Honda® Grom vs. Kawasaki Z125 Pro

Honda® took the motorcycle market by storm a few years back when they revealed their ultimate mini-machine, the Honda® Grom. It was a couple of years later that Kawasaki decided to become Honda®’s competition with a mini-machine of their own, the Kawasaki Z125 Pro. Both the Grom and Z125 have similarities, but they also have differences that make them outshine the other. So which mini-motorcycle is better? Keep on reading as we break down the motorcycle dilemma of the Honda® Grom vs. The Kawasaki Z125 Pro to see which motorcycle comes out on top.

Style:

The first thing you notice about a motorcycle is the way it looks and the styling of the Honda® Grom and Kawasaki Z125 is one of the main reasons why these bikes are so popular amongst riders. When the Honda® Grom first debuted in the motorcycle market, there was no other motorcycle like it. It is much smaller than your average motorcycle and it has a shorter seat and seat height. The body of the Grom is like a naked bike because it is stripped down with more angular work. On the other hand, the Kawasaki Z125 is about an inch shorter than the Grom when it comes to the wheelbase. The Z125 puts its own signature look on the styling by having a belly pan and shrouds similar to many of the sportbikes on the market today. Although The Z125 has more bodywork, it is actually lighter than the Grom. Both the Grom and the Z125 appeal to riders who want a unique looking ride.

WINNER: TIE! We consider this to be a tie because style depends on personal preference. If you are more into the stripped-down, naked bike look, then the Honda® Grom is for you. If you are more about the sportbike look, then go for the Kawasaki Z125.

Speed:

When it comes to speed, most riders believe that the Honda® Grom is faster. The Grom model puts out more power and torque. It has a 9.7 horsepower at 7000 RPM and 8 lb-ft at 5500 RPM. In comparison, the Kawasaki Z15 Pro only has 8.3 horsepower at 7800 RPM, and 7.1 lb-ft at 6000 RPM. Both bikes from their 2017-2019 models have a peak top speed of about 63 MPH.

WINNER: Grom! Many riders agree that the Honda® Grom is faster than the Kawasaki Z125 Pro because it has more power and torque

Ride Quality/Handling:

When it comes to riding quality and handling, it can be said that these two units are not the most powerful bikes on the market. However, its standard position makes these bikes quick, easy to shift, and fun to maneuver. These bikes are perfect for city driving because they let you move through tight spaces and lane-splitting with ease. The Honda® Grom has a seat height of 30 inches which allows riders to stretch out more than you would expect while the Z125 has a seat that reaches 31.7 inches.

WINNER Z125! The Kawasaki Z125 wins this round because it is much more maneuverable than the Honda® Grom.

Commuting/Lifestyle:

If you are looking for a bike that is perfect for commuting, both the Honda® Grom and Z125 are good contenders. While both bikes don’t have the fuel capacity for long-distance commuting the fuel economy on these two units is impressive. Keep in mind that these bikes are not meant for freeway riding but more for taking trips around the town. The Honda® Grom has a fuel efficiency of about 134 MPG from its 1.45-gallon tank, while the Kawasaki Z125 has an estimate of 80MPG.

WINNER: Honda® Grom! The Grom wins this round with its impressive 134 MPG. You cannot go wrong with a Grom for your daily commute.

Customization:

One of the best things about owning a motorcycle is customizing it to make it unique and your own. Although the Honda® Grom and Kawasaki Z125 are small in size, there are several accessories you can add to make them cool and unique. Here is a list of small things you can do to modify your motorcycle:

Honda® Grom:

Taillight: adding a taillight will significantly improve the look of your machine
Rear Sets: These pegs place your feet slightly higher and a little more rear set which decrease the chances of the pegs dragging
Bigger Rotor: For insane stopping ability
Fork Kits and Shocks: massively upgrade the Grom’s handling

Kawasaki Z125:

Sport Windshield: protects your windshield and gives the bike a cool look
Luggage Carrier: allows you to take essential items with you on your next adventure
Tank Grips: helps you keep both position and control of your bike
Mirrors: a modern shape, giving your machine the dynamic look you want.

WINNER: Z125 Pro! Is seems like the Kawasaki Z125 Pro wins this round because there are many more accessories on the market to customize this bike.

Who Wins?

The ongoing battle between the Honda® Grom and the Kawasaki Z125 Pro has been going on since Kawasaki released the Z125. With all the comparisons made between the two, is there a clear winner? We can honestly say…no! The best bike out of these two will ultimately be based on personal preference. The Kawasaki Z125 is more inexpensive, more maneuverable, and has a sportier look, while the Honda® Grom has better braking and a naked-bike style. The lack of a clear winner leaves you the ability to make the choice base on what you are looking for in a bike.

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