Honda Trail 125 Forum
Welcome to the Honda Trail 125 Forum! We are an enthusiast forum for the Trail 125, Hunter Cub, CT125 or whatever it's called in your country. Feel free to join up and help us build an information resources for this motorcycle. Register a free account today to become a member. Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Top 5 Things I Hate About The Trail 125
- Thread starter calobster
- Start date
SneakyDingo
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2021
- Messages
- 1,573
**gasp** YOU MONSTER. There are things you hate about the slow little red butt hurter?
No. 5 is alive: I wish there were 100,000 of these roaming around, I would likely be able to get gaskets, tire options, etc. in substantially wider availability. It's also like when you see hundreds of cyclists - people will see the hundreds of cyclists and pay attention to them. They know that you're not going to go fast because there's been like 99,999 other riders out there who look just like you. We kinda get by with the retro styling that makes people go, "whoa, I had one of those as a kid" but in my area at least there aren't enough people like that and I get people in Teslas trying to race me. Like buddy - I have 9 of the horses and 8 of the torques.
For #3 I think the part that annoys me about this is not so much that they didn't add those provisions, but also that they make it decently hard to add them. It's not just a "screw something into this place and you're done." I'm generally a fan of singular manufacturing standards where possible, because it simplifies tooling and whatnot. There's no good reason why they didn't make the NA model the same as the .JP model. They're two different model numbers when you look up the OEM parts. It would have been better to just have one, and not bolt the additional hardware on for the feet pegs.
I think #2 was a mistake not to include the hi-lo range that can be partially negated by the use of a 13T front sprocket, but I've been thinking about it more and more and now I think I understand why. I think the ABS would not work at all in the low range gearbox and that would be a problem when getting it market approved. Additionally, it's been discussed before for engine standardization and approvals in various countries, which is why we'll probably see the engine as a platform with multiple bikes and small shifts in tuning using it. With downshifting, yeah, it's reasonable to hate on it but I think it can be a learned skill. It's definitely a muscle memory thing. I'm still iffy on if I like the transmission or not; I'm trying to learn brakeless low speed figure 8s, an easy task on any other motorcycle when you can easily feather the clutch, but really difficult on this one.
Which brings us to #4 and #1? Yah. Hard agree with the choice, but not the reasoning. Went out for a 5 hour ride today, and I had to let people past multiple times because yah, it's too slow, but also no one knows what my bike is and thus they're all, "Why is this slow fat f**k blocking the road?"
It's a pretty well known thing among bicycling enthusiasts/aficionados that soft seats that are shaped like the Honda Trail seat are pretty much the worst possible comfort seat for longer rides. Good for 20 minutes, terrible for 20 hours. In a strange Honda choice, I think this is one of those rare situations where they didn't get someone who knew what they were doing on the job. I've referred to this as a big bicycle, and it honestly should have taken inspiration from bicycles in that area. The CT110 seat was famous for being pretty comfortable, but it would have cost more to produce. My ass says that the seat was not comfortable - I shouldn't be sitting on that hard metal grab rail to get ass relief. I was on the fence for replacing the seat until today. Nuh uh. Gonna go find that Diablo seat now.
No. 5 is alive: I wish there were 100,000 of these roaming around, I would likely be able to get gaskets, tire options, etc. in substantially wider availability. It's also like when you see hundreds of cyclists - people will see the hundreds of cyclists and pay attention to them. They know that you're not going to go fast because there's been like 99,999 other riders out there who look just like you. We kinda get by with the retro styling that makes people go, "whoa, I had one of those as a kid" but in my area at least there aren't enough people like that and I get people in Teslas trying to race me. Like buddy - I have 9 of the horses and 8 of the torques.
For #3 I think the part that annoys me about this is not so much that they didn't add those provisions, but also that they make it decently hard to add them. It's not just a "screw something into this place and you're done." I'm generally a fan of singular manufacturing standards where possible, because it simplifies tooling and whatnot. There's no good reason why they didn't make the NA model the same as the .JP model. They're two different model numbers when you look up the OEM parts. It would have been better to just have one, and not bolt the additional hardware on for the feet pegs.
I think #2 was a mistake not to include the hi-lo range that can be partially negated by the use of a 13T front sprocket, but I've been thinking about it more and more and now I think I understand why. I think the ABS would not work at all in the low range gearbox and that would be a problem when getting it market approved. Additionally, it's been discussed before for engine standardization and approvals in various countries, which is why we'll probably see the engine as a platform with multiple bikes and small shifts in tuning using it. With downshifting, yeah, it's reasonable to hate on it but I think it can be a learned skill. It's definitely a muscle memory thing. I'm still iffy on if I like the transmission or not; I'm trying to learn brakeless low speed figure 8s, an easy task on any other motorcycle when you can easily feather the clutch, but really difficult on this one.
Which brings us to #4 and #1? Yah. Hard agree with the choice, but not the reasoning. Went out for a 5 hour ride today, and I had to let people past multiple times because yah, it's too slow, but also no one knows what my bike is and thus they're all, "Why is this slow fat f**k blocking the road?"
It's a pretty well known thing among bicycling enthusiasts/aficionados that soft seats that are shaped like the Honda Trail seat are pretty much the worst possible comfort seat for longer rides. Good for 20 minutes, terrible for 20 hours. In a strange Honda choice, I think this is one of those rare situations where they didn't get someone who knew what they were doing on the job. I've referred to this as a big bicycle, and it honestly should have taken inspiration from bicycles in that area. The CT110 seat was famous for being pretty comfortable, but it would have cost more to produce. My ass says that the seat was not comfortable - I shouldn't be sitting on that hard metal grab rail to get ass relief. I was on the fence for replacing the seat until today. Nuh uh. Gonna go find that Diablo seat now.
calobster
Member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2022
- Messages
- 19
SneakyDingo!
Thank you so much for your reply, I know you are joking here, but holy cow man some of the guys on the facebook groups are really not happy with me and this has become my most disliked video so far haha
I agree with everything you're saying man, and I think we are both being critical about a bike we love so much. Whats this Diablo seat? I am curious, that is maybe the only mod I would actually make to this bike.
Also glad to hear multiple people aren't fans of the transmission, maybe I am more vocal about it but at least others admit it's not the best.
Really appreciate your response buddy, you are such an active member and really help keep this whole community going. Appreciate you
SneakyDingo
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2021
- Messages
- 1,573
Tbh people just hate it when you point out stuff that's just... not great on things they love, but let's be honest - where's the lie? Everything you said about the bike is true. Those are very much the deficiencies of the bike. It's ok to love even the worst parts of the bike - we knew what we were getting into when we bought it, and part of why we bought it was because of that. I just hope that if I complain about something, it's because I see how good it could be (like the lack of scarcity). Look at the KLR650. If we had CT125 parts with the availability of the KLR650, holy sh*t how good would that be. We don't even have to imagine that, because that's what owning a CT110 is like.
I forgot to post this in my original response, but one of the things that came to mind while riding back from Tulip Town today (on the scarcity side of things) is... where is our right side pannier mount? There's literally nothing out there. There was a proof of concept Givi x Kitaco or something kit that has been discontinued and nothing else!! Like... COME ON. That sort of stuff would never happen on a more popular bike.
Diablo seat: https://beezdeals.com/product/noi-custom-seat-honda-ct125-c125/
These are the seats I see the most, but you can also take your existing seat and send it to a custom upholsterer. Of course, this means you have no seat for your bike, leaving you with two options: buy a second seat, or no riding for a bit. Which is ok if you have multiple bikes, but I don't.
I forgot to post this in my original response, but one of the things that came to mind while riding back from Tulip Town today (on the scarcity side of things) is... where is our right side pannier mount? There's literally nothing out there. There was a proof of concept Givi x Kitaco or something kit that has been discontinued and nothing else!! Like... COME ON. That sort of stuff would never happen on a more popular bike.
Diablo seat: https://beezdeals.com/product/noi-custom-seat-honda-ct125-c125/
These are the seats I see the most, but you can also take your existing seat and send it to a custom upholsterer. Of course, this means you have no seat for your bike, leaving you with two options: buy a second seat, or no riding for a bit. Which is ok if you have multiple bikes, but I don't.
Last edited:
I'm not a fan of clickbait titles but your video has solid opinion points.
I replaced my seat with an aftermarket one from eBay and have a back rest on a Givi top case that has made it much more comfortable for long rides, though the bike is certainly not intended for touring as a primary application and after you address the seat you run into the issue of the next weakest link for comfort on longer rides which IMO is the suspension.
As for the transmission, I've ridden small dirtbikes and scooters enough to appreciate not having a manual clutch on something so small and slow, but the CT125 transmission is certainly a lot more jerky than what you'll find on the smaller modern CRF models that have an auto clutch.
The lack of speed can definitely get you into trouble if you're not careful about planning your route and considering traffic, it's no bueno ending up with a significant speed difference between yourself and vehicles around you. It can be hard to plan routes around much of the USA without ending up on 55mph+ roads where other vehicles are doing 10 over leaving you with clenched cheeks and frequent checks of the left mirror. But here's where we need to take a step back and go "oh yeah, it's a 125cc trail bike, not a Gold Wing".
One other thought, for numbered list videos on YouTube it's nice to have "chapters" for navigating through the numbered list.
I replaced my seat with an aftermarket one from eBay and have a back rest on a Givi top case that has made it much more comfortable for long rides, though the bike is certainly not intended for touring as a primary application and after you address the seat you run into the issue of the next weakest link for comfort on longer rides which IMO is the suspension.
As for the transmission, I've ridden small dirtbikes and scooters enough to appreciate not having a manual clutch on something so small and slow, but the CT125 transmission is certainly a lot more jerky than what you'll find on the smaller modern CRF models that have an auto clutch.
The lack of speed can definitely get you into trouble if you're not careful about planning your route and considering traffic, it's no bueno ending up with a significant speed difference between yourself and vehicles around you. It can be hard to plan routes around much of the USA without ending up on 55mph+ roads where other vehicles are doing 10 over leaving you with clenched cheeks and frequent checks of the left mirror. But here's where we need to take a step back and go "oh yeah, it's a 125cc trail bike, not a Gold Wing".
One other thought, for numbered list videos on YouTube it's nice to have "chapters" for navigating through the numbered list.
MisterB
Active member
We like what we like.
The scarcity thing is what has me surprised. From what they say the Super Cub is the #1 vehicle of all time, the Trail is it's grubby brother, it seems like these things should be easy to get.
Obviously I don't know anything, less than anything, about what the holdup is, but if they're making any profit off them it seems like they'd get things moving.
Every single time I do a sortie that involves stopping and parking someone asks about the Trail, often they talk like they really really want one. I tell them where I got mine and describe the waiting list and that kills the mood.
Hoping you do an "All of Utah on a Trail 125" video!
The scarcity thing is what has me surprised. From what they say the Super Cub is the #1 vehicle of all time, the Trail is it's grubby brother, it seems like these things should be easy to get.
Obviously I don't know anything, less than anything, about what the holdup is, but if they're making any profit off them it seems like they'd get things moving.
Every single time I do a sortie that involves stopping and parking someone asks about the Trail, often they talk like they really really want one. I tell them where I got mine and describe the waiting list and that kills the mood.
Hoping you do an "All of Utah on a Trail 125" video!
MisterB
Active member
Laughed at this. Except for Trail 125 videos I refuse to take the bait. Hoping that the algorithm will notice that tendency and they'll dry up on my feed.
m in sc
Well-known member
I def expect shortcomings from such a cheap bike, so im ok with all the 'issues' and have rectified a lot of them I didn't like. I view it as buying a base model car and expecting top of the line features. Its a great 2nd, 3rd or 5th bike, but as a primary bike Id def say no way, but that's just me.
SneakyDingo
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2021
- Messages
- 1,573
It's very situational for having it as a primary bike. In the USA, we largely have not catered to that mindset. Japan, many parts of Europe, Asia, etc. it is definitely reasonable, but not in the USA.
I use it as a primary transportation mode, but I can flex and use other services to fill the gaps. I pay for lumber delivery, goods delivery, rental cars, and the like, and while that might sound expensive, it's about 1/5th of the cost of if I actually owned a car, and has been for about 13 years. One day I might own one, but the cost-benefit just hasn't hit yet.
Part of why I bought the CT125 was because I was done with freeways on motorcycles (I have no issues in other parts of the country, but around here there's several factors that make it too risky). If I'm doing freeways, I rent an appropriate vehicle. I also say this as someone who does stuff like this, which was way safer than riding motorcycles on the freeways around here.
I use it as a primary transportation mode, but I can flex and use other services to fill the gaps. I pay for lumber delivery, goods delivery, rental cars, and the like, and while that might sound expensive, it's about 1/5th of the cost of if I actually owned a car, and has been for about 13 years. One day I might own one, but the cost-benefit just hasn't hit yet.
Part of why I bought the CT125 was because I was done with freeways on motorcycles (I have no issues in other parts of the country, but around here there's several factors that make it too risky). If I'm doing freeways, I rent an appropriate vehicle. I also say this as someone who does stuff like this, which was way safer than riding motorcycles on the freeways around here.
m in sc
Well-known member
i'm of course referring to US. however, i must say, i commute on it a lot in town. It takes me no less time on that then per-say one of my larger faster bikes.. traffic is traffic. id never even consider putting it on the highway (interstate) for any length of time except maybe 1 exit or so.
While the bike is what it is, its by no means a 'swiss army knife' bike as lots of people try to make it be, except for maybe in town for errands etc, camping duties, etc. Its not great at really anything as far as motorcycles go, except fuel mileage, reliability, and hauling junk on the rack, and ease of transport since its so small and light. everything else on it is a compromise IMHO. People buying one should know this going in.
While the bike is what it is, its by no means a 'swiss army knife' bike as lots of people try to make it be, except for maybe in town for errands etc, camping duties, etc. Its not great at really anything as far as motorcycles go, except fuel mileage, reliability, and hauling junk on the rack, and ease of transport since its so small and light. everything else on it is a compromise IMHO. People buying one should know this going in.
MisterB
Active member
I wonder if it's the challenge or the limitations that draws many of us to it?
Certainly not frugality because there are hundreds of cheaper, more available models.
I'm not a huge proponent of the color red, would've been happier with that other (olive?) color.
While it's called a Trail I can't imagine real-life trail riders look to this as their main bike.
Oh well. Sadly I WON'T be riding the TAT or going to any of the cool locations I've seen folks take these. Mine will be trips to work, grocery run, etc. A sad list, but, believe it or not, a lot of fun!
I go home for lunch and am invigorated from the ride when I get back to work.
Thanks all here who contribute so much. Even the Trail-bashing Calobster!
Is there a donate or membership link for Hondatrail125? I've looked around but sometimes my browser settings seem to hide certain elements.
edit: full disclosure: I've had a CB350, ST1300, GL1800 F6B, Super Cub, a couple cars and CR-V and a lawn mower engine that were all Hondas so I may have a subconscious brand bias.
I've had plenty of other brands of vehicles, gotta say the Hondas haven't given me any trouble so there's that.
Certainly not frugality because there are hundreds of cheaper, more available models.
I'm not a huge proponent of the color red, would've been happier with that other (olive?) color.
While it's called a Trail I can't imagine real-life trail riders look to this as their main bike.
Oh well. Sadly I WON'T be riding the TAT or going to any of the cool locations I've seen folks take these. Mine will be trips to work, grocery run, etc. A sad list, but, believe it or not, a lot of fun!
I go home for lunch and am invigorated from the ride when I get back to work.
Thanks all here who contribute so much. Even the Trail-bashing Calobster!
Is there a donate or membership link for Hondatrail125? I've looked around but sometimes my browser settings seem to hide certain elements.
edit: full disclosure: I've had a CB350, ST1300, GL1800 F6B, Super Cub, a couple cars and CR-V and a lawn mower engine that were all Hondas so I may have a subconscious brand bias.
I've had plenty of other brands of vehicles, gotta say the Hondas haven't given me any trouble so there's that.
Last edited:
calobster
Member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2022
- Messages
- 19
Lol yeap that's me hahaThanks all here who contribute so much. Even the Trail-bashing Calobster!
Just_Jack
Member
Interesting video and discussion! After commuting in urban traffic in Oakland, CA for a couple weeks the herky jerky transmission and the tailbone destroying seat are the only things that still bother me.
Overall I’m still loving it, I just need to get a little more used to the engine’s quirks and then start saving up for a Corbin seat replacement so I don’t have to put a cold pack on my butt every time I go out joyriding for more than 20 minutes.
Overall I’m still loving it, I just need to get a little more used to the engine’s quirks and then start saving up for a Corbin seat replacement so I don’t have to put a cold pack on my butt every time I go out joyriding for more than 20 minutes.