Can Honda Grom Go on Highway? Legal Rules, Huge Risks & Rider Tips (2024)
The Honda Grom has become a favorite among city riders and motorcycle enthusiasts who crave simplicity, agility, and fun. But one question continues to pop up among prospective buyers and new riders: Can Honda Grom go on Highway? While it looks compact and playful, many wonder if it’s suitable for longer, faster, or more demanding highway rides.
Table of Contents
Conclusion: Stick to the Streets
Understanding the Honda Grom’s Specs
Legally, Can Honda Grom Go on Highway?
Performance: Can a Grom Handle Highway Speeds?
Rider Experiences: What Grom Owners Say
Upgrades to Make Your Grom More Highway Capable
Alternatives: Mini Bikes That Can Go on Highway
FAQs About Honda Grom and Highway Use
The Can Honda Grom go on Highway has become a favorite among city riders and motorcycle enthusiasts who crave simplicity, agility, and fun. But one question continues to pop up among prospective buyers and new riders: Can Honda Grom go on Highway? While it looks compact and playful, many wonder if it’s suitable for longer, faster, or more demanding highway rides.
This comprehensive guide explores the legal, mechanical, and safety aspects of taking a Honda Grom on highways. We’ll also look at rider experiences, upgrade options, and alternatives for highway-capable mini-motorcycles.
Understanding the Honda Grom’s Specs
Before discussing highway capability, it’s important to understand what the Honda Grom offers under the hood.
| Specification | Details |
| Engine | 124cc air-cooled, single-cylinder |
| Horsepower | Approx. 9.7 hp |
| Top Speed | 55–73 mph (depending on rider/conditions) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel Capacity | 1.6 gallons |
| Weight | Around 225 pounds |
While these numbers show that the Grom is efficient and easy to ride, they also highlight its limitations in high-speed environments.
Legally, Can Honda Grom go on Highway?
This depends heavily on your location. In many countries and U.S. states, a motorcycle needs to be 150cc or more to be legally ridden on highways or interstates. Since the Honda Grom is only 124cc, it often doesn’t meet these requirements.
Where It May Be Allowed:
- Some city highways or urban expressways with lower speed limits
- Secondary highways with flexible enforcement or signage
- Certain countries with more relaxed motorcycle laws
Where It’s Generally Not Allowed:
- Interstate highways with minimum cc laws (e.g., California, Texas)
- High-speed toll roads
- Limited-access expressways
Always check local DMV laws before hitting the highway.
Performance: Can a Grom Handle Highway Speeds?
Let’s be honest: The Honda Grom wasn’t built for highways. Its small engine, short wheelbase, and lightweight frame were designed for city streets, tight corners, and quick commutes—not high-speed cruising.
Here’s what you can expect if you do attempt highway riding:
Speed Limitations
- The Grom tops out between 55–73 mph, depending on modifications, rider weight, and wind resistance.
- That’s below or just at minimum highway speeds in many regions.
Vibration and Stability
- At high RPMs, the Grom may vibrate excessively, especially during long stretches.
- Crosswinds and passing vehicles can make the ride feel unstable.
Safety Risks
- Lack of speed makes it hard to merge or overtake vehicles safely.
- Braking distance may be compromised at higher speeds.
- A smaller profile makes it less visible to trucks and cars.
In short, can the Honda Grom go on the highway? Yes, in some places—but not confidently, comfortably, or safely for long durations.
Rider Experiences: What Grom Owners Say
Here are real-world insights from Grom riders who’ve tried highway trips:
“I’ve done 10 miles on the freeway with my Grom. It was fun but stressful. Trucks were flying past me, and I was maxed out at 60 mph.” – Reddit user
“It can do highway in a pinch, but it’s not ideal. Any uphill, and you’re down to 45 mph.” – Grom rider on a forum
“For city riding, the Grom is unmatched. But the highway? Only if I have to.” – YouTube reviewer
These comments confirm that while it’s possible to ride a Grom on a highway, it’s rarely the preferred option.
Upgrades to Make Your Grom More Highway Capable
Some riders try to improve the Grom’s highway performance with modifications. Here are a few that can help:
Performance Mods
- Big bore kits (143cc, 170cc, 190cc) to boost top speed
- Performance exhaust systems to reduce weight and improve flow
- Fuel controllers for smoother throttle response
Aerodynamic & Stability Enhancements
- Aftermarket windscreens
- Stiffer rear suspension
- Taller tires for better road grip
⚠️ Legal Note:
Some modifications may make your Grom illegal for street use. Always verify your local laws before installing performance parts.
Alternatives: Mini Bikes That Can Honda Grom go on Highway
If you love the Grom’s small-bike charm but need something highway legal and capable, consider these alternatives:
| Model | Engine (cc) | Top Speed | Highway Legal |
| Honda Navi 110 | 110cc | ~55 mph | ❌ |
| Kawasaki Z125 Pro | 125cc | ~60 mph | ❌ |
| Honda Monkey 125 | 125cc | ~65 mph | ❌ |
| KTM Duke 200 | 199cc | ~80+ mph | ✅ |
| Yamaha R3 | 321cc | ~100 mph | ✅ |
While the Grom is fantastic for urban fun, the KTM Duke 200 and Yamaha R3 are better options for mixed-use riders who require highway performance.
Can the Honda Grom Go on Highway? Final Verdict
| Criteria | Verdict |
| Legal Compliance | ❌ Often not allowed due to cc |
| Top Speed | ❌ Too low for safe highway travel |
| Comfort | ❌ Unstable at high speeds |
| Fun Factor | ✅ Super fun in the city |
| Mod Options | ✅ But it may not be legal |
Verdict:
The Honda Grom is not built for highways. Legally restricted in many places and mechanically underpowered, it’s best left for city streets, back roads, and short hops.
FAQs About Honda Grom go on Highway Use
1. Can a Honda Grom go on highway legally in the U.S.?
In most states, no. Highways often require a 150cc minimum. The Grom is 124cc.
2. What is the Honda Grom’s top speed?
Between 55 and 73 mph, depending on conditions and upgrades.
3. Is it dangerous to take a Grom on the highway?
Yes. It’s hard to keep up with traffic, and visibility is a concern.
4. Can you modify the Grom to make it highway-legal?
Not typically. Even big-bore kits don’t always meet the legal cc threshold.
5. Which Grom alternatives are highway legal?
Consider KTM Duke 200, Yamaha R3, or Honda CBR300R.
Who Should Buy a Honda Grom – If Not for Highway Use?
While the Honda Grom isn’t designed for highway use, it remains one of the most beloved motorcycles in its category. Its appeal doesn’t come from high speeds or power but from its unmatched versatility, low cost, and pure riding enjoyment.
So, who exactly is the Grom for? If you’re new to motorcycles, the Honda Grom is one of the best bikes to start with. Its low seat height, lightweight frame, and modest power output make it highly beginner-friendly. You don’t need to worry about intimidating acceleration or heavy handling. Everything about the Grom feels approachable and manageable, which is exactly what a new rider needs.
Learning to shift gears, handle curves, and ride in stop-and-go traffic is much easier on a Grom than on a full-size motorcycle. In many riding schools, similar small-displacement bikes are used to teach basic riding techniques, and the Grom fits right into that educational experience.
🏩 Perfect for Urban Commuters
If your daily routine involves riding through city traffic or narrow streets, the Honda Grom shines. It’s compact enough to squeeze through gridlocked roads and can be parked almost anywhere. Its fuel efficiency—often exceeding 100 mpg—makes it a smart choice for daily commuters who want to save money on fuel without sacrificing the thrill of riding.
Maintenance costs are also remarkably low, and parts are widely available, making it an economical option for long-term ownership. In cities where parking is limited and traffic congestion is constant, the Grom makes navigating the urban jungle easier and more enjoyable.
✈️ Great for Experienced Riders Seeking Fun
Experienced riders also appreciate the Honda Grom as a fun, secondary motorcycle. It offers a refreshing change of pace from powerful sport bikes or bulky cruisers. Many riders use the Grom for casual weekend rides, grocery runs, or just pure fun.
Its playful nature and flickable handling make even short rides feel like an adventure. Because of its simplicity and light weight, it also requires less gear and preparation, making it an easy choice for spontaneous rides around town.
🔧 A Favorite Among Custom Builders
Custom bike enthusiasts have also embraced the Grom for its endless modification potential. From cosmetic upgrades like custom fairings and LED lighting to performance parts such as big bore kits, aftermarket exhausts, and ECU tuners, the Grom can be transformed into something truly unique.
This bike has a thriving community of modifiers and a wide range of parts available. Though performance upgrades won’t necessarily make it highway-legal, they do boost power and personalize the experience.
⛺️ Utility and Recreational Use in Rural Areas
In more rural areas or private properties, the Grom also works well as a pit bike or farm utility motorcycle. It’s light enough to haul on a trailer or in the back of a truck, and it can handle unpaved roads and backcountry paths with surprising ease. Campers, van-lifers, and RV travelers often use the Grom as their go-to two-wheeler for exploring campsites and nearby towns once they reach their destinations.
Conclusion: Stick to the Streets
The Honda Grom go on Highway, small towns, and twisty roads. It’s light, playful, fuel-efficient, and beginner-friendly. But when it comes to highway riding? It’s best to look elsewhere or limit your highway time to short, low-traffic segments when necessary.
Whether you’re a beginner learning the ropes, a city dweller navigating tight traffic, or a weekend warrior seeking pure riding fun, the Grom has something to offer. Its affordability, fuel efficiency, low maintenance, and incredible community support make it one of the smartest and most enjoyable motorcycles in its class.
Can the Honda Grom go on Highway? Legally and safely—not really. But if you’re all about city fun, few bikes come close.
