Honda Trail 125 for Beginner ADV? Things to consider...

I reversed the handle bar yoke, tilted it forward a little and bent the heel shifter in real close to the frame and now I can comfortably stand while riding. I got old, and injured, so this bike is what gets me back out there. I had both the KLR650 and TW200 previously, but due to multiple neck and back disc problems, I could not take them off road anymore, never mind picking them up by myself. So far, in less than 2 years, I've put 20,000 miles on my CT. Just Plain FUN! Happy Trails!

I bought a green 2023 this Summer. It fits me fine at 5'9" and it's a blast to ride. I've got a DR650 for longer distances but I'm gunna keep that little Honda forever.

Use a small section of a pool noodle measured and cut open like a hot dog bun then pressed over the seat end bar. Helps a lot in many ways without cutting the bar entirely off.

It is classic that I purchased a new 2023 Honda XRM 125 in the Philippines. Same engine, transmission, frame, wheels. Full seat with passenger pegs and dual discs. I paid $1,400 USD for it. Western prices are outrageous for small bikes. The Honda XR 150 L is $1,750 here. Those are the out the door prices. Cam

The trick with the gear change pedal is to rotate it forward on the spline. You can then stand up and no contact with pedal, also what most of us do for the cub, it really does solve the problem you encountered. It is also an advantage not to have to hook the toe under the lever for down changes. Takes time to get used to but having ridden bikes for nearly 50 years. the rocker gear change pedal is a joy to use and clutch operation every bit as involving as a handlebar clutch lever once mastered.

Great comparison report thanks for posting 👍

I'm about 5' 10" 190lbs. 2100 miles on my 125 now. Mostly off road miles. I personally have no issues with the luggage rack bar or the heel shifter. Maybe twice now, I've hit my tailbone on that bar. And I can stand up with no issues from the shifter (size 11-11.5 shoe). I think I'm just used to it. I actually have 2 of these bikes and when my tall friend rides with me, he has both issues you mention. So ya, it all depends on your size and how used to the bike you are.

You don't need to cut off the bar on the luggage rack, just put some foam pipe insulation around it.

Such a great video. Perfect length and excellent video work. You are spot on about the Trail 125 for “adventure” riding. Last weekend I took my 2021 Trail 125 and 1971 Honda SL100 riding a local trail here in ND. My buddy and I both agreed the underpowered SL100 was more fun to ride. The larger wheel diameter helped a lot, and like you said I liked feeling the gas tank between my legs. Also, the gearing of the Trail 125 isn’t as low as you’d think. Perfect for around town, but once you start riding a rough trail, 2nd gear feels too high. The Trail 125 is fairly stiff with not much travel, so you start to feel that unless you’re standing and providing your own “suspension.” Cutting off the heel shifter is a must for this kind of riding. All in all, I still really like my Trail 125, but there are much better “adventure” bikes out there!

I myself measure 6'. Too cramped. I put a full size seat on and all my issues went away. Shifting became a breeze. Being able to use the heel part of the shifter allowed me to wear any shoe type without messing up the top of the toe area. The full size seat will probably work with your set up because it doesn't cover all the rear rack, just part of it and fits over the raised part of the rack.

I've watched just about every Trail 125 video on youtube and youre the only one that has mentioned the con of nothing jn the middle to geip on to when going downhill. As a prospective buyer looking to do that type of riding and is 5'11", that's good to know.

Super helpful video. I love the Trail 125 and I've been thinking about getting one, but my second bike has to be off-road capable. Also, since the CT125 is new in the market, there are very few used ones around. I can pick up a 200-class (probably CRF250L) for a little more than half the price of a CT125. Less cool, but more practical.

the beauty of this mini moto is the kick start.

Multitools are grrbage and I think one of the more dangerous tools to try to use. Carry a few real tools. Vice grip, a few metric wrenches, and a phillips/flathead. Put a dufflebag or bookbag on that frame between your legs and mount it to the bike.

I'd like to just attempt at countering your con list. But first let me state you are comparing two completely different classes of motorcycle saying the DR200 is better in every way but played completely into the strengths of the DR and pretty much said nothing about the Trail. Trail gets 125+ mpg, DR gets 88 which are both good but the trail is better, Trail has build in storage capabilities where all you need to do it bolt on a milk just box or small tote where the DR you need specialty motorcycle luggage options, Trail is LED lighting all around where the DR is not, If comparing new the DR is 4650 and the trail is 3900, the maintenance is going to be a lot easier on the trail especially if you need to adjust valves change a plug or do a top end where the DR you have to rip apart the whole top side of the bike, personally I think the Trail has a hard seat but it is flatter and wider meaning it will support your butt for longer periods of time before getting sore, and you said yourself it is small and has no manual clutch so it instills a LOT of confidence in new riders, would you of rather gotten your partner a DR200 as well like you and they get frustrated because they keep stalling, dropping, or getting exhausted because they have not built the core muscles yet of riding a vehicle like this off road so they decide to quit the sport before really even getting into it? The trail is a do-it-all kinda bike where the DR is more for dual sporting and farm biking, their two different classes of vehicle, I'd much rather go get some groceries with a back luggage box on the Trail than have to use an aftermarket wraparound system for the seat for luggage on the DR, plus needing a backpack. On to the Cons you listed. Small: I'm currently riding a 450X from Honda and looking to downsize to a CRF250F, Bigger is not always better, and I notice you complain about the handlebars being in your lap. Undo the clamp, as in loosen it, and crank the bars forward, LITERALLY problem solved..... Shifter: For off road riding I understand, the shifter was predominantly designed for people like the UK or in big cities with stop/go traffic, it can get wearing on your ankle having to constantly go down, then up, then down, then up back and fourth over the toe shifter. If it bothers you lop it off like you said you were gonna. This will allow you to stand on the trails for the bumps and rocks like you said yourself, but another thing too I notice especially when they dropped the bike at the very beginning, the core rule of off road riding is momentum. They dropped it because they went too slow and the bike got 'heavy' as a result, making them lose balance. A bike in motion wants to stay upright, keep your speed (don't go crazy or nothing obviously) and bank into turns instead of trying to keep the bike upright. Nothing to brace your knees against: Putting the bars forward will solve this problem as well, so you can stand and making you able to brace against the bars more instead of trying to pinch a tank that isn't there. Speed: Dude it's a 125, what do you expect.... And to all your advantages of the DR, My rebuttal is everything I said in the first paragraph, again.. Their two different types of vehicles, you're pretty much comparing a stock 4x4 truck to a BUILT jeep and saying the Jeep is better in EVERY way because it can go off road better, they both can do it, one is just more equipped. I bet if you two ever got into harsh traffic that was stop and go you'd be wishing you had an auto clutch like the Trail does, clutch actuation and constantly shifting can be really ball busting sometimes especially in direct sunlight and heat.

Funny enough, I'm looking to buy a DR 200 turn it into a Mini adventure bike because of the price, gas mileage, comfort and versatility. I would probably buy a Super Cub before a Trail Cub because of the insane 3 and 4 thousand dollar markups at places that are not Honda Powersports official. Thank you for the great review.

Good information. My daughter is thinking of getting a motorcycle.

Hey! We met you at the gate before you went down Slaughterhouse Gluch! Guess that road was passable for you because you made it home 😂. Crazy this video was suggested to me. Well maybe not really, because I was researching trail 125's to see if there were people adventuring these things like you were.

I'm 5'7" and i dont have any of the problems you're talking about.

Why cut anything just use it properly. Or buy a seat that will overlap the back bar.