Super cub vs ct125....I was torn..

[Tim]

Many years ago neighbors had a old Honda trail90 I totally loved it..
Rode it many times.. always wanted one..
But like most of us ..life got in the way.
Then I went to Iraq 2003-2006
And on my R&Rs.. went all over Europe and Asia.. seemed like there was a bazillion super cubs.. rented one.. had a blast.
Was all set to buy the new super cub.. until I found out it had no Kickstarter.
So I put down a deposit on the trail.
I'm 61 years old today ..and I want to ride this 125 trail to Alaska.

 

[Tim]

Oh ? And one more thing ? Why didn't Honda keep the high/ low transmission ?

 

[AZ7000']

Happy birthday!

I haven’t found the need like on my 75, on some video review they said it would increase the cost and wouldn’t be as similar as the other 125 bikes…

 

[Tim]

Happy birthday!

Thanks!

 

[Misterprofessionality]

Its a joy to have a wife that rides because I get to have both :-D. She got her cub, I got my trail.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Why didn't Honda keep the high/ low transmission ?

IMO the reason is entirely cost cutting and to a lesser extent reliability. Fewer parts to maintain means lower costs. Despite the fact that in the space it occupies it is quite an expensive bike for what you get, I fully expect that Honda is barely making any money on these at all, and that the high-low gearbox addition would eat into those margins even more.

I think another part of the reason is that it would add to the number of changes that the bike would have to have from the C125 and the Monkey. Any changes means changes to machining, which again increases cost and manufacturing time, supported parts, etc.

Unlike Honda's final decision, I do think that the high-low gearbox on the CT125 has a place, but it's probably not one that most people would see. The way the engine develops power does not lend itself well to certain kinds of riding, and those same situations would benefit from the high-low gearbox. There's a handful of situations where I'll be nervous riding it up the first time, even on roadways; we have some 18+% streets in Seattle, and a few roads where the grade approaches 22+% on the corners.

 

[Tim]

Wow!! Thank you for that reply !
Very informative thank you thank you!