Hello everyone! My name is Ian. Welcome to Big Rock Moto, your home for the most detailed motorcycle reviews and content on RU-vid. I've owned nearly 40 different motorcycles in the past 25 years that I've been riding. Based in the mountains of California, I ride and review all types of motorcycles to help you make better buying decisions. I also review gear and apparel, and take you on epic motorcycle journeys.
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I have a GT model. This bike is designed to handle like a sport bike. It does not have the "planted" feel of a touring bike. It responds quickly and easily to rider input. Almost telepathic. This was disconcerting at first; the bike seemed to be weaving back and forth. I finally realized that my ham-handed inputs were moving the bike back and forth. Once you realize the need to be smooth with your steering inputs, it is pretty good. It is no Goldwing (thankfully).
You aren't missing anything, I bleed Honda Red and I bought a KLX300. Main reason for me was the tank shape on the Honda flares really wide really quickly and when you sit against the tank like I do, you have to spread your legs really wide and my hips start hurting. ON the positive side, the wind protection is awesome and the Honda is the lightest bike available with a frame mounted wind screen.
He had me with his vision of quality and then the USA sourcing sold me 100 percent. So tired of Rocky mountains bs china cheap stuff, terrible customer service and selling shite parts. Love their videos, but they got to big for my britches.
Keith in Chicago modified his Monkey by shoehorning a 350cc engine into it. 🙂 I like the Monkey but I'd prefer the Trail 125 for its slightly upgraded off road performance, slightly larger size so I look less like an old kid, and the large rear luggage rack and optional front rack. I love the idea of motorcycles as motorized bicycles but the G310GS was the best version of that for the longer distance adventure riding that I wanted to do. I love dual sport bikes as urban assault vehicles. The Monkey is fun but there are 55 MPH roads in my town that people drive at 65+ MPH, so I'd probably choose a KLX300.
I had a 5 HP minibike when I was 12. I installed a Kawasaki motorcycle carburetor. It idled at 35 MPH and it'd go 55 MPH when I gave it the beans. That's squirrely as hell with 10" pneumatic tires on a gravel road. The centrifugal clutch was engaged at idle so it was always a pull-and-go takeoff. If I wanted to ride less than 35 MPH, I had to flip the kill switch on and off for a manual pulse width modulated speed controller.
I appreciate that they stayed true to the og klr but I would gladly pay a few grand more for more power and less weight. I feel like they could have done a lot better
I got the Super Cub for my family because centrifugal clutch and big wheels, but nobody uses it other than me. Quick and easy to roll down to get some groceries instead of using the GS, although the suspension is kinda harsh. And it goes forever on one tank of fuel. I think e-bikes are way more popular just because no license needed, but based on the stupid things I've seen, there probably should be some training required.
I'd rather own a scooter than a Harley. The sitting position is the same, but you get better mileage, automatic transmission, better storage, less maintenance, and less noise. I also find, with my little scooter experience, that you can really ride these like a hooligan from intersection and turn to the next. You just twist and go, put your foot out and counter-balance.. you can really be smooth on the brakes without any jerkiness from the transmission, and without using a clutch. On a scooter, I feel my limits are higher, and I can more casually approach those limits. Whereas in a clutched geared motorcycle I need to be mindful of when I change the gear, rev matching, clutch feathering and not upsetting the suspension. I find it far easier to keep the suspension happy and planted on a scooter.
I sure hope more RU-vidrs and "influencers" keep making videos on air bag stuff so Uncle safety can "mandate" them into being required because the .Gov never misses a chance to pass a law so they can protect us from ourselves and then riding can be even more expensive than it is already and less people ride because of cost.
It is funny how you mention the africa twin. I have been contemplating selling mine be cause I can't get the wind issue figured out. I have been modifying things and 3d printing stuff. I felt like I was getting close but I am at my witts end.
A real good e-bike cost as much as the Monkey. I had a Grom 125 for 6 years and loved it. I sold it cause where I live now I wasn't using it. Sold it for the same price I got it used 6 years ago ! :D
I may have missed it, but no comment on how the bike carries it's weight, i.e. not top-heavy feeling like Yamaha 700. How do the other bikes you compared it to çarry their weight? Will you still have this bike in 18months? - doubt it. Oh year, 22RP owner and I hate the new dash - all personal preferences. Cheers.
I posted in another review on your channel. I was confident about my 790R reliability. Not any more, You were the first and possibly only reviewer questioning soft cams, head and follower reliability. Jeez it rides well and you go on about this ...but to own one longer than a reviewer you get ...cam failure, low or nil resale return and no acknowledgement of the issues from KTM. Never again. Pierer is an .hole.
6’5 with 34” inseam here. Bike feels like it was made for me. Look outside the spec sheet. What a great overall package. Motor is plenty powerful. Fits me great which is rare. Flat bench seat is what more manufacturers should do, tons of room to move around. Great kit on the bike, cruise, heated grips, etc etc etc… great overall package. Throw on the side pannier, rear rack with a box, and a windshield you are good to go for whatever you want.
Great review Ian. I love the style of the Monkey, but for local shipping trips here in Thailand, i prefer a scooter with under seat storage like my Honda Zoomer X 110cc. 👍
Happy Fathers day to all u dads. This was the bike that started it all as a 12 year old in 1969. Mom was furious, how my Brother and I would be killed or worse. He slept on the couch for a few days after the purchase. As a WW 2 combat veteran he knew us boys would survive. He passed in 2022 and miss him daily but still ride and love bikes because of him. This review is priceless as he shows home much "FUN" a well made simple bike can be. It's a magic bike and stole my heart, thanks Dad in heaven.
So, my real dollar votes tell the story of picking internal combustion over electric 100% of the time. My favorite town commuter is my 2022 Burgman 200.
The monkey is the best looking out of the Honda minimotos. But the super cub is probably more practical for around a urban downtown area. I'm not ready for electric yet. I had a Tesla for about 9 months. The range anxiety because of charge time made me get rid of it. I think once the charge times get better they will be more practical.
It isn't a mini. BMW put their mini on Steroids, too. It's to big to pick up, and too small to handle being Blown Everywhere. They aren't mini, Mini, or MINI. Stop bending my Dictionary over, raw. Stop. A mini can be picked up by a grown man and placed in the bed of a pick-up. Miniature.
I love the idea of the Monkey and similar bikes. They could maybe help recall my 1973 minibike with 6hp B&S lawnmower engine. Alas my body outgrew the platform. My 36" inseam interferes with stearing; it's like riding a too small tricycle. Be that as it may, I hope manufacturers of these modern minibikes find them profitable.
My SO was interested in learning how to ride a bike but 125ccm I had back then was too tall. She tried bunch of bikes at Honda dealer and when we got to the Monkey, I knew we will have a banana yellow bike in our garage. Perfect bike for a total, especially smaller, beginner - you are always in control with the Monkey. Low power doesn't surprise, yet it still can deliver sufficient dynamic from the traffic lights start to city speed limits. On a highway you are pretty much stuck behind the first truck or campervan you will reach but it is typical for every 125 ccm bike. Also fun fact, Monkey was used to beat the record of the longest distance driven without refueling - 4,183.8 kilometers (2,599.7 miles). It was of course heavily modified to pull this off, starting from ~110 l tank.
