2019 Honda Monkey Build: 36T Rear Sprocket Install/Ride/Review
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- The quest to hit the RPM limiter in 4th gear continues! Will the 14/36 combo do it?
BUY THIS SPROCKET! amzn.to/3nQOLda
Since I mostly blast the neighborhood and our dirt tracks, I aim to optimize the 0-top speed capabilities of the Monkey. The easiest and cheapest way to do that is with gear changes. With the 14T front sprocket already installed, I wanted to try the 36T rear to see if I could make that run up to top speed quicker. Follow along to hear my plan, my sprocket choice (below), watch the install, and ride along for the test and review.
As always, I LOVE feedback! Let me know what you thought, and what else you'd like to see. Also, drop into my Community section and get a conversation started!
My sprocket choice if you like what it did for my bike and want one for yourself: brocksperforma...
Hope you all enjoy the new format of video! Instead of a detailed step-by-step instructional video format, I went with more of an entertainment format. Let me know what you all think and what you'd like to see more/less of!
Hi John, I am from Germany and I want to say thank you for your videos, they are so helpful. I have almost seen all Monkey videos now! Cheers, Hansi
Danke sehr Hansi!
When I was a teenager, slowest bike sold here In Finland was suzuki gs 125. It had 13 horsepower. Suzuki claimed it had 59mph top speed. You can't do Wonders with monkey's limited horsepower. Even if you manage to tune 50% more out of it, it still would be just 14hp.
My 2019 is with totally stock drivetrain and I love the long gearing and driving slow. It is such a nice bike for slow cruising at just 25-40mph at small rural roads. It does 57 on GPS, When going to full tuck. Btw I'm 6'3" and 240lbs.
I agree 100%, these bikes are not made for going fast, but there is an obsession on how to make them faster. Might be an American thing or a racer thing (I have raced stuff my whole life and always want to go faster), but you are absolutely correct.
@@John5XR Similar thougts here too. I'm turning 50 In a week and I am not so speed crazy when I was younger. I Lost my license for 5 months for going too fast In september and sold my bike and bought a Monkey. Good luck for taking my license now. 🤪 I Had the nickname "craziest driver In town" as a youngster. I would drive cars flat out even In sidewalks and through parks etc. Most bike fun was wheelies between rows of slow moving cars doing 100mph or so. Wonder that I'm still here. When I was 21 I bought a pretty nicely tuned up 1989 gsxr1100, that was imported from U. S. My friends made some bets if I would stay alive with that. Don't actually know, who won the bet.
@@John5XR Here In Finland Z50 monkeys and those china clones actually are registered as mopeds since 1975, are street legal and should go only 30 mph. Monkey tuning has been culture here for almost 50 years. Many go well past 60, some even 100.
Watch this: ua-cam.com/video/jNX7KC7nNv8/v-deo.html
Thanks for all the videos!! Best Monkey channel on UA-cam!! Great job 🐵
Hey John, love the videos…thanks for all the helpful monkey info? Just picked mine up yesterday. In your opinion what would be the best upgrade to get some more torque out of the bike. Also after break-in will more torque come? Was thinking the 14 tooth front sprocket would help with more torque. Thanks again keep the monkey videos coming!🍌
Thanks for watching! Changing the gear ratio to a 14/37 will make the bike feel like it has a lot more torque, without modifying a thing. I’d suggest that first for sure. From there, the biggest torque gain mod would be a big bore cylinder and piston kit, but that’s a big mod going away from OEM reliability. Most of the simple bolt on’s like intake and exhaust won’t do too much for power/torque, and I think the DHM high comp piston would probably be a good bump if you do all of the bolt on’s
Upgraded Cam will get you high into the 70s
I actually have two on their way to me for a future comparison shootout video!
@@John5XR Good stuff! cant wait!
Good videos on improving the acceleration. In an earlier video you stated you also have a Grom. What are the differences and which do you prefer?
Thanks!! I do have a 15’ Grom with almost identical mods. I love the Grom and feel it’s more versatile actually, but the monkey has the vintage cool factor I love
Aluminum sprocket wear wont be too much of a factor on a 125cc motor. On a big sportbike with heavy accel and decel the chain lash can wear it down over time. I think the monkey will be just fine and will benefit from less rotational mass
I feel the same way, and I don’t put many miles on the bike, so for me in specific, it should last a good long time
@@John5XR yeah I'd never go aluminum on my busa but on the monkey it'll be fine. I'm getting mine in 2 weeks, your videos have been really helpful
I would write 'wheelie it!' but UA-cam may flag my comment for demonization....
😂 the word that should not be said!!
Lol thought same thing, acceleration my ass, wheelie time!
I got 70mph on mine 100% stock 👌🏼
How much do you weigh? Here in the Florida thick humid air, with me at 200lbs, and knobby tires, I’m pretty limited. I don’t wanna ask something of the bike that it’s not easily capable of, so I’m shooting for the low-end grunt!
John5XR yeah I’m 140 lol but I’m in GA so I feel ya with that heat and humidity 😂
Haha, well there is THE reason! These bikes were made for someone your size!
I've been 125km stock and 115km on flat stock.
The urge to mod a Monkey is like planting a daffodil and moaning it isn't a tulip. Why mess with something that's right to start off with?
I enjoy your videos and have learned a few things from them, I also own a 2019 Monkey but I'm wondering why getting a bike like this and make so many modifications to have more speed. This is not a long distance commuter bike, nor design for heavy off road rides either. Wouldn't have been better to get a bigger bike that would satisfy your speed needs, instead of making a whole bunch of changes on it, the idea of buying a monkey in my opinion, is to enjoy the way for which it was intended. A small motorcycle to relax and have fun with, nothing more, but then again maybe it has to do with age, I'm in my late 50s.
hi I too am in my late 50's.I ride all day on an Indian Vintage with a sidecar! I love this little bike! I bought it for my son who's 173lbs And 24 6'2". I am 300 and it pulls 49 _ 52 all day in Florida. I love it for what it is! .I bit more than a Moped! Great bike!!!
Exactly, why buy a Monkey and turn it into something else. Bit like planting a daffodil and moaning that it isn't a tulip.
You hate too much twowheelin. Be happy 😉
Nice job on your video! Keep it up
Thanks!!
If you’re a heavy guy wouldn’t the bike still eventually reach top speed because I’m 300lbs and only get 46mph with Black Widow exuast, M-take, 14 tooth front and stock rear and the aluminum break away shifter which is alot lighter than the stock linkage crap, I only ride back roads and it eats them up all day on a tank of fuel.
John
I’m pulling the trigger and going with a 2 sprocket swap. 14 & 36
Anything you can share from your performance experience that is a negative would be appreciated. I am looking for top end speed not hole shot performance.
Also what fo you find to be the best Speedo recalibration approach ? I really don’t think it matters as I’m on a Honda monkey. Ha.
Thanks
Todd
I’d recommend the 14/37 honestly. I feel it gave my bike even more top end than the 14/36. It just seems to be the best combination for the engine
I’m dumping the 36t rear and 14t front sprocket for the stock front and 37t rear sprocket. I saw zero noticeable improvement off the line with sprocket swap 1.0. I know I’m grasping for a rainbow here and wishing for a power/speed off the line improvement, this little stock engine can only produce so much. I’ve come to expect no noticeable improvement with sprocket swap 2.0 either. Picking up the monkey this afternoon. After a few stop starts to redline I’ll report my findings tonight. Fingers crossed.
The stock front sprocket and 37 tooth rear sprocket (+3 over stock) is what I was looking for. I’m 230lbs and this sprocket combination is perfect for me. The speedometer reading is 9 miles off now, I verified using a GPS phone app.
just drive it 2000 miles and then come back if the sprocket was any good.. my guess is ur better off getting a steel one..
It’ll take me a LONG time to put 2000 miles on this bike! Steel is definitely better for the bikes that will see higher use and miles, no doubt
Want a Quick See Test for wear & tear on the sprocket ??
Take pictures of rear sprocket. Then go fir One Ride. Ride it on Backroads 50 miles away and then return. Then check the rear sprocket. Then compare picture to used rear sprocket. You'll see if its wareing out using aluminium rear sprockets. If its worn down its cheap product. It not, its quality product.
Is it possible to get a Larger Rear wheel ?
Each +1" equals +3mph
The wheel options are very limited for the Grom/Monkey, so while possible, it’s not an easy solution
I just ordered a rear sprocket and as per your recommendation I ordered a 36t. The shop contacted me and said they were out of 36t and recommended a 37t. I think it might be too much but they’re gonna send me a 36t when it gets in.
Awesome! Did you check out Brocks for the Vortex? Also, MNNTHBX should have a 36T rear for the Grom/Monkey too.
37 tooth in stock and you didnt get it ??
Saw a guy with a 40 tooth yesterday.
Lots of get up and go.
I’m gonna try a 37 on my Grom. Love the acceleration from the 14/36 combo!
I like the monkey but I dont get the performance builds.
Isn't it like buying a Pig and trying to slim it down?
17oz stock vs 60g 36t ,,and then factor in the reciprocating mass ,,nice work m8
I just want to know if this makes it a much better (dirt) hill climber, as I don't care about top speed.
oh absolutely! These are like motocross tires and really dig into heavy dirt very well. They're not the best on sand, but then again, nothing really is outside of a paddle tire!
Hi John, I'm from Portugal. I have the Monkey 125 from the year 2022. 5 speeds. I put the kenda BigBlok and front sprocket 13 T tires on and the ABS light flashes. Do you know how I can solve for the ABS light not to turn on anymore?
Thanks for commenting Tiago. Yes, you’ll need to install a speedometer adjuster such as the one I installed in another video. Search “speedometer” on my channel to see the one I used from 12o’clock labs
@@John5XR Thanks for the answer . I bought the one from HealTech here in Portugal. I think it's good top!
So what's was the overall goal in doing this? I fast forwarded to the driving lol
Did you ever end up giving a try to a 13 tooth sprocket?
After reading about the 13T causing the chain to bend at an even tighter angle I decided not to. I’ve had good results with the 14/37 setup on my Grom and will go larger on the rear before smaller in the front
I live in Tally, so there’s lots of stop and go traffic and fast cruising speed road. I got a full system Yoshimura exhaust w/ a spark arrester, and a 14t front sprocket as far as performance mods. My main concern is being too slow with traffic having to go around me. Knowing I want to get more top speed what rear gearing would you recommend? I was pretty disappointed to see how low your actual top speed was, I might do the intake next, but really I’m not trying to rebuild the whole bike, just feel safer. What are your recommendations?
More rpm doesn't always give more power, on this dyno graph (with yoshi exhaust) the stock engine's "sweet spot" is around 6700rpm, after that the power starts to disappear mnnthbx.com/product/yoshimura-exhaust-for-2019-honda-monkey-125/ so just gearing for more rpm isn't always the answer. I've looked at a few dyno graphs and they all follow that same basic curve. The best place to start might be to get a cheap rev counter then you can take the guesswork out of which way to go with gearing
thanks for the video. i am planing a rear upgrade of 2 or 3 teeth just not sure yet. Can i go 3 teeth and use the stock chain?
Good question and I'm not really sure. I went down one tooth in front, and up two in the rear, so I don't think my overall chain distance changed too much. I seemed to have plenty of chain left though
John5XR thank you.
do you think it would fit me , close to 50 years old 1,83 cm in height and about 87 kg in weight , it just looks so much fun
Looking to do this same rear sprocket change with the 36t vortex but not interested in the red color do they make just all aluminum finish??
They offer a few different colors. Check out the Brocks Performance website I linked to in the description
Dude, are a cousin of Cleetus McFarland by any chance ? You guys both live in FL and face wise are kinda similar. LMAO.
Lol, I’ve been told this before actually! Maybe he’s a long lost brother 🤷🏼♂️ I’d like to get some spillover subscribers from him, I do know that!
Changing rear sprocket and was wondering if you knew the torq setting on the sprocket and the rear wheel?
Not off the top of my head, but I’ll check the manual
Hi John , this is Daniel, I have a problem I don't know if you can help, I bought a 2019 monkey, I like it a lot but I think if I can increase a little more power in to it, so I start to search on youtube, I saw many UA-camr like you modification them byte , so I order 181 big bore kits power command and air tune from hard racing.com, I did everythings youtube said, first try my Monkey every look ok but when I drove up to 70 mph the check engine light on , all of a sun I lost power and slow me down to 50 mph, I don't know what happen, I start to check and I found out I had a short circuit, I check all over but still can't find the problem, hope you can give me aa suggest, thanks have a good day
Hi Daniel, thanks for watching my channel! With a big bore kit and power commander, there are so many variables that can change and make something like this happen. I’d suggest working with Hard Racing on the issue as they are definitely experts in power adding kits such as the 181
@@John5XR thanks for the reply,
You can contact if in Florida...
The RuckShop in Zephyrhills.
They work on Groms & Ruckus mostly. And night be able to help with Monkey bikes... Specifically those with bigbore kits.
I think I see a version of this that is less metal and probably lighter. Going to get one of these.
Less metal than the aluminum? The Vortex rear sprocket is very light, gonna be hard to find something lighter in my opinion
@@John5XR It looks like a new vortex with less metal. www.ebay.com/itm/Cat5-Rear-Aluminum-Sprocket-Red-36T-Vortex-206ZR-36-For-14-20-Honda-Grom-Monkey/402214688002?fits=Model%3AGrom+125%7CMake%3AHonda&epid=239096670&hash=item5da5dd1502:g:tyYAAOSwtyxee-QR
There are more affordable steel rear sprockets, I have a 38T JT steel sprocket that I’ll try soon. I think it was like $15 from TB Parts
@@John5XR I still have the factory rear sprocket and am still looking for one. I do want a red one. I am going to spray paint my rims red when I change the front and back together.
The only one I found in a color was the Vortex. The steel sprockets are all natural steel color
The rev limiter will potentially alleviate valve float at the high RPM.
Not even hitting the rev limiter in top gear, but yes, you’re right
Hi - Was the speedo off with GPS when bike was stock or did modifications cause discrepancy? Thanks.
Not that I know, but I never checked
@@John5XR Hello there,
This video was uploaded quite some time ago so it is refreshing to see that you have replied to a comment from only three weeks ago.
Nice.
With your reply you have given no indication that you have rectified this problem.
Following this assumption that the issue persists, have you considered fitting a speedo recalibrator perhaps?
SpeedoDRD H9 Speedo Calibrator Plug-In Honda Monkey 125 .. 2019, 2020 .. (available on e-bay)
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SpeedoDRD-H9-Speedo-Calibrator-Plug-In-Honda-Monkey-125-2019-2020/254238272925
I'm sure there will be an American supplier for this.
Or perhaps,
Honda Grom Speedometer Recalibration Device SRD H7
there is a video by HardRacing here on youtube ...
ua-cam.com/video/lkBfaoEpCHY/v-deo.html
It is also interesting to note that for every mile you actually travel, your odometer will register a higher value due to the sprocket change.
It is worth getting it fixed, even if just for safety reasons or traffic concerns.
Love the Monkey videos.
Best regards,
K.M
Are the stock sprockets steel or aluminium? I would have thought steel that will last a lot longer than aluminium?
Stock is steel. Steel will last longer than aluminum for sure. I don’t put many miles on the bike, so I went with the lighter weight aluminum
wow, that was a disappointment. I found no advantages except low end torque with sprocket changes on my CT125.
What's the nut torque on the sprocket?
It is a 125 the sprocket will be fine.
I am 6'1" would this bike be to short for me
Nope! I’m 6’1” as well and find the bike comfortable
When the speedo is connected to the gearbox and screws that spped and mileage, it doesn't seem worth it especially when there does not appear to be much difference in performance especially top speed.
You would also think that Honda have top top engineers and spend a fortune on research and development and would know the best combination of teeth on sprockets.
there are some that like to tinker and play with their bikes, and some that like to take the "the engineers know best, and you should leave it alone" approach. Of course the bike is most reliable as it's shipped from Honda, but there's ALWAYS ways to make EVERYTHING better (or at least suit it to your specific needs a little better than it's originally designed). Every DOT legal road going bike or car needs to be averaged out to be best for the majority of riders, and not target one specific group of rider. I'm fairly certain the 15T was the best average sprocket for the majority of riders, but like I said above, there are some of us who want to tweak the bike to be the best for our specific needs.
The off road knobbly tyres will slow the bike down.
Wondering about "the ton" on a Monkey, short wheelbase, small wheels, backing off the throttle at 100, insurance......🙄
Wouldn't changing sprockets make your speedometer inaccurate?
Yes, and it does for sure. One day I’ll install a speedo correcting device like the 12o’clock labs SpeedoDRD
No …speedometer is measured by your front tires spinning those dirt bike tires he has are smaller in diameter than the stock tires. That is why his speedometer is so far off
Speedo isn’t measured by the front wheels on this bike, it’s by a sensor on the countersprocket
@@John5XR you are correct I was wrong!
Needs a head port and cam
this guy look so like Ryan Gosling
I’ll take it! Lol 😂
🤣👍🏼
In your dreams...
the bike is made to handle specific gearing ratios and has specific sprocket sizes for a reason when you temper with that you must dyno the bike and adjust everything accordingly if you do not do that you will potentially damage the bike
Please explain what dynoing would do beyond tell me horsepower output (which won’t change with gearing) and what would I adjust?!
Hahahaha what you smoking bro? The sprocket can be changed without affecting anything that you would need to retune the engine for.
I’d like to know what he’s talking about as well
@@nspacetime he might be talking about the abs sensor i looked it up and i guess it can throw a code if it has abs and this done the camshaft and abs sensor might not like the numbers they recieve. But who buys an abs monkey for offroad anyway?
16driver16 oh, ok. Well good thing I didn’t buy my monkey with abs. Poor John didn’t want to wait. Can’t say I blame him.
14 inch wheel and Gorilla tank should be 2.5 gallons🤷♂️
Bad A$$!!!! I like the step by step videos a bit better.. the music just distracts me from the project. JMO
Good to know! It’s a fine line between entertainment and instruction. My ultimate goal is to get another Monkey and create a UA-cam video repair manual 😉
Id go 1 down on the front to 13
Thinking about it, but that’s a tight bend for the chain also, so maybe upping the rear would be a better option
@@John5XR I've seen it done, and do over 8000kms in 11 days, reaching speeds of 120kph+
@@John5XR I'll add, the stock chain stretched non stop, heavy duty chain handled the 13T alot better
Maybe you should find a lighter-weight person to try to go for a top speed run somebody like a 125# girl or?
Definitely, my buddy Lars’ wife is super tiny and would be a good candidate. That’s actually a great idea for a video!,
Sorry. Should of finished the entire video.