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Honda Grom Becomes Ducati Monster

Ever dreamed about a small-displacement Ducati? Well, let’s just say you’re not the only one with such aspirations, but the Borgo Panigale manufacturer has zero plans to enter the small-displacement bike market, at least not for the foreseeable future, so we’re left all by ourselves, to cope with frustration and hope for better days. However, some fellows are not at all happy with simply letting things the way they are and have come up with a creative way to bring diminutive bikes and Ducati together.
Ducatized Honda Grom 6 photos
Photo: X-Speed
Ducatized Honda GromDucatized Honda GromDucatized Honda GromDucatized Honda GromDucatized Honda Grom
Thai bike parts retailer X-Speed is offering customization kits for the highly-popular Honda money bike MSX125, also known as the Grom. What started initially with Ducati-liveried wrap kits evolved into a much more complex job, involving custom-made bolt-on parts which dramatically change the looks (and feel) of the Grom. The glorious way!

Technically, the bike remains the same, but high-performance add-ons bring in massive styling points, while aftermarket exhausts are also adding to the performance side. Of course, some might say that loading dual Termignoni carbon fiber exhausts to the Grom is overkill, but in the custom world, such notions are rather blurred.

Add-on red tubular trellis frame components and Ducati Monster-look-alike tank shrouds make the Grom look simply smashing, especially when combined with racing red rim stripes, a shorty front fender, a miniature fly screen and a headlight mask which adds pure Diavel styling to the build. Fancy the exquisite “tricolore“ looks of the special edition Superbike or 1199 Panigale? Great, because your Grom can also receive a nifty wrap job to make heads turn and jaws drop.

Not at all sure whether such add-ons and custom parts are legal from a trademark point of view, but Ducati should do well and read these signs for what they are: the emerging markets in the Asian region, as well as those in South America are indeed thirsty for small-displacement bikes with the Borgo Panigale badge on them. Claudio Domenicale obviously knows his plans better than anyone, but ignoring such a huge business potential only to maintain the premium vibe of the brand almost sounds like “we don’t need your money”, and saying this to customers is not exactly good for business.

Other bike manufacturers who until recently were following the same principle have become wiser and understood that the whole planetary bike market is changing a lot. Has their prestige become any lesser after announcing smaller, more affordable bikes? Definitely not. But their fan base grew and money will soon start flowing to the big pot. Think Harley and BMW, for instance. And even the exclusivist MV Agusta started to offer something else than premium sport bikes… Via A&R.

An interesting potential future for Ducati.
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