Building the All-Road Grom Scrambler!
- Randy Reek, The Great Out There
- May 28
- 5 min read
Transforming the plain Honda Grom into a capable and fun dirt road scrambler!
The Honda Grom continues to be a Best Seller for Honda Powersports, year after year.
What's not to like? The Grom is one of the lowest priced Honda models, and has a reputation for durability, economy, and FUN!
Most regard the Grom as an inexpensive and forgiving beginner bike. Some think of the Grom only as a stunt bike - and it has a huge cult following in this niche. But my goal was to unleash the potential for extended cruising on low-traffic back roads, along with the capability of overnight adventures.
Instead of a plain Jane commuter or hooligan stunt bike, I see a miniature dual sport motorcycle waiting to be unleashed on rural roads.
Of course, the Grom has inherent limitations based on it's diminutive dimensions and 125cc motor.
It was not designed as a freeway motorcycle.
It was never intended for rides "Round the World".
It is simply not comfortable for the extra tall and/or large American.
However, Grom riders have taken extended tours across multiple countries, completed the Trans-America Trail, and racked up tens of thousands of miles as urban delivery vehicles.
I started the Grom Scrambler project with a bone-stock 2025 model. I hauled it home and began the disassembly.
Because I ride mostly on the unpaved, gravel roads in central Wisconsin, I first installed Shinko Mobber tires.
The Grom is supplied with 12-inch cast aluminum wheels and TUBELESS tires. Anyone who has commuted and toured on tubeless tires understands the many advantages:
If and when you suffer puncture by a nail, most of the time it can be plugged without removing the wheel from the motorcycle or the tire from the rim. You simply find the hole, insert the adhesive plug, reinflate, and ride off!
Without an inner tube, you gain the ability to decrease tire pressure in rough rocks and soft sand without worrying about pinch flats.
In addition, the ability to change tire pressure depending on the riding surface increase the comfort level since the Grom has the bare minimum of suspension.
I have since added liquid sealant to the Grom tires. You simply remove the valve core, pump in the sealant, and reinflate. The sealant lasts for years and has been proven to plug holes from the INSIDE of the tire!
The next functional modification was the removal of the oversize rear fender,. this also included the installation of the "Tail Tidy" to relocate the license plate and lamp.
This process also allowed the installation of a rear rack and matching side panels. Any versatile motorcycle requires a rear rack, for short errands around town or longer rides carrying tools or camping gear. The Grom rear rack I chose also included protective side panels for adding panniers - again perfect for errands or travel.
The same supplier also had a mount that attaches to the handlebar clamp. This provided a handy RAM mount for my phone, camera, or GPS.
To shield the phone from bugs and rain, I installed the Honda windshield. This tiny "windscreen" offers negligible wind protection for the rider, but does create a protected bubble for the dash.
Then I replaced the generic rear view mirrors with sturdy and adjustable dual sport mirrors.
With the Mobber tires, I added some height to the Grom, so I added a "foot" to the kickstand. While at the floor level, I also replaced the tiny rider foot pegs with wider MX foot pegs for better security off road.
As mentioned earlier, the Grom is limited in the suspension department. The stock front forks are notoriously soft, and this is most easily corrected with stiffer fork oil. The rear shock is both soft and non-adjustable. An aftermarket shock solved this and allowed me to adjust the preload to match my weight.
Lastly, I exchanged the plain silver brake and clutch levers for black and red, adjustable levers.
The most extensive project was replacing the oversize, conventional turn signals with smaller LED versions. Installation of the rear LED turn signals was relatively easy after the entire rear fender assembly had been removed and broken down. The sequential amber rear turn signals worked flawlessly.
The front turn signals required a laborious disassembly of the headlight cowling and stock wiring. I needed to fabricate a spacer/adapter to install the flush-mounted front turn signals. Unfortunately, the installation was not successful until I also installed a relay in the wiring which provided the proper voltage for the much more efficient LEDs.
The only other electrical modification was the installation of an SAE connector pigtail to the battery. This wiring connection provides the connection for a battery tender. It also pairs with a USB charging outlet attached to the handlebars.
With the mechanical and electrical modifications complete, I added a ventilated seat pad to the saddle and headed out for a ride! (I made no modifications to the engine, fueling, or exhaust.)
The All-Road Grom Scrambler is complete!
The wide Shinko Mobber tires perform perfectly on city streets and rural highways. But they are the best option once you turn off the pavement. With the added traction and ground clearance, the Grom is now a steady, sure-footed dirt road scrambler!
The rear rack is very handy. I never leave on an extended ride without carrying my tool bag. Included in my tools is a plug kit for the tires and a small bicycle tire pump. (Sometimes i also include an aerosol sealant and inflator cannister.)
Check out this list of UPGRADES to the All-Road Grom: (follow the links for more info)
Shinko Mobber 504/505 knobby tires for cruising unpaved roads. (various vendors)
Rear fender delete with license plate bracket: https://amzn.to/43uwLex
Rear cargo rack: https://amzn.to/4mv9yS3
Rear side panels: https://amzn.to/3SQRrbD
Front flush LED turn signals, with relay: https://amzn.to/43BnWj9 ; https://amzn.to/45nTdbE
Rear LED turn signals: https://amzn.to/44TGy0a
MZS adjustable brake/clutch levers: https://amzn.to/4kdJlWG
SAE pigtail for battery tender AND dash USB outlet: https://amzn.to/4mwfJVT
Handlebar phone/camera mount: https://amzn.to/3SPkcp0
Honda Grom windshield - original Honda part
Dual sport folding mirrors: https://amzn.to/43JonsN
MX foot pegs: https://amzn.to/44Ylyp3
Ventilated seat pad: https://amzn.to/3Haq4qA
Enlarged kickstand pad: https://amzn.to/43x6wUU
Adjustable rear shock: https://amzn.to/3ZAgi7l
Maxima 20wt fork oil: https://amzn.to/3H4tUl5
Flat-Out prevention tire sealant: https://amzn.to/4jrv3AB
I hope you agree that the All-Road Grom is a beautiful capable Scrambler.
I get the most "Smiles per Mile" riding the Grom! While I invested a lot of time and money completing this transformation, these are all one-time costs which will add to the riding enjoyment and versatility for YEARS!
Will the "Adventure Grom" keep pace with the Honda CRF300 Rally in the Rocky Mountains? Definitely NOT! But the Grom is perfectly suited for running around town and cruising rural back roads. Then again, the Grom costs about half as much to buy, and LESS than half as much to maintain, operate, and insure!
I especially like to check the trip odometer and note the fuel mileage at over 125 MPGs!!!
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