When the Honda Grom first hit the street, it sent shock waves through the motorcycle world. Here was this cute little bike that looked like it was meant for kids but actually packed a huge hooligan attitude. Grown men threw a leg over it and immediately became kids again with huge grins on their faces as they zipped around town. It’s hard to argue with its approachable nature and seemingly endless aftermarket options. However, the market domination couldn’t last forever, and it wasn’t long before the Kawasaki Z125 entered the fray. These are ten ways the Kawasaki Z125 Pro is actually better than the Honda Grom.

Related: Yoshimura’s New Graphic Kit Will Make Your Honda Grom Exceptionally Sexy

10 The Z125 Motorcycle Still Has Impressive Fuel Economy

A green Kawasaki Z125 Pro on city streets
Kawasaki
A dynamic shot of a 2022 Kawasaki Z125 Pro with graffiti in the background 

One of the Honda Grom’s claims to fame was its insanely good fuel economy. At 166.5 miles per gallon, you could ride all day or commute all week and not worry about filling up. The Kawasaki Z125 pro may not get quite as good of fuel economy, but 135.5 miles per gallon is nothing to shake your head at. When you take into account the fact that it has a larger fuel tank, the Z125 Pro has better range. These are also all manufacturer-claimed numbers based on their testing. Your riding style and the type of fuel you use in your motorcycle can drastically reduce these impressive numbers, so the size of the tank really counts.

9 Higher Top Speed

Kawasaki Z125 Pro parked
Kawasaki
Kawasaki Z125 Pro parked.

Let’s face it; you aren’t going to win any races on either of these bikes. That’s not what they were built for. However, given their small engine and overall size, they are surprisingly quick and nimble. The Kawasaki Z125 Pro is technically slightly faster, with a top speed of 64 miles per hour, compared to the Honda Grom’s 62 miles per hour. Will that extra two miles per hour make much of a difference when you’re on the road? Probably not. However, if bragging rights are important to you, then the Z125 is factually faster.

8 The Kawasaki Z215 Is More Affordable Than The Honda Grom

A. green Kawasaki Z125 Pro
Kawasaki 
A studio shot of a 2022 Kawasaki Z125 Pro

The Kawasaki Z125 Pro is more affordable than the Honda Grom. While Honda increased the price of the Grom, the Z125 Pro has stayed the same. If you are budget conscious, this slight difference could mean a lot to you. When released, Honda listed the 2023 Grom with an MSRP of $3,499. Kawasaki introduced the Z125 with an MSRP of $3,399. In addition, because the Grom gets all the attention, they command a premium on the used market. This means it is far easier to find a great deal on a used Z125.

Related: This Custom Honda Grom Is Perfect For Iron Man

7 Taller Seat And More Comfortable Riding Position

A green Kawasaki 125 Pro
Kawasaki
An outdoor shot of a Kawasaki Z125 Pro

The Kawasaki Z125 Pro has a slightly taller seat height of 31.7 inches. This slightly higher stance is much appreciated for taller adults or those with long legs. While the Honda Grom is cute, sitting with your legs crunched up isn’t. Plus, your legs start to cramp and ache after a while, which takes a lot of the fun out of riding. The narrow design of the seat on the Z125 means that you have more legroom (well, slightly more).

6 The Z125 Motorcycle Is Packed With Performance

A green Kawasaki Z125 Pro riding
Kawasaki
A dynamic shot of a 2022 Kawasaki Z125 Pro

The engines in the Honda Grom and Kawasaki Z125 Pro are almost identical. The Grom has a 124cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine. The Kawasaki Z125 Pro has a 125cc air-cooled, single-cylinder, SOHC, two-valve engine. You will get the same sporty performance and throttle response out of the Z125 Pro that you get from the Honda Grom. In addition, these little bikes have impressive power-to-weight ratios that make them feel way faster than they actually are.

5 Kawasaki Makes Sure You Ride More and Refuel Less

Kawasaki Z125 Pro blue
Kawasaki
Kawasaki Z125 Pro styling.

It may not seem like a lot, but the extra half a gallon of capacity you get with the Kawasaki Z125 Pro can make a world of difference when you are out cruising the town. Essentially, you get an extra half-gallon of fuel capacity in the tank. That translates to driving another 68 miles before having to refuel. So if you achieved the manufacturer’s stated miles per gallon (which is borderline impossible), you could ride 271 miles on the Z125 Pro before needing to refuel. On the Honda Grom, you can ride 266 miles before refueling. In the real world the Z125 will actually most likely go even further.

4 The Honda Grom Is Quite Heavy

Kawasaki Z125 Pro 2022 minibike motorcycle
Kawasaki
Styled image of a Kawasaki Z125 Pro 2022 minibike parked with people in the background. 

Technically, the Honda Grom weighs more than the Kawasaki Z125 Pro. However, the difference between the two bikes is all of 2 pounds. That isn’t enough to notice. The curb weight of the Honda Grom is 227 (or 231 with ABS), while the Kawasaki Z125 Pro weighs 225 pounds. Both of these bikes are light enough that if you needed to, you could pick the bikes up and physically move them. The low weight also contributes to how fun they are to ride. You can easily throw it around while riding on city streets or backcountry roads.

Related: This Electric Mini Bike Will Make You Forget The Honda Grom

3 The Z215 Pro Looks Better Than the Grom

Kawasaki Z125 Pro minibike motorcycle
Kawasaki
Action image of a Kawasaki Z125 Pro minibike motorcycle being ridden around a corner. 

The Honda Grom and the Kawasaki Z125 Pro have similar designs. In fact, it is so similar you could easily confuse one for the other as they ride by you on the street. The Kawasaki Z125 Pro does a better job with fairing styling, having a more attractive shape and lines around the tank and engine. The Grom looks a bit too much like a toy. There are better color options for the Z125 too. The 2023 model Grom is a bit of a letdown in terms of color choices with Matte Black Metallic, Cherry Red, and Force Metallic Silver as your options. The Z125 Pro comes in Pearl Matte Sage Green, Metallic Ocean Blue, and Firecracker Red.

2 Both Bikes Command Confidence, But Kawasaki Does It Better

Kawasaki Z125 Pro
Kawasaki
Kawasaki Z125 Pro side view.

The small, lightweight design makes these bikes agile on the road. However, the slightly narrower tires on the Grom may make it feel more responsive. It wasn’t always like this, the previous generations of the Z125 Pro actually had the narrower tire. A slightly wider tire on the 2023 model will equate to more road feel, which in turn, will give you more confidence in the bike. Ultimately, how the two bikes handle is pretty similar, though.

1 You Can't Beat The Z125 Pro's Maneuverability

Kawasaki Z125 Pro 2022 minibike motorcycle
Kawasaki
Action shot of a rider on a Kawasaki Z125 Pro 2022 minibike motorcycle going around a corner. 

The wheelbase on the Kawasaki Z125 Pro is slightly shorter than the Honda Grom. At 47 inches, the Grom extends beyond the Z125 by an inch or so. This may not seem like much, but the wheelbase directly influences how the bike handles on the road. When you turn the front wheel to steer, it tracks in a new direction, then the rear tire must follow. The shorter the wheelbase, the quicker the bike handles. Generally, more experienced riders prefer a shorter wheelbase. With the Z125 Pro being just slightly shorter, experienced riders may well prefer it.