Nice revisited: Honda reaches into past, brings new Monkey and Super Cub to U.S.

The two models were unveiled today at the Smoky Mountain Crawl, an annual gathering of tiny motorcycles running the Tail of the Dragon, ensuring an enthusiastic audience for the two small Hondas. American Honda Manager of Motorcycle Marketing Communications Lee Edmunds recalled the iconic "You meet the nicest people" ad campaign of the 1960s while introducing the two new retro-inspired models.

"With the 2019 Monkey and Super Cub C125, 'The Power of Nice' returns," Edmunds said. "We're continuing the tradition of offering American customers machines that are simultaneously nostalgic and up-to-date, and that beg to be ridden and personalized."

The 2019 Honda Monkey

The MSX125 Grom’s success showed that there's still a place in the United States for fun, tiny motorcycles. The Monkey takes the Grom's appeal a step further. Older riders may remember one fondly from their youths and young riders can appreciate the 1970s style that has influenced motorcycling in a variety of forms in recent years, from café racers to scramblers.

In Honda’s eyes, the original “gave thousands of riders their first experience of twisting the throttle on a powered two wheeler.” The new Monkey is surely meant to continue that early connection to riders. The Monkey was a global success for Honda before, and they’re banking the little ottoman-on-wheels can win hearts again. The Monkey boasts a cushy seat, plush tires, and even manages to pull off upside-down forks, maintaining the retro looks by color-matching the fork tube anodization. An old-school style pipe also makes an appearance (complete with what Honda calls an “evocatively stamped exhaust shield.”)

The new Monkey has lots of updates over the original, however, such as all-LED lighting, an LCD digital gauge and available front-wheel ABS. Unlike the original 49 cc version, the new Monkey’s packing Honda’s 125 cc horizontal single, so you’ll actually need a license to ride this on the road. Not a bad trade, as more riders are getting their first motorcycle experiences on the streets, instead of the neighbor’s field or backyard trails. Fuel injection makes possible a thrifty 157 mpg, Honda says.

The Monkey isn’t about the numbers, nor has it ever been. It has horsepower. It holds some gas. Brakes are present. Gas mileage nearly defies the laws of thermodynamics. Everyone wants to try riding it, and that’s all there should be to the Monkey.

Lemmy’s already vying for the first ride review assignment. That should answer any other questions you might have about this micro motorcycle.

2019 Honda Super Cub C125 ABS

The other big news from Honda is the release of the Super Cub C125 ABS to the United States, 60 years after it first arrived as an initial offering from American Honda, the company's first foreign subsidiary. While the Monkey is busy soaking up all the attention, the Cub stays in the background, far more practical. And beautiful. The blue-with-a-red-seat style is deeply ingrained in Honda’s history, and looks as good as ever.

The new Super Cub is also powered by the horizontal 125 cc engine and has the same LED lighting and other touches. It also comes with two smart keys. And, just like the original, you shift gears manually but the clutch is automatic. No learning curve for new riders who have never seen a clutch.

With this resurrection of two small classics, Honda sees an opportunity to return to the simpler side of motorcycling at a time when more people are looking at alternatives for efficient urban transportation. Let’s see where it goes.

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