10,000 miles later

[Admangia]

I found this forum more than a few years back after having purchased a 2022 CT 125 from a dealership in Tonawanda, New York after more than 22 year hiatus from motorcycle ownership. In the early 2000s when I met my wonderful wife we started a family which required a refocus on fun with children and excluded my motorcycle collection as only I could enjoy the cycles with such a young family, and gone was my 1969 triumph trophy and a 1999 Buell X1 lightning. When the last bike rolled up into the new owners van my wife was standing there and I said “this is not going away” and she replied “it will be at least 20 to 25 years before you can get back to this“. Well, in 2015 a colleague told me about the TAT and the idea of another bike was in full motion but not quite time yet. However the price of an enduro ( sort of old school for dual sport in my mind ) was a bit shocking and following this and a YouTube addiction I discovered various videos of the CT along with another find which was the BDR. I then realized I did not need to go across the country on the TAT but would get an inexpensive bike and have my pick of gravel rides throughout the US (thanks to some guy rides and many other Youtubers on CTs). In early 2023 I purchased the CT and my older brother soon followed with a 2023 model and we have been doing at least two trips a year and the miles, experience and joy have just racked up exponentially. We initially attempted the Smoky Mountain 500 when first purchased the bikes but made it about 150 miles before bad weather overtook the trip and we bailed. Then came a wonderful connection through this CT forum site and our now good friend Jim joined us and made the following BDR trips so much more fun (patient guy)! These bikes are truly amazing to ride but difficult to describe how remarkably it performs because it is sort of in its own class. My brother and I recently entertained getting bigger bikes as our friend Jim has but after recently returning from completion of the Smoky Mountain 500 last week, we decided to remain allegiant to the Little bike and do some bigger trips with them. My nephew and his good friend have also purchased CT 125s and after their experience on the SM 500 last week the bikes exceeded both their expectations and they both talk of how much they enjoyed this little bike and it’s indestructible and reliable performance. this bike trolls over hill and dale, switch back and gravel steady like an old IH plowing the lower 40! It’s just slow and steady and gets it done! No wonder it is one of the most sold models of motorcycle in the world. Truly a motorcycle for all! Well, not too riveting a story but the culmination of this forum, the CT you tube folks and my brother this has been the most fun I have had on two wheels since mountain biking around the country when I was younger. The CT 125 is the best over the counter drug for fun, adventure and camaraderie! Get one if you have not already!