I've noticed in the Accessories forum and from Youtube postings that some riders opt for adding engine guards to their Honda Trail 125. I'm wondering why. Under what riding conditions are they worthwhile? I'm not challenging their decision to add them, just want to understand their thoughts behind the addition? Thanks.
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Why add accessory crashbars / engine guards?
- Thread starter OlderNow
- Start date
The crash bars that stick out to the sides of the bike may protect it from damage if the bike falls on its side. You don't even have to be riding it, the wind or a careless person could knock it over when parked causing scratches and damage to the bike. They're also a good accessory attachment point, can act as a brush guard for riding through tall growth, and I'm sure aesthetics are also a consideration for many people adding them. I upgraded my engine skid plate and have since scraped it on some curbs, rocks, and big tree roots.
Something to keep in mind is that on this bike those protection parts aren't mounted to places that are extremely hardy, so you shouldn't try to lift the entire bike by the skid plate or engine crash bars because they're not attached to points with enough structural integrity to safely support the weight of the bike. Crash bars in general also have pros and cons. For small tip overs they might save damage to plastics and paint on the bike and be easier to touch up the paint on, but for harder hits they could cause more damage to the bike than not having them.
Something to keep in mind is that on this bike those protection parts aren't mounted to places that are extremely hardy, so you shouldn't try to lift the entire bike by the skid plate or engine crash bars because they're not attached to points with enough structural integrity to safely support the weight of the bike. Crash bars in general also have pros and cons. For small tip overs they might save damage to plastics and paint on the bike and be easier to touch up the paint on, but for harder hits they could cause more damage to the bike than not having them.
Last edited:
SneakyDingo
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Good reasons to add it on this bike:
- To stop trees from directly smacking your knee
- To hold the bike off your body should you humpty dumpty.
- To add lights and highway pegs
- To add more storage to the bike
- Coz it looks fckin' siiiick and will make all the old men this bike is a magnet for, coming over to tell you about their first Honda Trail they learned to ride on... it'll make them want one even more
- EDIT: coz it makes you happy.
Bad reasons to add them on this bike:
- Because you're going to do something that would actually require structural crash bars.
- Lifting the bike by them.
I won't be adding any to mine. The only thing I'd want to protect is probably the shift and brake levers, and Ang + Johnny Pow proved that engine guards don't do sh*t to stop that (Ang had guards).
- To stop trees from directly smacking your knee
- To hold the bike off your body should you humpty dumpty.
- To add lights and highway pegs
- To add more storage to the bike
- Coz it looks fckin' siiiick and will make all the old men this bike is a magnet for, coming over to tell you about their first Honda Trail they learned to ride on... it'll make them want one even more
- EDIT: coz it makes you happy.
Bad reasons to add them on this bike:
- Because you're going to do something that would actually require structural crash bars.
- Lifting the bike by them.
I won't be adding any to mine. The only thing I'd want to protect is probably the shift and brake levers, and Ang + Johnny Pow proved that engine guards don't do sh*t to stop that (Ang had guards).
m in sc
Well-known member
i personally never saw the point in this bike. on my cb1100 i have small engine case guards but thats to protect the motor. also, IMHO, adding them also can create a snagging hazard in woody/brushy areas.
Misterprofessionality
Member
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- Nov 27, 2021
- Messages
- 52
I never thought about the snagging hazard, that's a good point. My first instinct was that id like to add them because I have very little experience riding off road and I like to protect my assets, so I figured a good set of crash protection would mitigate expensive cosmetic damage to the actual bike when I inevitably go down.
SneakyDingo
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- Aug 6, 2021
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It's not a terrible idea, but it might be overkill on the CT125. A lot of the delicate parts sit "inside" the contact points with the ground (the plastic panels, for example, and my delicate snowflake butt).
In terms of crash n bash protection, of the ADV/trail bashing trips to hug the ground by CT125 riders on Youtube, several have pranged their headlight cover which apparently is a bit prone to damage. The video I know for sure, only because it happens in the first 2 minutes of the video, is Ang doing that in the Hurricane Creek Rd. video. Separately I saw someone else (can't remember who) break their headlight mount in exactly the same place. A third video had the cover fall off Kirki tanker style and it needed to be electrical taped back on until a proper fix could be made. That one I can imagine as being quite the inconvenience, so if you had to invest in some protection, around the headlight is the one I'd recommend, as well as the ol' tape and zip ties in the kit. I'd recommend electrical over duct tape in this case unless you live somewhere hot as it's easier to remove and you don't need a ton of strength to keep the cover on. Plus duct tape goo can be a pain to get off later.
EDIT: the other protection that has actually been used by CT125 riders, again also Ang aka @SomeGuyRides, is the bash plate is a bit soft. This is pretty standard for any moto that ships with a stock bash plate, looks good, works ok, but could definitely be improved on.
In terms of crash n bash protection, of the ADV/trail bashing trips to hug the ground by CT125 riders on Youtube, several have pranged their headlight cover which apparently is a bit prone to damage. The video I know for sure, only because it happens in the first 2 minutes of the video, is Ang doing that in the Hurricane Creek Rd. video. Separately I saw someone else (can't remember who) break their headlight mount in exactly the same place. A third video had the cover fall off Kirki tanker style and it needed to be electrical taped back on until a proper fix could be made. That one I can imagine as being quite the inconvenience, so if you had to invest in some protection, around the headlight is the one I'd recommend, as well as the ol' tape and zip ties in the kit. I'd recommend electrical over duct tape in this case unless you live somewhere hot as it's easier to remove and you don't need a ton of strength to keep the cover on. Plus duct tape goo can be a pain to get off later.
EDIT: the other protection that has actually been used by CT125 riders, again also Ang aka @SomeGuyRides, is the bash plate is a bit soft. This is pretty standard for any moto that ships with a stock bash plate, looks good, works ok, but could definitely be improved on.
m in sc
Well-known member
yeah, if anything id upgrade the skid plate. I'll probably make one myself out of thicker aluminum sheet bend and tig it up because the stock one is so light duty, i hate the tinniness of it, but thers a few ive seen on here that look pretty good.
STUBBORN
Active member
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- Apr 21, 2021
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- 219
I am a new old rider.
Bike falls a lot.
I use an engine guard and a muffler guard.
So far, I have not upgraded the skid plate.
The engine guards have a replaceable steel impact attachment that acts as a sacrifice piece and is inexpensive and are easily replaceable.
The last time I dumped the bike, it scratched the knob on the front brake lever and the muffler crash bar.
I need to find something that protects the brake lever. What do you suggest?
Bike falls a lot.
I use an engine guard and a muffler guard.
So far, I have not upgraded the skid plate.
The engine guards have a replaceable steel impact attachment that acts as a sacrifice piece and is inexpensive and are easily replaceable.
The last time I dumped the bike, it scratched the knob on the front brake lever and the muffler crash bar.
I need to find something that protects the brake lever. What do you suggest?
Barkbusters! Should be able to find a thread or two on them on this forum.
This. I'm 45. This is my first bike in 23 years!
That Zeta skid-plate is beefy looking. Zeta make quality stuff.
Kev250R
Well-known member
As others have said, I think on the Trail adding crash bars is only necessary if you:
a) Plan on crashing...a lot!
b) Need a place to add accessories
c) Have a certain 'look' you're going for.
All that said, I have no plans on adding them to my Trail. My 990 Adventure has a set, which the gouges and scratches they have will attest have saved that bike from possible serious damage, however they can get in the way for repairs and maintence. Though so far on that bike I've been lucky and have always found ways to work around them when I need to.
a) Plan on crashing...a lot!
b) Need a place to add accessories
c) Have a certain 'look' you're going for.
All that said, I have no plans on adding them to my Trail. My 990 Adventure has a set, which the gouges and scratches they have will attest have saved that bike from possible serious damage, however they can get in the way for repairs and maintence. Though so far on that bike I've been lucky and have always found ways to work around them when I need to.
Kev250R
Well-known member
@STUBBORN, while they aren't Bark Busters I do have a set of hand guards which I took off my Trail when I bought it. They should protect your levers from falls and might keep yoru hands a bit warmer on cool days. PM me an address where I can send them and they're yours, for free.