Maiden voyage

[Cpd419]

First ride from 0 miles, 11 mile round trip. After riding bikes for 40 years it’s hard to get used to no clutch. The downshift lurch was brutal at first till I started to learn the neutral till you let off feel. The seat does suck for sure. But it still made me smile the whole time. And I don’t care for the heel shifter.

 

[bradamsmx5]

I also despise the heel shifter. It was okay for street only use. As soon as I hit the dirt, I was constantly shifting into neutral (between gears) or up shifting unintentionally. I removed the whole shifter, which is more time consuming than you would think since you have to first remove the entire foot peg assembly, then I cut the whole heel shift portion of the shifter off and rounded the back end with a belt sander to make it look stock. The kick start also gets in the way while trail riding. It was constantly digging into the back of my leg. I removed it and rotated it counterclockwise 2 notches on the spline shaft. This still allows kick starts if necessary, but keeps it well out of the way during trail riding. These are very fun little bikes. I can see the reason people love them so much.

 

[Cpd419]

Thanks that’s good info. I think I will try to shape and bend the shifter first. Worse case I cut it off. The downshift is my bugaboo atm but I will ride and hone my skills.

 

[DJ427]

I second the downshift lurch is startling, don't do that. Both my 125's are like that, just learn not to do that. I took a sawzall to the heal shifter (both bikes), rounded the cut with a grinder, mo betta now, mine slipped off without removing the footpegs

 

[eastema]

I have gotten used to the shifter and now love it. I use the ball of my foot for both up and down shifts. 2600 miles and just figured out a good downshift for climbing hills on the street. Just as i approach the incline, but still on the flat, hold and even throttle ( dont let off) and downshift briskly. This gives me a dead smooth down shift and then apply throttle for the hill. I remember my first ride home on her from the dealer. I felt like I was 17 again on my first motorcycle, total joy. It is hard to pinpoint, but the lack of power and quirkiness of the shifting along with the small size and weight of the Trail, are all what makes me love it so much. Two months of riding it everyday and still cant wait for the next ride.

 

[zigzagjoe]

This may be a silly question, but are you giving it a little throttle while downshifting? As long as the engine speed isn't dropping while shifting, I don't have an issue with downshifts. I usually shift down (hold), blip the throttle, release. Or not roll entirely off the throttle when downshifting also gives a smooth shift.

However, I put 5000 miles on my super cub in the last year; the Trail is extremely refined by comparison. So my standards may be off.

 

[eastema]

No, by holding a steady throttle, the engine naturally will rev a little with momentary lack of load while you downshift. I have only done this for street riding and it is the only time I can make smooth downshifts. Funny little bikes.

 

[DJ427]

This may be a silly question, but are you giving it a little throttle while downshifting? As long as the engine speed isn't dropping while shifting, I don't have an issue with downshifts. I usually shift down (hold), blip the throttle, release. Or not roll entirely off the throttle when downshifting also gives a smooth shift.

However, I put 5000 miles on my super cub in the last year; the Trail is extremely refined by comparison. So my standards may be off.

I generally avoid downshifts on either the cub or the trail, but then again I use these bikes to ride around leafy residential lanes with very little traffic at 12-15 mph, maybe 20 once in awhile. Low speed 'hood cruiser. You may use your bike differently, I use mine like an overgrown minibike

 

[eastema]

Yeah, most of the time I too just avoid all together. Just click down to 1st as I come to a stop.

 

[Cpd419]

Hit another pond today. Learning the shift should be a expert soon.

 

[SneakyDingo]

I was surprised to learn that replacement shifters are only a $30 item, P/N 24701-K2E-T00. I haven't seen many aftermarket installs yet, seen quite a few that market themselves as replacements for the same price too.

 

[McRuss]

I believe I have solved my shifting issues for less than $20: a Yamaha street bike shift lever. First ride with it seems OK but it also easy to pull and move a spline WITHOUT having to loosen the foot pegs!

 

[Cpd419]

Mine sometimes is near impossible to up shift into second. I adjusted the clutch but didn't help.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Mine sometimes is near impossible to up shift into second. I adjusted the clutch but didn't help.

If you're after your first oil change, could try one of these.

Revolution Shift Shaft Support Bracket Honda CT125 Trail 125 – Beezdeals

beezdeals.com

Make sure you run a search for the install notes from other users, IIRC the usual commentary is "no missed shifts" but also that it requires a little massaging beforehand like some love from emery paper.