American Honda has confirmed that the 2022 Monkey will be powered by a torquey new engine with a fifth gear, the same powerplant as the all-new 2022 Grom that was announced last March. When it comes to mini-moto models, Honda is ahead of the pack, and there’s no better example of that than the Monkey. Its latest generation honors history and tradition with looks and spirit that are faithful to the Monkey’s earliest concept, but it touts modern features that help it perform and run reliably—a combination that has proven to be extremely popular with customers.
“While the Monkey has been a hit in the U.S. since we reintroduced it for the 2019 model year, customers have expressed a desire for more comfortable cruising and better acceleration,” said Brandon Wilson, Sports & Experiential Manager at American Honda. “Now we’re happy to offer that capability by equipping the Monkey with the same five-speed engine that has earned rave reviews in the all-new 2022 Grom. It’s yet another example of Honda producing not only the most diverse lineup of mini-moto models but also the most capable.”
A hit with both the new generation of enthusiasts and nostalgic riders seeking a trip down memory lane (its heritage extends back to 1961, when the original version was used in a Honda-owned Japanese amusement park called Tama Tech), the Monkey oozes fun and charm in a pintsize package.
The Monkey’s fifth gear makes it more for comfortable cruising, thanks to a new, modern engine with a wider spread of gear ratios and a 37-tooth final-drive sprocket (previously 34). The changes provide not only peppy acceleration from low speeds, but increased top speed as well. The 124cc two-valve, overhead-cam, air-cooled engine has an undersquare design, with a narrower bore and longer stroke.
MSRP: $4,199. Color: Pearl Black; Banana Yellow
Link: American Honda
