeys as there are parts for my Harleys. Ain't lying here! This is really great because we can keep these bikes alive and on the road indefinitely. Modify at will but it can get extremely expensive, if you modify it do yourself a favor and KEEP the stock parts UNMODIFIED. I looked online for a complete factory exhaust system for my monkey and couldn't find it brand new and complete, from the factory, I could piece it together, from the factory, for over 600 bucks...complete with all bolts and clamps and heat shields...but 20 years from now that's what people are looking for if it sells. I'm really hoping that was a gold chain and not dirt but it doesn't look like it. Again great stuff and would love to see more 👍

[@marcgatto9675]

I would ditch the airbox. Just to clean things up. True performance only comes with a 181cc big bore kit.

[@mattb3283]

Keep everything you take off!

[@alexanderivanov3456]

Great rides, guys, but maybe upgrade to something bigger , like roller skates.

[@kaeking86]

14 46 on a monkey... that thing should shoot off like a rocket and with the header and intake flow.... i think some one was sandbagging a bit. i have a few mods on my grom and smoke a stock monkey all day

[@rynelson85]

I'm guessing he meant 14 36, 46 is basically a stunt sprocket lol

[@oudarbre]

just need to complete the blue 180cc kit, 4s head and big intake manifold to get into the real supermonkey :)

[@bradpittiful7288]

i think the intake and the exhaust would be the best mods to do to the monkey...especially the exhaust...goes from a serpentine to almost a straight pipe

[@Steelbluebrick]

rofl the response at 5:40 Priceless

[@andrewsmith9575]

Oh what fun! Love all the comments so far. New year will answer a lot of questions about mods on mini motos. Or any other motorcycle for that matter. The best mods you can make on anything is the operator! Tommy, this was what I was talking about when I met you. You can spend a third or less of that mod money on Alex’s monkey, learning how to ride it! Some of the best rider schools in the world are here in the states. Mystery school (Rich Oliver), American supercamp (Danny Walker). For KZbin school, Moto Jitsu has some of the best practice skills for riders. These are just a few. To all the new riders out there, mods don’t make you fast, skills will make you fast with the benefit of living a long time to ride! I agree with a viewer down below, no suspension mods?? That is always the first place to start. Remember, the fastest rider on a slower bike will always out ride a slower rider on the fastest bike. Another ace video guys!!

[@MadsWorld34]

if i cant find a trail soon i will be looking at a monkey. and the only thing i plan on changing is the rear sprocket 1 tooth smaller not so much for speed as for RPM.

[@Monkey-biz]

the 2022 has a 14t front sprocket factory.

[@tommays56]

How do you get away with ditching the catalytic converter in emissions Colorado

[@BombusMonticola]

What's the MPG difference between them!!!?

[@teknique8292]

What a stupid question smh. Everybody that buys a grom/monkey isn’t broke and waiting to get more money to get a bigger bike. The reason why people modify them is because they love the bike, they just want to make it faster.

[@ChrisSaddlerSam]

1:55 Considering the list showed... there should be $3K+ of accessories!!!!

[@rolandos64]

The only thing I give the Monkey from any and All 125 is the seat! I own the zuma, super cub, grom… 125. And there’s nothing like the Monkeys seat. Not even a Corbin seat can Compare!

[@metalilama1]

The honda monkey is modelled after z50 but more specifically i think finnish z50j

[@JOHNJ0HN9111]

Awesome score Alex

[@IrnMaiden304]

Can the flywheel be lightened ?, would Rev up alot faster, so would a turbo though 😆

[@BullittKid08]

A couple outlets sell a lite weight flywheel. Wonder what affect it has on take off and low speed maneuvering

[@IrnMaiden304]

@@BullittKid08 There was a company that used to make to my understanding what they called an inner rotor kit for the older monkeys, made a world of difference and you could put them on the CT70's but you would lose your lighting coil

[@tres311]

Man I want one, but I’ll probably get an (a?) used WR as my next bike.

[@motosporttouring]

Get a WR250f and plate it.

[@johnglue1744]

Out of all the mods I only like the new style exhaust.

[@Sylvan_dB]

Tommy, have you ever considered some chain lube?

[@motorizedbicyclenation53cu90]

I’d say I’d get a slightly smaller sprocket that’s all tho maybe

[@jimmy450r]

Did you mean 36 rear sprocket? you said 14/46... that would be a massive ratio, wheelie easy but top speed be like 20 mph

[@josephkool8411]

What would win in a fight a monkey or a Tasmanian devil? I don't know that's why I'm asking

[@onnibruck3726]

if you want fast monkey just buy 181 tagekawa or 190daytona so its have power

[@jessielees]

cant believe someone sunk that much $ into mods and still left the suspension stock lol

[@lgwappo]

A Monkey with $1,000 of mods cost the same as a Kawasaki Z400.

[@BB-1990]

True, but that z400 needs a $1000 worth of mods too.

[@armadilllo]

@@BB-1990 z400 stock would smoke any monkey no matter what you do to it.

[@MCTeck]

WOW! Aftermarket Spark Plug!

[@rolandos64]

Ruckus is the most customizable scoot hands down!!!

[@steveptasznik6147]

Crickets

[@HereComesBod1]

I have a banana yellow monkey, to me the stock bike looks much better Honda did a great job

[@dirtshower250]

Put the stock gear ratio on the super monkey and I bet it would be a bit quicker

[@61Slughi]

All those mods and they didn't change out the rear shocks?! That's usually one of the first mods you have to do.

[@justforfunvideohobby]

I'm so jealous that you got a great deal like that

[@RitaElaineHeltonBarker-uz4sz]

I wanna see a 500cc 2-stroke Monkey plus a Reverse leaning Trike Monkey

[@goodboyringo9716]

At time 5:17 , it looks like your chain could use some help.

[@Tarkov.]

Pretty funny that it still has stock mirrors.

[@HondaProJason]

Great video, I just bought a 2023 Monkey and this gave me some good mod ideas

[@zeninabox9818]

This video is a drinking game: every time they say..... "MONKEY"!

[@1kzrider]

FIrst thing I would do is a skid plate for the muffler.

[@DC2100Motors1]

I have a monkey the original owner claimed $11K into it. Gets a lot of attention. He didn't touch the engine and glad for that

[@BarnabyKemp]

All those mods and still no seat bolt caps? Genius.

[@guyallphin1295]

really cool

[@freedomisntfree_44]

I’ve changed sprockets in motocross on different tracks