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Honda Trail 125 Forum

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Hello from England

HondaRoadAgain

New member
Joined
Jul 21, 2022
Messages
1
Hello folks. After a nine year hiatus away from biking, I recently 'discovered' the CT 125 Trail Cub (just in time for the 'mid-life crisis' stage of my life, assuming that I live to 100).
As I'll be regularly riding 80 mile round-trips in mostly 50-60 mph traffic, I'm just a bit concerned that the bike's 50mph-ish top speed isn't up to the task.

Having read the forums, it seems that the only effective solution is the big-bore kit, but I think that's likely to push-up fuel consumption and insurance costs significantly.
Another option I'm considering is the 60mph Super Cub, but that has a smaller fuel tank, and a silly keyless ignition system (which could leave the rider immobilised
and stranded in the event of a flat battery).

Maybe I should just accept that everything is a compromise, pick one, and learn to love it - or maybe I should consider building a custom 'Apocalypse Cub', which combines the
Trail Cub's ruggedness, simplicity, and off-road capability with the Super Cub's top-speed and fairing protection. It's a mid-life-crisis-justified opportunity that's hard to ignore!
Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.
 

Dogsbody

Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2021
Messages
47
It’s a TRAIL bike so unless you intend to go across country you have the wrong bike IMHO. I have a CT and a C125 Super Cub which is quite capable on the motorway but if I had an 80 mile round trip on road I would use my Suzuki Burgman 400 every time, 85mph capability, 150 tank range and super comfort.
 

MisterB

Active member
Joined
Apr 8, 2022
Messages
168
Location
Monroe County, Ill
If you meant to type "KPH" instead of "MPH" I'd say you'll be happy with either but the Super Cub tires might last longer. Having both bikes I can say that the higher top speed of the Super Cub is barely noticeable and can easily be negated if there's the tiniest of headwinds.
I know many ride this way, but I feel that sustained use of any vehicle with throttle wide open may be a clue that it is not sized for the job and have an effect on longevity. That's just me though.
If indeed you meant to type MPH, (God, this hurts me to say it), I wouldn't recommend either.
At those speeds on my Gold Wing I can hear and feel the mechanical state of the bike, the road conditions, and have handled difficult encounters easily when they've arisen.
At 54MPH on the Trail 125, (or Mach 5.4 as I'm calling it now), I feel like Chuck Yeager in the early days.
"erm, Chuck? We're not sure exactly what's going to happen to the aircraft when you break the speed of sound, but no matter what you'll be remembered as a hero!".
It feels hilarious and dangerous for short bursts but the thrill would turn into something else well before I'd reached the end of an 80 mile trip.
Again, this is just my opinion and I'm no one special. For not much more money you could get a brand new standard size motorcycle that could easily handle those speeds and get decent mileage.
It might be different in England but my Gold Wing isn't that much more to insure than the Trail 125.

OTOH: the UK has an absofreakinglutely amazing history with scooters so it may feel natural to you.
I think this was posted on this forum, it led me to dozens of others and oh man those scooters were just the embodiment of utility and beauty. And COOL!

edit: I know that the Trail isn't considered a scooter, but Mini Moto is not considered a proper motorcycle in my state, not legal on the highway, so I just call it a scooter. We have 3, maybe 4 classifications for 2 wheel transportation, ALL require license and insurance. I'm sure they're gonna come for the e-scooters eventually.
LOL, trying to imagine the nightmare of riding this on our interstate highways! I have to trailer it to get it to the next state as there are no bridges close enough that handle low speed traffic.
 
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MisterB

Active member
Joined
Apr 8, 2022
Messages
168
Location
Monroe County, Ill
Perhaps you could gear it for higher top speed at the cost of reduced torque? Don't know if you need jackrabbit starts in your traffic but you could gain 12.9% top speed by going to 15/37 from stock 14/39.
It jumps up to a whopping 16% gain with 15/36 and you might be able to use the stock chain length.
15/34 would almost be 23% gain but you'd be down that much in torque so that might be an issue. If you're lightweight it could be a maybe?
I think dMonkey posted this link: https://sprocketcalculator.com
 
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SneakyDingo

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 6, 2021
Messages
1,560
Perhaps you could gear it for higher top speed at the cost of reduced torque? Don't know if you need jackrabbit starts in your traffic but you could gain 12.9% top speed by going to 15/37 from stock 14/39.
It jumps up to a whopping 16% gain with 15/36 and you might be able to use the stock chain length.
15/34 would almost be 23% gain but you'd be down that much in torque so that might be an issue. If you're lightweight it could be a maybe?
I think dMonkey posted this link: https://sprocketcalculator.com
You'd lose ABS if you did this, and you'd have to do a speedo mod of some sort to get remotely accurate speed (healer, OPMID, etc.)

IMO, use the right tool for the right task. There's lots in the 300-400cc range that are really capable and well suited to that mid life crisis but flickability still included. Probably the best bike I've personally ridden for such a job was the ye-olde CB250's (250 Nighthawk in the USA). Great fuel economy, easy to work on, EXTREMELY maneuverable (U-turn inside a single lane), easy to pick up, Honda reliability... find the modern version of that and you're golden. Best guess is probably the Honda CB300R. It's about the same price too.
 
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