Honda MSX125 "Grom"

[sendler]

Here is a rider that has tracked 2,700 miles since September with a lifetime of 120 mpgUS.
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Grominator (Honda Grom) | Fuelly
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[woodsrat]

A high of 156 MPG??? Wow!!!

This motor is absolutely a candidate for a streamliner. I have around 500 miles on mine and everyone says they run better as they loosen up. Hopefully the mileage will increase as well.

[bschloop]

A good fairing should get this bike to do well over 70mph. My bike had a top speed around 65 before I started streamlining it. Now it's pushing 90 on the flat.

[sendler]

The only problems with mods on the Grom are the short wheel base and the 12 inch wheels. Air cooled engines are way more fuel efficient though. too bad we can't get any of the air cooled singles that are main stream in India. Great on gas and very cheap.
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CB Shine winner's choice
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[bschloop]

Stretching the swingarm shouldn't be impossible, and it looks like it would fit perfectly into the Vetter Rifle fairing if you wanted to do something premade for about $1300. I don't see 12" wheels being that much problem since most large scooters ride on 13's, and Craig Vetter's streamliner has 10's.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by sendler

Here is a rider that has tracked 2,700 miles since September with a lifetime of 120 mpgUS.
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Grominator (Honda Grom) | Fuelly
.

I wrote him to ask what the average speed was and he cruises around 40 mph most of the time. Up to but not above 50 mph. The one tank he spent at 55 mph he got just above 100 mpg. These numbers edge out the PCX150 but the gap is closer at higher speeds where I still get 95 mpgUS with much more storage space, weather protection, top speed cushion, and comfort. The PCX costs more though.

[Daox]

Originally Posted by sendler

Air cooled engines are way more fuel efficient though.

What makes you say that?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by woodsrat

For my taste it's too much like a street bike with lots of bodywork, high-tech dashboard, etc. and it's heavy for what it is (225 lbs. wet). I'd much prefer a dual-purpose version with molded color plastic.

So eventually you might like the looks of the Honda Pop 100 made in Brazil.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by Daox

What makes you say that?

Air cooled engines can run a much higher cylinder head temp which results in less thermal energy lost to waste heat.

[woodsrat]

Been awhile since I visited here and I figured I ought to bring you up to speed on my Grom.

Once the horrible winter weather went away I finally had time to do some back-to-back testing between my Grom and my '80 Passport with a Chinese 125 Lifan. It was a real surprise to find that the performance difference between the two (other than gas mileage) was really pretty close.

The Grom, despite it's small wheels, actually rode pretty nice for my 155 lb. weight. I'd added some preload adjusters to the front in an effort to stiffen them up a bit as they seemed to be set up for a hundred pound Asian rider. I found the shock, a throwaway, to perform adequately for my use.

The motor's electric feel was impressive. Very, very smooth for a thumper and it's F. I. performed flawlessly. Hit the button and ride!!

It's one-gallon tank was an irritation despite getting an average of around a hundred miles per gallon. If all that bodywork was a gas tank it would have been a lot better.

I ended up selling it because I just couldn't grasp how the F. I. system works or what I would have done if I'd had trouble with it. I'm pretty much a Luddite in this respect and despite carrying the shop manual around with me to study it all turned my brain to mush. The small tank and fragile plastics kind of soured me as well and given that the demand outstripped supply I felt it better to send it along to someone else who might appreciate it.