Thread: 2014 Honda MSX125

OK, I admit it, I am a nut for all two wheeled transportation. Right now, I own 5 motorcycles. They all have their own personalities and each one is enjoyable to me.

Now Thailand has a new addition in the Honda MSX125 and I am interested in seeing how it would be as a village runabout. Anyone out there own one or have any thoughts on this little mini bike?

I like the yellow.

My plan is to mod it quite a bit- it's for everyday transportation (when I don't need a car), but there are so many accessories and mods available, and I can't leave anything stock.

The reviews have all been stellar- dealers are gouging $1000+ in the States for one (where it's called the 'Grom').

Maybe yellow is a new color for 2014, but as of last week it wasn't available (unless the dealer made a mistake, which is of course impossible in LOS...) It was less than 75K- 72K, I think (the wife bought it for my birthday, so I'm not 100% sure).

I'll post a riding impression by the weekend if they got it in- black and white were in stock, but I only wanted red, and they had to order it.

I can't leave anything alone either and like to customize a bit. There are lots of looks you can go for with all the available accessories.

The prices I saw were from 66K-70K and the US price for the "base" model is $2999. If I can find one for 66K, I will be happy and as I said, I will be waiting a bit before I buy.

I will continue doing some research, but it is always nice to hear from someone who actually owns and rides one. It looks like a fun way to get around. Happy birthday, by the way.

That price of 66K on Thailand Motorcycle News is incorrect- it's right around 75K MSRP.

OK, I guess I will find out once I get back to Udon. They are usually a little higher there than in Bangkok because of the transportation fees, so I will just have to take a look around.

It might be a couple K cheaper in BKK- with registration and insurance, I would guess 75K-78K OTD would be about right.

In Udon they're 74k on the road. You will probably not have a choice of colour (NAT Honda buy 3 bikes at a time and will not order any more until they are all sold) and they won't let you pay cash, only buy on hire-purchase.

Shit, but true.

^

You didn't add 2K for a special plate number (I'm getting '125').

How can they refuse to let you pay cash? I've never heard of that being done before. It's an easily-available bike- they would let 74K walk out the door if they could just sell it and order another? What's the point?

^^
Are you talking about the Honda Big Wing shop, or all Honda dealers in general Marmite?

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Are you talking about the Honda Big Wing shop, or all Honda dealers in general Marmite?

I'm talking about the normal Nat Honda dealers (of which there are 24 in Udon apparently).

Originally Posted by FailSafe

How can they refuse to let you pay cash? I've never heard of that being done before. It's an easily-available bike- they would let 74K walk out the door if they could just sell it and order another? What's the point?

I said the same thing when we were told by someone we know, so when we went there a couple of weeks ago, we checked and that's what they said. I guess they screw a few more baht out of you that way.

I'd just get one from that Brian bloke on TV if I was going to buy one.

Does look nice, OP. I'm gonna borrow Captain America's for the weekend to see how I like it...

Originally Posted by FailSafe

My plan is to mod it quite a bit

you'll put a basket on the front ? very Thai

Very functional. I had one put on my Honda wave125. Great for trips to the local 7/11.

This is the one you want, but it needs orange rims. A good rimming makes all the difference to an orange Honda, imho...

I might go in this direction- I have no 'bling' on my Kawi (except for a couple carbon fiber bits, but most people wouldn't notice them), so I'm gonna play with this thing a bit:

Pimping up the msx... Bloody Americans...

All that gold just looks soooooooooooooooo cheap; no class the bloody new world colonialists...

Cracking little bike that one, looks like a heap of fun to bang around on.

How tall are you Failsafe? I'm after a new scooter and was thinking about this bike, I'm 6ft.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Pimping up the msx... Bloody Americans...

All that gold just looks soooooooooooooooo cheap; no class the bloody new world colonialists...

It's a cheap bike, Betty- I wouldn't tart-up (I'm using that Limey expression just for you) a real bike like that- this thing is gonna get a Yoshimura exhaust, Ohlins shock, wheels, etc- I want it to be a bit stupid- that's the point.

Originally Posted by Satonic

How tall are you Failsafe? I'm after a new scooter and was thinking about this bike, I'm 6ft.

6'2"- I can fit on it just fine.

I was wrong- it looks like yellow is indeed available- they didn't get my red one in yesterday (shocker- they're pushing me toward a black or white one to dump current stock, which I won't take- they're probably hiding the one I want in the back) but I told them I'll accept yellow if that comes in first, so I might end up with it next week.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Originally Posted by Satonic

How tall are you Failsafe? I'm after a new scooter and was thinking about this bike, I'm 6ft.

6'2"- I can fit on it just fine.

Fit?


Three arrived at Honda dealer near us on Saturday, all pre-sold to uni students seems they've taken over from the Kawasaki KSR110 as the minibike to own.
Better suited to a 165cm, 50kg rider.
Even then, limited to carry a small pillion; don't think (or hope) we'll see any lard-assed farang and his partner getting around on one.

A US review here