Honda Monkey 125 Custom

Introduction: This 1/12 Honda Monkey 125 model was built from a Tamiya kit and showcases custom metal-flake paint and added tubing to match the bike’s retro style. The commission emphasizes the Monkey’s small, upright design and cheerful colour scheme, reflecting its 2018 revival as a modern classic motorcycle.

Scale: 1/12

Manufacturer: Tamiya

Materials: Base Kit including tubing, bespoke metal flake colours

Background: The Honda Monkey 125, introduced in 2018, is Honda's modern interpretation of one of its most recognisable motorcycle designs. Its origins date back to 1967, when the original Z50M was introduced as a compact leisure motorcycle designed to be approachable, lightweight and easy to ride. The Monkey's small proportions, upright riding position and distinctive styling quickly established a cult following, making it a symbol of accessible and enjoyable motorcycling.

The modern Monkey 125 combines this heritage styling with contemporary engineering, featuring a 125cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, fuel injection, four-speed transmission, disc brakes and modern suspension. Its compact chassis, twin-shock rear suspension, fat tyres, distinctive fuel tank and high-mounted exhaust retain the instantly recognisable Monkey character while providing the performance, reliability and usability expected from a modern motorcycle.

This commissioned 1/12 scale model was built from the Tamiya kit with particular attention given to reproducing the character and detailing of the full-size motorcycle. Bespoke metal-flake colours recreate its distinctive red finish, while additional tubing has been incorporated to enhance the mechanical detailing and complement the Monkey's exposed construction. The result is a detailed miniature representation of a modern classic that combines Honda's historic design language with contemporary 125 cc engineering.

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