Backroad125
New member
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2023
- Messages
- 2
Hey folks – new member here and first post. Been stalking the forum for a while and appreciate the knowledge base and tips. After a long wait, I finally took delivery of my 2023 CT in Pearl Organic Green so after owning and riding I thought I’d post my thoughts and impressions. I selected this color as it will blend nicely in the backcountry. I now have 160 miles on this awesome little bike, no regrets at this point and it has lived up to my expectations. I will be using it for exploring backroads, fire roads and some non-technical single track trails. I come from an enduro off-road background so I recognize the limitations the CT will have for off-roading.
I changed the oil after the first 25 miles ( I know this is way sooner than what most would do but I’m just picky that way) of easy break-in riding. There was a difference in the color between the used oil and the new going in and the filter had some very small pieces of what appeared to be silicone sealant but no chunks of metal as has been reported by other members. Based on what I had read here on this forum, I ordered and began to install a magnetic Gold Plug. I say began because as I threaded it in the tolerances felt somewhat sloppy compared to the OEM plug. It was the correct size and thread pitch but I didn’t like the fit so I ended up putting the OEM plug back in along with .9 Qts of Honda GN4 non-synthetic. At 150 miles I changed it again. As expected, the oil was a darker shade vs the new oil but the filter had not collected anything I could see with just my eyes. I again put in Honda GN4 non-synthetic. I plan to run it up to 300 miles at which time I’ll switch to Honda synthetic.
The kickstart lever seemed to be positioned wrong and contacted my heel so I removed and rotated back a spline. I also didn’t like how far out the heal shifter stuck out so I removed and carefully reshaped it. It’s now tucked in closer to the frame and out of the way yet still usable. The instrument cluster could be brighter as it's sometimes difficult to see in the sunlight.
I’m disappointed with Honda for making the battery difficult to access but I’m installing a pig tail for the battery tender so hopefully won’t be accessing it much. I just installed a pair of Shinko 241s and will be changing the rear sprocket to a 42t. For open road running I’ll run a 15t on the front for a 2.80 gear ratio but swap out to a 13t for tighter trails. I live in the Rockies so most of my riding involves grades and altitudes above 4000ft.
I took out some free play on the throttle and will be installing a cargo box on the rear rack. All in all I’m really happy with the bike and look forward to many slower paced backroad adventures.
I changed the oil after the first 25 miles ( I know this is way sooner than what most would do but I’m just picky that way) of easy break-in riding. There was a difference in the color between the used oil and the new going in and the filter had some very small pieces of what appeared to be silicone sealant but no chunks of metal as has been reported by other members. Based on what I had read here on this forum, I ordered and began to install a magnetic Gold Plug. I say began because as I threaded it in the tolerances felt somewhat sloppy compared to the OEM plug. It was the correct size and thread pitch but I didn’t like the fit so I ended up putting the OEM plug back in along with .9 Qts of Honda GN4 non-synthetic. At 150 miles I changed it again. As expected, the oil was a darker shade vs the new oil but the filter had not collected anything I could see with just my eyes. I again put in Honda GN4 non-synthetic. I plan to run it up to 300 miles at which time I’ll switch to Honda synthetic.
The kickstart lever seemed to be positioned wrong and contacted my heel so I removed and rotated back a spline. I also didn’t like how far out the heal shifter stuck out so I removed and carefully reshaped it. It’s now tucked in closer to the frame and out of the way yet still usable. The instrument cluster could be brighter as it's sometimes difficult to see in the sunlight.
I’m disappointed with Honda for making the battery difficult to access but I’m installing a pig tail for the battery tender so hopefully won’t be accessing it much. I just installed a pair of Shinko 241s and will be changing the rear sprocket to a 42t. For open road running I’ll run a 15t on the front for a 2.80 gear ratio but swap out to a 13t for tighter trails. I live in the Rockies so most of my riding involves grades and altitudes above 4000ft.
I took out some free play on the throttle and will be installing a cargo box on the rear rack. All in all I’m really happy with the bike and look forward to many slower paced backroad adventures.
. The rest just snap. Must be a functional piece for sure given how thick it is.