[chye]

The Honda MSX 125 Written Review

You guys and gals have to read this review. The bottom exert is just a taste of it.

How it rides: it rides like a ruckus, but better.
“Uhm… is that a good thing? “
Put it this way… I have owned an R6, an R1, a 600rr, an 848 and I have ridden a handful of other powerful bikes, and in my opinion, they all share one thing in common. They belong on the track. I have to go way too fast on these guys to get the rush that makes me love-riding motorcycles. And this is why, until recently purchasing the Honda MSX 125, my old 49cc Honda Ruckus was my favorite motorcycle (if you can call it that) I have ever owned.
I called it my Zen bike. It taught me to realize that I did not need gobs of power to have fun on a motorcycle. The power I believed I needed, I liken to the small muscular guys I often see driving oversized trucks. Once my Ruckus taught me this, I began to realize that the real fun was to be had on every day roads. There were two throttle positions; stop, and go. I was either parked at a light or wide-open throttle – conquering suburbia… in all it’s 35mph glory. However, even though the Honda Ruckus was my favorite, and never ceased to create a grin on my face from ear to ear… it had its obvious limitations.
The Honda Ruckus was a scooter after all… now while this did not keep me from getting into my racing suit back in my college days, and teaching lessons to guys on 600+ cc bikes down Flagstaff hill in Boulder,CO – I always wanted more from the Ruckus. I felt that beyond its obvious power limitations; it was limited by its design characteristics… You could not take hard corners on this thing without the frame bottoming out. It was at this point, for the first time in my life, that I realized I had actually mastered a vehicle… I had pushed it to its limits, and knew exactly what I needed to allow me to take it to the next level…

 

[REDLINE]

Put it this way… I have owned an R6, an R1, a 600rr, an 848 and I have ridden a handful of other powerful bikes, and in my opinion, they all share one thing in common. They belong on the track. I have to go way too fast on these guys to get the rush that makes me love-riding motorcycles. And this is why, until recently purchasing the Honda MSX 125, my old 49cc Honda Ruckus was my favorite motorcycle (if you can call it that) I have ever owned.

This reviewer makes a good point about all of those powerful bikes, I always see guys riding those bikes during my commutes to and from work and for you to really experience what those bikes are like you have to hit the track. Reason why the Grom is great if you want to have fun without going to the extreme's needed for 500cc + bikes. Plus it should be a great commuter bike.

 

[chye]

It's a good read. He really does make a good point about lower powered motorcycles and their place.

Being able to take something to its limit will teach you more than not being able to and fearing it.

The same principle applies to automotive.

Taking a 150hp to the 100% limit on the track and learning its faults will teach you more than trying not to kill yourself driving a 500hp Porsche GT3 at 30% of its capability on the track. You won't learn much about that GT3 not being able to get near its limits without craping yourself.

 

[GromGuy]

This reviewer makes a good point about all of those powerful bikes, I always see guys riding those bikes during my commutes to and from work and for you to really experience what those bikes are like you have to hit the track. Reason why the Grom is great if you want to have fun without going to the extreme's needed for 500cc + bikes. Plus it should be a great commuter bike.

It's a good read. He really does make a good point about lower powered motorcycles and their place.

Being able to take something to its limit will teach you more than not being able to and fearing it.

The same principle applies to automotive.

Taking a 150hp to the 100% limit on the track and learning its faults will teach you more than trying not to kill yourself driving a 500hp Porsche GT3 at 30% of its capability on the track. You won't learn much about that GT3 not being able to get near its limits without craping yourself.

there are highways and long empty roads for powerful bikes dangerous and illegal if you push powerful bikes like R6's, R1's, 600rr's, etc on highways but people do it and make use of the power that comes with those bikes. at least with a grom we can stay legal

example of the highway and empty road craziness...
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3QBTCN1xwQ"]BEATER BOMB 5.3L 500hp Fox vs R1 vs ZX10R vs GSXR600 & More - YouTube[/ame]

 

[donuts]

Good review. First english review of the GROM/MSX I've read.

 

[GregW]

Awesome observations. On my sportbike I need to go FASt to get my jollies. on my CRF50 I have a blast putting around

 

[supermoto]

While, the Grom look to be a fun ride, I do question if the Grom will satisfy my speed appetite. Having that can't even break the speed limit on the highway doesn't sound very appealing.

 

[GregW]

Get a big bore kit!

 

[chye]

While, the Grom look to be a fun ride, I do question if the Grom will satisfy my speed appetite. Having that can't even break the speed limit on the highway doesn't sound very appealing.

Well what else do you ride?

Personally I don't need the GROM to be a speed demon.

That is what my R6 is for.

 

[brianch]

nice! just found this review while browsing on the forum. i am pretty excited for this thing now... why do the months pass so slowly.

 

[espacef1fan]

Think they will have demo events for these?

 

[pilothaz]

Good review, I am glad to see the enjoyment that can be had on this.

 

[chye]

we need moar reviews!!

 

[fastalgal88]

Agree get a big bore kit but verRey good

 

[StreetSlayer]

Thanks for the read, making me more pumped for the Grom

 

[towman]

Thanks for the link, small bikes = fun, I owned many bikes, I went from a 120 rwhp sportbike to a 30 rwhp supermoto and I had way more fun on the sumo than on the sportbike. Now I'm back on a liter bike for long range commuting and weekend fun, I however wonder if the Grom would provide the same fun factor as my supermoto did.

 

[donuts]

Thanks for the link, small bikes = fun, I owned many bikes, I went from a 120 rwhp sportbike to a 30 rwhp supermoto and I had way more fun on the sumo than on the sportbike. Now I'm back on a liter bike for long range commuting and weekend fun, I however wonder if the Grom would provide the same fun factor as my supermoto did.

This is what I like to hear and the reason why I started looking at getting a smaller displacement :bike5_smilie:

 

[Bama Dave]

Think they will have demo events for these?

I don't see why not. I am sure big wing honda over in thailand did something like this for the MSX 125.

 

[cubeless]

cute little bug...

 

[cubeless]

honda hasn't done test rides at daytona for the past couple years... maybe you can get a ride at the dealer...