Post by skuuter on Aug 6, 2013 15:12:01 GMT -5
OK, I didn't get any Pics last Friday while riding it, because just as I was getting off to take Pics, my Phone rang. It was Mitzie (my Wife) telling me They had just discovered Her 59 Year Old Brother dead from a stomach aneurysm. So from Friday through yesterday (Monday Funeral), my time has been spent at the Funeral Home and Cemetery. Why no posts here over the weekend also..... 
My Buddy Ken, Honda's Southeastern District Rep, brought a Grom by late Thursday afternoon for my Honda Dealer and myself to test ride. My turn was Friday before work. He had to stay through Saturday in this Area while visiting the Honda Dealers here, then He and the Grom headed to Florida next on Sunday morning. I was a little disappointed in the Little Grom. Here's my opinions.....
Honda's targeted market for this "Pint Size Little Motorcycle/Mini-Bike" is Young, First Time Riders, especially Teens. I have Friends though, including myself, that used to race the little "Pocket Bikes", and some still race the "Fiddys" (50cc Modified Dirt Bikes with Adults on em') at various places. Due to a lack of horsepower and fairly hefty weight (we weighed this one full of gas at 231 lbs) this little critter may not see much of this use. Time will tell.
First, if You're an Adult, You'll need the 29"+ Seat Height just to have some room on it. At 5'7" I was pretty cramped at the controls. My PCX150 is about as cramped as I care for to do long Trips, and it is waaaay roomier than the Grom. I got it up to 61 MPH on a Flat highway, and it didn't exactly get there quickly. A PCX125 would easily dust it, so don't try drag racing a PCX125 Rider to the next Traffic Light. The PCX150 has returned a lot of the PCX125s to Dealer Floors because of it's Extra Horsepower, Speed, Acceleration, and Maintaining Speeds while climbing, at a considerable loss in $$$ to the Customers, but with most thinking the difference in performance is well worth the Trade In....My Wife and I are two of Those Customers too.
The Extremely Short 48" Wheelbase makes "flicking" twisties pretty fun, but twitchy at speeds above about 40 MPH (about where a Ruckus gets twitchy in a corner). The Brakes are probably it's Best Feature. They seem more than adequate for the stopping chores on the Little Mini. Most of You aren't old enough to remember the CT-70s, etc. Mini Bike Series that Honda had in the 70s but most of us that can will find the handling and ride really similar. Same for the engine design. This Design has been around since the 60s in 50, 65, 70, 90, 100, and now 125cc Form. It should be dependable, but will "probably" need Timing Chain Tensioners at fairly regular intervals. The Tire and Wheel Size would be much better suited to a Scooter with Their much lower center of gravity. In my opinion ( and my Dealer and Ken), a Nice set of 16s would be a much better choice for this Bike. It carries it's weight so high above the axle centers that Tire Deflection shows up early at mid-corner, and really badly if You're "hammering".
Do I think I could have Fun with this Little Bike..."SURE"...I have Fun with Everything I ride. Do I think I want one..."NO"...I can't quite grasp where it's nitch is except for a Young, First Time Rider. There are waaaay too many Great Full Sized Scooters and Motorcycles out there now for Experienced Adult Riders in the 125 to 250cc. My Honda 230cc Motard I owned last year even comes to mind. A PCX will out run it, out handle it, and be "Trip Capable"....the Little Grom seems better suited as an around town toy, a pit bike at the races, or maybe trailered/hauled to good riding spots such as The Smokies. For $3000 You get a Cute, Mini-Motorcycle that does it's riding chores ok if You go in with low expectations.....I was expecting and hoping for much, much more.....
...I will get Pics as soon as my Dealer gets His first one in, and I ride it also.....
My Buddy Ken, Honda's Southeastern District Rep, brought a Grom by late Thursday afternoon for my Honda Dealer and myself to test ride. My turn was Friday before work. He had to stay through Saturday in this Area while visiting the Honda Dealers here, then He and the Grom headed to Florida next on Sunday morning. I was a little disappointed in the Little Grom. Here's my opinions.....
Honda's targeted market for this "Pint Size Little Motorcycle/Mini-Bike" is Young, First Time Riders, especially Teens. I have Friends though, including myself, that used to race the little "Pocket Bikes", and some still race the "Fiddys" (50cc Modified Dirt Bikes with Adults on em') at various places. Due to a lack of horsepower and fairly hefty weight (we weighed this one full of gas at 231 lbs) this little critter may not see much of this use. Time will tell.
First, if You're an Adult, You'll need the 29"+ Seat Height just to have some room on it. At 5'7" I was pretty cramped at the controls. My PCX150 is about as cramped as I care for to do long Trips, and it is waaaay roomier than the Grom. I got it up to 61 MPH on a Flat highway, and it didn't exactly get there quickly. A PCX125 would easily dust it, so don't try drag racing a PCX125 Rider to the next Traffic Light. The PCX150 has returned a lot of the PCX125s to Dealer Floors because of it's Extra Horsepower, Speed, Acceleration, and Maintaining Speeds while climbing, at a considerable loss in $$$ to the Customers, but with most thinking the difference in performance is well worth the Trade In....My Wife and I are two of Those Customers too.
The Extremely Short 48" Wheelbase makes "flicking" twisties pretty fun, but twitchy at speeds above about 40 MPH (about where a Ruckus gets twitchy in a corner). The Brakes are probably it's Best Feature. They seem more than adequate for the stopping chores on the Little Mini. Most of You aren't old enough to remember the CT-70s, etc. Mini Bike Series that Honda had in the 70s but most of us that can will find the handling and ride really similar. Same for the engine design. This Design has been around since the 60s in 50, 65, 70, 90, 100, and now 125cc Form. It should be dependable, but will "probably" need Timing Chain Tensioners at fairly regular intervals. The Tire and Wheel Size would be much better suited to a Scooter with Their much lower center of gravity. In my opinion ( and my Dealer and Ken), a Nice set of 16s would be a much better choice for this Bike. It carries it's weight so high above the axle centers that Tire Deflection shows up early at mid-corner, and really badly if You're "hammering".
Do I think I could have Fun with this Little Bike..."SURE"...I have Fun with Everything I ride. Do I think I want one..."NO"...I can't quite grasp where it's nitch is except for a Young, First Time Rider. There are waaaay too many Great Full Sized Scooters and Motorcycles out there now for Experienced Adult Riders in the 125 to 250cc. My Honda 230cc Motard I owned last year even comes to mind. A PCX will out run it, out handle it, and be "Trip Capable"....the Little Grom seems better suited as an around town toy, a pit bike at the races, or maybe trailered/hauled to good riding spots such as The Smokies. For $3000 You get a Cute, Mini-Motorcycle that does it's riding chores ok if You go in with low expectations.....I was expecting and hoping for much, much more.....
...I will get Pics as soon as my Dealer gets His first one in, and I ride it also..... 
...wish our Forza300s would arrive though..... 
