Honda Grom has spent more than a decade demonstrating that a small motorcycle can be the most fun thing in a garage full of bigger ones. It is small, cheap to run, and almost impossible to ride without grinning. In 2026 Honda keeps most of the recipe: a 124cc single, a five-speed gearbox, and bodywork you can swap around like phone cases.
This Honda Grom review breaks down the full specs, the real price in US dollars and UAE dirhams, how fast it actually goes, and whether the little bike is worth your money in 2026. We also compare it with its cheaper sibling, the Honda Navi, so you know which one is right for you.
What Is the Honda Grom?
The Grom is part of Honda’s miniMOTO family, alongside the Monkey, the Dax 125, and the Trail 125. Think of it as a real motorcycle shrunk down to about three-quarters scale. It has 12-inch wheels, a proper clutch and gearbox, front and rear disc brakes, and an inverted fork borrowed straight from sportbike design language.
Honda first launched the Grom in 2013, and it established a cult following fast. Riders customize them, race them in mini-moto series, and use them as cheap city commuters. In some markets the same bike wears the MSX125 badge, so a used listing in Dubai or Sharjah labeled “MSX125” is the same Honda Grom motorcycle sold in the United States.
The appeal is simple. You get motorcycle mechanics and motorcycle feel in a package light enough to push around your driveway with one hand.
2026 Honda Grom Specs at a Glance
Here are the Honda Grom specs for the 2026 model year, straight from Honda’s official sheet.
| Specification | 2026 Honda Grom |
| Engine | 124cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke |
| Honda Grom CC | 124cc (123.9cc) |
| Bore × Stroke | 50.0mm × 63.1mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Fuel System | PGM-FI programmed fuel injection, 24mm throttle body |
| Transmission | Five-speed manual |
| Final Drive | #420 chain, 15T/38T |
| Front Suspension | 31mm inverted fork, 3.9-inch travel |
| Rear Suspension | Single shock, 4.1-inch travel |
| Front Brake | Single 220mm disc |
| Rear Brake | Single 190mm disc |
| Tyres | Front: 120/70-12, Rear: 130/70-12 |
| Seat Height | 30.0 inches (762mm) |
| Wheelbase | 47.2 inches |
| Fuel Capacity | 1.6 gallons (6.1 litres) |
| Honda Grom Weight | 224 pounds (102kg) curb weight |
| Warranty | One year, transferable, unlimited mileage |
A few numbers stand out. The 30-inch seat lets most adults flat-foot at a stop, which makes the Grom much less intimidating than a full-size bike for newer riders. The 224-pound curb weight is hardly more than a heavy bicycle with an engine bolted on. And that inverted fork gives the front end a planted feel you rarely find at this price.
Honda offers the 2026 Grom in three trims. The base models are Cherry Red, Pearl White, and Candy Blue. The Grom SP has special matte black metallic details. The Grom ABS adds front-wheel anti-lock braking, so it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re riding in traffic or wet conditions.
Honda Grom Price and MSRP (2026)
We will talk about money as value is so much of the reason people buy a Grom in the first place.
The Honda Grom MSRP for 2026 starts at $3,599 for the base model in the United States. Add in the $300 destination charge and you are looking at approximately $3,899 before tax and any dealer fees. The other trims sit close by.
| Trim | Honda Grom Price (USD MSRP) | Approx. Price (AED) |
| Grom (Base) | $3,599 | AED 13,220 |
| Grom SP | $3,699 | AED 13,580 |
| Grom ABS | $3,799 | AED 13,950 |
The dirham figures above use the standard USD-to-AED peg of about 3.67 and convert the US MSRP directly. Real showroom pricing in the Gulf works differently. Honda sells the Grom through regional dealers, and UAE listings have shown the Grom SP around AED 14,000 once local duties, shipping, and dealer margins are added. If you are shopping in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah, take the converted numbers as a floor and expect the sticker to land a little higher. Always confirm the on-road price with your local Honda dealer, since GCC pricing shifts with model availability and import batches.
So how much is a Honda Grom really? In the US, budget close to $4,000 out the door for a base bike. In the UAE, plan for somewhere in the AED 13,500 to AED 15,000 range depending on trim and dealer. Either way, it undercuts almost every other new geared motorcycle on the market.
How Fast Does a Honda Grom Go? Top Speed Explained
This is the first question everyone asks, so we have to answer it clearly.
The Honda Grom top speed is around 56 to 60 mph (90 to 97 km/h) in stock form for most riders. Push it flat out on a long straight with a light rider aboard and some Groms will nudge toward the mid-60s. Honda tunes the bike for city speeds, not highway sprints, so the power tapers off noticeably above 45 mph.
The engine produces around 9.7 horsepower and about 7.7 lb-ft of torque. That is not much, and on paper it isn’t. The Grom weighs so little that the numbers feel bigger than they read. Off the line, the short 15T/38T gearing gives the bike a punchy, go-kart feel, and it feels quicker than the spec sheet says it is.
Here is the honest picture of the Honda Grom top speed:
- Stock, average rider: 55 to 59 mph cruising, tapering hard near the top.Â
- Stock, light rider, tucked in: low 60s on a good day.Â
- Modified (exhaust, sprockets, tune): riders report up to 73 mph.
This last number is why the aftermarket loves this bike. Add the front sprocket and a free-flowing exhaust, and change the fuel map, and you can turn the whole speed curve upward. But the Grom is a sub-60 bike, and that is by design.
The takeaway for how fast a Honda Grom goes: It keeps up with city traffic all day, handles 40 to 45 mph roads comfortably, and struggles on anything resembling a highway. If your commute includes a freeway on-ramp, this is not your bike. If it’s all surface streets, the Grom is perfect.
Honda Grom MPG: Fuel Economy That Feels Illegal
Fuel economy is where the Grom quietly humiliates every car and most scooters.
Honda’s official EPA-based estimate for the Grom is an eye-watering 166.5 MPG. That is a result of a controlled test cycle, so take it as a best-case scenario. In real life, Honda Grom MPG drawn from hundreds of owners logging actual tanks is between 100 and 140 MPG, depending on how hard you ride and how heavy you are. Ride it gently around town, and triple-digit mileage is normal. Ride it like you stole it, and you might drop toward 80 MPG, which is still absurdly good.
With a 1.6-gallon tank, that is a practical range of about 150 to 200 miles between fill-ups. Many owners go a week or more of commuting on a single tank. A Grom costs almost nothing at Gulf fuel prices. You will spend more on tires and chain lube over a year than on petrol.
The engine runs happily on regular 87-octane fuel, so there is no premium-gas penalty either. Honda Grom MPG will be a huge part of the value story for anyone who counts the true cost of ownership, for sure.
Honda Grom Battery, Parts, and Running Costs
The Grom has a small 12-volt battery, usually a sealed maintenance-free unit that is sized for the electric starter and LED lighting on the bike. A popular choice of replacement is a small AGM pack in the YTZ5S-style range. Because the bike consumes so little power and the LED headlight and taillight draw next to nothing, the Honda Grom battery tends to last several seasons with normal use. If you park the bike for long stretches, a trickle charger keeps it healthy.
Parts are one of the Grom’s greatest strengths. This bike has one of the deepest aftermarket catalogs of any small motorcycle on the planet. Honda Grom parts range from basic maintenance items to full customization kits.
- Consumables: chain, sprockets, brake pads, oil filters, and air filters are cheap and widely stocked.Â
- Performance: exhaust systems, big-bore kits, fuel controllers, and adjustable sprockets.Â
- Styling: the plug-and-play bodywork switches in minutes, so color changes and cosmetic kits are easy.Â
- Protection: frame sliders, handguards, and under-cowls for daily riders.
As the platform has been in place since 2013 and shares its engine with other miniMOTO models, sourcing Honda Grom parts is seldom a headache, whether you purchase in the US or through GCC suppliers and importers. Regular maintenance is simple enough that many owners handle oil changes and chain adjustments themselves.
Honda Navi vs. Grom: Which Small Honda Should You Buy?
Honda also makes another tiny two-wheeler that shoppers cross-shop constantly, so a Honda Navi vs Grom breakdown is worth doing before you decide.
The Navi is cheaper, simpler, and easier to ride. The Grom is faster, more capable, and far more of a real motorcycle. Here is how they compare.
| Feature | Honda Grom | Honda Navi |
| Engine | 124cc four-stroke single-cylinder | 109cc four-stroke single-cylinder |
| Transmission | Five-speed manual with clutch | Automatic CVT (twist-and-go) |
| Price (USD MSRP) | From $3,599 | From $2,199 |
| Price (Approx. AED) | From AED 13,220 | From AED 8,080 |
| Top Speed | 56–60 mph (90–97 km/h) | Around 45–50 mph (72–80 km/h) |
| Rider Level | Beginner to Intermediate | Absolute Beginner |
| Storage | No built-in storage | Integrated under-seat storage compartment |
| Riding Style | Mini sportbike | Scooter–motorcycle hybrid |
| Best For | Sporty city riding and learning manual shifting | Easy commuting and first-time riders |
| Fuel Economy | Around 166 mpg | Around 110 mpg |
| Seat Height | 30.0 inches (761 mm) | 30.1 inches (765 mm) |
| Weight | Approx. 224 lbs (102 kg) | Approx. 236 lbs (107 kg) |
The Navi is the best bike for the minimum price, no gear-shifting, and a bike that feels like a scooter with a little more attitude. Its automatic transmission and built-in storage make it a very practical errand-runner, and the $2,199 starting price is hard to argue with.
If you want to learn or enjoy a manual gearbox, ride at higher speeds, and access that huge aftermarket, then you should pick the Grom. The clutch and five gears turn every short trip into something involving, which is exactly the point.
The short version: the Navi is transport; the Grom is a toy you can commute on. Most riders who spend time on both end up wanting the Grom.
Riding the Grom: What It Feels Like in the Real World
Numbers only tell half the story with a bike like this. The Grom’s real magic shows up the moment you ride it.
The low seat and light weight make slow-speed maneuvering easier. You are flat-footed at every stop, filter through tight spaces, and park it almost anywhere. The inverted fork and 12-inch wheels give it a surprisingly tight ride over rough city pavement, and the disc brakes at both ends haul it down with confidence. On the ABS trim, that front anti-lock system provides a real safety margin when a driver pulls out in front of you.
Where the Grom really shines is the 25 to 45 mph area. It’s quick, flickable, and endlessly entertaining in that band. The five-speed gearbox rewards you for working it, and the engine’s eager low-end pull makes traffic-light launches feel really fun. It’s not many vehicles at the same price with this much smile-per-dollar around a car park or a twisty back road.
The limits are honest ones. Taller riders find the seating position cramped on longer rides. The soft suspension gets busy under heavier loads. And the top speed means highways are off the table. None of that surprises anyone who knows what the Grom is for. It is a city bike and fun machine, and it never makes a pretense that it is so.
Honda Grom for Sale: Buying New vs. Used
Shopping for a Honda Grom for sale gives you two clear paths.
Buying new allows for the latest emissions-friendly engine, five-speed gearbox, full warranty coverage, and color and trim choice. In the US that means walking into a Honda powersports dealer and choosing between base, SP, and ABS. In the Gulf, it means going through a regional Honda dealer and getting the status check, as the stock of the miniMOTO range can be low compared to larger models.
The cheapest way of buying used Groms is to buy used, since the Grom holds value well and there are lots on the market. A few things to watch for in any used Grom:
- Model year and gearbox: 2021 and later models have the five-speed transmission, while older ones have four speeds.Â
- Modifications: Many Groms are modified, so check if the ECU was tuned to match any exhaust or intake changes.Â
- Service history: cheap to maintain does not mean it was maintained, so look for oil-change records.Â
- Frame and crash damage: these bikes get dropped and stunted, so inspect for bent bars and scraped bodywork.
In UAE classifieds you will often see the Grom listed as the MSX125, sometimes already modified. A clean, low-mileage example can be a smart buy, but a heavily customized one is worth extra scrutiny.
Is the Honda Grom Worth Buying in 2026?
At all the specs and prices, the real question is, is the 2026 Honda Grom worth buying?
For the right rider, absolutely. If you want a cheap, reliable, endlessly fun city bike that costs almost nothing to run and opens the door to a massive customization scene, nothing else at this price does it better. New riders love it because it is unintimidating and forgiving. Experienced riders love it as a second bike, a pit bike or a project. It is one of the few motorcycles that people buy purely because it makes them happy.
It does not cut it if you want highway speed, two-up touring, or a comfortable long-distance seat. Those buyers should select something like a Honda Rebel 500 or a bigger commuter instead.
But as it is, a compact, affordable, joyful mini-motorcycle, the Honda Grom is one of the best value two-wheelers Honda makes. At roughly $3,599 in the US or around AED 13,500 and up in the Gulf, it delivers the kind of fun that bikes costing three times as much struggle to match.
FAQs
Q. How much is a Honda Grom in the US and UAE?
A. The 2026 Honda Grom starts at $3,599 MSRP in the United States, up to $3,699 for the SP and $3,799 for the ABS trim (before the $300 destination charge). In the UAE, converted pricing starts around AED 13,220, and real dealer pricing is typically in the range of AED 13,500 to AED 15,000 depending on trim, duties, and availability. Talk to your Honda dealer about the on-road price.
Q. How fast does a Honda Grom go?
A. A stock Honda Grom maxes out around 56 to 60 mph (90 to 97 km/h) for most riders; lighter riders can reach the low 60s. It is designed for city speed and loses steam above 45 mph. Owners report speeds of up to 73 mph with bolt-on upgrades to the exhaust, sprocket, and tune.
Q. What is the Honda Grom’s engine size and fuel economy?
A. The Honda Grom has a 124cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine with fuel injection and a five-speed manual gearbox. Honda claims 166.5 MPG, and real-world figures usually fall between 100 and 140 MPG. With a 1.6-gallon tank, it offers a practical range of 150-200 miles.
Q. Is the Honda Grom good for beginners?
A. Yes. With a low 30-inch seat height, light 224-pound weight, and gentle power delivery, the Grom is one of the friendliest bikes to learn on. It teaches clutch control and gear-shifting without the intimidation of a larger machine. Riders who prefer no shifting at all may prefer the automatic Honda Navi instead.
Q. Honda Navi vs. Grom, which one should I buy?
A. Choose the Honda Navi if you want the lowest price, an automatic twist-and-go transmission, and built-in storage for errands. Choose the Honda Grom if you want a real manual gearbox, higher top speed, better brakes and suspension, and access to a huge aftermarket. The Navi is basic transport, while the Grom is a genuine small motorcycle built for fun.
