The Honda Trail 125 Magic

A Special Little Motorcycle

I’ve reached a point in my life that I could buy and ride any two-wheeled machine I desire. The only limitation is space to store them. Acquistion is carefully curated to make sure whatever I ride meets my aesthetic requirements, is able and comfortable to ride in the environments I choose, and possesses a level of magic that adds to the inherent thrill riding delivers.

The Honda Trail 125 meets my requirements and goes an extra mile by enabling me to ride in places I would hesitate to explore on anything else in the garage. At least now at my age and with the wisdom I’ve accumulated from experience.

Combine the magic with a fellow CT125 rider and it’s no wonder I’m excited to get on the little motorcycle and wander into the mountains near home. We were on the road just after sunrise. It was a chilly 42F but with the promise of quickly rising temperatures as the sun climbed higher in the sky. I was grateful to have an extra layer under my Aerostich jacket and my hands warm inside my Gerbing battery powered gloves.

You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda

As much as I appreciate the notion of freedom that some motorcycle manufacturers use to market their machines, I feel Honda, using their 1963 marketing campaign “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” really hit the biggest benefit of all from riding — connecting to other likeminded riders. Paul and I ride a lot together on various machines, but I think the most fun comes on these little Honda motorcycles. No need for anything big, powerful, or dripping with technology. Just under 10 horsepower is all that’s needed for adventures contained within a few hours in the morning.

On the west side of Thickhead Mountain Paul is already sipping coffee. On the east side of the mountain in the bright sun Paul is enjoying a hot cup of coffee at the Wampler vista in Rothrock State Forest. Just nine miles from home. Perfect for us and perfect for the Honda Trail 125 magic.

This was the first ride that Paul was sporting his $50 flea market find overalls. Good choice for the colder weather.

Rough Trails and Banging the Spine

One good smash of the bike on a rock sends sparks up my spine reminding me that I’m not getting any younger. If there’s a shortcoming of the Honda Trail 125 it’s the suspension. A more pronounced shortcoming on really rough trails creating a longing for better performance than its top speed limitations ever create. I’ve adapted though and none of this little motorcycle’s shortcomings create any regret.

Riding down a stretch unmaintained trail created a mix of grunts and painful exclamations. From the vista forward the road is not maintained and gets progressively more rutted and rocky as years of runoff strips away the gravel and dirt. I would not ride this stretch anymore on my Himalayan but don’t hesitate at all with the Honda.

The Forest Morning

Riding down that stretch unmaintained trail winds through some beautiful stretches of forest. The morning light creates a feeling of being in some new and unfamiliar place even though I’ve passed through many times. The roughness of the trail is hidden under leaves this time of year offering many surprises. The size of my feet make efforts to stand on the pegs challenging for someone my height. It’s all manageable and I’m glad I own a little magic.

A Fragrance of Pine

This time of year the dominant smell in the forest is of dry leaves. Passing through a stand of white pines finds the air suddenly overwhelmed with the fragrance of needles. A fresh scent I normally associate with spring. For a moment I can pretend cold weather isn’t far off.

I ride slowly on the Honda. Slow enough to really appreciate the landscape around me. And there’s time to recognize something and stop before it’s gone. My friend and photographer Frank Armstrong has crisscrossed the country photographing roadside landscapes. He believes you see nothing when you go faster than 35 MPH. I believe him. And since I’m not as experienced I don’t see much when the speedometer gets over 25 MPH. Things just go by too quickly and then I’m faced with the idea of turning around. And by the time I process all of that I am far down the road.

Part of the Honda Trail 125 magic is its slowness.

The Visual Pleasures of Riding

Rothrock State Forest

An entrance to Rothrock is three miles from home providing the opportunity to explore 150 square miles of forest and the four State Parks contained in it. I’ve been exploring here since the summer of 1972 and I still haven’t seen everything. And the natural landscapes change during the seasons and time creates new spaces. I will never finish exploring and the Honda Trail 125 is a great tool to use.

We stopped near an area that recently underwent a select cut. A forester cruises the area to be cut and marks the trees to keep to assist in the reforestation of an area. The days of clear cutting are nearly gone save for areas to undergo development of some sort. Looking at pictures of Pennsylvania falling under the axe in the 19th century are heartbreaking. The vision of businesses and industries was shortsighted and focused purely on money. When I think about how the landscapes have recovered in Pennsylvania, the air and water clean, it was not a result of the largesse of corporations, but rather the hammer of Government saving us from ourselves. When I hear whispers of business self regulating I shudder.

What a beautiful place. And I’m glad its owned by the people of the Commonwealth.

The Pros and Cons of Ownership

It’s slow. On the flat without wind I can rely on a 50 MPH top speed. Others claim more. I can’t. Maybe if I lose some weight. And generally 45 MPH is a reasonable working top speed. Fine for the places I ride.

The suspension is fine on the pavement and on reasonably well traveled dirt and gravel. On really rocky and rough terrain my own spine feels it. Others may not.

The shifting on the Honda Trail 125 is different than anything I had ever ridden. It took some time to master it and be able to finely control the power from the little nine horsepower engine. Time and practice fixes a lot of shortcomings that are rooted in a lack of skill.

And the milk crate on the back is a problem. It’s great to pack a lot of stuff but I can’t swing my leg over it meaning I have to put my leg across the bike from the high side. Painful. The solution is to get rid of the milk crate and find a lower profile solution. Paul holds a small pack down with a mesh net. I can swing my leg over that.

This little bike will go anywhere. There isn’t a trail around here I would not attack with glee.

Just notice the satisfied look on my face. I’ve fallen under the spell of the Honda Trail 125 magic.