Say hello to the Honda MSX 125 Grom!
It's exactly one year since we rode the Honda MSX125 Grom in India and compared it to its Indian cousin, the Honda Activa-based Navi. Why is it back in the news? Because the new Grom was spotted testing in India and there is some speculation that Honda Motorcycle and Scooter are preparing to the launch the Honda MSX125 Grom in India shortly. But for this story, let's focus on the wee motorcycle.
DesignThe 2017 Honda Grom maintains the small motorcycle form factor and doesn't skimp on the equipment either. But it gains a new split design LED headlight, new plastics and a low-slung exhaust. It also has sportier handlebars, a new flip-style key. The subframe sweeps upwards at a sharper angle which raises the height of the pillion seat and makes the Grom look sportier as well.
EngineThe engine, though, is unchanged. This is the same 9.7PS 125cc air-cooled, fuel-injected single cylinder motor with the four-speed transmission as before.
Frame and cycle partsThe Grom uses a 31mm USD fork at the front with a steel swingarm and a monoshock at the rear. ABS is available on the 220m front disc (190mm rear) and the tyres are IRC 120/70 and 130/70 on 12-inch rims. This isn't bare bones equipment for a machine this small either!
OverallWhile the dimensions of the Honda Grom could easily fool you into thinking its for kids, it isn't. The Honda Grom is a fun take on an urban runabout and Honda has roundly been praised for getting the engineering as well as feel right. Full size humans will ride this happily and the Grom, surprise, has been praised for its handling too! We expect Honda will show the Grom at the 2018 Auto Expo as a precursor to the launch, likely in April. We expect to see a price just under the Rs 1 lakh mark.