[Brian_Fenner]

"....+ the stupid $85 doc fee."
$85 for a doc fee is phenomenally cheap. About 3 weeks to a month ago, I was dealing with a very large corperate dealership that has over 106 dealerships nationwide. I was looking for a new, '23 Honda Monkey. Those, like the Blue '22 Tour DCT's, are insanely rare to be ON THE FLOOR, ready for sale. Anyway, they had a brand new '23 come in with no buyers. The dealership in question was in Las Vegas and we're in Lake Havasu, about 2.5-3 hours away, plus or minus. I called and it was available. I started working a deal over the phone and because I know how sought after these darn little Monkeys are, I credit carded a $500 deposit almost immediately.

Then, they did the workup sheet and sent me the copy over email. SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS for documentation fees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS for dealer prep and, they sent me photos of that little Monkey in the crate. It's very close to 100% completely assembled!!!! What kind of time, in dealer hours, are needed to generate FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS in dealer prep on a completely assembled 125cc motorcycle??????????? And they also wanted $FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS for "Battery protection"!!!!!!!!!

All in all, they wanted $6,500 out the door for a $3,999 (MSRP) 2023 Honda Monkey!!!!!!! I told them to keep it and I want my $500 deposit refunded. They were not happy but, they had to return it. They took their time in doing it, about 3 days. Anyway, sorry for the long rant.
Scott

You need to get one........loads of fun!
Got mine in 2019 brand new........none of that BS with jacking up the prices, got $100 off the MSRP with no fees.
No deals on them, but avoiding the BS fees is what counts.

He's a little jealous of the new Blue Trike.......

 

[Ridewv]

There was a new one parked in front of the dealership 3 years ago but when I asked about it was told it was actually used with 170 miles. He said I could have it for $2,700 so I said ok load it in my truck then paid them $2,785 and took it home thinking it could be nice to take along when my friend and I go truck camping. Here it is with her posing on it, no she didn't ride like that!


But long story short I quickly determined that my XT250 did everything the Monkey could do only better (other than look cute) so after riding it only 150 miles myself I traded it back to them a few months later. It didn't ride that well on bad roads and on smooth roads I didn't like the idea going wide open, 30-40 mph, up hills with cars and trucks right on my tail.

 

[FIRE UP]

You need to get one........loads of fun!
Got mine in 2019 brand new........none of that BS with jacking up the prices, got $100 off the MSRP with no fees.
No deals on them, but avoiding the BS fees is what counts.

He's a little jealous of the new Blue Trike.......

View attachment 413231

Hey Brian,
My buddy that lives just up the street has both a '22 and a '23 Monkey. He's a snowbird from Idaho to here in Havasu in AZ. He's got the '22 here in Havasu and the '23 in Idaho. He's 6' 3" tall and around 240-ish. He really doesn't look all that out of place while seated on the Monkey. If one has never been on one, they're actually bigger than they look in pictures. I jumped on his '22 the other day and took it for a quick spin. I'm 6' 2 1/2" and 245-ish and it's amazing how well that little 125cc injected engine powers my lard butt around. And, where we live, there's ZERO flat roads. It's either UPHILL or downhill from my house. I went up hill and it accelerated dang good for that little engine.

The figures I quoted when dealing with that particular dealership are nationwide. They charge the same exact "fees" for the same part of the write up in one state, as they do in other states of the same corporate dealerships. It seems the smaller non corporate dealerships can charge considerably less in add-on fees maybe because they're not supporting their brothers and sisters in every other state. I think I'm gonna be selling my '18 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT and will use the funds from that to procure the little Monkey.
Scott

 

[FIRE UP]

There was a new one parked in front of the dealership 3 years ago but when I asked about it was told it was actually used with 170 miles. He said I could have it for $2,700 so I said ok load it in my truck then paid them $2,785 and took it home thinking it could be nice to take along when my friend and I go truck camping. Here it is with her posing on it, no she didn't ride like that!


But long story short I quickly determined that my XT250 did everything the Monkey could do only better (other than look cute) so after riding it only 150 miles myself I traded it back to them a few months later. It didn't ride that well on bad roads and on smooth roads I didn't like the idea going wide open, 30-40 mph, up hills with cars and trucks right on my tail.

RideWV,
They are a neat little bike. But, BUT, they are a LITTLE BIKE as you found out. They do have limitations without a doubt. The '19's, '20's and '21's are four speed versions and have weaker suspension and no oil filter. The '22's and up gained a 5-speed tranny, stronger progressive suspension springs and an oil filter. The top speed on your model, which by you stating "3 years ago" I'm assuming it was '19", correct, is kind-a what you found to be around 35-40 mph. I don't have any idea what that additional gear in the '22's and up will give the Monkey for top speed.

The first thing that guys need to realize when purchasing something like a Monkey is, IT'S NOT A HIGHER SPEED motorcycle. It is for city streets, lower speed county and country roads where a person just wants to cruise along and enjoy the scenery and life.

I also have a 2007 Yamaha TW200. It's BONE STOCK and zero modifications. To me, the top speed without ringing the little 200cc motors neck is close to 45 mph. Yes, it will do 50 but, I'm not one to simply do WIDE OPEN THROTTLE just because I can and the bike will run like that. I know many that will push that bike to 65 mph. That little engine is whining its guts out. Nope, not for me. If I want higher speeds, I'll jump on the Africa Twin or the Goldwing. If I want put-put around town or little dirt roads where I can do 25-30 for years on end, out comes the TW.
Scott

 

[Brian_Fenner]

RideWV,
They are a neat little bike. But, BUT, they are a LITTLE BIKE as you found out. They do have limitations without a doubt. The '19's, '20's and '21's are four speed versions and have weaker suspension and no oil filter. The '22's and up gained a 5-speed tranny, stronger progressive suspension springs and an oil filter. The top speed on your model, which by you stating "3 years ago" I'm assuming it was '19", correct, is kind-a what you found to be around 35-40 mph. I don't have any idea what that additional gear in the '22's and up will give the Monkey for top speed.

The first thing that guys need to realize when purchasing something like a Monkey is, IT'S NOT A HIGHER SPEED motorcycle. It is for city streets, lower speed county and country roads where a person just wants to cruise along and enjoy the scenery and life.

I also have a 2007 Yamaha TW200. It's BONE STOCK and zero modifications. To me, the top speed without ringing the little 200cc motors neck is close to 45 mph. Yes, it will do 50 but, I'm not one to simply do WIDE OPEN THROTTLE just because I can and the bike will run like that. I know many that will push that bike to 65 mph. That little engine is whining its guts out. Nope, not for me. If I want higher speeds, I'll jump on the Africa Twin or the Goldwing. If I want put-put around town or little dirt roads where I can do 25-30 for years on end, out comes the TW.
Scott

I can get 55 MPH out of mine WOT.........on the flats.
Not what it's for though.....I have a blast on this little thing tooling around

It's the bike I dreamed about when I was 12 but could never get with 4-boys in the family.

 

[FIRE UP]

I can get 55 MPH out of mine WOT.........on the flats.
Not what it's for though.....I have a blast on this little thing tooling around

It's the bike I dreamed about when I was 12 but could never get with 4-boys in the family.

Roger that Brian,
WOT on it could get the 55 mph but comfortably, I think as stated, around 35 - 40 would be more suitable for sustained engine life don't ya think? I'm real comfortable at those same speeds on the TW. Yeah, I've pushed it to 55 on very rare occasions but I feel for these little engines. Hopefully, I'll have a little Monkey sometime in the near future. I (we) don't mind traveling to purchase our vehicles or motorcycles. We've done it so many times that it seems like there's something wrong if I find something I'm looking for in my own hometown.
Scott

 

[Ridewv]

Fire Up I agree with you 100%
Yes I got 55 or so on mine wide open on level but 45 or so seemed to be the high speed sweet spot on level or down hills w/o wringing its guts out. I often found myself both down shifting and wringing its guts out on grades, and even still dropped to 30 mph, LOL sometimes with Bubba behind in his F250 wanting me to hurry up. On the fuel injected XT250 add 20 mph to the speeds referenced above, so 75, 65, and 50 respectively, which just makes for a more enjoyable and safer riding experience for me given where I ride. In hind sight I shouldn't have bought it but fortunately they gave me $2,700 back for it so I was only out the $85 doc and the heavier rear springs I put on.
But those little bikes (Monkey and Grom) can be a good option depending on what you want to do with them. As mentioned they fit a full size person surprisingly well and they're fun. In my mind they're perfect somewhere flat or rolling with a lot of 25-45 mph, nicely paved streets. Also ideal to toss in the back of your truck.

The two at the dealer here are 23's and yesterday I was comparing their updated motors with the 22 Trail parked right beside the. I really like the fact they added an oil filter and 5th gear. The longer stroke is supposed to give a smidge more torque too. But those plaid seats!

 

[FIRE UP]

" But those plaid seats!"
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah! What a crack up. Yep, you, me, my buddy and anyone else I've spoken to about the '23 Monkey "Plad" seats is still somewhat dumbfounded. I mean come on Honda, what, you got drunk one night and someone in a bar suggested Plad seats on your newly designed Monkeys? Geeese! I've done a tad bit of upholstery work in my life and if and when I get one, no matter the Red or Yellow one, that seat cover is gonna come off and I'm gonna rip it apart and sew in some decent alternative.
Scott

 

[spummerr]

"....+ the stupid $85 doc fee."
$85 for a doc fee is phenomenally cheap. About 3 weeks to a month ago, I was dealing with a very large corperate dealership that has over 106 dealerships nationwide. I was looking for a new, '23 Honda Monkey. Those, like the Blue '22 Tour DCT's, are insanely rare to be ON THE FLOOR, ready for sale. Anyway, they had a brand new '23 come in with no buyers. The dealership in question was in Las Vegas and we're in Lake Havasu, about 2.5-3 hours away, plus or minus. I called and it was available. I started working a deal over the phone and because I know how sought after these darn little Monkeys are, I credit carded a $500 deposit almost immediately.

Then, they did the workup sheet and sent me the copy over email. SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS for documentation fees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS for dealer prep and, they sent me photos of that little Monkey in the crate. It's very close to 100% completely assembled!!!! What kind of time, in dealer hours, are needed to generate FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS in dealer prep on a completely assembled 125cc motorcycle??????????? And they also wanted $FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS for "Battery protection"!!!!!!!!!

All in all, they wanted $6,500 out the door for a $3,999 (MSRP) 2023 Honda Monkey!!!!!!! I told them to keep it and I want my $500 deposit refunded. They were not happy but, they had to return it. They took their time in doing it, about 3 days. Anyway, sorry for the long rant.
Scott

Insane, Glad you canceled

 

[FIRE UP]

Insane, Glad you canceled

Yessiree,
Those "Up-charges" that that corporation/dealership charge on each sale, nation wide, are apparently just fine with the general public as they keep buying motorcycles, side x sides and more from them and they still remain in business. Well, they ain't gonna get any of my business for sure.
Scott

 

[Ridewv]

You can do a fly and ride and post your ride from WV back to AZ on your Monkey!

 

[FIRE UP]

You can do a fly and ride and post your ride from WV back to AZ on your Monkey!

I would to that on a Wing in a heartbeat. But on a Monkey???? Highly doubtful. Can you see me on I-40, I-80, or any other cross country freeway or even a lesser set of roads that may connect one end of the country to the other, with all the crazy-a$$ truckers and cagers wanting to do light-year speeds, naw, ain't gonna happen.

Ever see those two yahoos that did the Baja 1000 on two Monkeys? They were a crack up to watch. And I think the same two bone heads did an Alaska run too on a couple of trail 90's or something like them.

1,000 Miles Across Alaska! 1975 Honda CT90 vs. 2021 Trail 125 | Common Tread XP - YouTube

"Throttle Out" 1,000 Miles in Baja on Honda Monkeys (TV Episode 2018) - IMDb

Scott

 

[Ridewv]

Yeah pretty cool thanks, I'd seen the video of Zach and the other rider riding Trails to Prudhoe Bay but not the other video.
Have you given thought to a Trail rather than a Monkey? I imagine the next batch will be 2023's with the updated motor.

 

[Al P.]

You need to get one........loads of fun!
Got mine in 2019 brand new........none of that BS with jacking up the prices, got $100 off the MSRP with no fees.
No deals on them, but avoiding the BS fees is what counts.

He's a little jealous of the new Blue Trike.......

View attachment 413231

You are not kidding!!!! The Honda dealer by me can't even keep them in the showroom. The sales guy showed me a list of people in a matter of 2 weeks time. They call and drop deposits.