The Monkey was one of Honda’s first minibikes with a history going back to the 70s. That doesn’t mean Honda has stopped improving it, though.
In fact, with a new five-speed transmission and 9 hp of engine output, the 2022 Monkey boasts a rated top speed of 56.5 mph or about 90 km/h.
Many Monkey riders even claim speeds of up to 65 mph in the right conditions. The actual top speed of your Honda Monkey depends on several internal and external factors.
What Factors Affect Honda Monkey Top Speed?
Wind
The Monkey is very similar to the Grom in shape and size, which means it’s aerodynamic and creates minimal wind resistance.
Nevertheless, if the wind is against you, it can slow you down and prevent you from reaching the top speed of 56 mph. On the other hand, a strong wind at your back can push you over the standard top speed.
Many Monkey riders try to get higher speeds out of their bikes through dangerous riding strategies. These include fully tucking their bodies on the bike and drafting behind other vehicles.
While these aren’t recommended as they increase your chances of an accident, they can increase the motorcycle’s top speed.
Grade
When riding downhill, you’ll get the highest speeds out of your Honda Monkey. Conversely, riding uphill will limit the speeds you can get with severe grades dropping your max speed below 50 mph.
Weight
The same motor can move a lower weight at higher speeds than otherwise. This includes the weight of the rider.
The official weight limit of the Honda Monkey is only about 230 lbs or 105 kg. It’s easy to get close to this limit, especially if you’re a larger rider or are carrying luggage. Even if you don’t pass the limit, just getting close can slow you down and prevent you from reaching the top speed of 56 mph.
On the flip side, some Monkey riders modify their bikes to remove weight.
They remove certain parts or replace them with lighter-weight options. This is a good way to get more speed out of your Monkey.
Just make sure the modified parts are legal and high-quality and don’t remove anything necessary for the safe operation of the bike.
Mods and Specs
It’s not just external factors. The parts and specs of the Monkey itself will make a big difference in the top speed you can get out of it.
These parts include the fuel injectors, air intake, and exhaust system. Adding improved after-market parts can increase your top speed, while failing to maintain them properly can decrease it.
Why Is the 2022 Honda Monkey Faster?
The Honda Monkey is faster than previous models due to the new five-speed transmission. This lets you get more speed out of the 125cc, 9-hp motor.
Additionally, it allows you to better take advantage of the above factors, such as downhill grade to hit speeds higher than the rated 56 mph.
How Does the 2022 Honda Monkey Compare to Past Models?
There’s a lot of varying information on the Honda Monkey’s top speed. Aside from the officially declared top speed, many enthusiasts in articles and forums claim to have gotten higher speeds with different model years. Here’s what I’ve been able to find.
*Honda started producing the Z series of minibikes in 1961, introducing the Z50A to the US market in 1968. This 50cc model, which was informally called the “Monkey bike” due to its small size, was discontinued in 2017 and replaced by the modern 125cc Monkey.