Instant regret?

[Daytripper]

A 5th gear would be nice with a much lower 1st. A taller 5th wouldn’t do much other than running at a lower RPM at a casual speed.

True, not really a lot of room for a taller high gear. But it sometimes seems when I run it through the gears that I want to shift it one more time, but then again every other motorcycle I have owned had 5 speeds..

 

[AndyVB]

It’s an alright little bike, great for bumping around town as long as your on flat ground. I find it to be pretty easy in stop and go traffic. But it’s not what American’s think of when when they think motorcycle So I can totally understand buyer‘s remorse. Here’s mine at the far end of a 25 mile trip

 

[BergyPatty37]

@AndyVB Welcome! Glad you are enjoying the bike. Just ignore Pittsburgh Bob. I'm not sure what his problem is, but he always has something negative or rude to say.
What gearing are you running on the bike?

 

[dmonkey]

I'm an American, 6 of the motorcycles I own have step-through frames, I know that the Super Cub is the most produced vehicle (and thus, motorcycle) of all time, and yet these Cub-type bikes are not what I think of when I think "motorcycle" either. I think of an American v-twin or a Universal Japanese Motorcycle when I think "motorcycle".

You're in a beautiful area for riding that Trail around! Have you taken it through any of the bridge tunnels? They absolutely terrify me.

 

[Oldfatguy]

"Then I see this forum is mostly dead , 4-5 friends scratching each other's backs..." (aguim), January 26, 2025

Bless your heart.

OFG

 

[vintagegarage]

Bless your heart.

OFG

To put it in context, Aguim is long gone.. that was his last post. Many new guys have come and gone since his last post. He might feel differently now.. but we'll never know.

 

[AndyVB]

@AndyVB Welcome! Glad you are enjoying the bike. Just ignore Pittsburgh Bob. I'm not sure what his problem is, but he always has something negative or rude to say.
What gearing are you running on the bike?

Currently, I‘m running it with an aftermarket rear seat pad, but no passenger, don’t have rear pegs or the extra heat shield.

The case I have on it in the picture (Which is unfortunately blurry after uploading) is similar to a Pelican case, I can’t remember the brand but I got it from a pile of similar cases that were being tossed years ago and had just used it for dust collection in my garage. It’s being enough to hold my motorcycle jacket, gloves, first aid kit, a few other items. Personally I’d like something slightly taller with the same width and length. I’ve been looking around for a new case, but so many either look like a delivery box (which is fine), an egg, or a tactical box. None of which really desire aesthetically. I do want to get that center rack with a weather proof bag to fill in the space where a gas tank typically goes, but I keep talking myself out of additional purchases.

I also don’t want anything that looks like it costs hundreds of dollars, maybe I’ll go with a low profile milk crate with a cable mesh security cover to hold a weatherproof bag.

 

[AndyVB]

I'm an American, 6 of the motorcycles I own have step-through frames, I know that the Super Cub is the most produced vehicle (and thus, motorcycle) of all time, and yet these Cub-type bikes are not what I think of when I think "motorcycle" either. I think of an American v-twin or a Universal Japanese Motorcycle when I think "motorcycle".

You're in a beautiful area for riding that Trail around! Have you taken it through any of the bridge tunnels? They absolutely terrify me.

Definitely over a few bridges on local roads (the Lesner bridge on Shore Dr) I haven’t gone through any tunnels because they are mostly on highway bridges. I really want to get this bike up on the peninsula to Williamsburg and take it down the Colonial parkway, which should be perfect for this bike, 35-40 mph speed limit there.

 

[knightrider]

I don't think it's just that, and I don't think their expectations are that unrealistic.

There's no chance to sit on one, because everyone's buying them sight unseen. You're buying into a promise of nostalgia.

Frankly, once the nostalgia dissipates you're left with.... **points to signature** something that's not a great motorcycle objectively, especially with the offerings of the 300-400 thumpers on the market. Even the XR150L is a better bike than this as a motorcycle. The CT125 didn't keep up in terms of what you pay for and what you get.

I don't see this as being that different to the purchases of KLR650's, except I can actually find a KLR650 to swing a leg over. EDIT: it's why I've said if this bike gets totaled, I'm not getting another one. This one was buying a dream. That dream has come true, and given how difficult, how expensive and how little power it makes, I wouldn't buy another one. I'd get a XR150L over this any day if I had to make a purchase as 2023 me. Or, now that I've learned how to rebuild suspension, something that does lots of wheelies.

View attachment 7081

The fact that they are a very very cheaply built m/c puts many off on the bike as well. I have 50 yr. old Honda`s I ride and show. I can tell you they are head and shoulder above the current bike. Fuel inj. is not that big of a thing on sub 10 HP. engines. Just look at the utility industry. Lawn and garden equip., cement mixers and finishers etc. The little Honda`s are cheaply made for the 3 world market. When you dot, epa and OSHA approve them the price far outreaches the value of the machine. No matter how much you laud them they are what they are. You can get by with a damn bicycle if that is your intent. The diappointment sets in for many shortly after they buy one. As for me I will keep mine to zip around the neighborhood.

 

[knightrider]

Everything you say is true, but it's not that it's still best in class. The Grom costs less, has a lower seat, has substantially better support (IMO the CT125's aftermarket support is woeful) and until DCT or EV bikes completely overtakes the market, learning to operate a clutch for most other bikes will be a thing. The XR150L is also cheaper, develops more power, can do pretty much everything the CT125 can, with only small differences that could be considered positives or negatives relative to the CT125 that usually tip the scales towards the XR150L. Like the price difference is what... $800 $1000 less for the XR150L or the Grom? That's a lot of upgrades right there, for a similar but better experience.

Undoubtedly, this bike is a niche market solution. You can't explain why someone buys a Trail 125, especially as their only motorcycle. They either know, or they won't understand an explanation.

I find the problem with the monkey, grom, and dak are their smaller presence. Mini bike size is just too small for the major streets. Mini bikes were and are illegal for a reason. Putting lights and turn signals is just a way to market them. Doesn`t override the fact they are quite small and create visibility problems. I ride bicycles as well as m/c and will say a bicycle far exceeds the size of a Monkey size bike. Ride what you have is what I always say. But a fact is a fact. Smaller bikes are harder to see.

 

[LoneGhostOne]

Y'all are making me worry now! I do mostly want to cruise around town/city on a CT125, then take it for some light off roading to some camping spots with gear loaded. i know it wont be fast, but i'm a heavy guy (like 270) so now i'm worried about keeping 40mph up hills...

 

[Cameradean]

Y'all are making me worry now! I do mostly want to cruise around town/city on a CT125, then take it for some light off roading to some camping spots with gear loaded. i know it wont be fast, but i'm a heavy guy (like 270) so now i'm worried about keeping 40mph up hills...

40-45mph uphill shouldn't be a problem. 3rd gear can do that. Loaded down with an extra 60 lbs of camping gear, Not sure. Before I started messing around with tires and gear changes... 52-55 was my cruisin speed. I'm 225 lbs. I've got 10k miles on my bike and loved every minute of it. I've done 250 mile days on the backroads of Florida.

 

[BergyPatty37]

@LoneGhostOne Were you looking to buy used or new? You might be better off buying a used one, then if you don't think it is going to handle what you need it to do, you won't be losing a whole lot of fiat currency on it compared to a new one. Used they sell between $3-4k depending on age, miles and location.

 

[LoneGhostOne]

@LoneGhostOne Were you looking to buy used or new? You might be better off buying a used one, then if you don't think it is going to handle what you need it to do, you won't be losing a whole lot of fiat currency on it compared to a new one. Used they sell between $3-4k depending on age, miles and location.

i've looked at both, and used ones run around $3700, while a new 2025 is $3700 (+ stealership fees). at that point, i'm more inclined to go new for warranty and easier paperwork.

 

[BergyPatty37]

Just keep in mind that will become probably over $5k OTD at dealer by the time they charge you doc fees, freight, setup, etc.
Makes sense though, plus you will have a brand new bike you can make sure is taken care of since day 1!

I still think it is a great choice especially for you as a new rider. No clutch manipulation you have to stress about, super forgiving bike, easy to hop on and off and have fun. If you outgrow it you can always replace or get something to have alongside it.

 

[LoneGhostOne]

Just keep in mind that will become probably over $5k OTD at dealer by the time they charge you doc fees, freight, setup, etc.
Makes sense though, plus you will have a brand new bike you can make sure is taken care of since day 1!

I still think it is a great choice especially for you as a new rider. No clutch manipulation you have to stress about, super forgiving bike, easy to hop on and off and have fun. If you outgrow it you can always replace or get something to have alongside it.

I got a quote for $4600 OTD with plates and everything.

if the little bugger will haul my fat butt up our mild hills at 40+ mph that's all i need, if it does 39, well i'm working on losing weight anyway!

 

[BergyPatty37]

I got a quote for $4600 OTD with plates and everything.

if the little bugger will haul my fat butt up our mild hills at 40+ mph that's all i need, if it does 39, well i'm working on losing weight anyway!

Depending on the steepness of the hills, it might not. Ive regeared mine down for more torque and steeper hills it will drop to like 37MPH, but then will get back up to around 40 before plateau.
I weigh around 170lbs before gear.

 

[Oldfatguy]

I got a quote for $4600 OTD with plates and everything.

if the little bugger will haul my fat butt up our mild hills at 40+ mph that's all i need, if it does 39, well i'm working on losing weight anyway!

That is a great price! I paid $4,700 OTD for a new ‘24 last day of July ‘24. Biggest weight reduction to be had is in the wetware.

OFG

 

[loganpx]

I got a quote for $4600 OTD with plates and everything.

if the little bugger will haul my fat butt up our mild hills at 40+ mph that's all i need, if it does 39, well i'm working on losing weight anyway!

Your use case seems to be exactly how I use my CT. I live in the Hudson Valley, so you can imagine I don't see flat roads often.

Mild hill in 3rd gear, it'll do 40 for sure. I try to sit in 3rd gear up any bigger hills so you'll keep the 40-45mph range. You can rev out 3rd gear to around 50mph if you want

 

[Pittsburgh_Bob]

If ANYONE is surprised about how a 125cc motor performs, then you're basically a moron.