We got a first ride on the third-generation Grom, which has a revised engine, a 5-speed transmission, a new seat, fresh styling, and other changes. With a base price of $3,399, you’ll never have so much fun for so little money. (Photos by Drew Ruiz)

When the Honda Grom debuted for 2014, it was a curiosity. The first question was, ?What the heck is a grom"? Since 1959, American Honda has been based in Southern California, a place known for its tasty waves. When the time came to name a 125cc minibike, it chose the slang term for a talented young surfer.

The next question was, ?Who?s gonna buy it"? Everyone, as it turned out. Priced at $2,999, the low buy-in and appeal of a modern, playful minibike proved irresistible. Dealers ordered them by the dozen, and when they couldn?t get as many as they needed, they took deposits and put people on waiting lists. Some early buyers flipped Groms for a profit.
Honda revised the Grom?s bodywork and exhaust to make it easier to customize. The bikes above, built by Steady Garage, show just how far you can go. If you?ve got the funds, the sky?s the limit.

Almost overnight, Grom subcultures popped up like mushrooms after a rainstorm. Shops like Steady Garage in California and MNNTHBX (man in the box, get it") in Tennessee started customizing Groms, and aftermarket companies began offering special parts like shocks, exhaust pipes, and big-bore kits. Grom enthusiasts started racing them, and friends and clubs ...