What Makes the Honda Trail 125 an Exceptional Motorcycle?

Symptoms of the Honda Magic

It’s simple. When I go for a ride on my Honda I always smile. You can see it on my face. But you can’t see the smiles inside. Or the smiles generated days later when I think about a ride I’ve made with this strange little machine.

The magic extends beyond the physical act of riding. Like the old Honda advertising slogan, “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” something else happens. Somehow a magnetic attraction develops to other Honda Trail riders. In the above photo my friend Paul and I were stopped to admire the landscape during a long ride. And I have two other friends with old Honda Trail bikes who are turning wrenches or opening their wallets to get them running. Like flies to honey Honda Trail bike riders may be subject to a magical force.

And because of all this, I am left saking what makes a Honda Trail 125 an exceptional motorcycle.

Magical Magnetism

Owning one of these machines has unexpected influence. I love to ride all the machines in my garage. And generally speaking, when I do ride them, I ride alone. But the Honda is different. When I decide to ride it I almost always call Paul to see if he wants to come along.

With the temperature in the mid-40s it was a good time to go.

Slow Travel and the Honda Trail 125 Motorcycle

Just eight miles from home we stopped to take in the first of many views. Stopping and starting is easy with this little motorcycle. But few riders possess the temperament or flexibility to ride one. A working top speed of maybe 50MPH is humbling. Some might say humiliating. Or even emasculating. In a world of ever growing desire and demand for more torque, horsepower, technology, and cost, the Honda presents itself as a minimalist machine for the rider comfortable enough to manage its limitations.

The Honda Trail 125 is like having your own Zen master revealing the path of acceptance.

Forest Roads Go On Forever (almost)

Riding in Rothrock State Forest it is easy to forget how large an area it covers. Riding on roads that disappear in the distance is exciting as you arrive at the point where you see the next long stretch of road. We were stopped here on Kepler Road which runs parallel to Tussey Mountain.

I’ve ridden my Royal Enfield Himalayan through here many times. I ride just as fast and with far less fuss on the Honda. For the kind of riding I do the Honda is more than adequate for off-the-pavement riding. I’m no racer.

The Zen master bids me travel slowly so I can experience the world and free my spirit.

Harry’s Valley Vista

The expanse of Pennsylvania landscape as seen from this vista is breathtaking. The altitude, the distance, and the silence are gifts of taking the time to ride out. Paul, ever the photographer, is setting up a little iPhone tripod to make a photograph documenting our fleeting presence.

Here’s the photo he made:

Roundtop Vista

I’m not sure if I have ever ridden past a forest vista without stopping. I suppose they offer a moment for me to meditate and express some gratitude to the Universe for this journey I am on.

And of course a chance for me to have a few swigs of water and Paul to savor a cup of coffee from the Thermos he always has with him.

Canoe Mountain Vista

We stopped briefly to admire the view and take a few pictures. Neither of us got off the motorcycles or took off our helmet. We had only ridden a quarter mile since the last vista on the other side of the mountain.

When some asks what makes the Honda Trail 125 an exceptional motorcycle I’ll say, “It takes you to a lot of vistas.”

Spruce Creek Vista — Can I See Lunch From Here?

I could make this ride again tomorrow and everything would seem new. Unexplored. The forest is changing so fast that it just looks different now than it did a few weeks ago. It’s one of the gifts of living here in Central Pennsylvania. Plenty of fine roads to ride. Plenty of places to explore. And they are continually changing. Only those who aren’t looking would get bored. My two cents anyway.

It was time for lunch and I had a good idea of how long from here to the tavern. Calculating with the slow speeds of the Hondas.

Spruce Creek Tavern

I’ve literally ridden or driven by this place a hundred times and never stopped in. I generally avoid taverns because I have some irrational notion that fights and worse happen in these place. I’m not sure why I decided to stop on this trip save perhaps that I didn’t want to ride another 10 or 20 miles to get something to eat.

Some calculations were considered in regard to what size French Fries to order. I’m glad we chose the smallest — a handful of fires. The burgers arrived a few minutes later. I’ll stop again at the Spruce Creek Tavern for sure.

Epilogue

It was a fine ride. Around 75 miles of moto-adventure on the Hondas on some spectacular roads. I had to put some gas in it because it was almost empty when we left in the morning.

When I got home I was already planning a much longer ride. Such is what happens when I ride the Honda.

So that question again, what makes the Honda Trail 125 an exceptional motorcycle?

Well, it’s fun to ride. Capable. Honda reliability. Goes forever on a small tank of fuel. Easy to handle and maneuver. Fast enough for dirt and gravel. Adequate on the pavement here if I possess the humility to be a bicycle rider at times to let vehicles pass. And it calls me out of the easy chair to ride. It takes me places that cause my spirit to soar. I don’t worry about the machine overwhelming me with throttle seduction or lead me along stupid paths.

It’s just perfect for me. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.