What do you think of the bike now?

[BergyPatty37]

It's funny you mention having come from a KTM. When I started shopping for a Trail it was between a Trail and a KTM Duke 200. I ended-up buying both (not really planned; bought the KTM new, then a short time later found a great deal on a used Trail). Kept them both to see which one I'd like better. Needless to say the Trail is still in my stable while the Duke got sold-off a year ago. The Duke was a fun ride (I live near a very fun canyon road) but it didn't have a lot of use aside from canyon carving where as the Trail has become my quick ride to dinner, camping trip bike and conversation piece.

Made the right choice with keeping the Honda. Im going to be writing up a new buyers guide on the trail and posting on a thread soon. Pretty much start off by saying if you want a bike that can go 60 or travel 55+ roads comfortably stop your search on the trail. They are so much fun but very limited. Which, in my opinion, makes them even more fun.
Hopefully you got a decent amount back on the KTM.

 

[Kev250R]

Made the right choice with keeping the Honda. Im going to be writing up a new buyers guide on the trail and posting on a thread soon. Pretty much start off by saying if you want a bike that can go 60 or travel 55+ roads comfortably stop your search on the trail. They are so much fun but very limited. Which, in my opinion, makes them even more fun.
Hopefully you got a decent amount back on the KTM.

The Trail is a very Versatile bike with a lot more capability then I think many people realize. It's similar in a lot of ways to a Yamaha TW200, which was my go-to ride of choice for the past 15 years or so, however I find myself riding the TW less and the Trail more.

I actually took a bit of a bath on the KTM. I sold it when they first announced the financial problems they were having (bad timing on my part but I was out of room and had another bike coming) plus the smaller Duke's just never really caught-on. Ended -up giving it to a local used bike dealer on Consignment. Still it took almost three months for it to sell. Worked-out in the end though because a few weeks later I fell into a killer deal on a non-running Honda VFR. Got it running for basically the cost of a battery and some fresh gas, sold it almost immediately for a lot more then I paid for it then used the proceeds from that sell to buy my Dax. So using 'Guy Math' I made out LOL!

 

[BergyPatty37]

The Trail is a very Versatile bike with a lot more capability then I think many people realize. It's similar in a lot of ways to a Yamaha TW200, which was my go-to ride of choice for the past 15 years or so, however I find myself riding the TW less and the Trail more.

I actually took a bit of a bath on the KTM. I sold it when they first announced the financial problems they were having (bad timing on my part but I was out of room and had another bike coming) plus the smaller Duke's just never really caught-on. Ended -up giving it to a local used bike dealer on Consignment. Still it took almost three months for it to sell. Worked-out in the end though because a few weeks later I fell into a killer deal on a non-running Honda VFR. Got it running for basically the cost of a battery and some fresh gas, sold it almost immediately for a lot more then I paid for it then used the proceeds from that sell to buy my Dax. So using 'Guy Math' I made out LOL!

Shit happens lol. No one is perfect and we all made bad financial mistakes, at least you made out even haha.
It is capable, but some people come into buying one thinking its a XR650 that can cruise 70 comfortable and rip offroad. Its not that. Really, I think people now understand that its been out for a few years what it can and can't do, but some people still think they can get it to cruise 65 and it just cant.
Enjoy the Trail!

 

[Adk125]

Got mine last April for my basic course, and at first, I practiced in the neighbors big driveway every day for several weeks before the course. At the end of week one I thought I had made a mistake. I wasn’t able to maneuver through simple cone patterns that I had set up. And then one day it all clicked and I was in heaven.
Shortfalls?
1. Headlamp is as bright as a pack of matches.
2. Maximum speed is maximum listed in specs. Don’t expect anymore.
3. Seat takes a tad getting used to.
4. Instrument panel really could use an upgrade which I have done with the OPMID M1208 Multi Meter DASH.

 

[SLO]

Got mine last April for my basic course, and at first, I practiced in the neighbors big driveway every day for several weeks before the course. At the end of week one I thought I had made a mistake. I wasn’t able to maneuver through simple cone patterns that I had set up. And then one day it all clicked and I was in heaven.
Shortfalls?
1. Headlamp is as bright as a pack of matches.
2. Maximum speed is maximum listed in specs. Don’t expect anymore.
3. Seat takes a tad getting used to.
4. Instrument panel really could use an upgrade which I have done with the OPMID M1208 Multi Meter DASH.

Put some deer whistles on it.You don't need lights unless there is traffic or moonless night. Time of day,day of week,or depending on when and where you ride,wildlife,and lunar schedule. Pick when you ride.

 

[Just_Jack]

Got mine last April for my basic course, and at first, I practiced in the neighbors big driveway every day for several weeks before the course. At the end of week one I thought I had made a mistake. I wasn’t able to maneuver through simple cone patterns that I had set up. And then one day it all clicked and I was in heaven.
Shortfalls?
1. Headlamp is as bright as a pack of matches.
2. Maximum speed is maximum listed in specs. Don’t expect anymore.
3. Seat takes a tad getting used to.
4. Instrument panel really could use an upgrade which I have done with the OPMID M1208 Multi Meter DASH.

Agreed on all points. The instrument panel doesn't bother me all that much, but I wish they'd used some kind of TIMEX "Indiglow" style of backlit LCD and a little more information because it's awful hard to read in certain lighting situations.

Re: the headlight, Are there any headlight replacement kits out there yet? I'm still not super comfortable about messing around with the bike's wiring but the headlight is so dim, and the traffic in the Bay Area is so heavy along the routes that I travel, that I just don't ride it at night any more.

 

[dmonkey]

There are some headlight options on Webike, Fulness sell two different versions of a Marshall headlight conversion kit, and if you search "Grom H4 conversion" online you'll find custom wiring adapters to convert the 8P headlight plug to a H4 plug to run a standard headlight.

Does anyone know of an aftermarket headlight for the 2023 Trail 125?

I hit my headlight and the hi beam no longer works. I would like to replace it with something better if possible but have seen no posts about anything being available. I believe the factory replacement is expensive so if there is an alternative that is pug & play and better I would prefer to go...

hondatrail125.com

You could also add aux lights.

 

[Kuro Neko]

There are some headlight options on Webike, Fulness sell two different versions of a Marshall headlight conversion kit, and if you search "Grom H4 conversion" online you'll find custom wiring adapters to convert the 8P headlight plug to a H4 plug to run a standard headlight.

Does anyone know of an aftermarket headlight for the 2023 Trail 125?

I hit my headlight and the hi beam no longer works. I would like to replace it with something better if possible but have seen no posts about anything being available. I believe the factory replacement is expensive so if there is an alternative that is pug & play and better I would prefer to go...

hondatrail125.com

You could also add aux lights.

@Just_Jack
Details here, but as dmonkey suggests the Marchal 888 / LED conversion from Fulness is an option, and I cannot stress how much of a change it is - easily bringing the Hunter Cub up to 2025 expectations and at least as good as our cars that are equipped with HID and active matrix LEDs.



The throw of the 888 with the suggested LED insert is great, with a nice sharp cutoff line (I adjusted alignment on tunnel wall to match one of our cars, and have never been dinged by on-coming drivers), the low beam is visible on the road in forest shadows during the day (!), and the high-beam is just wicked on country roads at night to the point of wanting to get out in the dark to go animal spotting with it...

 

[knightrider]

I still love mine...only wish it was a 150cc or bigger from factory so I be rid of "keep up with traffic" anxiety...I know I can go BBK but pricy and still no turnkey solution...also, been thinking about upgrading to cast wheels and go tubeless...fixing a tube flat would be an absolute buzz kill on a long trip...

Honda could have made the rear end a lot simpler to change out flats. Poor designing on their part. Needed extra height from center stand, and a better design on the chain tentioners. Worst set up I have ever had of the 42 bikes I have owned.

 

[TeamTrail]

Yes that was stressful as a first timer adjusting the rear to get the chain slack back to correct errum, slack. Making sure it was all aligned and tightened both sides. I too thought it was a strange design. The thought of going beck for readjustment and loosening it all again worries me.

Also agree with quoted sentiment, gosh I wish it was just a bit more powerful. Just to pull away in the earlier gear ranges. When you get up to speed it's passable in traffic but you need to get there. I know I know, it's a different type of bike. Still, I really love it and wish it could be a more realistic single bike option. Wish Honda made similar engine style/adventure style in the 250 cc range.

 

[Daytripper]

It's no dirt bike, but it does go on trails well. Suspension could be better, but the biggest draw for me has been that big rack on the back. This surprised me as I didn't see that it gives the bike so much utility to do errands. That is about 90% of what I use it for! I may get a Yammy TW 200, but will never sell the Trail.

 

[SLO]

Having done it once,The Yuminashi 143cc BBK with 238 cam on 2021 model,with Webike racing exhaust,Honda 150cc injector,hotter plug, 244 3/0 Shinko's front and rear, 13 tooth front sprocket, It is what it should be. It was worth the effort,and it SUCKED before.Now it is fun,and much safer. I have a modded KTM 390 ADV 2022 model I ride mostly. Got on Himalayan 450 ,just wanted to check it out,too heavy for my 65 year old body. You have to (FIX) whatever you bring home new off the showroom floor

 

[Kuro Neko]

It's no dirt bike, but it does go on trails well.

Living in Japan, there's no ambiguity as to where the present range of Cub, including the Hunter Cub comes from.
It was, is, and will always be a low cost, easy to repair machine, based on humble basic mobility origins - this is its selling point.

A CRF might be a better option for anyone so disappointed in what it isn't?

 

[Daytripper]

View attachment 13463

Living in Japan, there's no ambiguity as to where the present range of Cub, including the Hunter Cub comes from.
It was, is, and will always be a low cost, easy to repair machine, based on humble basic mobility origins - this is its selling point.

A CRF might be a better option for anyone so disappointed in what it isn't?

For my use, its downsides doesn't come near to eclipsing its positives. I'm good with it. Could it be better? Always, but that's probably true for most machines.

 

[knightrider]

View attachment 13463

Living in Japan, there's no ambiguity as to where the present range of Cub, including the Hunter Cub comes from.
It was, is, and will always be a low cost, easy to repair machine, based on humble basic mobility origins - this is its selling point.

A CRF might be a better option for anyone so disappointed in what it isn't?

Most are bought for memories as most all bikes are better for trails, highways etc. Fun bike for what it is. No more no less.

 

[Daytripper]

One thing that would improve its off road capabilities would be to really gear it down. Not just reducing the front sprocket, but putting a larger rear. There are trails around here that I would be hesitant to go up because of the steepness without slipping the clutch way too much. My Honda Recon, which is a 220 cc 4 wheeler has a much lower first and I get up trails that my Honda Trail would struggle with. Of course gearing the bike down enough would make it useless on the road so I never have even tried.

 

[BergyPatty37]

@Daytripper I regeared mine from stock 14/38 to 13/42. Still decent on road but much better offroad. Whats nice is I can change between a 15,14, and 13 tooth front sprocket with same chain (just adjust tension) and I can either get back to stock gearing, or gear it down more. Front sprockets are cheap and the whole process to change front sprockets takes a matter of 10 minutes to remove, install new and adjust chain. Worthy in my opinion upgrade if you want that ability to change torque for more offroad.

 

[Daytripper]

@Daytripper I regeared mine from stock 14/38 to 13/42. Still decent on road but much better offroad. Whats nice is I can change between a 15,14, and 13 tooth front sprocket with same chain (just adjust tension) and I can either get back to stock gearing, or gear it down more. Front sprockets are cheap and the whole process to change front sprockets takes a matter of 10 minutes to remove, install new and adjust chain. Worthy in my opinion upgrade if you want that ability to change torque for more offroad.

That just might be something I try out. What keeps me from experimenting is the hassle factor of needing to changing the rear sprocket out back and forth. I have a 13T I use when I know I am going off road, which is a little better, but not quite enough of a gear down. Getting a 42 on the back and a 15T for road use might be the way to go because as you say, its easy peasy to change the front. I would like to see what the ratios are with the 42 compared to the 38 with the 3 different front sprockets.

 

[BergyPatty37]

The rear isn't terrible to do. I did mine when changing out tires. Takes 5 minutes to do. Itll take longer to take the tire off and put back on than to change the rear sprocket. But once its on there it is good until you need to replace from wear.
Stock gearing on 23+ newer is 14/38 which is 2.71 ratio
15/42 is 2.80 ratio (+3.1% increase in torque, -3.1% decrease in speed compared to OEM stock)
14/42 is 3.00 ratio (+9.5% increase in torque, -9.5% decrease in speed compared to OEM stock)
13/42 is 3.23 ratio (+16% increase in torque, -16% decrease in speed compared to OEM stock)

The 13/38 you are currently running is 2.92 ratio (+7.1%, -7.1%). So you will get a little more torque with the 14/42 in comparison, but pretty close. If you go larger tires this will probably offset and feel the same.

 

[BergyPatty37]

@Daytripper
Here are some more useful links too:

Sprocket Calculator - The easy motorcycle sprocket and chain calculator

Gearing Commander - Motorcycle Speed and Drive Train Calculator v7

Motorcycle speed and sprocket calculator with bike database for gearing, sprockets, tires and chains of over 1900 bikes. Request yours to be added as well.

www.gearingcommander.com

Gearing Commander is nice because you can put in tire size and gearing ratio's for first second third fourth and get a better Idea of speed loss. Really useful tool.
Sprocket calculator just gives you basic gear ratios for front/rear sprocket changes. Useful for quick information