Honda Announces Trail 125 for 2022, and Grom for 2023
Although we’ve seen most of Honda’s miniMOTO lineup already rolled out for the 2022 model year—in fact, the upgraded Super Cub and Monkey models were announced waaay back in summer of last year, with the Grom getting an even earlier notice—it seems there was one newbie missing. The absence of the Trail 125 in the 2022 portfolio has now been addressed with an official announcement from Honda telling us the beloved little rock crawler will be back this year, and available in dealers any day now.
Although the Trail 125 is based on the Super Cub, it’s got more robust suspension and some engine protection.
As expected, there are no changes to the Super Cub-derived, rural-friendly runabout this year, but that’s OK—the Trail 125 was already hailed as a fun, well-designed two-wheeler even in concept form, before its debut as a production model in 2021. As on last year’s bike, you get the same 125cc four-stroke single-cylinder overhead-camshaft design from the Super Cub, but with a high-mounted air intake and exhaust and a three-tooth-larger rear sprocket to help boost low-end and midrange power. And like the Super Cub, the Trail 125 has a four-speed, no-clutch, semi-auto transmission and a step-through frame, but unlike its donor bike, the Trail adds more robust, longer-travel suspension, an engine guard for protection, and an integrated luggage rack. There’s even front-wheel ABS and an electric starter.
High-mounted air intake and upswept exhaust along with built-in luggage rack give it an advantage in rougher trails.
With the Trail 125, Honda has revived fond memories for those of us familiar with the original CT/Trail series last made for the States back in 1986, but it also upgrades the past with a practical design and hassle-free technology making it ideal for casual trekking on and off-road. Once again, there’s just one color option this year: Glowing Red. Honda says the suggested price is $3,999, just a slight increase over 2021, and availability is April.
The Grom is an early-release bike for the 2023 model year. Here it is in ABS trim.
We’re talking about the "undisputed emperor of the miniMOTO world and the spawner of a vibrant subculture of fun seekers” as a returning model for the 2023 model year.
Once again, there are no changes for the 2023 Grom, since last year’s model got some pretty major revisions, with higher compression, new bore and stroke dimensions, and a reworked gearbox with an added fifth gear.
The 2023 Grom will be available in two trims. Opt for the base Grom, and you get a choice of black, red, or silver color options and an MSRP of $3,499. Or go with the Grom ABS, which comes only in white and has an MSRP of $3,799. We can tell you from personal experience that, either way, it’s bound to be a fun ride.
View our inventory of our Trail 125 here
View our inventory of our Groms here