How do you rate your bike before and after mods?

[TRF90]

Curious to hear from all the bike modification junkies out there. Looking for two percentage ratings: how you would rate it when it was box stock, and how you would rate it now after your mods? When I first got mine, I would rate it at about a 60%. Main complaints were very soft suspension and street oriented tires. Also found the gearing was too high for my trails. Now with stiffer springs in the forks, aftermarket shocks, Shinko trials tires, and a 13 tooth front sprocket, I would give it a solid 85%. Still wish it had a little more suspension travel, a little less vibration, and a little more top speed. Do I love it? Of course! How would you rate your before and after Trail 125?

 

[SneakyDingo]

I'd say my bike now is about a 8/10. I wish it had better power to weight, and that's not the bike's fault.

Before the suspension, probably a 2/10. It was very sketchy going around corners. After the suspension (front preload and rear replacement), 6/10. Shift support,6.5/10. Seat, 7/10. The work to get a custom setup to swap boxes and cases easily on the back, 8/10.

 

[Backwoods]

I have not yet mounted the 241 tires, but the suspension is done and most of the bolt on stuff is added. Before and after for the suspension and appearance is night and day. Like bone stock bike is 50% and now maybe 75% completed it is definitely a keeper. Staying off game trails until I do the tire swap. Yeah a stock Trail is only half a bike compared to what it can be with time and plenty of cash thrown at it.

 

[bryanchurch06]

I thought the stock bike was 9 out of 10, darn near perfect for the intended purpose of the bike and the intended market. The mods I've done were because of my limitations or desires not the bikes. If I were 140 pounds and 5.5 tall I would have fit the stock bike better. Also I've been off dirt bikes for almost 40 yrs so I wasn't comparing it to other off road bikes, also I was just so happy to have it that may have skewed my opinion a little

 

[DearSX]

Bought my bike already modded. So I like the Corbin seat, 1 gallon gas can, and middle rack. My favorite mod is the trusty affordable 6 gallon milk crate, just so useful.
I give my 42 yr old modded SC a 7/10 cause it does ok in most things and is a bit lighter. The CT just works very well in most scenarios around a city/town, I don't see a need for a bigger bike 95% of the time in town. My next bike may just be a bigger version of this CT (CL500?)

I give the bike an 8.5 out of 10. More top speed (60mph) and a little more comfort would raise the score. Slowly moving in that direction.

 

[Coldrider]

I couldn't really call the CT125 a trail bike the way it came stock. Was expecting something on the order of the CT110 I had years ago so only would give the stock bike a 3 out of 10. for my use, was disappointed. The bike was geared too high for my use so installed the 13 tooth on the front and 42 tooth on the rear which helped but wished I had put the 45 tooth sprocket on the rear. Had installed the Shinko 241 tires, 2.75" front and 3.00" rear. The tires made for much more confidence on the grass. The suspension could be much better but am not sure I want to spend the money for mods as may not keep the bike. After the mods I would rate it a 7 out of 10. I do not ride at high speed but needed something that would crawl about as fast as a cow walks. Your experience may be much different. I have a Honda Rancher that is much more suitable for my use but the nostalgic looks of the CT125 sucker me in.

 

[oldskool]

Mirror extentsons, Big Ant crate. It does exactly what it was designed to do. Run light errands on sub 50mph roads with dirt and logging road capabilities. Sipping fuel while carrying out these duties. 9.5. If I need to go faster or go into rougher terrain I have other tools that perform those tasks.

 

[Cpd419]

The only complaint I have after the greatness of the 13 tooth sprocket is the seat.

 

[Tex68w]

Stock/new I rate it a 4-5/10 at best. Slow to accelerate, no power given its engine size, horrid skinny street rubber, meh suspension. After putting on bigger knobbies the ride has improved somewhat and the off-road traction and confidence improved greatly not to mention that it finally looks the part as well. I powder coated most of the satin silver bits black which helped with the look as well. The added side bag increased daily usability too. I'd rate it a solid 7/10 now but I still need to address the gearing for better pickup and possibly the suspension some day to push it to a 8/10 as I don't think I'd ever rate it any higher than that. I doubt I'll ever get rid of it because it serves a purpose and fills a role while looking good but it definitely isn't the bike I wish it could be.

 

[TRF90]

Stock/new I rate it a 4-5/10 at best. Slow to accelerate, no power given its engine size, horrid skinny street rubber, meh suspension. After putting on bigger knobbies the ride has improved somewhat and the off-road traction and confidence improved greatly not to mention that it finally looks the part as well. I powder coated most of the satin silver bits black which helped with the look as well. The added side bag increased daily usability too. I'd rate it a solid 7/10 now but I still need to address the gearing for better pickup and possibly the suspension some day to push it to a 8/10 as I don't think I'd ever rate it any higher than that. I doubt I'll ever get rid of it because it serves a purpose and fills a role while looking good but it definitely isn't the bike I wish it could be.

For me, a 150cc engine, an inch more suspension at both ends, a dual range transmission, 18 inch wheels and more tire clearance would make it nearly ideal. But my modified version makes me pretty happy.

 

[Backwoods]

Stock/new I rate it a 4-5/10 at best. Slow to accelerate, no power given its engine size, horrid skinny street rubber, meh suspension. After putting on bigger knobbies the ride has improved somewhat and the off-road traction and confidence improved greatly not to mention that it finally looks the part as well. I powder coated most of the satin silver bits black which helped with the look as well. The added side bag increased daily usability too. I'd rate it a solid 7/10 now but I still need to address the gearing for better pickup and possibly the suspension some day to push it to a 8/10 as I don't think I'd ever rate it any higher than that. I doubt I'll ever get rid of it because it serves a purpose and fills a role while looking good but it definitely isn't the bike I wish it could be.

Sounds nice, let’s see some pictures.

 

[Tex68w]

Sounds nice, let’s see some pictures.

I've posted these in other threads but here you go.

 

[SneakyDingo]

I would be shamed into cleaning my bike by these photos, but it's currently on transport so I'm saved.