2016 Honda Grom launch review

There's something innately amusing about seeing adults riding 'compact' motorcycles at speed, but it was just the right ticket for Honda Australia as it officially launched the MSX125 Grom 'mini streetfighter' at a go-kart circuit in Melbourne recently.

And thanks to its stable of brand ambassadors, including V8 Supercar stars Craig Lowndes and Ricky Kelly and Daryl Beattie, the Grom launch was a star-studded affair of the highest order, with a two-hour session on the go-kart track followed by a short commute through the bayside suburbs of Melbourne before terminating at Federation Square in the CBD for a meet and greet session with the public.

The 125cc two-valve air-cooled Grom has actually been around since 2013, and in many parts of the world has struck a massive chord with younger riders – 250,000 units have been sold in Thailand alone!

No surprise then that the likes of Kawasaki have also been attracted to those dollar signs as well, with Team Green since releasing the Z125 which is going head-to-head with the Grom in Australia.

The philosophy of the miniature streetfighter concept is simple: a compact motorcycle with a mini-bike like stance, but with 'grown-up' motorcycle parts, a real sense of fun, and cut from a different cloth than other LAMS motorcycles.

Actually make that sheer, unadulterated fun, and the go-kart circuit provided the perfect backdrop for that as the celebs, Honda road racing and motocross factory riders (Jamie Stauffer, Troy Herfoss, Jay Wilson and Dylan Long) and journos took to the circuit – but this author was the only noddy to slide down the tarmac after losing the front-end on a left-hander… I've managed to survive the last two Le Minz 24-hour scooter races in Queensland through some torrential weather, but 10 minutes of Grom riding proved to be a great leveller.

Put that one down to pilot error, as the 101.7kg (wet) Thai-built Grom is supremely manageable and the chassis is a beauty: steel mono-backbone frame, 31mm upside-down fork, monoshock rear suspension, hydraulic disc brakes front and rear and light-weight 12-inch wheels.

The chassis has remained untouched since conception, but Honda Australia's decision to take the Grom plunge has coincided with styling tweaks in 2016 which includes a new fuel tank and side panels, new stacked LED headlight, upswept tail unit (with LED taillight), higher pillion seat and a short, under-slung exhaust. The seat height is a universally pleasing 765mm.

With a miniscule 1200mm wheelbase and Honda doing its best to keep unsprung weight in check, you can literally adjust your line on a whim – which many of the riders were doing as they miraculously found themselves bunched together on the go-kart track. It's certainly nimble alright, but not to the extent that it's unstable – far from it.

Meanwhile, U-turns are a cinch with such a small turning radius, and ground clearance is an excellent 160mm.

Performance is 9.8hp/10.9Nm from the fuel-injected engine, mated to a four-speed gearbox and standard manual clutch. In the range of expectations, but as it only weighs in at 100-odd kilos that makes for decent power- and torque-to-weight ratios, far exceeding another 125cc machine on the Honda books – the 137kg CB125E.

So in other words the Grom is small, but beefy, and it can pull a decent wheelstand – if not sustain one – when the likes of Wilson and Long come out to play. Impressive, and Honda claims all that internal combustion chews up less than a couple of litres per 100km. The tank holds 5.5 litres.

With more than decent acceleration  blending in with traffic is a breeze, and Lowndes even had his partner on the back as we meandered through Melbourne and wasn't labouring.

If you want 100km/h on an open road, you'll probably get it too – but just don't go looking for a fifth gear. If you do, you may want to find something more suitable in the Honda catalogue.

Probably the bigger issue in traffic is visibility, or a lack thereof, but all drivers seemed to notice us – a little easier in this instance with 10 red, yellow and grey Groms travelling en masse! The official liveries are Lemon Ice Yellow, Pearl Valentine Red and Matte Axis Grey Metallic.

After paying only scant attention to the LCD dash at the go-kart track, it soon became a focus on the road. As well as the staples, the Grom has twin trip meters, a fuel gauge and clock; all you need. The only gripe is the positioning of the horn and blinker switches, as a lot of us were getting them mixed up – another bike to add to the list.

If you're an adult, the Grom is one of the smallest bikes – other than your children's steeds – that you're ever likely to ride, which provides an adventure in itself. And the Grom emphatically proves that adventure isn't just a function of horsepower or razor-sharp this and out – it's got its own set of charms.

And if you're a worry wart about storage, the Grom shouldn’t even raise a sweat as it's such a demure little thing – for the garage or living room or to throw in the caravan if you're travelling around Oz.

Honda's $3999 introductory price on the Grom continues until August 31, 2016.

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 9.8hp (7.2kW) at 7000rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 10.9Nm at 5500rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Four speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multiplate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Steel backbone
Front suspension: 31mm upside-down fork, non-adjustable
Rear suspension: Monoshock
Front brakes: 220mm disc with dual-piston caliper
Rear brake: 190mm disc with single-piston caliper
Wheels: Front 2.5 x 12, rear 2.5 x 12
Tyres: Front 120/70-12, rear 130/70-12

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 25 degrees
Trail: 81mm
Claimed kerb weight: 101.7
Seat height: 765mm
Ground clearance: 160mm
Wheelbase: 1200mm
Fuel capacity: 5.5 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $3999 until August 31, 2016
Colours: Lemon Ice Yellow, Pearl Valentine Red and Matte Axis Grey Metallic
Test bike supplied by: Honda Australia, hondamotorcycles.com.au

Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres