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Honda Trail 125 Forum

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Transmission Opinions - Do you miss the clutch?

Do you like the transmission?

  • Yes, I love it

    Votes: 1 14.3%
  • It's okay

    Votes: 4 57.1%
  • I don't really like it

    Votes: 2 28.6%
  • I hate it

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I modded mine

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    7

Allhatnocattle

Active member
Joined
Jan 15, 2022
Messages
123
I am waiting on my bike to arrive, but am having some reservations about the "semi-auto" shifter situation. I have seen in youtube videos, and read on here that the transmission is "jerky" and that the heel shifter gets in the way.

I'm nervous about buying a bike(for well above MSRP with fees) that I have never even seen, let alone ridden...

Part of me feels like I might need to just get a Monkey. I really prefer the look and design of this bike over the monkey, but thinking maybe that is a better option for my use. Going to commute occasionally on neighborhood streets to work, and mostly taking it camping to hit some dirt.

On the other hand, I will be riding this to the neighborhood pool in the summer, possibly in sandals, so the heel shifter may come in handy then.

What are you guy's thoughts?
 

m in sc

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,435
Location
Rockhill, SC
I still reach for a clutch on occasion. the trans is fine, you def get used to the clutch... step 1 though is move the shifter up 1 notch on the front so the heel isn't as far up, it was catching my boot heel in the stock location. so as you look at the shifter, roll it one spline clockwise, should be OK. another thing is that when you are going to shift gears, throttle down, click, and then back on the throttle makes it much smoother. .02
 

op46

Active member
Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
168
Location
a ridge overlooking Lake Guntersville, AL.
Just takes getting used to for us who learned to feather a clutch in low speed situations. Its torque power is so low that you just have to roll throttle all the way off and then back on for situation after shifting down to 1st. Its a muscle memory thing I think. I'm getting used to it and only really wish for a clutch lever in the dirt. I think the real target audience for this bike was the 3rd world countries with dirt roads that had a middle class that could afford it that maybe don't have the roads we westerners are used too and don't want to take the car out in the gravel to run to the corner store? Regardless its still a fun little go for ever bike that I have been wanting for decades since when I bought a SL125 instead of the Trail 90 my buddy bought. We would swap no and again and my SL125 was much better in every respect except looks. I was hoping the CT was going to perform the same with basically the same engine. Well I forgot that I am 100lbs heavier and thus it performs about the same as the trail 90 but without the low gear setting and no cool aux tank on the side under the rack. Still the new CT125 is a keep forever bike and pass down to kid who appreciate it for what it is. I like its erector set add on gear quality too. I have dudeded up/blinged up my two a little and still am finding neat and practical stuff to add on to them. Currently working on a PVC tube carrying rack for two tire spoons and a hand pump to carry under back of rack for tire changes or tube repairs in the field.
 

AZ7000'

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
957
The flip flop shifter is great, and no clutch is great for carrying a beverage to the pool….
I assure you of you don’t crash it you can sell it for what you have into it pretty darn easy.
The tire changing mods sound good, pretty sure what doesn’t get sealed by the slime will be ridden home as is for me
 

dmonkey

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2021
Messages
2,136
Location
🇺🇸
Once you get used to it you can use the foot shifter like a clutch to do anything from free-wheel coasting to dumping the clutch for wheelies. It is jerky if you're shifting quickly but if you have patience and work the throttle in harmony with the shifting you can shift it smoothly, just need to match the revs to your gear change.

Forum member @Finding Neutral has a comparison video on the CT125 vs Monkey if you're looking for more feedback on the two:
 

Kritou

Active member
Joined
Mar 15, 2021
Messages
302
Once you get used to it you can use the foot shifter like a clutch to do anything from free-wheel coasting to dumping the clutch for wheelies. It is jerky if you're shifting quickly but if you have patience and work the throttle in harmony with the shifting you can shift it smoothly, just need to match the revs to your gear change.

Forum member @Finding Neutral has a comparison video on the CT125 vs Monkey if you're looking for more feedback on the two:
I’m sure that in the clear light of day that is so - but as Past Ange said, paddling up Engineer Pass there was little time to put your foot on the gear shift …
 
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