Do you remember the good old days?

[OldGeezerStillOnTwoWheels]

In the early 80's. I rode a Honda CBS 125. Most of the time, my girlfriend in tow. I had zero trouble to keep up with the 55MPH limit. We traveled through Europe, from Norway to Greece. Once in Paris I got a Honda CT90. Never felt underpowered. My girlfriend ( later wife of 30 years) and I used it 100% of every single day. WHY, 40 years later, the 125cc Trail is gutless and can't make it past 40mph in an urban environment??? What happened? Why current motorbikes feel like crap? I rode my brother's Kawasaki 500H. It was so much fun. I once owned a Suzuki Kawabusa. It was so disappointing. The fun of riding a motorbike disappeared 40 years ago.

 

[dmonkey]

You can't compare apples to oranges. The CBS 125 is faster because it was mechanically and by tune a much different motorcycle. Similar to how the Grom and Super Cub are faster than the Trail 125, the CT125 is tuned for mid range torque at the expense of top speed and peak horsepower. You're lucky to see any more than 45mph on a CT90, while I regularly cruise at speeds higher than that on my CT125. Consider the break-in of the CT125 if you aren't already past 600 miles, it does liven up a bit after that 600 mile oil change. After break in if your CT125 can't make it past 40mph then consider conditions such as if you've changed gearing, tires, elevation, how much you weigh, or if there might be an actual issue with your bike in particular. I just cleared 50 mph (GPS) on mine on an urban ride at ~5,000ft elevation picking up a sandwich for lunch today, and mine has a stock engine. Though there are mods such as exhaust, mine ends up being heavier than stock due to all the touring accessories I have on it.

I agree 2-strokes are wicked fun though. The most fun you can have on 125cc is probably with a 2-stroke 125cc. I had a Cagiva Tamanco 125 before the Trail 125 and it was lighter and much faster since it was 2T, but it was also a rare antique and nearly impossible to get some parts for in the USA, so it wasn't practical to rack up miles on.

If you want something fast, there are bikes from other brands that are different and faster with more guts. The Yamaha WR125R will likely even out perform the CT125 in that regard. Keep in mind the Trail is just a Honda Super Cub/Wave variant oriented for mixed use on and off road, and its primary market is Japan with 60kph (~37mph) roads where it shines.

 

[OldGeezerStillOnTwoWheels]

I don't agree. 50 years ago, a Honda 125cc could carry two folks around the world with traffic. Since then, every single year, it has been a 10% loss of power. The CT125 is worth 45 MPH crusing speed. Honda has known about the weak display for years and never bothered to address it. Here in Arizona, the display is useless. Can't read it. Honda, like with cars, is the worst company. I had a 1982 Civic, and never bought another Honda. I will never buy a Honda vehicle.

 

[dmonkey]

There's a couple doing a RTW trip on a 125cc Honda (Dax) right now that might interest you. It's a faster bike than the CT125 despite having the same engine. Again, a difference of tune, gearing, and design for its intended use.

Kanichi Fujiwara

Kanichi Fujiwara. 4,280 次赞 · 2,884 人在谈论. 旅行家＆イラストレーター。90年代は50ccバイクで世界の旅、2000年代は電動バイク夫婦世界一周。2023-24年は電動アシスト自転車で夫婦日本一周！次は原付125ccにタンデムで世界一周へ！

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I also find the display disappointing. The headlight as well. Hard to find a bike that you can't pick at a few things on though. That's what aftermarket parts are for, to address the compromises the manufacturer made to meet a price point, that you don't want to compromise on. If the CT125 doesn't suit you, the nice thing is you can just sell it and get something else. They hold their value fairly well even this far out since their release and the initial scarcity. Let us know what you end up with and how you like it.