When it comes to minimotos, it's pretty clear that no one can tell Honda what to do.
Why? Because Honda just knows. Right down to its marrow. (Do companies have marrow? Unclear, but you get the idea.)
Case in point: Every single minimoto Honda has put out in recent years, whether it's a revival (think Dax 125 or CT125 Hunter Cub), or the inimitable modern fun machine known as the Grom. And of course, the Honda Monkey and Super Cub probably don't really even need an introduction at this point, do they?
So the question seems to be, with hit after hit under its belt, what would you do next in this space, if you're Honda? Would you be content with what's already out there, only tweaking paint, graphics, and accessories and letting these bikes pretty much sell themselves?
Or would your mind already be onto that next thing, maybe thinking of ways to bring other bits of your history into the modern era? And, just supposing this was the path that you chose, would you maybe consider reviving a modern version of a rare JDM-only Monkey variant, but this time perhaps offered in more countries than just Japan?
I know, I know, it's probably just wishful thinking. But you can't tell me that no one besides me would want to see a modern, 125cc Monkey Baja Africa. Because I know that you'd be lying, and so do you.
Now, to be totally clear, there's absolutely no real evidence pointing to the idea that this is an avenue that Honda is, in fact, actually in the process of pursuing. Well, unless you count the fact that the fine folks over at Young Machine actually took the time to conjure up a CG rendering of a potential design for a future Monkey Baja Africa.
That's not really evidence, per se, but since YM seems to have better insight than most into the inner workings of Honda development sometimes, it's also not nothing. If you're the type of person who likes to live in hope, then I'd say it's probably safe to do so here. If it happens, it happens; and if it doesn't, well, it was a nice dream, right?
Maybe a better question to ask is, what would you do with a modern Honda Monkey Baja Africa if you could get your hands on one? Leave your answers below in the comments.
Me, I'd probably just delight in taking it everywhere I could. Would it make people smile more than sidecars do? Tough call, but I wouldn't mind trying to answer that question with lived anecdata if I had the chance.
