Help me decide... Hopefully this is the year, Torn between Trail and 300Rally

[RegularGuy]

Hey group, I am glad I stumbled on this forum!

Long story short, Ive wanted a Trail since they were introduced. I never could commit. Anyhow I think this is they year!

I am a mid aged dad body dude that grew up riding dirt bikes, had a family, sold bikes, now I want to get back into riding. Ive always loved dual sports, XR400, KLR/KLX, GS Adventures... you get the idea... I also love the old Trail 90s..

Ive always drooled over the CT125s with big knobbys and really aggressive woods riding looks. If i get one I will most certainly make a fire road, light trail, urban commuter out of it. I also imagine hauling it on the back of my SUV and taking it to some family vacation spots; Great Smokey Mountains and Outer Banks. Mainly on OBX we stay in Carova Beach area, I would have to ride it on the beach for 10-20miles to get to the paved road.

I am leaning heavily towards the Trail but getting easily swayed by the the 300 Rally. Although the 300Rally would not travel as easily (if at all, trailer is out of the question, no room for storage) on a hitch carrier (10" longer wheelbase and 100lbs heavier).

I have no doubt the Trail 125 would be so much fun. Small and light, able to get into all the tight trails, maybe even some private mountain bike areas?

What can I expect? What are your thoughts?

 

[SneakyDingo]

The Trail has low ground clearance, short suspension, and low power. So if your route is the kind of bumpy where you couldn't do it on a Harley Sportster or Ninja 650, go with the Rally. If you'd be ok with riding a 50cc moped on those roads, the Trail 125 is a good option for commuting, but it isn't as capable as a 300 Rally.

One way to think of it is that the Trail is basically a big no-suspension bicycle that can go faster. Would you be ok with this? Additionally, there's usually a very long waitlist and difficult acquisition.

Regarding the look of the big knobbies, the CT125 doesn't really do well in that area. There's a few options, but they're not generally good options. Check out the Tires megathread (linked in my sig) for options, Kenda 262 and SR241's are likely your best bet for that kind of riding. To fit uber knobbies on, you'd likely have to remove the front fender, and you'll be limited on the back too.

I think for what you get, the 300 Rally is incredible value, but I'll throw out one more option that you should think about: XR150L. It's got a lot of the benefits of the Trail 125, an excellent price point, good dad bod performance and suspension, and easier availability. It's 4" longer and only a few pounds heavier. I get it if there's something Trail specific that makes you go, "nah" but if the looks and the giant rear rack aren't things you're absolutely sticking to your guns on, it's a very viable option.

 

[m in sc]

i agree. I have an XR150L. its cheaper than both and will prob suit your needs better. keep in mind, you're doing maybe 60 best case. can cruise at 50 all day long w out revving the piss out of it..

I looked at the 300 rally, and its tempting for sure but not what i needed.

also does well 2 up.

 

[RegularGuy]

Thanks guys. I guess the Trail 125 reminds me of my child hood and bashing around my town on a moped (they look very similar). I took that moped places a moped should never be... it was just so light and nimble I could practically lift it over logs or pick it up out of the mud. And seeing the pics of them modded out with big knobbies.. that "scrambler" look or whatever it might be called. It looks like it would be very fun... not very practical.. but alot of fun. Like the saying, Its more fun to drive a slow car, fast.

I could certainly see the benefit of having 2 bikes, like maybe a Trail AND a 300 Rally... but that is not in the cards right now.

 

[m in sc]

^ was (current) bike #13. ones been added since then, ...

 

[Salty Sway]

I have only had the Trail 125 for a short time and only put a bit over one hundred miles on it, been fun and for putting on a hitch carrier and riding on vacation I think it will be great. We also have a CRF250, similar to the Rally, can do short stints on the interstate and is a much better overall ride but I like the 125 and it will likely get more seat time than any of the other bikes this year.

 

[RegularGuy]

I have only had the Trail 125 for a short time and only put a bit over one hundred miles on it, been fun and for putting on a hitch carrier and riding on vacation I think it will be great. We also have a CRF250, similar to the Rally, can do short stints on the interstate and is a much better overall ride but I like the 125 and it will likely get more seat time than any of the other bikes this year.

Thats exactly what I was thinking about doing with it. Then eventually I think I am going to transition to RV traveling. I feel like it would make a great run a bout to get around in the areas I will visit.

 

[BaldRider]

I think the only solution is to get both.

 

[Cpd419]

I’ve owned more bikes than I can remember, have a Yamaha gt9, Honda Navi, and a trail currently, and if I could only keep one it would be the trail.

 

[Little_Thumper_Boy]

Well, if you get the 300Rally you're bound to find yourself in situations where you really want a Trail.
And if you get the Trail, you're bound to find yourself in situations where you really want a 300Rally.
Welcome the the great, insolvable dualsport conundrum.

 

[bryanchurch06]

I’ve owned more bikes than I can remember, have a Yamaha gt9, Honda Navi, and a trail currently, and if I could only keep one it would be the trail.

I owned a navi I bought for my wife, who didn't like it, I liked it alot, it was a lot of bike for the money I thought. I prefer the trail as well.

 

[Rackbid]

I have both! I have put 2800 miles on my '21 CT125 doing almost exactly what you are envisioning (RV camping excursions, Forest roads, tight technical mountain trails,...etc.). I stayed with stock tires so far because they are great on pavement. I will look at one of the more knobby dual-sport tires soon. I bought a '21 Rally in October last year and have put 2000 miles on it in that time - mostly pavement. I attribute the high mileage on the Rally due to it being more road-worthy for higher speed roads. The Rally will comfortably cruise at 60 with more in the tank, where the Trail is challenged to keep 40mph on some mild hills. I was going to sell the Trail, but decided it was worth more to me to keep then to sell. I do see it coming along more frequently on camping trips than the Rally because it is simple, lighter, fits in my truck bed with the tailgate up. Honestly, the best "bang for the buck" is the Rally for what you get and what it is capable of; however, there is a hidden value to owning the Trail that does not come through in the specs...

 

[RubyRed]

Hey group, I am glad I stumbled on this forum!

Long story short, Ive wanted a Trail since they were introduced. I never could commit. Anyhow I think this is they year!

I am a mid aged dad body dude that grew up riding dirt bikes, had a family, sold bikes, now I want to get back into riding. Ive always loved dual sports, XR400, KLR/KLX, GS Adventures... you get the idea... I also love the old Trail 90s..

Ive always drooled over the CT125s with big knobbys and really aggressive woods riding looks. If i get one I will most certainly make a fire road, light trail, urban commuter out of it. I also imagine hauling it on the back of my SUV and taking it to some family vacation spots; Great Smokey Mountains and Outer Banks. Mainly on OBX we stay in Carova Beach area, I would have to ride it on the beach for 10-20miles to get to the paved road.

I am leaning heavily towards the Trail but getting easily swayed by the the 300 Rally. Although the 300Rally would not travel as easily (if at all, trailer is out of the question, no room for storage) on a hitch carrier (10" longer wheelbase and 100lbs heavier).

I have no doubt the Trail 125 would be so much fun. Small and light, able to get into all the tight trails, maybe even some private mountain bike areas?

What can I expect? What are your thoughts?

This is a good question for sure and one that I deal with constantly. I have a Trail and ride the heck out of it off-road. Probably much harder than most people. Deep desert sand, rutted out mountain trails, creek crossings and everything else. There is no question that my skills have far surpassed the Trail. I look at 300Ls and XT250s all the time. I want a bigger, more powerful bike with more suspension but I can’t afford two right now. So, my best option remains the Trail. It’s never let me down and I’ve never been stopped by anything ahead of me. It gets me into tight, scary spots but it gives me so much riding confidence because of its limiting factors. On top of all of that, I often strap it to the front of my RV and take it wherever we go. It’s the perfect camping bike. Small, light and quiet. My kids love riding with me, one in the front and one on the back. For me, right now, it’s the best bike for me and my family. Yes, I want two bikes, but the Trail will always be in my stable. I put knobbies and front suspension preload and I’m happy. I hope this all helps.

 

[AZ7000']

Regarding the look of the big knobbies, the CT125 doesn't really do well in that area. There's a few options, but they're not generally good options.

Hmmmm, my 244’s work just fine.
As far as on the hitch the 125 weighs about as much as the wr250, the te250, and only about 15# less then the crf450x’s built for Mexico.
The CT ain’t no skinny supermodel for sure

 

[SneakyDingo]

I have 3.0 SR244's, and the work just fine, but they're not "big" knobbies like you can throw on a 300 Rally. I wouldn't want to be trying my luck in deep mud.

 

[SLO]

Hey group, I am glad I stumbled on this forum!

Long story short, Ive wanted a Trail since they were introduced. I never could commit. Anyhow I think this is they year!

I am a mid aged dad body dude that grew up riding dirt bikes, had a family, sold bikes, now I want to get back into riding. Ive always loved dual sports, XR400, KLR/KLX, GS Adventures... you get the idea... I also love the old Trail 90s..

Ive always drooled over the CT125s with big knobbys and really aggressive woods riding looks. If i get one I will most certainly make a fire road, light trail, urban commuter out of it. I also imagine hauling it on the back of my SUV and taking it to some family vacation spots; Great Smokey Mountains and Outer Banks. Mainly on OBX we stay in Carova Beach area, I would have to ride it on the beach for 10-20miles to get to the paved road.

I am leaning heavily towards the Trail but getting easily swayed by the the 300 Rally. Although the 300Rally would not travel as easily (if at all, trailer is out of the question, no room for storage) on a hitch carrier (10" longer wheelbase and 100lbs heavier).

I have no doubt the Trail 125 would be so much fun. Small and light, able to get into all the tight trails, maybe even some private mountain bike areas? A DR 200 would be a last forever bullet proof option,though it can be easily TUNED with just a NIBBI carb,and a cheap carbon muffler,and air box mod. Mods on Amazon keep it cheap to keep I think it weighs only a few pounds more after the muffler swap. 45 mph cruise ok,even if it will do 70 mph,we ain't 17 anymore!