HONDA The Power of Dreams

In 1974, four years since the Monkey Z50Z was launched, the Monkey underwent major changes.

Not only did the new Monkey have a completely redesigned frame, and a series-first rear suspension, but it also featured front and rear tires with a block pattern designed for riding on dirt roads.

Its fuel tank was increased from 2.5 to 4 liters, a major evolution transforming the Monkey into a leisure bike.

Although the Monkey was initially designed to be loaded into a car to be taken out for suburban fun, from this model the specifications were revised so riders could enjoy leisure activities without the car.

To this end, the Monkey was equipped with a more comfortable seat and rear carrier.

Although the detachable front-end mechanism of the previous model, the Z50Z, was eliminated from the Z50J, the folding handlebars, one of Monkey’s distinctive features, were retained to satisfy customers who wanted to load it into their car.

The Monkey Z50J was based on the MINI TRAIL 50 (Z50AK3) released by American Honda Motor in 1972. At the time, motorcycle leisure activities for families were becoming popular in the United States. The compact and easy-to-handle MINI TRAIL 50 was very popular among children.

One year after the Monkey Z50J was released, the Monkey Z50J-II was released in 1975 with new fuel tank graphics and other details that had been further developed.

The new frame designed for the Monkey Z50J would remain unchanged for subsequent Monkeys for the next three decades. In this sense, the Monkey Z50J played an important role in the evolution of the Monkey.