Power couple: Matching BMW R100 scramblers by HB-Custom

Love will make you do crazy things. The owner of these matching BMW R100 scramblers had his heart set on a BMW R nineT before he saw a classic boxer and fell in love. And he only had one custom bike in the works, before he met a woman and fell in love.

The full story behind these bikes is dripping with serendipity. It all started when the owner was having his chimney swept; he mentioned an idea for a Martini-liveried R nineT to his chimney sweep, who happened to be a friend of Holger Breuer’s. Before long, he found himself at Holger’s workshop, HB-Custom, in Husum, Germany.

Holger had a BMW R100 on the bench at the time, and the second his new client saw it, the R nineT was no longer a priority. Armed with advice from Holger on what to look out for, he sourced a 1982 BMW R100RS and dragged it back to HB-Custom.

The idea was to turn it into a classy scrambler with underlying bobber sensibilities. That meant maintaining a decent ride height, but transforming the tail end of the bike with a solo saddle and a low-mounted fender. With a clear direction in mind, Holger got to work.

There’s nothing too wild going on here—just a tidy set of mods that show the level of taste and consideration that we’ve come to expect from Holger. The OEM subframe is gone, replaced by a bespoke seat support and relocated upper shock mounts. A bobber-style seat sits up top, sporting two-tone leather upholstery.

The rear is propped up on a pair of YSS shocks, while a steel fender hugs the rear tire. A slim LED taillight is tucked under the seat, with the bike’s license plate bracket mounted to the right-hand side of the swingarm.

Moving to the cockpit, Holger swapped the stock top yoke for a tidy CNC-machined item. It’s fitted with new handlebar clamps, gripping Magura bars. The grips and controls are from Magura too, the mirror is a Highsider part, and the switches and bar-end turn signals are from Motogadget.

An LED headlight sits up front, with a Motogadget speedo mounted just above it in a custom housing. The R100’s original fuel tank takes center stage, boasting a handsome paint job and a new knurled aluminum gas cap.

Other upgrades include progressive springs and preload adjusters for the front forks, and go-anywhere tires from Heidenau. The refurbished engine wears classic peanut-style valve covers, pod filters, and twin exhausts from the German boxer specialists at Hattech.

The second BMW R100 was unexpectedly booked in the minute the first bike was handed over. “When the customer pickup up his new bike on Thursday evening, he was so thrilled that he called back on Friday morning and ordered the same bike again—but this time as a two-seater,” Holger tells us. “I could only laugh and get back to work.”

Holger’s client had found love and wanted a matching boxer to share with his new girlfriend. The bikes are almost identical, save for a few key details.

The most obvious difference is the second bike’s more substantial custom subframe and two-up leather seat. A shorter, high-mounted rear fender sits out back, with a license plate bracket that also hosts a pair of Kellermann combination LEDs. Pannier racks, soft bags, and passenger pegs finish off the rear.

Since this bike is likely to see more travel, Holger also fitted it with engine crash bars and an auxiliary headlight. The R100’s OEM square valve covers also differentiate it from its stablemate.

We’d be happy with either of these charming BMW R100 scramblers in the Bike EXIF garage—so the fact that one guy owns both of them leaves us just a tad bit envious. Which would you pick?

HB-Custom | Instagram | Images by Emayat Wahab

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Dominate the Streets: STG Tracker’s HRC-themed Honda NX650

The faithful Honda NX650 Dominator has proved to be a popular custom-build donor over the years. It could be due to the legendary reliability of Honda thumpers, the NX650’s relatively simple layout, or the fact that it can be picked up cheaply. Whatever the reason, there’s massive potential there—and STG Tracker has just exploited that potential in spectacular fashion.

Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and run by Marcelo Obarrio and Germán Karp, STG Tracker has a penchant for building impossibly slick street trackers. This 1989-model Honda NX650 Dominator has all the hallmarks of an STG build; sharp lines, an aggressive stance, and a livery that looks so good, it’s hard to imagine the bike painted any other way.

Picking the classic HRC palette for a custom Honda build can seem like a cheat, but STG has executed the theme so well here that it transcends criticism. Gold details complement the blue, white, and red graphics, while the frame wears Honda’s traditional bright red. Fresh finishes have the engine looking like it was built yesterday.

The whole thing looks clean enough to eat off—which is remarkable when you consider how ratty the donor bike was. Long before Marcelo and Germán made it pretty, the old Dominator needed a full engine rebuild to bring it up to par.

Once that was sorted, STG could focus on the fun stuff. “The idea was to make a fully enjoyable bike with full engine power and weight loss,” Marcelo tells us, “but also improve the suspension and brakes.”

To that end, STG grafted the upside-down forks from a Ducati Multistrada 1200 to the NX650’s front end by way of custom yokes. The Multistrada also donated its twin Brembo brakes, which necessitated the construction of a whole new front wheel. STG CNC-machined a bespoke hub and laced it to a 17” rim.

Another new 17” rim sits out back, laced to a disc brake-compatible Honda hub. This particular NX650 came out with a drum brake at the back, but STG seized the opportunity to convert it to a disc setup, with a Nissin caliper and master cylinder. Both the front and rear brakes are hooked up with HEL Performance brake lines.

STG kept the NX650’s stock rear shock, but rebuilt it from the ground up. Pirelli MT60 RS tires offer the perfect balance between dirt looks and street grip.

The NX650’s tattered plastics were all binned in favor of a cocktail of repurposed and handmade parts. The fuel tank is a recycled part from a 1970s dirt bike of undisclosed origins, while the leather seat is a one-off.

STG hacked off the Honda’s subframe and fabricated a new one, shortening the bike’s tail in the process. A handmade aluminum fender juts out the back while offering sufficient splash protection lower down.

The underside of the Dominator’s new tail section reads like a good round of Tetris. Twin LEDs hang from the underside of the fender, acting as turn signals and taillights. The whole arrangement is tucked tightly against a custom-made electronics box, while also accommodating the exhaust system and offering a spot to mount the regulator/rectifier.

Under the hood, STG rewired the whole bike around a Motogadget brain, sticking all the important bits in the new under-seat box, which now also hosts the ignition barrel.

At the opposite end of the bike, you’ll find the headlight nacelle from a Honda XR650L, retrofitted with an LED headlight. The front fender is another handmade aluminum part. STG shaped it to mate perfectly with the form of the headlight shroud, so that it looks like one single part from afar.

Sitting behind the headlight are new ProTaper handlebars, held in place by custom clamps that also house a small digital Motogadget speedo. New grips and Motogadget push buttons finish off the cockpit.

One of the Dominator’s many quirks is its twin engine outlets. STG put those to good use here, fabricating a two-into-one stainless steel exhaust system that snakes its way through the frame, exiting in a BMW-specific Akrapovič muffler.

As we’ve come to expect from Marcelo and Germán, this Honda NX650 Dominator hits all the right notes. It’s quite a runner too, according to Marcelo.

“The bike is amazing to ride—full power on every gear,” he adds. “Super skinny and light, like riding a bicycle!”

“Once you start, you can’t get off.”

STG Tracker | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Darío Rodriguez

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Increase The Power of Mercedes with An Chiptuning Ecu

We all know that Mercedes-Benz cars are one of the most lavish, fastest, and most innovative cars on the market today. However, for those who want to feel even more what it is like to drive a Mercedes, Mercedes chiptuning and tuning are allowed. This article is an attempt to define the term chiptuning, the types of tuning, and the professionals who perform such tasks, the tuners.

Chiptuning or for instance ECU tuning is the process aimed at adjusting the engine control unit (ECU) software. This process can be handy in the enhancement of power, torque, fuel efficiency, and drivability of the vehicle in question. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory conducted a research and found out that chiptuning increases fuel efficiency by up to 15% in some cars.

Benefits of Chiptuning

• Increased Horsepower and Torque: This process of chiptuning can be carried out by varying the air fuel ratio and other factors and it has a positive impact on the engine power.
• Improved Fuel Efficiency: It has been observed that well maintained engines are more fuel efficient and a person will have to spend less on fuel over time.
• Enhanced Throttle Response: Because of this, linear and sensitive acceleration enhances the fun to drive factor.
• Customization: It can be adjusted to match the certain customer’s driving style and preferences.

Mercedes Tuning Options

In addition to chiptuning, other tuning parts are available for upgrading the performance and looks of Mercedes-Benz cars.

Performance Upgrades

• Exhaust Systems: Performance exhaust systems can enhance the power and the sound that comes from the vehicle in order to make it sound racier.
• Suspension Kits: Branded suspension sets improve the car control and comfort of the ride.
• Brake Systems: They offer high performance braking and increase the safety of the vehicle.

Aesthetic Modifications

• Body Kits: Body kits are a great way to modify your car to achieve a distinguished and bold appearance especially for your Mercedes.
• Wheels and Tires: Wheel replacement with a bigger or fancy wheel can enhance the looks of a car greatly.
• Interior Upgrades: Woods, leather, and other high-quality materials can make the interior of a car feel that much more luxurious.

Leading Mercedes Tuners

• Brabus: Brabus is one of the most famous tuning companies which specializes in making Mercedes cars more powerful and athletic.
• AMG: Although AMG is the performance division of Mercedes-Benz, there are numerous aftermarket tuners that can fine-tune the already spectacular AMG cars.
• PresserTech Performance: It is for this reason that many people seek PresserTech Performance, a company that provides performance upgrades for different types of Mercedes Benz’s automobiles.

Mercedes chiptuning and tuning are services that give you a chance to change the appearance and characteristics of the car to be better. From software changes to actual parts that can be fitted to the car, these can help make the driving experience of a Mercedes even better. It is recommended that the following modification on your Mercedes-Benz should only be done by professional tuners to avoid damaging the car and to ensure that the modification is done to the best standards.

Have you chiptuned your car so far? If so, please leave us a comment on this article and share your experience with chiptuning, the benefits you have seen, as well as the negatives you have encountered. Thank you for being part of the Automotorblog family.

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Speed Read: A BMW R12 scrambler by WalzWerk and more

Our selection is bookended by a pair of BMW R12 boxers this week—except one is brand new, and the other is 85 years old. We also drool over a luscious Kawasaki Z1 from the masters of Japanese restomods, AC Sanctuary, and examine the new Royal Enfield Guerilla 450.

BMW R12 Scrambler by WalzWerk Of all the options in the new BMW R12 boxer lineup, there is one glaring omission—BMW doesn’t offer a scrambler variant. To somewhat remedy this, BMW Motorrad approached Marcus Walz and his team at WalzWerk to highlight the new R12’s customizability, by turning it into a scrambler.

As expected, they knocked it out of the park.

The subframe on the new R12 can be undone with just four bolts—a point that WalzWerk wanted to highlight. To do this they made a new subframe, basing the design on their über-popular Schizzo range of parts for older BMW airheads. With the subframe mocked up they set the stance by fitting a set of 19F/17R edge-spoke wheels (in gold, of course), taken from a BMW R1250GS.

The front forks have been extended by an inch, while Progressive front springs and a custom rear shock from Touratech keep the Continental TKC80 tires planted.

The standard steel fuel tank has been lightly modified, with subtle knee dents and a Monza-style fuel filler cap for a more classic silhouette. It wears traditional BMW Motorsport colors, with a bright red leather cover on the seat.

Fat bars and aluminum mirrors from the WalzWerk catalog simplify the rider cockpit, which sits behind the factory LED headlight on WalzWerk brackets. The turn signals and tail light are also WalzWerk parts, with a Rizoma side-mounted license plate bracket attached to the swingarm.

The airbox was ditched, along with everything else under the seat. WalzWerk pod filters and a complete exhaust system from SC-Project in Italy help the engine breathe, unleashing a few more buff German horses.

The WalzWerk team pumps out a steady stream of custom bikes every month and they have committed to building their new R12 Scrambler as a limited production run. With any luck, BMW Motorrad’s designers are taking notes. [Source]

Kawasaki Z1 by AC Sanctuary Whenever we forget how rad classic four-cylinder Kawasakis are, we head over to AC Sanctuary’s website to set us straight. Our last visit yielded RCM-602—a Kawasaki Z1 with all the right goodies in all the right places.

Remarkably, AC Sanctuary considers this a ‘budget’ build. Citing the rising prices of good-condition Kawaski Z1 donors as a motivator, their client requested a limited build sheet. The idea was to bring the bike up to a respectable spec, with a view to adding more upgrades later.

That said, there are no shortcuts here. AC Sanctuary overhauled the motor with fresh internals, honed the cylinders, and updated the intake, exhaust, and ignition systems. The Z1 now inhales through a set of Mikuni TMR36 carbs and exhales via a Nitro Racing exhaust system.

To save a buck, AC Sanctuary repurposed the forks, wheels, and brakes from a 2000s Kawasaki ZRX1200. The ZRX forks are shorter than the OEM Z1 units, so they had to be extended. A Sculpture swingarm does duty out back, connected to a pair of Öhlins shocks, while Metzeler Sportec tires offer modern grip.

The build is littered with subtle upgrades and clever hop-up parts. And then there’s the livery; a beguiling mix of deep flaky green and bright yellow.

This Zed proves once again that AC Sanctuary is the master of vintage superbike restomods. [More]

The new Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Hot on the heels of Royal Enfield’s reboot of their Himalayan 450 comes this—the all-new Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450. The mid-size 400-ish-cc market just got a little hotter, and we’re here for it. Marketing the Guerrilla as the “return of the real roadster,” Royal Enfield has set their sights squarely on the plastic-covered, mid-sized sportbike market.

If the Guerrilla 450 looks like a naked Himalayan to you, you’re not alone. The tank is similar to the Himalayan 450, but it is stripped of the ADV-style bar work. Left bare, the muscular shoulders on the tank are on full display, as is the bike’s tubular frame.

A simple round LED headlight is backed up with a simple, round dashboard and tall, wide bars. The curvy tank swoops into a long single-piece seat, which sits at 30.7 inches tall. Speaking of the seat, it has been designed with neutral ergonomics in mind, with an easy reach to the bars and foot pegs.

The front suspension is new and features a sharper steering angle compared to the Himalayan. The swingarm is also shorter, and these two aspects should give the Guerrilla some pretty quick handling; exactly what you want around city streets. We also love the chunky wheel and tire combination, and the outlandish factory paint schemes.

At the heart of the new roadster is the 452 cc liquid-cooled Sherpa engine, the same as the one found in the Himalayan. Royal Enfield’s engineers have tuned the Guerrilla for street use, saying that power should be even across the entire rev range, with around 40 hp of power and 40 Nm of torque on tap.

The two different engine modes are quite self-explanatory (‘Eco’ and ‘Performance’), and some great tech has been built into the TFT dashboard. For extra acceleration on the street, the Guerrilla sports fewer teeth on the rear sprocket compared to the Himalayan. Clicking through the six-speed transmission should be quite a hoot, especially with the sub-411-pound curb weight.

Pictures and videos show the Guerrilla 450 as a great street bike that is sure to interest a lot of people. However, there are some things that we don’t like. Firstly, although the 42 mm forks were developed with Showa, something chunkier would suit the bike better. Another drawback is the 2.9-gallon fuel tank, which will likely require frequent fuel stops.

While it took Royal Enfield an age to follow the outgoing Himalayan 411 up with the naked Scram 411, we’re glad they didn’t wait that long this time around. The new Guerrilla 450 is a return to simplicity and fun—and that’s exactly what Royal Enfield is great at right now. [Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450]

1939 BMW R12 Currently located in San Jose, California, this 1939 BMW R12 is a stunning example of an early airhead. It shares a name and more than a few design elements with its great-grandchild—the 2024 BMW R12—like its sloping bone line, round headlight, and boxer engine. But a lot has changed in the last 85 years.

Aesthetically, the history is obvious. Some of the 1939 R12 details can be found on bikes like the new BMW R18, such as the beautifully balanced fenders, the fishtail exhausts, and the exposed shaft drive. Being a far simpler machine, the R12 has a much more delicate disposition compared to its behemoth-like modern-day counterparts, but it’s great that BMW uses details from the past to influence its modern machinery.

The 1939 R12 features a 745 cc boxer engine—a displacement that was relatively large for its time. The engine in this particular R12 was originally earmarked to be sent to the German Army Ordnance Office in Magdeburg, but it was mated to chassis 45277 at some point later down the line. However, chassis 45277 was produced in the same year as the engine and was also meant for military use.

After the war, the bike lived in Eastern Europe and was bought by the seller in 2023 after they found it in Lithuania. The bike was then taken to Poland, completely restored, and painted in classic BMW black with white pinstripes.

The front forks are telescopic but the back end is rigid with only the double-sprung Drilastic solo saddle keeping things comfortable. That said, we can picture ourselves sitting behind those wide bars, slowly shifting through the rebuilt four-speed transmission by hand. Other details that stand out are the aluminum rider and passenger footboards, rubber knee pads, and rear luggage rack.

If you can picture yourself astride this 18-horsepower weapon of an appreciating asset, you’re out of luck. It just sold for a modest $40,000 on Bring A Trailer. Better luck next time. [Source]

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Size Matters: The 2024 Bike EXIF guide to street-legal mini bikes

There’s no quicker way to feel like a kid again than hopping on a mini bike, but there’s more than just novelty and fond memories powering the mini moto scene. These bikes are a fun way to get around and grow skills, but they’re also the gateway to the sport for the uninitiated, with low seat heights, easy-going ergonomics and manageable power levels.

Whether you’re preparing for your license or just looking to spice up your morning commute, any of these 2024 street-legal mini bikes prove that big things come in small packages.

• Honda Grom
• Benelli TNT135
• Honda Navi
• Kawasaki Z125 Pro
• CAKE Makka
• CFMOTO XO Papio Racer
• Honda Monkey ABS

2025 Honda Grom

At a glance 124 cc, air-cooled four-stroke single, 9.7 hp, 10.4 Nm, standard 5-speed, 12-inch alloy wheels, 31 mm inverted fork, disc brakes.

Introduced nearly a decade ago, there’s no conversation about street-legal minis without the Honda Grom. The Grom’s quirky, customizable character has stood the test of time, and Honda gave its staple mini a full facelift for 2025.

Combining blocky sport-bike flair with scaled-down dimensions and a 30-inch seat height, the Grom has always been about fun and accessibility. The fuel-injected, 124 cc four-stroke engine and five-speed transmission provide predictable performance for entry-level riders, with a top speed of around 60 mph for urban and backroad commuting.

The Grom’s inverted fork, disc brakes, 12-inch wheels and passenger pegs have become standard equipment in the mini moto class. Suspension travel is right around 4 inches [101.6 mm], which is competitive among its peers, but don’t expect large bumps to go unnoticed. Ready to ride, the Grom weighs 223 pounds and has an estimated economy of 166 mpg and a 1.6-gallon fuel capacity.

In surfing language, grom refers to an amateur who will someday go pro, and this benchmark mini certainly provides thrill for all skill levels. Assembled with Honda’s legendary build quality, and boasting some of the best aftermarket support in the industry, expect the Grom to remain relevant for years to come. [Honda | Honda Grom customs]

2024 Benelli TNT135

At a glance 135 cc, air/oil-cooled four-stroke single, 11.3 hp, 7.4 Nm, standard 5-speed, 12-inch alloy wheels, 41 mm inverted fork, disc brakes.

Sharp European looks in a tiny affordable platform, the Benelli TNT135 is a pleasing synergy of Italian design and Chinese manufacturing. It’s more than just a Grom alternative, and the influence of Benelli’s 302S model can be seen in the trellis chassis and svelte plastics.

Power comes from a 135 cc air/oil-cooled, four-valve engine, making a tick above 11 hp, and the transmission is a standard five-speed. The TNT’s base dimensions are on par with the Grom, but the Benelli is fit with a beefier 41 mm inverted fork with 4.7” [120 mm] of travel. You’ll feel the extra 30 pounds of curb weight, but the TNT holds more fuel, and the extra beef seems to come from the right places.

Benelli’s TNT135 gets extra points for its flush signals, projector-style headlight and twin-tip exhaust. While the model remains unchanged for the current model year, the TNT is still one of the most affordable bikes in its class and is available in four vibrant colorways.

Stateside, the Benelli TNT135 is available through SSR’s U.S. dealer network. [Benelli]

2024 Honda Navi

At a glance 109 cc, air-cooled four-stroke single, 7.9 hp, 8.9 Nm, CVT automatic, 12”F/10”R steel wheels, 27 mm inverted fork, drum brakes.

The mini moto scene has exploded in recent years, but there’s no denying that manual transmissions and MSRPs are still some of the biggest barriers to entry for new riders. Boasting simple twist-and-go riding, Honda’s venerable build quality and a U.S. price (just) under $2,000, Honda’s Navi is the perfect initiation to the world of two wheels.

Is the Navi a bike or a scooter? I guess it depends on where you draw the line, as the Navi’s upright ergonomics and CVT automatic transmission are standard moped fare, but its controls bear a stronger resemblance to the rest of Honda’s mini-moto fleet. It’s more powerful than most scooters as well, with a 109 cc air-cooled single producing 7.9 hp, and it’s capable of speeds over 50 mph.

The Navi brings an astonishing amount of standard equipment to the table, including electric start with a backup kicker, a 15-liter storage compartment and a two-up seat with passenger pegs. It’s also available in four striking colors, and Honda’s level of fit and finish makes the Navi feel like a pricer bike. As with the Grom, Honda is leveraging the ease of customization with the Navi right out of the gate, evidenced by this killer Navi custom from Steady Garage.

If you want to nitpick, you’re more likely to feel imperfections in the road given the Navi’s 12”F/10”R wheel combo and suspension travel (3.5”F, 2.8”R [88.9 mm F, 71.1 mm R]), but these figures aren’t far from the norm for the class. The bike is also fit with drum brakes, which are coupled when the foot brake is used, and testers report they’re more than up to the task. [Honda]

2024 Kawasaki Z125 Pro

At a glance 125 cc, air-cooled four-stroke single, 8.3 hp, 7.1 Nm, standard 4-speed, 12-inch alloy wheels, inverted fork—3.9″ stroke, disc brakes.

Kawasaki’s entry in the mini bike market has been fiercely compared to the Grom since its debut in 2015, and you’ll find plenty of advocates for each on the web. Boasting comfortable ergonomics and sporty dimensions, the Z125 Pro was built for mini moto performance.

The Kawasaki Z125 Pro has a refreshing degree of fit and finish, with more complete plastics and a sporty full-length seat accommodating a passenger. You’ll sit a little higher on the Z, with its 31.7-inch seat height, which is a big plus for larger riders. Suspension travel is roughly 4” [101.6 mm] on both ends, and the bike weighs 224 pounds at the curb with a full 2 gallons of fuel.

Kawasaki’s 125 cc engine is fit with fuel injection and a four-speed transmission, good for 8.3 hp, and capable of around 65 mph. While the Z is a couple of decimals lower on power and has just four gears to play with, its sporty 46-inch wheelbase, lower gearing and rev-happy performance make it arguably more enjoyable in the twisties.

The Z125 is available in three high-impact paint schemes but is otherwise the same machine we saw in 2023. [Kawasaki]

2024 CAKE Makka

At a glance interior permanent magnet motor, 1.55 kW, 60 Nm, direct drive (hub motor), removable 31 Ah lithium battery, 14-inch spoked wheels, telescoping—3.54″ stroke, disc brake.

The best solution is often a simple one, and if you’re not the type who relishes changing oil and pumping gas, the sophisticated CAKE Makka offers easy twist-and-go commuting with plug-and-play convenience.

The Makka is one of the most versatile electrics on the market, with a clean step-through design that’s street-legal and infinitely customizable. It’s much lighter than gas-powered minis at 154 pounds, and its 1.55 kW power plant will return a range of 41 miles and 28 mph.

The Makka is equipped with regenerative braking and multiple riding modes, allowing riders to balance top speed and battery life. A full charge from 0% can be achieved in three hours with a standard home outlet, and the lithium battery pack can also be quickly swapped.

While urban commuting is certainly the name of the game, the Makka is fit with surprisingly rugged features permitting light off-road use, including a 6061-T6 aluminum frame, 14-inch Kenda trials-type rubber, tapered handlebars and long-travel suspension. Best of all, CAKE offers loads of accessories to customize the Makka for your taste and intended use, including surf racks, top boxes, passenger seats and trick-looking colorful windscreens. [CAKE]

2024 CFMOTO XO Papio Racer

At a glance 126 cc, air-cooled four-stroke single, 9.4 hp, 9.2 Nm, standard 6-speed, 12-inch alloy wheels, 150 mm ground clearance, disc brakes.

Incorporating classic sport bike aesthetics in a pint-sized mini moto is a surefire way to create an instant classic—remember the YSR50? CFMOTO took a page from Yamaha’s book in designing the 2024 XO Papio Racer (or Papio SS in the U.S.), and while it’s nothing more than a Papio ST in fancy clothes, the grin-inducing cosmetics make all the difference.

The Papio platform starts with a steel chassis wrapped around a 126 cc, air-cooled single fed by Bosch EFI. The transmission is a standard six-speed, making the most of the Papio’s 9.4 hp and 6.8 lb-ft of torque, and the 12-inch alloys are fit with disc brakes with standard ABS. As approachable as any other bike in the group, the Papio Racer’s saddle sits just 29.9” off the pavement, and weighs 251 pounds at the curb.

While we wouldn’t want to discount the nuts and bolts, it’s the packaging that trips our trigger and makes the Papio Racer stand out. Twin LED headlights front the blocky, fixed bodywork, emulating great sport bikes of the ’80s and ’90s, and the design carries back to the rear with twin taillights and sculpted exhaust. The chunky 1.9-gallon fuel tank is incorporated seamlessly, and they’ve even fit a chin spoiler and clip-on bars.

As unique as they come, the XO Papio Racer embodies everything we love about the mini moto scene, and given CFMOTO’s growing presence stateside, we intend to throw a leg over one ASAP. [CFMOTO]

2024 Honda Monkey ABS

At a glance 124 cc, air-cooled four-stroke single, 9.3 hp, 8.1 Nm, standard 5-speed, 12-inch alloy wheels, 31 mm inverted fork, disc brakes.

Fun size with huge character, the Honda Monkey puts a completely different spin on the Grom’s mechanicals. The design comes from the iconic 1970s Honda Z50, and despite increased overall dimensions, the visual effect is just as striking.

In addition to its retro cosmetics, the Monkey ditches the Grom’s full-length seat and passenger pegs for a solo saddle. Dual rear shocks replace the Grom’s single, and the wheelbase is shorter at 45 inches. It’s also lighter at 231 pounds and squeaks out a few extra mpg.

With a retro fuel tank, chunky tires and high-mounted fenders and exhaust, the Monkey feels more off-roady than the Grom, even if it has the same 4 inches [101.6 mm] of suspension travel. You’ll pay a $700 premium for this pint-sized throwback, but we’d consider that money well spent if you’re the nostalgic type.

The Monkey ABS is the only model in the range for 2024 and comes in Pearl Nebula Red and Pearl Black colorways. [Honda | Honda Monkey customs]

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