1st ride on 2022 trail 125

[bryanchurch06]

Today I rode from Yankton to Springfield SD, mixture of 2 lane and gravel roads that parallel the Missouri River that borders Nebraska. I have a RV there, bike performed better than I expected, I average 35 miles an hour with pavement speeds 45 mph, I am surprised how well it handled the gravel with stock tires. Trip was 31 miles long and other than a little dusty the bike is ready to ride, as soon as I warm up a little.

 

[Shoot870p]

Sounds like a great ride to an awesome destination!

 

[bryanchurch06]

I took the bike out again today, first let me say I have researched and watch videos about the trail 125 more than any vehicle I've owned in the past, so for my first ride yesterday I think subconsciously I was expecting certain things to happen or not happen instead of just taking it out and seeing what happens which is my normal approach to a bike with the only exception being my first BMW R1100s, I talked to a few BMW owners before buying it. So today I was determined to just take a ride and make friends with the bike, good,bad or indifferent. I crossed the bridge in yankton and rode up the river to the dam on the nebraska side then crossed back into SD. This will be the last time I take the bike out unless we get another warm spell, I don't know if you can tell it but the backwaters are starting to freeze over already. So what's my reaction you ask? Well it's damn good machine for what it is and for the price range. It's not magical sad to say, I'm not 40 yrs younger or better looking, definitely not any richer but I'm honestly happy to have it and I plan on riding the wheels off it if I can. So my final opinion on the little bike is buy it if you think it's right for you and try not to think to much about the rest of the world's opinion, sometimes to much information can be as bad as to little. Just my 2 cents worth

 

[eastema]

I agree 100% with that concerning the trail 125. I love everything about it except the seat. Plan on getting the Corbin. Other than that it has been my go to bike all summer. I take it all over off road, class 6 rds, commute to work most days, rode to beach many times (55 miles). Rode it to see my daughter play soccer in Plymouth (70 miles). Short distances can be a big adventure on these little bikes.

 

[bryanchurch06]

I agree 100% with that concerning the trail 125. I love everything about it except the seat. Plan on getting the Corbin. Other than that it has been my go to bike all summer. I take it all over off road, class 6 rds, commute to work most days, rode to beach many times (55 miles). Rode it to see my daughter play soccer in Plymouth (70 miles). Short distances can be a big adventure on these little bikes.

I know, once I stopped thinking about the YouTube videos and reviews and just rode the bike I had fun, oddly enough the seat didn't bother me as much as the stock grips. Lots of vibration felt and numb hand after 30 minutes or so, not a fan of the heel shifter but I have a replacement for it. All in all I feel very good about it, never had a perfect motorcycle before anyway, not sure what I'd do with it other than drive myself mad trying to find fault with it I guess.

 

[RubyRed]

The Trail isn’t the biggest, fastest or loudest but it certainly isn’t supposed to be. Reviews of these on YouTube remind me so much of Wrangler reviews. They complain the entire time about sacrifices and shortcomings but can’t stop smiling the entire time driving it. They wish it was this or that and do their best to tear it down and can’t understand why the demand is off the chart and everyone loves them. With bikes and vehicles, if you’re not fast, loud and huge, reviewers think it’s crap. Just like the Wrangler, actual demand tells the real story of the Trail. I personally think people talk about stuff too much these days. YouTube, social media and forums allow people to perseverate on stuff way too much. This forum is really positive but most are horrible. People focus too much on shortcomings and not enough on enjoyment and smilies. For all you older dudes, did any of you read a review of a CT 110 from the 70s-80s? No, you just enjoyed it and have great memories!

 

[SneakyDingo]

So my final opinion on the little bike is buy it if you think it's right for you and try not to think to much about the rest of the world's opinion, sometimes to much information can be as bad as to little.

This bike is a IYKYK - if you know, you know. Either no explanation is needed, or all the explanation in the world won't help.

 

[bryanchurch06]

This bike is a IYKYK - if you know, you know. Either no explanation is needed, or all the explanation in the world won't help.

As a former student of Zen I'm reminded of the saying that the moment you start to explain Zen to someone you lose Zen, there really is nothing you can truly say about it, you have to experience it for yourself. I served with the 82nd in 1982- 83 and I stopped talking about it after I got out because the first question you get is what's it like to jump out of an airplane? Anyone who has done it knows, Anyone who has not never will. Actually there is a huge difference between a combat style jump vs civilian skydiving but I'm not having that argument, lol

 

[Shoot870p]

And don’t even think about the tandem jumps!

 

[bryanchurch06]

And don’t even think about the tandem jumps!

You would have to be insane to strap yourself to another person and jump with 1 chute. I prefer to be in charge of my own fate if I can.

 

[Shoot870p]

I fully agree.