Discoveries
The most dangerous part of this ride was Paul on a old stump teetering on one leg to strike his favorite pose from the Karate Kid. Problem is he’s no kid and a fall from that stump would test the SOS feature on my iPhone.
I purchased the Honda Trail 125 (CT125) because I had grown uncomfortable riding the Royal Enfield Himalayan off road. Alone. In places with no cell coverage and little traffic. While those fears have been sorted I’ve come to discover a special joy in riding the Honda.
Exploring the Unfamiliar
It’s strange how 50 years can change your perspective and familiarity with a place. The last time I was through the area with any regularity was when I was a new college student at Penn State and exploring with my camera and 1970 VW Beetle. I no longer recognized the roads but the feeling of excitement was as fresh as ever.
Not being sure if I was on the right road into the wilderness I took advantage of a passing soul to seek wisdom. When I looked at the photograph Paul made I was struck by how tall I am on the Honda. And that I only wear the KLIM pack when I’m riding it.
The good fellow confirmed we were on the right path and we continued on. To breakfast. For anyone unfamiliar with riding. Every trip is a journey toward food. Don’t let anyone tell you different.
Refreshment
There’s a pattern to the rides I make with my friend Paul. Ride, stop to make a picture, drink something soothing, and then proceed on to the next stop where we repeat the ritual. There’s a refreshment of body and spirt happening. I’ve wondered if it is unique to the Honda Trail 125 but an objective review of my riding data suggest the ritual functions independently from the make or model machine I am riding. Good news for all owners and riders.
All Over Tarnation
After our ride I saw a post Paul made on Facebook saying we rode all over tarnation. That had me looking up the definition of “tarnation.” I knew what he meant but that word didn’t seem quite right. But then, I’m no linguist.
We did ride all over the place and explored roads and places I had never witnessed previously. A nice way to spend a ride to breakfast on a pair of Honda Trail 125 motorcycles.
Vista, Not Promontory
Not to dwell on linguistics but I was tempted to call the Big Valley Vista a promontory. Probably because I was still thinking of McAfee Knob after watching “A Walk in the Woods” a few days ago. I loved the book by Bill Bryson but the movie just can’t do justice to such an intricate tale. Still, it reminded me that years ago I dreamed of an Appalachian Trail through hike. But I digress.
It was an unlooked for gift to arrive at the Big Valley Vista. Strange that I’ve never visited such a famous overlook considering how close it is to home. Another example of the myriad roads, trails, and places that are still awaiting my own discovery.
Pavement
All good things must come to an end and in this case the bikes rolling on to paved roads and higher speeds. But traffic was thin and we could travel in a manner that the Honda Trail 125 bikes were comfortable.
Paul stopped to photograph the landscape and caught a scene that sums up the paved road ride.
Breakfast
What can I say. A picture is worth a thousand words. Not exactly a heart healthy breakfast but my cardiologist has indicated, or at least I’ve interpreted, that I can stray from the straight and narrow at times.
Like the Honda CT125!
Embracing the Gravel
By the time we returned home we had traveled 60 miles. All but 10 of it on dirt and gravel. Such is the wonderful possibilities here in Central Pennsylvania where road building through the mountains seems more a passion than necessity. However they came to be, I am grateful for the endless adventures they offer so close to home.
Before signing off I need to say that the Honda Trail 125 is a joy to ride. It has far exceeded my expectations as a vehicle to negotiate the typical dirt and gravel, mud and water, that I may encounter. Any limitations of speed and power are more than offset by the fun it is to ride and how safe and comfortable I feel riding it.
Granted, it is not for everyone. There are no adrenaline highs from speed. Or breathtaking leans. The thrill comes from the experiences it allows. From the emotions it enflames. While some complain such a little machine is expensive I’ve come to realize it was a price worth paying.
What a great ride! And breakfast! Always love to see Paul doing something impish.
It was a fine day — for riding, Fellowship, and unwinding. Impish? Paul?? Surely you jest!
Wonderful ride embodying the pleasures of nature on a small and capable machine taking the time to absorb the atmosphere.
You’ve summed up what the Honda Trail 125 can deliver.
That CT125 is so darn cute! But at 6′ 2″, 250 lb (suited up), and 50-55 mph speeds on most if the 2-lane roads in my neck of SE PA, I keep thinking it’s probably not the right tool for me. But it’s so darn cute I keep coming back to considering it!
While you’re not too tall or big to ride the CT125, you will find it painfully slow anywhere but sedate back roads. It requires a lot of pulling aside to let traffic pass. And in southeast Pennsylvania, at least on roads I’m familiar, that traffic flow never seems to stop so pulling aside may be a futile task.
Sorry to say you may be looking to some other cute machine…
Nice Ride Report! My CT110 is up on the lift now and I’m going through it to see what it will take to get it roadworthy. Leaky forks and a dirty carb look like the worst items so far. 40 year old tires might be a little risky as well.
Let me know when you have the CT110 up and running. There are a lot of places to ride.
Yeah, it may be pushing things to keep running 40 year old tires….
I own a KYMCO Agility 125 scooter as my only transportation. I love most of the Honda mini-moto line. The Monkey resembles the Z50A that I wanted as a boy. The new Dax 125 is another motorcycle that resembles the CT70 that I wanted and never owned. A friend’s brother in law let us ride his 1960s Cub 50 in 1974. It was great fun. The KYMCO is running great; but lots of screws, nuts, and other things are falling off at 8000 miles.
Though I want a Dax because of nostalgia, appearance, the comfortable seat, and the tubeless quick turning small tires, the Trail 125 is looking like the most practical of the bunch for my needs. The 17″ wheels should make the ride smoother than the 12″ scooter wheels. Others have said that the seat on the Trail 125 isn’t comfortable after riding for an hour. How do you feel about the seat?
The Trail 125 has something that I believe all motorcycles should have… a kick starter. To me that is one more benefit for the Trail over the other Honda mini-motos.
I’ve owned six motorcycles. The smaller ones were always more fun to ride because of their size. They’re easy to park and move around anywhere. My scooter gets parked at bicycle racks when grocery shopping. It is so light that it needs to be locked to something so that nobody carries it away.
Thank you for giving us the information about your experience so far with the Trail 125. One might be my next motorcycle.
I have no issues with the seat on the Honda Trail 125. It’s comfortable for me after an hour but keep in mind I generally stop for pictures or to look around frequently so I’m not often riding an hour straight. But the few times I have done so with the Honda I don’t remember any discomfort. I’ve heard similar criticisms of the Himalayan seat and haven’t had any issues myself. I suppose our physical makeup is always unique so what is torture to one person is comfort to another.
Three of my machines have kickstarters — the Honda Trail, my Vespa ET4, and the Kawasaki W650. Keep in mind though that all of them do require some electricity in the battery to start the bike with the kickstarter. They aren’t like the really old machines that you could kick without a battery. But when the battery dies and can’t crank the starter there is generally plenty of juice left to kick start the bike. That is definitely a nice feature.
Each scooter and motorcycle I have is “perfect” when I am riding it. A friend told me the other day that I have an eclectic collection, each designed for a specific kind of riding. And that’s probably why I like riding all of them.
The Honda Trail 125 is completely different than the others. And capable of tackling rough trails that I would not attempt with the others. I’m glad I have it.
I have seen several comments (on AdvRider) regarding the CT125 seat. Most have been about the steel loop on the parcel rack interfering with the seat. Most resolved it by cutting the loop off; some have installed aftermarket seats that were taller. If you do not intend to travel on any off/soft roads you might also want to look at the 125 Super Cub. Same size wheels (but cast vs spoked), no parcel tray seat intrusion, and a splash/wind screen for your legs. But I don’t think it has a kick starter.
I suppose if you have a big backside that loop might cause a problem. Not for me though at 6’2″ and 215 pounds.
The Super Cub is cute. And it’s faster than the Trail 125. The main reason I bought the bike though was to tackle off-road trails and paths that I did not feel comfortable riding with the Himalayan. But if you are always on the road, the only reason to choose the Trail over the Super Cub is aesthetics. And I have to say, I love the look of the Honda Trail 125. But not the Super Cub.
The good thing is we are free to choose!