The Honda Grom has an enviable market position. It sells a lot in the USA - more than 10,000 units in some years, and at the same time is a cult motorcycle. There are riders' clubs for the Grom, something you would associate with a Harley-Davidson, not a 125cc runabout.
The Honda Grom is a funny motorcycle, if one can call it a motorcycle, that is. With 12" wheels, it has the stature of a scooter. With a 30" saddle height, it can be a reasonable steed for riders of all heights under 6'1". Before woke became fashionable, the Grom was the reasonable one, a flexible machine with a please-all demeanour.
The Grom-like minibike format works at so many levels. It makes the motorcycle lighter. That lightness, coupled with the tiny wheels aiding low turning inertia, makes the typical zig-zag-zip through traffic easier. The small wheels also help with low-end torque, putting more to the ground, making the otherwise sedate 9.7bhp entertaining. Put the same engine on a 17"/18" wheel size motorcycle, and you are likely to get a snooze fest.
The Grom walks the sweet line between being a common folk street commuter and a cult classic.
It's a unisex, height and age-agnostic form factor that makes sense to everyone looking for a fun commuter. Almost everyone can go feet flat on the Grom, offering an unparalleled sense of confidence, making it one of the most popular two-wheelers in the USofA.
Unlike Asia and Europe, the US has a small scooter market. The Grom fills many gaps in the market: teenagers, girls, learners, first-timers, riders with low confidence and/or skill, etc. Not to mention, with a 125cc powertrain, the Grom is very cost-efficient and frugal.
This makes the Grom and everyone who followed a very popular product segment. Analysts estimate that the Grom sells about 10,000 units in the United States, year after year.
For Honda, the Grom is their most likable product. It walks the sweet line between being a common-folks street commuter and a cult classic.
What does Grom mean?
The noun Grom is the short form of grommet and, over the years, has come to represent a skilled young individual. It is most commonly used in the context of windsurfing, surfboarding, snowboarding, skateboarding, etc. Essentially, that means Grom represents youth, agility, freedom, and excitement.
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