When you're the type of seemingly timeless style icon that the Honda Monkey 125 is, how do you change from year to year? If you're aiming for release in the Thai market, you might start by adding ABS (which is already present in other markets). But beyond that, you might make a few more little stylistic tweaks, just to keep things interesting.
Cub House Honda has long been keen on the concept of the inherent mischievous nature of the Monkey, and it's utilized this concept in its advertising for several years now. 2026 is no different, as the announcement of the new Monkey 125 and its updates comes with an exhortation to "Level Up Your Naughty."
But they've taken it a step further this year, as it's also reflected in the new color names as well. Take your pick between a cool matte black color scheme they're calling "Matt-Naughty Black," or a cheery "Cheeky Yellow," or possibly a "Silver-Red Mischief." The ad campaign is also a visual callback to the original Donkey Kong, though of course it maintains a healthy enough distance to make you think of the primate that started the Super Mario Bros. legacy without necessarily getting Nintendo's lawyers on the phone to inquire about licensing fees (probably, anyway).
Gallery: New Honda Monkey 125 - Cub House 2026
It's bright, it's fun, it's loud, and it gets your attention, which is precisely what Cub House probably wanted to do. Part of the new 2026 colorways also includes the return of a tartan-patterned seat; this time, in a cool black/gray/white monochrome that looks very crisp and clean. There's also a sweet little digital gauge display with a chunky matte silver bezel up front, making it clear that this isn't your granddad's Monkey. A round LED headlight is on board to illuminate the way when it's dark, and the muffler also gets a slightly different placement, cutting a slightly different line when you see the bike in profile.
If you're in Thailand and you're interested in purchasing one of the new Monkey 125s, the suggested price starts at ฿ 106,400, which works out to about US $3,409 at the time of writing. Considering that the Monkey starts at US $4,349 on our shores, that seems like good value from this side of the pond, though of course comparative cost of living would affect that calculation considerably. If the heart wants what it wants, though, Cub House Honda's in the process of revealing the latest and greatest, so for Honda 125 lovers in Thailand, you'd best stay tuned.
