weight limit

[laylow]

I'm looking at a Trail 125 for camping but I'm over the weight by a fair bit. Are their after market heavier duty shocks and springs that would help me out?

 

[Cpd419]

Yes. And you can stiffen the forks on the cheap. The shocks can be expensive depends on the brand. Many on here have changed them.

 

[laylow]

Good news, thanks! My choice is basically down to the Trail, or a Yamaha TW200, but I really want the Trail.

 

[BergyPatty37]

Try test driving both of them and see which one suites your needs best. The Trail is cooler though.

 

[laylow]

Try test driving both of them and see which one suites your needs best. The Trail is cooler though.

It absolutely is cooler, and my wife wants one too, so it would be fun to get a matching pair.

 

[alnvilma]

After my first season and 400 miles of various terrain, I wish I’d not chosen nostalgia and opted for a TW200. Hate to say it in this forum but so many trails are just out of reach because of the highways getting to them. I cannot maintain a safe speed even at WOT. The TW would be just enough and better in the loose gravel and sand here in the high desert. Unpopular opinion, I know…

 

[laylow]

For me, I don't plan to ride it on the road. It's going on a motorcycle rack on the back of my Crosstrek.

 

[BergyPatty37]

@alnvilma Is right, the bike struggles to maintain above 45-50 comfortably. 40-45 is where it is happiest, depending on elevation, weight, gearing you can get it to do 55 on flat grounds but thats full throttle. If you need to go 60 steadily and comfortably, this is not the bike. If you are using it on back roads going 40-45 and on trails, this might suite your needs. Keep in mind it does lose power going uphills too. I enjoy mine very much but I really knew its limitations before I bought it (did research for 3 years before getting this September). I'd still try to find either a member that would let you test drive or a dealer and really understand what the bike is.
For your purposes it may be fine, it may not. The good news is they at least hold pretty good resale value if you decide its not enough after getting one.
the TW200 is a more capable machine overall.

 

[laylow]

I sat on one today and I fit just fine, but weight is my concern. I think with heavier duty shocks and tires, and a different sprocket, it would be fine for my intended purpose of putting around dirt roads and easy trails.

 

[BergyPatty37]

Id go 42 or 45 rear sprocket then, and then either stock or even 13t front if you really need the torque. Just keep in mind when you do that you will lose top speed.
Expect to put a decent amount of money towards shocks and stiffening the front forks if you get quality Heavy duty parts. I'm sure there are some threads on here regarding that.
Not to be rude but how much do you weigh?

 

[Austin125]

For suspension (I’m 270 and this has done fine. And I do put 30-40 lbs groceries on the rear tray…) try these rear shocks.

dual spring rate progressive adjustable shocks with EGOBOOST technology- 350mm - 370mm in BLACK

new exclusive rad boy 350mm to 370mm shocks! dual spring rate, CNC machined aluminum eyelet housing, aluminum parts have been anodized black and the spring is powdercoated. perfect for puch magnum and your ONYX RCR.

www.treatland.tv

They are both height and preload adjustable, and at $230, won’t break the bank. Not saying you will be set to win a postie race in Oz, but it does seem to keep the bike feeling “controlled“.
For the front forks, I found some XR100 fork springs ($40-60 on eb ) that were a bit more substantial. Minimal investment to get you 80-90% there.

 

[laylow]

Id go 42 or 45 rear sprocket then, and then either stock or even 13t front if you really need the torque. Just keep in mind when you do that you will lose top speed.
Expect to put a decent amount of money towards shocks and stiffening the front forks if you get quality Heavy duty parts. I'm sure there are some threads on here regarding that.
Not to be rude but how much do you weigh?

6'1", 325. It's odd that the Dax has a load limit so much higher at 342lbs.

 

[BergyPatty37]

@laylow Here is a thread from a couple years ago you might want to read, should give some helpful information:

Wanting the Trail 125 but I am over the weight limit.

I've been trying to get an idea of whether it's worth buying this bike or not. I am around 280 pounds and saw the limit says 265. Is this something I can still enjoy? Or is my weight going to really affect the performance? Thanks to anyone that could help. I've been searching for answers but not...

hondatrail125.com

Another thing people do that are taller is flip the handlebar mounts, giving you a little bit more space and less bent elbows.

 

[laylow]

I know a TW200 is a more logical choice, but goddammit I want the trail. I'm willing to tinker to make it more fatty friendly so I'll probably go with what I like rather than what makes sense.

 

[BergyPatty37]

Just get both! Haha but yeah look around now, people selling for cheaper because they don't want to store for winter. Might be able to get a good price on a used one.

 

[laylow]

That's a good idea. I'll keep my eyes open. I also want a Navi just cause they are so damn cute.

 

[Austin125]

If you aren’t after top speed on a highway (50~+) or out for a crazy hill climb (that you would probably need some *special* equipment for regardless) the Trail will do you right. I’ve done the cam and EFIE (they help) but this is really about expectations. If you really want to ride the Trail, get it, modify it to help your situation, and enjoy!
I’ve been riding 40 years. I love my FJ (purchased new in ‘91) (and my Ducs) (Suzuki is another story…) and will happily ride them across country, thru weather, whatever. But for local trips, grocery, etc. I like the Trail. It is a minimalist solution, and I always tend to giggle a bit when I’m on it. I’ve waved at motorcycle cops (with radar) on a local road when I know I was at max acceleration. And they waved back!
All I’m saying is don’t overthink it. If it’s what you want, get it. And enjoy it! The rest is mouse-nuts.

 

[BergyPatty37]

Yeah if you are fine with going like 45 max, I would consider just getting a 45T rear sprocket, then you can swap between the 14T and 13T front sprocket. With the 13T fronton a 45T rear that would pull you around no issues, you just won't be able to get over 50 if your lucky downhill. But it will keep on hills a lot better, and be awesome in the trails. And if that is too much torque and not enough top speed, you can put the 14T front back on, or even get a 15T front, and still be using the same chain, just need to ajdust.

 

[laylow]

For my purpose, a two-wheeled tractor for dirt road and single track exploration is the plan.

 

[BergyPatty37]

For rear sprocket part # is JTR269.xx . The xx is the number of teeth. So if you wanted a 45T rear it would be JTR269.45. Fits both JA55 and JA65 models.
For the front sprocket, part # is JTF273.xx . Same thing, if you want a 13T it would be JTF273.13
Probably around $25-35 for a rear, $10-15 for a front. The front is easy to change, so depending on how much torque you want you could go really big in the rear. They have from 34-60 for the rear, and 12-16 front (although not recommended to go below 13 in the front as the radius for the chain becomes very sharp).
Im running 13/42 and its a good mix for offroad and on the road I can still hit almost 60 down a steep enough grade, hold 54 comfortably main road flat ground.
But if you are strictly looking for offroad torque and single track I would go bigger in the rear, I think some folks on hear have gone as high as like 52 on the rear.