With its agile frame, impressive top speed, and potential for customization, the Grom has become one of Honda’s best-selling motorcycles. Since its inception in 2014, they’ve sold nearly a million units of the minibike.
Naturally, this means other companies have come out with their own models to compete with the Grom and try to get some of that revenue for themselves.
Many are cheap knock-offs, but here are five that give the Grom a run for its money and make for good alternatives depending on your preferences.
Kawasaki Z125 Pro
Of all the pocket bikes, the Z125 is arguably the most similar to the Grom. In addition to a Grom-like sportsbike frame, it also has a single-cylinder engine. The Grom and the Z125 have similar prices and are manufactured in Thailand.
Some enthusiasts prefer the Z125 because it’s a few pounds lighter, but the Grom has better torque (4.4 lb-ft) and a five-speed transmission compared to the Z125’s four-speed. The result is that the Grom has a slightly higher top speed.
Beats the Grom:
- Weight
- Agility
Loses to the Grom:
- Torque
- Transmission
- Speed
Who Should Consider the Kawasaki Z125 Pro?
There is little difference between the Grom and the Z125. If you’re looking for agility, consider the Z125. If you’re looking for a little more agility, consider the Z125. If you’re heavier set, the Grom might get you more speed. I’d recommend choosing between the two based on which brand you prefer.
Benelli TNT 135
The TNT 135 steals a lot of Honda’s Grom sales mainly because it has a very similar design at a much less expensive price—nearly $1,000 less expensive, to be exact. At the same time, it’s better than the Grom in some aspects.
For one thing, the TNT 135 has a larger 135cc engine. This gives more horsepower and a higher max speed.
On the other hand, the larger engine means more weight and less fuel economy. The TNT 135 is about 40 pounds heavier than the Grom and gets around 15 fewer miles per gallon.
Beats the Grom:
- Power
- Speed
- Price
Loses to the Grom:
- Weight
- Agility
- Fuel economy
- Modification
Who Should Consider the Benelli TNT 135?
The TNT 135 might be a better choice if you’re on a budget and don’t have any plans to modify your Grom, which is a lot easier on the Honda.
It’s just as fun to play around with, if not more so, thanks to the higher speed, but it can save you some money at the same time.
For more details, see Honda Gron vs Benelli TNT 135
Kymco Spade 150i
Unlike many Honda Grom competitors, the Kymco Spade 150i strays away from the sportsbike style and has a classic cafe racer look. However, the higher horsepower and torque stand out when compared with the Grom.
That said, it surprisingly doesn’t go much faster than the Grom because it weighs a little bit more. So while you’re getting a bigger, more powerful engine, it still isn’t enough to take on the highway and loses some of the agility of the Grom.
Beats the Grom:
- Style (in my opinion)
- Horsepower
- Torque
Loses to the Grom:
- Weight
- Agility
Who Should Consider the Kymco Spade 150i?
Above all, you should take a closer look at the Kymco Spade if you want a stylish motorcycle with a vintage design. It also has great power and torque, adding to the cafe racer appeal.
SSR Razkull 125
The SSR Razkull mainly competes with the Grom due to price. It’s very affordable, with an MSRP of just $1,999, making it almost half the price of the Grom. It also has superior features, such as a lighter frame with the same 125cc engine size.
However, the Razkull 125 is essentially a Chinese-made Honda Grom clone. It’s lower quality, so it usually starts needing maintenance sooner. Plus, it’s harder to find parts for it and definitely harder to customize.
Many people also criticize the Razkull 125 because it uses a carburetor instead of the Grom’s fuel injectors. This means a fuel economy of just 100 mpg versus the Grom’s 134.
Beats the Grom:
- Price
- Weight
Loses to the Grom:
- Horsepower
- Speed
- Construction and quality
- Fuel economy
Who Should Consider the SSR Razkull 125?
If you just want a minibike as a toy for a little while, the Razkull 125 isn’t a bad choice. It’s a lot better for your wallet and is still a lot of fun. It just isn’t likely to hold up to as many miles as the bikes like the Grom and Z125.
Check it out on SSR Motorsports
Honda Monkey
Interestingly, one of the Grom’s biggest competitors comes from Honda itself. The Monkey has been a popular motorcycle since the 60s. It was arguably the original monkey bike that started the whole craze in the first place.
The newer Monkey models, those with 125cc motors, are similar to the Grom with closely matched specs and features. It’s mainly different in its seat orientation, which is more upright. It also has wider wheels for better off-roading.
Read: Honda Monkey vs Grom
Beats the Grom:
- Comfort
- Off-road ability
Loses to the Grom:
- Price
- Agility and handling
Who Should Consider the Honda Monkey?
The Honda Monkey might be better than the Grom if you want to go off-road. It’s also a good option if you use your minibike for commuting since it’s a bit more comfortable.
Final Thoughts
The Grom holds its minibike crown for a reason. Still, competing models have increasingly taken sales away from the Grom as their features continue to improve. While the Grom is undoubtedly an excellent motorcycle, quality competitors like the five listed above are still worth considering.