Little_Thumper_Boy
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2022
- Messages
- 113
First posted here about 6 month ago...
https://hondatrail125.com/index.php?posts/9029/
...been pining for a CT125 since Honda announced it coming stateside.
After a ridiculous amount of reading, seeing y’alls posts from this site, comparing, vacillating, fence-sitting, I’d finally got an opportunity to put some miles on a Trail 125 about four/five weeks ago. Before that, I’d never even seen an actual CT125. Beyond what I’d expected based on reading stuff you guys had posted (and thanks once more), the little bike was indeed a refined and improved machine over the 110, beyond my expectations, in just about every aspect (save for sans hi/lo gearbox and a tad 60-pounds heft).
Compared to my ‘84 CT110, the handling difference impressed me the most, with the engine power/responsiveness and the brakes close behind. Riding position is considerably less cramped, and it’s even quieter than the 110. I love the quietness of the Trail 125! Since no niche bike invented to-date ‘does it all’ anyway, I came to terms with the limitations offered by the absence of low-range - and what the hell’s a few extra lbs, eh (how’s that for rationalization!). After actually experiencing the 125 in person, there were so many up-sides to the LRD, a final decision was made - finally.
FF few more weeks...talked again to four area dealers; nothing encouraging wrt price or wait time. There were a couple over-priced private listings available for $6k+. Discouraging.
Then, found a FSBO in the local want ads for about the same my dealer(s) quoted OTD (apparent buyer’s remorse case via SWMBO disapproval). It was available, brand new (dealer delivery Sept ‘22) with 1 mile on the odo (seriously! one), but is a 2021. Yep, Honda dealer delivered a brand new ‘21 in Sept ’22 to the guy, he’d ordered eight months prior. So WTH, I bought it!
Thanks to weather/storms/snow/temps here, combined with life’s duties, I’ve hardly ridden. Been making a few changes though: blasted and texture-black powder coated the rear rack, adding fender riser, mounted spare CT110 sub tank (had one rat-holed from the parts pile for years, now has a home!), ordered an Opmid gauge (tach! etc.) which arrived Thursday… so far. Psyched for a ride-allowable break in weather and schedule (hoping soon)!
https://hondatrail125.com/index.php?posts/9029/
...been pining for a CT125 since Honda announced it coming stateside.
After a ridiculous amount of reading, seeing y’alls posts from this site, comparing, vacillating, fence-sitting, I’d finally got an opportunity to put some miles on a Trail 125 about four/five weeks ago. Before that, I’d never even seen an actual CT125. Beyond what I’d expected based on reading stuff you guys had posted (and thanks once more), the little bike was indeed a refined and improved machine over the 110, beyond my expectations, in just about every aspect (save for sans hi/lo gearbox and a tad 60-pounds heft).
Compared to my ‘84 CT110, the handling difference impressed me the most, with the engine power/responsiveness and the brakes close behind. Riding position is considerably less cramped, and it’s even quieter than the 110. I love the quietness of the Trail 125! Since no niche bike invented to-date ‘does it all’ anyway, I came to terms with the limitations offered by the absence of low-range - and what the hell’s a few extra lbs, eh (how’s that for rationalization!). After actually experiencing the 125 in person, there were so many up-sides to the LRD, a final decision was made - finally.
FF few more weeks...talked again to four area dealers; nothing encouraging wrt price or wait time. There were a couple over-priced private listings available for $6k+. Discouraging.
Then, found a FSBO in the local want ads for about the same my dealer(s) quoted OTD (apparent buyer’s remorse case via SWMBO disapproval). It was available, brand new (dealer delivery Sept ‘22) with 1 mile on the odo (seriously! one), but is a 2021. Yep, Honda dealer delivered a brand new ‘21 in Sept ’22 to the guy, he’d ordered eight months prior. So WTH, I bought it!
Thanks to weather/storms/snow/temps here, combined with life’s duties, I’ve hardly ridden. Been making a few changes though: blasted and texture-black powder coated the rear rack, adding fender riser, mounted spare CT110 sub tank (had one rat-holed from the parts pile for years, now has a home!), ordered an Opmid gauge (tach! etc.) which arrived Thursday… so far. Psyched for a ride-allowable break in weather and schedule (hoping soon)!
