2014 Honda Grom 125 First Ride

honda nurtured generations of motorcyclists with its original CT and ST line of small displacement street-legal motorcycles. But for the last decade or so Big Red has shied away from the segment, instead focusing resources on bigger bikes for more experienced riders. But for 2014 it goes back to the basics with the all-new Grom. This 125cc street bike offers big bike-like controls in a fun and easy-to-exploit package with a pricetag under three grand.

Named the MSX125 in other parts of the world, the Grom is a global model made to put power back into the people’s right hand by offering flexible and affordable transportation for both young and older riders alike. Powered by a simple, effective and virtually maintenance-free 125cc four-stroke Single, this little air-cooled engine employs fuel injection and electric start making it simple to get moving hot or cold, day or night.

The motor sips low cost 87-octane from a 1.45-gallon fuel tank netting a range in excess of 100 miles, though exact fuel mileage is still a question mark as we didn’t get to ride it for more than a few miles. Power is put to the tarmac through a manual, cable actuated clutch and four-speed gearbox. Despite its outwardly small dimensions including a

While the clutch lever offers one-finger-light pull, the point of engagement is at the end of the throw which takes a little getting used to. Nevertheless, it’s easy to get a feel for it and the Grom clutch gets the job done without fuss. Although the transmission doesn’t offer the same precise feel and reassuring engagement of its off-road brother, the CRF125F (read about it in the 2014 Honda CRF125F First Ride), it too is effective offering an appropriate gear for going up and down hills and cruising the boulevard at 50 mph in top gear without the excessive vibration of a worn-out blender. We never got to ride the Grom at full tilt, but expect top speed to be right around 60 mph. It can even be legally ridden on the interstate in some U.S. states, for example in Oregon, but not in California.