Grom vs z125

jmo443
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jmo443

Kinda Moto related if not feel free to toss it in non Moto. Who has these two little guys and which one do you like more and why?

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RealityCheck
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RealityCheck 12/6/2022 5:54am
12/6/2022 5:54am

The Grom is the OG.  Z125 is a wannabe poser.

5
onewheelwheaties 12/6/2022 7:40am
12/6/2022 7:40am

I bought a Grom right after they came out, no Z125 on the market yet, and put 23k miles on before selling it to my buddy. Grom was very reliable, I just had to adjust valves I think three times while I owned it (very easy to do), and never had any oil burning issues despite it living its entire life hitting the rev limiter. It filled the roles of stunt bike, commuter, mini motoGP race bike, tourer, and dual sport while I had it, and was a blast at all of them. My main issue was the wheel bearings are not sealed and get destroyed quicky if riding through mud and water crossings, which is likely not an issue for most people. Stock suspension was also pretty soft and I put a rear shock on it at some point, but maybe the current models are better. Stock clutch springs are weak and it was easy to get the clutch hot if you are stunting it, like repeatedly doing wheelies in a parking lot, but if you let it cool down again it seems to last fine.

I have not ridden the Z125 but I preferred its ergonomics to the Grom when I got sit on one in the showroom. The Z125 also did not have much aftermarket support initially but I'm sure it is covered by now. I doubt you could go wrong with either if they are just being used as casual play bikes.

3
jmo443
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jmo443 12/6/2022 10:03am
12/6/2022 10:03am
onewheelwheaties wrote:
I bought a Grom right after they came out, no Z125 on the market yet, and put 23k miles on before selling it to my buddy...

I bought a Grom right after they came out, no Z125 on the market yet, and put 23k miles on before selling it to my buddy. Grom was very reliable, I just had to adjust valves I think three times while I owned it (very easy to do), and never had any oil burning issues despite it living its entire life hitting the rev limiter. It filled the roles of stunt bike, commuter, mini motoGP race bike, tourer, and dual sport while I had it, and was a blast at all of them. My main issue was the wheel bearings are not sealed and get destroyed quicky if riding through mud and water crossings, which is likely not an issue for most people. Stock suspension was also pretty soft and I put a rear shock on it at some point, but maybe the current models are better. Stock clutch springs are weak and it was easy to get the clutch hot if you are stunting it, like repeatedly doing wheelies in a parking lot, but if you let it cool down again it seems to last fine.

I have not ridden the Z125 but I preferred its ergonomics to the Grom when I got sit on one in the showroom. The Z125 also did not have much aftermarket support initially but I'm sure it is covered by now. I doubt you could go wrong with either if they are just being used as casual play bikes.

Thanks I’m taller so that’s why I was leaning towards the grom. My buddy did a raffle for them both and I got first choice. He said the grom has more miles and he bought it used and looks like the wheelie boys had it. But it’s a Honda. Has some ugly red rims and controls and a couple other things but a nice gel seat. I’m headed to his place after work to just see how I fit on both. 
 

thanks again for the input. Also like he told me it’s not like I’m going to be driving it to bike week from ny or anything just while camping into town if I forget something small or want to check something out. 

1
onewheelwheaties 12/6/2022 10:27am
12/6/2022 10:27am
onewheelwheaties wrote:
I bought a Grom right after they came out, no Z125 on the market yet, and put 23k miles on before selling it to my buddy...

I bought a Grom right after they came out, no Z125 on the market yet, and put 23k miles on before selling it to my buddy. Grom was very reliable, I just had to adjust valves I think three times while I owned it (very easy to do), and never had any oil burning issues despite it living its entire life hitting the rev limiter. It filled the roles of stunt bike, commuter, mini motoGP race bike, tourer, and dual sport while I had it, and was a blast at all of them. My main issue was the wheel bearings are not sealed and get destroyed quicky if riding through mud and water crossings, which is likely not an issue for most people. Stock suspension was also pretty soft and I put a rear shock on it at some point, but maybe the current models are better. Stock clutch springs are weak and it was easy to get the clutch hot if you are stunting it, like repeatedly doing wheelies in a parking lot, but if you let it cool down again it seems to last fine.

I have not ridden the Z125 but I preferred its ergonomics to the Grom when I got sit on one in the showroom. The Z125 also did not have much aftermarket support initially but I'm sure it is covered by now. I doubt you could go wrong with either if they are just being used as casual play bikes.

jmo443 wrote:
Thanks I’m taller so that’s why I was leaning towards the grom. My buddy did a raffle for them both and I got first choice. He...

Thanks I’m taller so that’s why I was leaning towards the grom. My buddy did a raffle for them both and I got first choice. He said the grom has more miles and he bought it used and looks like the wheelie boys had it. But it’s a Honda. Has some ugly red rims and controls and a couple other things but a nice gel seat. I’m headed to his place after work to just see how I fit on both. 
 

thanks again for the input. Also like he told me it’s not like I’m going to be driving it to bike week from ny or anything just while camping into town if I forget something small or want to check something out. 

I'm 5'9" and 155lbs so don't let my opinions on ergonomics influence you; I'm sure you'll know what one is right for you as soon as you ride them. I do have a 6', 200+lb friend who has a new Grom and loves it. He has even done several long weekend road trips on it so you can certainly get it to work either way (within reason, it is still a mini bike).

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JR968
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JR968 12/6/2022 11:46am
12/6/2022 11:46am

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SGoodman
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SGoodman 12/6/2022 12:44pm
12/6/2022 12:44pm

Z125 all day! super restricted on the intake side when new.... open up the airbox a bit and it isn't terrible for power... brakes are decent.... been torturing mine for close to 5 yrs now... 

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49weasel
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49weasel 12/6/2022 2:36pm
12/6/2022 2:36pm

Find an early 2k Zuma.   Best $750 I’ve spent.  

1
quadzrulebro 12/6/2022 3:18pm
12/6/2022 3:18pm Edited Date/Time 12/6/2022 3:21pm
49weasel wrote:

Find an early 2k Zuma.   Best $750 I’ve spent.  

I snagged a 2006 at a garage sale for $600.  2T scooters are they way to go.

1
davis224
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davis224 12/6/2022 4:50pm
12/6/2022 4:50pm

I think I'm averaging around 134 mpg on my grom, running it hard.

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DaBaum44
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DaBaum44 12/6/2022 7:06pm
12/6/2022 7:06pm

I've owned both. I prefer the Z125 ergonomics. The power was similar on both. The Z125 had more of a stable feel, whereas the Grom had more precise turning.

If I buy one again, it will be the Honda Grom because of the re-sell value. It took me several months to sell my Z125 and both of my Grom's sold in less than a week.

jmo443
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jmo443 12/7/2022 1:47am
12/7/2022 1:47am

Picked the z125. Was cleaner a year newer and 2k miles less and a aftermarket exhaust so you could hear it. 2018 vs 17 under 4,000 miles vs 6k etc. Thanks for the input tho. 

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