Paying homage to Honda's beloved Trail models of the '60s, '70s and '80s, the Trail125 blends iconic miniMOTO styling with modern engineering. With its timeless silhouette, automatic centrifugal clutch and fuel-efficient engine, the Trail125 feels equally at home on city streets and casual backroads. Carrying forward the adventurous spirit that made the original CT line legendary, this model delivers fun and practicality in equal portions.
HISTORY
In 1960, Idaho dealer Herb Uhl began modifying Honda's popular step-through 50 and selling it for use in the area's rugged mountain terrain. American Honda learned of the concept and sent an example of the updated machine to Japan, and by March of 1961, the CA100T Trail 50 was offered in the U.S. The machine was a huge hit, and the platform evolved through numerous upgrades and revisions, eventually becoming the popular CT brand.
Milestone models included the 1964 CT200 Trail 90, the 1969 CT70 Trail 70 and the 1981 CT110. Over the course of nearly three decades, well over 725,000 units from the CT series were sold in the U.S. before it disappeared for several decades. Then in 2019, a concept CT125 debuted at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show, paying tribute to the popular platform of old. It received rave reviews, along with requests for a production model, and that wish was granted with the introduction of the 2021 Honda Trail125.
DESIGN / STYLING
As a package, the Trail125 pays tribute to the original CT line while embracing the convenience and performance of modern technology, making it a great tool for riding around town or exploring the wilderness.
The many improvements to the function and capability of the original CT series have not detracted from the distinctive CT design, which is carefully preserved in the modern Trail125. With the goal of balancing the image of a tough-yet-modern machine, Honda's designers simplified the surfaces of each part on the frame while preserving the symbolic elements such as the upswept muffler, air-cleaner cover, fuel tank, large rear carrier, steel front fender, turn signals, footpegs and handgrips.
A three-dimensional emblem of the signature original Honda wing logo represents the traditional series model, while the drop-shadow Honda logo, reminiscent of the CT-series, is on the left and right side covers.
The high-mounted air intake and upswept exhaust enhance low-end power and are consistent with the CT lineage, and the engine guard adds protection from obstacles like large rocks and tree stumps.
Electronic features include LED lighting; large, square turn signals that mimic the look of the older CT models and are durable for off-road use; and a generator output of 190 watts.
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
The Trail125 features a 124cc air-cooled, two-valve, overhead-camshaft, four-stroke, single-cylinder engine. Efficient, quiet and durable, the engine combines the bottom end from the Japanese-market C110 (with redesigned crankcases) with the SOHC, two-valve top end of the Grom. The engine produces useable, enjoyable power all the way through the rev range, while still offering impressive fuel economy.
Bore and stroke dimensions are 50.0mm and 63.1mm respectively, and the compression ratio is 10.0:1. Modern systems such as programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI) with automatic enrichment and an electronic ignition help ensure reliable starting and efficient operation across a wide range of conditions.
The Trail125 has a long intake and tuned exhaust for good low- and midrange power. Optimized gearing includes a 38-tooth rear sprocket, making the powerplant ideal for trekking and touring on forest-service roads and trails. The airbox is designed to match the engine, smoothing airflow on the clean side of the panel-type, wet-paper filter (which has a 10,000-mile life in normal riding conditions) for good driveability. The replaceable oil filter is a welcome feature for the many Trail125 owners who prefer to do their own maintenance.
The muffler is an important, recognizable element of the Trail125's mythology, but it has modern internals, including an efficient catalyzer. The ECU programming maximizes performance and efficiency.
The transmission has four speeds (with neutral at the bottom), and in true Trail125 tradition, it's operated via an automatic centrifugal clutch, eliminating the need for a clutch lever. At a standstill, the rider simply selects the gear required with the left foot lever; as the throttle is opened, the clutch operates automatically, and it continues to do so through each gear change, up or down.
For optimum shift feel and minimized shift noise, the Trail125 has a high-quality shift-drum bearing and shift-arm rubber, along with an optimized rubber material for the clutch damper. A helical primary gear reduces mechanical noise.
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
The wheelbase of the Trail125 is 49.5 inches, while front- and rear-suspension travel figures are 4.3 inches and 3.4 inches, respectively. Ground clearance is 6.5 inches, and the seat height is 31.5 inches. The fuel-tank capacity is 1.4 gallons, resulting in an impressive range when fuel stations are few and far between.
