HONDA Popularity of Moped x 5 Stretch Riding Test (Profile Version)

The maximum legal speed is 60km/h, and there is two class of mopeds with many merits, such as not having to turn right at the two steps. We picked up 5 models (MONKEY 125, CB125R, CROSS CUB110, GROM, and PCX) from HONDA motorcycle, which introduced 13 unique models in this class, and carried out a 240km-back road touring test to compare each of them thoroughly. First of all, in this article # 1, I will introduce 5 profiles that will appear this time.

Table of Contents

What is "Class 2 Mopeds" in the first place?
1. Difference with the class 1 moped
2. Class 2 Moped increased in 14 consecutive years
MONKEY 125: The original leisure model that was reborn as a global motorcycle.
CBR125R: The youngest brother of the Neo Sports Cafe CB-R series, ABS standard equipment
CROSS CUB110: Added rear seat fooptpeg in model change. Two-seater available
GROM: A hot mini that attracts veteran drivers who are active in the circuit
PCX: New frame, more attractve with smark key adoption!
See here the photo collection of motorcycles

What is "Class 2 Mopeds" in the first place?

Difference with the class 1 moped

A major difference between the class 1 moped (total engine displacement 50cc or less) and the class 2 moped (50cc or 125cc or less) is the legal maximum speed, availability of two-seater, and the presence or absence of a two-seater right. Especially in the highest speed part, there is merit in the class 2 mopeds that it is easy to ride in the flow of traffic including the motorcycle. In addition, since the classification of compulsory vehicle liability insurance becomes "a motorized ", insurance premiums will be the same amount.

・ Legal Speed → (Class 1 Moped) 30km/h (Class 2 Moped) 60km/h
・ Two-seater → (Class 2 Moped) × (Class 2 Moped) Necessary
・ Two-step right turn → (Class 1 Moped) Necessary according to intersection (Class 2 Moped) Unnecessary
· Liability insurance both sides → (Class 1/Class 2 Moped) Same amount

Class 2 Moped increased in 14 consecutive years

The class 2 mopeds peaked at 4,680,000 units in 1968 and continued to decreased until 2000, dropping by approximately 7 percent to 1,330,000 units. However, in 2001, it was a 0.5% rally, followed by an increase in the 14 consecutive years since 2004. As of April 2017, the number of owned vehicle is 1,730,000 units, and by Prefecture, Kanagawa, Tokyo and Osaka are the top three. The hottest one in the country right now is the class 2 moped. (*Source: Motorcycles Newspaper June 8, 2018 Issue).

MONKEY 125: The original leisure model that was reborn as a global motorcycle.

The MONKEY 125 was released in July 2018 as a successor to the long-selling model, the MONKEY (50), which has been over 50 years. On the GROM base, the frame is completely remodeled around the rear of the steel backbone. The rear suspension is made up of 2 shocks from mono, and the front/rear tire of 12 inches is from 70% up to 80% of GROM. The air-cooled SOHC2 valve single cylinder combines an exclusive air cleaner and an exhaust system to increase power and torque in the normal range. The ABS (previous) type is set in Japan.

[HONDA MONKEY 125/ABS (2018)] Overall Length: 1710, Overall Width: 755, Overall Height: 1030, Wheelbase: 1155, Seat Height: 775 (each mm), Weight: 105kg (ABS model 107kg), Fuel Tank: 5.6L, Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke OHC Single Cylinder, Total Engine Displacement Amount: 124cc, Maximum Output: 9.4ps/7000rpm, Maximum Torque: 1.1kg-m/5250rpm, Tire Size: F=120/80-12 R=130/80-12, Brake: F/R=Disc, Color: Red, Yellow, Model Price Including Tax: 399,600 yen (ABS model 432,000 yen)

CBR125R: The youngest brother of the Neo Sports Cafe CB-R series, ABS standard equipment

At the top of 1000, 5 CB-R models will be deployed. Among them, 300, 250, 150, 125 adopt common chassis. The 125 engine is a single-cylinder water-cooled SOHC2 valve, and the highest output of 13ps is the highest of the 5 listed. The frame is a diamond frame composed of high-tensile steel pipe and steel material, and it is combined with a thick inverted front fork of Φ41mm. The ABS is equipped as standard with "IMU", which detects the vehicle's angular velocity and acceleration, and uses it as an estimation data of the vehicle's body posture.

[HONDA CBR125R (2018)] Overall Length: 2040, Overall Width: 820, Overall Height: 1055, Wheelbase: 1345, Seat Height: 815 (mm each), Weight: 127kg, Fuel Tank: 10L, Engine: Water-cooled 4-stroke OHC Single Cylinder, Total Engine Displacement Amount: 124cc, Maximum Output: 13ps/10000rpm, Maximum Torque: 1.0kg-m/8000rpm, Tire Size: F=110/70R17 R=150/60R17, Brake: F/R=Disc, Color: Black, Red, White, Vehicle Price Including Tax: 448,200 yen

CROSS CUB110: Added rear seat fooptpeg in model change. Two-seater available

It was debuted in 2013, the first model change in March 2018, the cross cub with "110" added to the end of the model name. The air-cooled SOHC2 valve single cylinder engine displacement is 109cc, the maximum output is 8.0 PS and slightly modest. Because it adopts an automatic centrifugal clutch without a lever, it is possible to ride even at a small limited license. The wire spoke wheel is 17 inches, and the brakes are both front and rear. In addition, the rear seat footpeg is added in this model change which is two-seater available, but since there is no back seat in the standard, this time was tested by replacing KIJIMA double seat.

[HONDA CROSS CUB 110 (2018)] Overall Length: 1935, Overall Width: 795, Overall Height: 1090, Wheelbase: 1230, Seat Height: 784 (each mm), Weight: 106kg, Fuel Tank: 4.3L, Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke Single Cylinder, Total Engine Displacement: 109cc, Maximum Output: 8.0ps/7500rpm, Maximum Torque: 0.87kg-m/5500rpm, Tire Size: F = 80/90-17 R = 80/90-17, Brake: F/R = Drum, Color: Yellow, Green, Red, Model Price Including Tax: 334,800 yen

GROM: A hot mini that attracts veteran drivers who are active in the circuit

It was debuted in 2013, it became the current styling in 2016 model change Leisure System Model. The engine is a 124cc air-cooled SOHC2 valve single cylinder adopting an offset cylinder or roller rocker arm, which generates a little more 9.8ps than MONKEY 125. The mission is four steps. The frame is a steel backbone, which combines a Φ31mm inverted front fork and a mono-shock rear suspension. The brakes are on the front and back discs, with no ABS setting.

[HONDA GROM (2018)] Overall Lenght: 1755, Overall Width: 730 Overall Height: 1000, Wheelbase: 1200, Seat Height: 760 (mm each), Weight: 104kg, Fuel Tank: 5.7L, Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke OHC Single Cylinder, Total Engine Displacement: 124cc, Maximum Output: 9.8ps/7000rpm, Maximum Torque: 1.1kg-m/5250rpm, Tire Size: F=120/70-12 R=130/70-12, Brake: F/R-Disc, Color: Red, White, Gray, Model Price Including Tax: 351,000 yen

PCX: New frame, more attractve with smark key adoption!

Two kinds of a premium scooter with the moped that debuted in 2010. In addition to the full-scale change of the frame in April 2018, the front and rear 14-inch tires were wide in size. The water-cooled SOHC2 valve single cylinder, called "eSP" which combines fuel efficiency and strong output characteristics, exerts the 12ps after CB125R. There is plenty of handy equipment such as idling stop system, front and rear linkage combination brake, smart key, and included the socket. It's a premium class 2 moped model.

[HONDA PCX (2018)] Overall Lenght: 1925, Overall Width: 745, Overall Height: 1105, Wheelbase: 1315, Seat Height: 764 (mm each), Weight: 130kg, Fuel Tank: 8L, Engine: Water-cooled 4-stroke OHC Single Cylinder, Total Engine Displacement: 124cc, Maximum Output: 12ps/8500rpm, Maximum Torque: 1.2kg-m/5000rpm, Tire Size: F=100/80-14 R=120/70-14, Brake: F=Disc R=Drum, Color: Red, Gray, White, Black, Model Price Including Tax: 342,360 yen

First of all, I introduced the 5 profiles of Honda's popular moped two-seater test ride. Next, I want to make a detailed specification comparison.

● Photo by: Mayumi Satoshi

* This article is restructured based on the article published in the September 2018 issue of Young Machine.