The Honda Monkey is a small retro motorcycle that started life in 1961 as a children’s ride at a Honda amusement park and is now a 124cc road bike. The 2026 US model has a fuel-injected single-cylinder engine, a five-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel ABS, a 30.5-inch seat and a curb weight of 231 pounds. Honda lists it at a base MSRP of $4,399 plus a $300 destination charge.
This guide covers where the Monkey came from, how it changed from a 50cc minibike to a 125, what the current bike gives you, and what to think about before you buy one. Every date and figure comes from Honda’s own pages or the sources listed at the end.
Where the Monkey came from
1961: a ride at Tama Tech
The first Monkey was the Z100, built in 1961 as a ride at Tama Tech, Honda’s amusement park near Tokyo. Honda’s own history page calls it a “playful leisure model first developed for amusement parks”. According to Honda Ireland’s timeline, that first bike had 5-inch wheels, no suspension, foldable handlebars and a 49cc engine.
1963 to 1967: from park ride to road bike
Honda Ireland dates the first road-going model to 1963, when it was exported to North America and Europe. Honda says the export Monkey, the CZ100, was well received in Europe, and that success led to a model for public roads in Japan.
That model was the Monkey Z50M, launched in 1967. It added the lights and brakes needed for the road, and its seat and handlebars folded down so the whole bike could fit in a car’s trunk. It used a 50cc four-stroke, overhead-cam single from the Super Cub family, with an automatic centrifugal clutch and a three-speed gearbox. Folded, it measured 1,191 mm long, 355 mm wide and 650 mm high.
The engine link is not a coincidence. The Monkey borrowed its layout from the bike I covered in my Honda Super Cub history, which is why the two families still feel related today.
The Z50 years and the US Mini Trail
Later Monkeys carried Z50 model codes, including the Z50A, Z50J, Z50M and Z50R. In the United States, the Z50 was sold as the Mini Trail. Early bikes had no rear suspension. Rear shocks arrived over time, and by the Japanese Z50J of 1974 (the US Z50AK3 of 1972) the bike had suspension at both ends. Wheel size also grew from 5 inches to 8 inches.
Honda Ireland’s timeline picks out a few landmarks after that:
- 1970: a quick-detach front fork, so the bike fitted into the trunk of a small car.
- 1978: the first Monkey with a teardrop fuel tank.
- 1984: a limited-edition Gold model.
- 1987: the R model, with a twin-tube frame and a hydraulic front disc brake.
- 1991: the off-road styled Baja, with twin headlights.
- 2009: the first fuel-injected Monkey.
Why the 50cc Monkey ended
In March 2017, Honda said the 50cc Z50 line would end in August 2017 because new emission rules in Japan would be very hard for such a small engine to meet. Honda sent it off with a 50th Anniversary Special Edition for Japan, limited to 500 bikes and sold through an online lottery at 432,000 yen including tax.
The 2018 relaunch as a 125
In 2018 Honda brought the Monkey name back as the Monkey 125, sold in the US as a 2019 model. It is based on the Honda Grom rather than the old Z50, but its round tank, high bars, chrome and paint are styled after the early Monkeys. Honda Ireland described the new bike as the Monkey “reborn and ready for life in the 21st century city”.
So a vintage Z50 and a new Monkey are very different machines. The old bikes are tiny 50cc minibikes with three-speed boxes. The new one is a full road motorcycle with a manual clutch, five gears and modern brakes.
The 2026 Honda Monkey: price and specs
Here is what Honda lists for the 2026 US model, checked on 24 October 2026.
- Price: $4,399 base MSRP, plus a $300 destination charge, for $4,699 before tax, registration and dealer fees.
- Engine: 123.9cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke, overhead cam, two valves, with programmed fuel injection. Honda says it is the same engine as its latest Grom.
- Gearbox: five-speed manual with a wet multiplate clutch and chain drive.
- Suspension: 31mm inverted fork with 4.3 inches of travel, and twin rear shocks with 4.0 inches of travel.
- Brakes: single 220mm front disc with ABS, and a single 190mm rear disc.
- Tires: 12-inch wheels with 120/80-12 front and 130/80-12 rear block-pattern tires.
- Size: 30.5-inch seat height, 45.0-inch wheelbase and 6.9 inches of ground clearance.
- Weight and fuel: 231 pounds curb weight with a full 1.5-gallon tank.
- Fuel economy: Honda estimates 162.6 mpg for comparison purposes. Your real figure will depend on how and where you ride.
- Color: Matte Black Metallic.
For a new rider, the useful numbers are the seat height and the weight. At 30.5 inches and 231 pounds, most adults can put their feet down and push the bike around a parking space without a struggle. Still, sit on one at a dealer before you buy, because comfort depends on your own height and inseam.
Is the Honda Monkey street legal?
Yes. The new US Monkey is sold as a road motorcycle and Honda says it meets current EPA emissions standards (California bikes meet CARB rules). You still need the right motorcycle license or endorsement, registration and insurance for your state.
Be more careful with an old Z50 or a modified minibike. Many vintage minibikes were never registered for road use, so check the title and registration status with your state’s motor vehicle office before you plan to ride one on the street.
Can the Monkey go on the freeway?
It is not a good idea. A 124cc engine has little spare power for merging or keeping pace with fast traffic, and some states and roads set rules for small motorcycles on limited-access highways. The Monkey is happiest on town roads and back roads.
If you want a sense of what this size of engine can do, I look at it in how fast a 125cc motorcycle can go.
Honda Monkey or Grom?
The Monkey and the Grom share the same 124cc engine and five-speed gearbox, so the choice is mostly about style and riding position.
- Pick the Monkey if you want the classic look, a round tank, high chrome bars and an upright, relaxed seat.
- Pick the Grom if you prefer modern, angular styling and a sportier look.
Sit on both before you decide. The difference in bar height and seat shape is easier to feel than to read about. For the Grom’s real-world speed, see my guide to Honda Grom top speed.
What it costs to own a Monkey
The sticker price is only the start. Budget for these as well:
- Taxes, title and registration: these vary by state, so ask the dealer for a written out-the-door quote.
- Insurance: get quotes before you buy, because the price depends on where you live and your riding history.
- Riding gear: a properly fitted helmet, gloves, a jacket and sturdy boots.
- Servicing: follow the schedule in the owner’s manual. Honda notes that the engine has a replaceable oil filter, which keeps oil changes simple.
- Wear items: tires, brake pads and the drive chain, which needs regular cleaning and adjustment.
Fuel should be a small line on the list. Honda’s 162.6 mpg estimate and the 1.5-gallon tank mean the Monkey is cheap to run around town, even if your own mileage comes in lower.
Frequently asked questions
When did Honda start making the Monkey?
The first Monkey, the Z100, was built in 1961 as an amusement park ride at Tama Tech. The first Monkey sold to the public in Japan was the Z50M in 1967.
How much is a 2026 Honda Monkey?
Honda lists a base MSRP of $4,399 in the US, plus a $300 destination charge, for $4,699 before tax and registration.
What engine does the Honda Monkey have?
A 123.9cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke with fuel injection and a five-speed manual gearbox. Honda says it is the same engine as its latest Grom.
Is the Honda Monkey good for beginners?
It is one of the easier bikes to start on, thanks to the 30.5-inch seat, 231-pound weight, gentle power and front ABS. It is best for town riding rather than highways.
Are old Honda Monkeys rare?
Early Z series Mini Trails are still popular with collectors and can sell for several times their original price, and restoration parts are widely available.
Sources
- Honda Powersports: 2026 Monkey, for price, specs and fuel economy.
- Honda News: 2026 Honda Monkey specifications, published 10 February 2026.
- Honda Global: the first retail Monkey in Japan, for the CZ100 and Z50M.
- Honda Global: Monkey history.
- Honda Ireland: the evolution of the Honda Monkey bike, for the timeline from 1961 to 2018.
- Wikipedia: Honda Z series, for the Z50 variants, the 2017 end of production and the 2018 relaunch.
Featured photo: Honda Monkey at Motorworld Böblingen, by Giftzwerg 88, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
