2018 Honda Monkey Announced for Europe

Following the success of the Grom, Honda has decided to bring the Monkey back to the European market, combining bike’s iconic look with modern technology. The iconic Honda Monkey has remained in serial production for more than 50 years now, but for the last few decades, was mainly offered in Japan. For 2018, the Honda Monkey is coming back to Europe, but unfortunately, minibike fans in North America will have to be left out. For now, at least.

The 2018 Honda Monkey maintains the bike’s iconic look, with simple curved surfaces, two-tone tank, a stamped exhaust shield, and a 3D retro Honda wing badge on the fuel tank.

The Monkey comes powered by a fuel-injected 125cc air-cooled SOHC single, similar to the one equipped on the Grom. Honda claims a modest output of 9.3 hp at 7000 rpm and 8.1 lb-ft. at 5250 rpm. As with the Grom, the Monkey comes with a four-speed manual transmission. Keeping the classic Monkey look, the exhaust curls upward and back beside the seat, but in a nod to modern emissions requirements, makes a quick detour under the engine where the catalytic converter is situated.

Honda also claims the Monkey gets 157.7 mpg, which translates to a range of about 233 miles on a full 1.47 gallon tank of gas.

The Monkey uses a steel backbone frame Honda says offers a balance between rigidity and subtle feel. The swingarm has an oval cross-section design, reflecting the circular motif of the Monkey’s overall design. Twin shocks give the rear axle 4.1 inches of travel. Up front, the Monkey sports an inverted fork with 3.9 inches of travel.

The 12-inch ten-spoke cast aluminum wheels come with fat block-pattern tires, sporting a 120/80-j12 65J tire up front and a 130/80-12 69J at the back. The braking system is comprised of a single 220mm front disc and a 190mm rear rotor, both managed by an IMU-based single-channel ABS.