Instant regret?

[vintagegarage]

This is getting off topic.. it's not about ADV160s, BMWs and Zumas... please stick to the topic.. thanks,. It does seem so far that size of the purchaser is a major reason for the regret. Tall or with freakishly large feet feet doesn't work very well. Another mentioned is that the top speed isn't isn't good enough for their use. Those two seem to be winning, and it gets back to lack of research and no opportunity for test riding before buying. The guys who seem happiest are on the short side, with normal sized feet, have no problem with the kick starter position, like the heal shifter the way Honda designed and positioned it, and who are comfortable with a 50 mph top speed and have no desire to go faster.

 

[Tex68w]

This is getting off topic.. it's not about ADV160s, BMWs and Zumas... please stick to the topic.. thanks,. It does seem so far that size of the purchaser is a major reason for the regret. Tall or with freakishly large feet feet doesn't work very well. Another mentioned is that the top speed isn't isn't good enough for their use. Those two seem to be winning, and it gets back to lack of research and no opportunity for test riding before buying. The guys who seem happiest are on the short side, with normal sized feet, have no problem with the kick starter position, like the heal shifter the way Honda designed and positioned it, and who are comfortable with a 50 mph top speed and have no desire to go faster.

This is in the general discussion sub-forum, you should expect conversations like these to drift a bit within themselves. And yes, size and power are the biggest reasons why people sell or are unhappy, they always have been. Like I've noted as well as yourself and many others here, it's hard to be aware of these things when the mass majority of reviews are glowing because they are from new owners or it's their first bike and have no frame of reference. Also, if you don't have an opportunity to ride one prior to purchase, since most dealers don't allow that on hot items like the Trail and due in part to so many buying remotely or blind, it's hard to verify that the bike physically doesn't work for them prior to purchase.

Threads like these should get pinned so that prospective buyers can see these issues and complaints up front as it can help with research in their buying process. I can honestly say that if I had some seat time on one prior to committing to buy I likely would have passed and just admired them from afar.

 

[m in sc]

Agreed. i wrongly assumed it would perform at least as well as a grom or a monkey, or super cub would (why wouldn't you) . Boy was I wrong. was a dumb decision for them to detune this model like they did, absolutely no reason for it. and this is also why so many of us have felt the need to 'upgrade' the motor, or just dump it and move on.

 

[AZ7000']

What is the weight comparison to the grom or monkey? The 125 weighs about as much as my CRF450x, 265# plus accessories +/-

 

[m in sc]

its a 34 lb difference between the 14 grom and the 21 trail. owning both since new and my weight the same, i can tell you the weight isn't the issue, its the tune. guys heavier than me on stock groms can still outrun a trail. lighter would help but thats just not the whole story.

 

[BaldRider]

I wish I still had the ponies that my elevation has stolen from me.

 

[Kev250R]

The Zuma 50cc two-stroke still goes down as one of my all time favorite scoots.

I think as Scooters go, the Zuma's have the best look, which is why I bought one. I did get a lot of use out of mine (I owned it two years and put about 1,000 miles on it I think) but in the end it just wasn't for me.

 

[Kev250R]

I wish I still had the ponies that my elevation has stolen from me.

I know you live at elevation, though to be honest I've been riding my Trail at a mix of sea level riding and ~6,000' (Big Bear Lake/city and surronding areas) and other then my Trail needing an extra second or two of cranking to start, the power seems to be about the same when I'm on the mountain as when I'm home in the flats. However I've not tried any top speed runs while I've been at elevation. I credit the FI which seems to do a *much* better job of adjusting for altitude then my Grom did. What are your impressions?

 

[BaldRider]

I know you live at elevation, though to be honest I've been riding my Trail at a mix of sea level riding and ~6,000' (Big Bear Lake/city and surronding areas) and other then my Trail needing an extra second or two of cranking to start, the power seems to be about the same when I'm on the mountain as when I'm home in the flats. However I've not tried any top speed runs while I've been at elevation. I credit the FI which seems to do a *much* better job of adjusting for altitude then my Grom did. What are your impressions?

I haven't ridden it at sea level or anywhere off the mountain since I got it. I don't know if you can really notice 1hp but it doesn't have much to lose to begin with.

 

[dmonkey]

I did notice the power difference riding from Denver "down" to Chicago on mine. It pulls harder and loses less speed to inclines at lower elevation. Any naturally aspirated engine is going to take that performance hit at elevation, but it's much more notable on the 125cc where you can have it pinned at wide open throttle and still be cruising under the speed limit.

 

[AZ7000']

When I would drag the 90’s to phx at 1000’ it was amazing! Baja at sea level was negated by the sand…. The real dirt bikes are stronger at both places. I’d guess the 125 will make it down the hill someday but not anytime soon. Works fine for me now, I always have a bbk in the back of my mind though

 

[dmonkey]

Some of you may have already seen this on Adventure Rider forum, but I'll shamelessly copy-pasta here since it's relevant to the cycle of new motorcycle hype and reflection. For context "inmates" are motorcyclists, folks spending time behind [handle]bars.

1. New bike is hinted at by a moto-journalist. 2. Some inmates immediately declare that such a motorcycle MUST be built and NOW! 3. Other inmates jump in to declare why such a motorcycle is not needed because model XYZ does all that and more! (All that, still being an idea, rather than any kind of reality.) ... Months or Years transpire ... 4. Manufacturer announces new bike with no detailed specs. 5. Three new threads are started by inmates, which are quickly merged. 6. Exact same inmates say the exact same things as months/years ago, but this time with rumored or made-up specs. 7. 18 different Inmates post the exact same "leaked" spy shots or supposedly leaked specs. 8. At least one inmate will start a flame war over "specs" which have not been confirmed. 9. Specs are officially released by the manufacturer. Most of the previous "leaks" are bogus. 10.Some inmates declare that they will definitely buy one as soon as it is released, just as many will passionately declare why they will never buy said model because the ONE feature they absolutely MUST have for a 1% usage scenario is not stock. ... MORE Months or Years transpire ... 11. Bike is introduced to the moto-press in some ideal riding paradise. 12. Moto-Press declares it a winner, with only minor niggles. 13. New round of inmates declaring their undying love for this new bike which will transform their lives. 14. Same old sour inmates telling everyone why they will never own one because their model XYZ bike is all that and more! 15. Same previous inmates from 10b repeat why they don't want one because their 1% usage feature is STILL not included. ... A few Weeks to Months transpire ... 16. First inmate takes delivery and posts photos of bike in their driveway. 17. Other inmates drool and ask countless questions about top speed and hill climbing before the new owner even has time to ride it. 18. Some inmates immediately declare that there is some serious flaw with the bike without having ever ridden one, much less actually seen one in person. 19. Several inmates start to talk about how this bike would be 'perfect'; if only it were bigger/smaller, taller/shorter, had more horsepower, more torque, more charging capacity, spoked wheels/tubeless wheels/bigger wheels/different tires/TPMS/On-Board-Compressor, more fuel but less weight, or a different color. 20. Many inmates simply buy the bike, ride it, enjoy it, and ignore the noise... 21. 3 inmates join the thread 5 years after it started and say, "Didn't read a single message in this thread, but can someone tell me ?????"

Some of these ring especially true for the CT125, such as the CT150 rumor that never came to fruition, the ONE missing feature being hi-low sub transmission (or insert your own missing feature), all the tweaks to make the bike "perfect" (hobbyists gonna hobby), and folks just enjoying the bike for what it is.

There's no wrong way to enjoy the bike, and if you don't enjoy it and it's not growing on you, hopefully the market will be good to you for selling it. All is not lost, you'll likely have a refined perspective of what you do and do not want from your next motorcycle.

 

[SneakyDingo]

I did notice the power difference riding from Denver "down" to Chicago on mine. It pulls harder and loses less speed to inclines at lower elevation. Any naturally aspirated engine is going to take that performance hit at elevation, but it's much more notable on the 125cc where you can have it pinned at wide open throttle and still be cruising under the speed limit.

On the CDT, I rode it eventually to 11.5k, before returning to 6k and back down to sea level, all in the space of about a week. Both I and the bike had elevation sickness. It goes from about a 8.7 hp bike to around 6 hp. It's a pretty big difference. The bike started up and performed exactly the same in terms of engine reliability, just had very little power.

 

[Rackbid]

I can weigh in here. I got my 2021 in March of last year after being on wait list for 14 months. Now has 2500 miles. I love it for what I primarily use it for: putzing around the neighborhood, driving around RV campgrounds or short trips (in small towns) to get groceries or pizza. This is my first bike at age 50... outside of my dad's 1981 Trail 110 that I rode a lot growing up. Nostalgia is why I bought it. I do wish it had a 5th gear and the power to push that gear when I'm on 45mph roads and the traffic behind me is desiring to do 55-60mph. But I really don't like going that fast anyway or being amongst any traffic, so I usually limit my road choices to fit both. Back to the slow trails, neighborhoods, campgrounds,...etc - This bike is incapable of irritating anyone in those environments, which I think is a big selling point for it. Whisper quiet motor, retro styling, and lack of "attitude," make it agreeable/approachable to even non-motorcycle types. I hope that makes sense.

HOWEVER, about a month ago I trailered it along with my 15yr old son's Yamaha TTR230 and did a little mountain riding in Colorado. The Trail did fine at 7000-8000 feet on the Forest Service Roads and part of Rainbow Trail closest to Hillside, CO. Big rocks and limited suspension were going to make it slow enough for me, but it was getting the job done on stock tires, 13T sprocket, all the rest stock. Until we were up around 10,500' on Trail #334 just past and up the trail from this pic of old barn ruins (if you have seen it chime in) on a steep hill that the Trail gave up and I could go no further.

.


On this stretch of hill I duckwalked it in 1st gear for at least 100 yards before I realized my bike had met its match. Seemed like the clutch wouldn't engage and when it did it bogged and couldn't get enough speed to make the hill. Was worried about burning up the clutch. The loose rocks didn't help, but this was the end of the line for my bike. I weigh 220 lbs. Like Dingo says above it felt like the bike lost 1/3 of it's HP up there. My son wanted to go the last bit up the road after I decided to stop and here is the video of that. Sorry, I couldn't get it to embed: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EzXFJ1h-99g

The video doesn't do justice of how steep it really was. In fact, I stopped the video because I dropped my helmet and it wasn't slowing its roll, so I had to toss the bike down and give chase to catch it.

Still a great bike, but I have to admit that I've started seeing something like a CRF300L Rally fitting the bill for me after this trip. And no, I am probably not a multiple bike kind of person... We will see. FWIW, the Trail started and ran fine/great at that altitude. My son's carbed Yamaha had trouble starting and stalled a lot up there - It has the standard uncorking and rejetting mods (richer) recommended for every TTR230 to make them run right.

Some more pics from that ride:

 

[DJ427]

No regrets here, I love this thing

 

[TeamTrail]

Ha, try zero regrets. I couldn't have picked a better 1st bike. It's perfect.

 

[ChickenChaser]

I’ve always had a scooter as a little brother to my main motorcycle. I am a scooter boy at heart. I love bigger bikes for touring as well as short trips but the Honda Trail is my favourite for smiles per mile. Even if it’s a 20 minute ride after a tough day at work, it’s feeds my soul. I don’t always have the time to go for a longer ride during the work week. I also love it for the easy trails that are 20 min from my home.

I do not regret the purchase and would buy another in a heartbeat. I have no plans to improve power it’s fine for my use. I’m 6’ tall and find it very comfortable. I’ve been on all day rides with a mix of B roads and trails, was a joy. I’ve also been on the highway, not a joy. I sold my DRZ 400 (collecting dust)to buy this and have no regrets.

I’m probably in the minority. I bought it thinking I knew what I was getting into only to have it surpass my expectations. Life is too short, if it not for you, buy something that is. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Tim]

100%. The Trail is great as a farm bike. The ideal owner is probably a small town farmer that needs something simple and reliable to help lug stuff around the farm, but can also run to the store.

That ..right there is exactly me.
I run a few cows.. I'm ten miles from town.
My trail is perfect for me.
Checking cows.riding the fences.
Gravel roads. Blacktops..
Light woods riding..
And some days I ride the T-Dub..
But the trail is so nice when you have to open gates.. or carry a bucket of feed ..

 

[bryanchurch06]

Last yr while battling severe depression I sold all my motorcycles, this yr I could have bought any bike I wanted and I bought a 23 trail 125. In my opinion the people who buy, keep and love these bike are the same people who collect old cars, guns or anything nostalgic. An old truck will never match my new f150 but driving slow down the dirt roads here I'd rather have the old one, at least I would have a chance at repair it if it broke. The trail 125 offers more than performance or superior engineering or capacity. It offers more than that I just don't have the eloquent words to describe it. My 125 makes me happy more often than not and like Sneakydingo I rode it stupid overloaded on the cdt, on off road sections I should not have gone down, and elevation above 10000 ft and it never faltered, never broke down, only bad time was when I got a gallon of cheap gas and that fixed itself. I love this little bike, the same way I love all things in my life that matter, in spite of the short comings. The same way I ask them to love me, sorry for the long post but if anything happens to this trail I'll buy another no doubt about it.

 

[Kev250R]

In my opinion the people who buy, keep and love these bike are the same people who collect old cars, guns or anything nostalgic. An old truck will never match my new f150 but driving slow down the dirt roads here I'd rather have the old one, at least I would have a chance at repair it if it broke.

You just described me to a 'T' LOL! My oldest truck is a '63, my newest a '20. Around town I generally jump in the '63. As long as it doesn't have to go on the Freeway or drive at night it's good and way more fun to buzz around town in.

I feel much the same way about my Trail. I have other bikes which do most things better then the Trail but for summer camping trips in the mountains the Trail is hard to beat!