Stand out from the crowd with the MSX125

It’s a formula that still has resonance for a completely new breed of young riders known as “Generation Y” in the USA, “Dek Neaw” in Thailand and “Street-Kei” in Japan – many of today’s teenagers, having grown up in the borderless Internet age share a culture, fashion and spirit that defies convention.

Instinctively drawn to motorcycling they need their first two-wheeled transport to be exciting but not unduly challenging, and want it to pack a design that makes them smile. They also have a desire to turn heads and be more than just a little bit different. Plus, given the usual financial pressures of starting out in life, all of this needs to be achieved as economically as possible.

To cater specifically for this generation of young riders, in 2013 Honda produced the MSX125 (Mini Street X-treme 125). A truly global product (and known as the “Grom” in Japan and USA), the MSX125 has been a hit across the world. In Europe,

the MSX125 has sold over 3 000 units since May, joining the CBF125 in Europe’s top-five best-selling 125cc motorcycles in its first season. It’s everything expected of a Honda in terms of performance, build quality and usability, but also wears a style and exudes an attitude all its own. Born of a feeling, of now, it’s quirkily fresh and fittingly unconventional.

Its well-proven and efficient 125cc fuel-injected engine has been further refined for even greater economy plus smooth torque and power delivery, and also features a motorcycle-style four-speed gearbox and clutch.

Priorities for the MSX125’s chassis were threefold: it needed to provide the base for a practical bike that new riders could use – and park – with ease in an urban environment. But it also needed to be just as useable and enjoyable out of town, and also readily accept a pillion.

The new frame structure has also enabled efficient storage of PGM-FI-related components and electrical parts inside the tank cover without reducing fuel capacity (5.5litres).
Another aim for the MSX125 was to provide beyond-class suspension quality. The MSX125 uses a combined projector headlight – a feature that gives the front of the bike a strong identity and presence.

Easy to read for its compact size the LCD digital dash delivers all the information the rider needs – speedometer, twin-trip meters, fuel gauge and clock. Resetting the trip meters and clock, or alternation between odometer and trip meter is via switches either side of the display.

The MSX125’s 125cc two-valve air-cooled engine is based on one of Honda’s most well-proven power units; recently employed in the Wave 125i, over
30 000 have been produced since initial introduction in 2003, and it’s won universal praise over the last decade for fuel efficiency, ease of use and longevity.
Further development of the engine for the MSX125 has resulted in improved fuel economy. The engine uses low-friction technology such as an offset cylinder and a roller-rocker arm for the valve gear.

Reducing crank inertia has also resulted in improved throttle feel and a smooth power delivery. All in all the MSX125’s engine packs a perfect blend of punchy roll-on performance with useful, accessible and fun all-round ability. The effort put into reducing internal friction and increasing intake and exhaust efficiency has also produced a highly economical unit.