Honda Trail 125 Solo

As an older rider, traveling alone off-road by myself presents a number of issues that make bigger, heavier motorcycles problematic. With my 2023 Honda Trail 125 motorcycle I have no worries about not being able to pick it up if I drop the bike, or that it will fall on me and cause injuries. It is small, light, and endlessly fun and capable off the pavement.
Join me as I ride through Pennsylvania's Rothrock State Forest on some rough trails and roads.
#hondamotorcycles #honda125 #motovlog

[@sparta2v]

The thing that you feared most has happened to me; having an accident in the middle of nowhere; I'm a few years younger than you and also drive a RE Himalayan that I absolutely love. On a slippery slope the bike slipped out from under me, nothing serious, but when I tried to lift the bike up and had it almost upright i slipped away because of the wet mud and was thrown over the bike with my head against the engine block and the footrest hit my eye (I just took off my helmet because I was out of breath and I had removed the rubber inserts before the ride for a better grip...). I then had to drive an hour back home with a bleeding head and maybe 15% vision; my left eye was completely closed and has still not recovered and my right eye was completely swollen, leaving a little opening to look trough. No one available to help or reach me. It was a terrible drive back... I'm glad you like the Honda and that you can continue riding through nature, enjoy!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

What you describe is in line with my concerns riding the Himalayan in rough areas when I'm alone. Those concerns drove me to the Honda Trail 125. While I believe it would still be possible to injure myself as you did, I think the chances are far lower because of the size and weight of the machine. Your description of events was unsettling. But I can see it happening. I was out riding the Himalayan again in rougher terrain than I should have and the slippery mud introduced the feeling that things could easily go sideways. Perhaps a bad choice of routes for me. I'll be posting on my blog some pictures and text about that ride. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. I appreciate the reminder of what we do and what could happen. All the best to you and your Himalayan riding.

[@fire7side]

Some people want a dirt bike to race around, do jumps and all that, me it's just exploring at a nice slow pace. I love old roads like that and hope I don't see the day when they are all paved.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I'm with you -- a slow paced explorer of old and sometimes almost unused roads. I don't think these roads will ever get paved. At least not in my lifetime. Not enough traffic to have anyone even considering it.

[@freedomformen2548]

Waaw Steve your so lucky with all that nature around you . I really love that 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I am extremely fortunate living where I do. Just yesterday I was talking to my friend Dan about our great riding. And as we did we determined that great riding stretched north into New York and sound into West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. This part of the Eastern United States has some of the best riding anywhere because of how many back-back roads there are.

[@KrakensGarageandAdventures]

Very enjoyable video, Steve. Life in the slow lane is pretty good, almost every single ride.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

It sure is! What a gift to have the time, space, and opportunity to wander...

[@ralfhoffmann2487]

What an amazing little machine. Just goes to show that you don't have to have a big arsed bike to have some fun!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Fun comes in small packages!

[@steverinob3717]

I showed up for coffee the other day on the CT125 and a member of the coffee group asked me if I thought I might get bored with the Trail. I could not for the life of me fathom the question or where it was coming from? Perhaps it was a size matters thing and of course, that goes in all sorts of directions. Glad you’re enjoying the awesomeness of the Trail Steve👍 Party on!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

There seems to be a default setting to bigger is always better -- motorcycles, cars, trucks, houses, bank accounts, you name it. Deciding to step off the ever increasing whatevers seems odd to many people. Perhaps we have a minimalist streak in us that others can't see or understand!

[@RonniesRambles]

In fairness, although I wasn't there, maybe it has to do with lack of experience with anything other than bigger bikes.

[@steverinob3717]

@@RonniesRambles The gent who asked the question does indeed have an original Cub though rarely ridden. Perhaps rarely ridden because the lad finds it boring?

[@user-ox8fw3cm8m]

​@@ScooterintheSticks Супер

[@rechard-jb9cr]

Looks like you've found The Perfect Vehicle. Hmmm, reminds me of a book I read 25 years ago.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

It certainly feels perfect for the rough stuff. I've come to the conclusion that I want a variety of two-wheeled machines to choose from. Perfect for whatever presents itself.

[@irishadventurer9759]

Big Guy! Great to see you out there loving on the CT 125. It'll get you everywhere and nowhere, which is exactly where some of us want to be!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Well said! I especially look forward to riding and arriving nowhere!

[@wesleycardinal8869]

You certainly were in the sticks today 😊

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Remote from people and traffic but only 10 miles from my house.

[@captainjim605]

Nice - bigger isn't always better! The right tool for the job AND the circumstances. Enjoyed the video, Steve... wouldn't want to do the clean up after going through dirt, mud, and puddles. ;-) Keep 'em coming!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Clean up??? What’s that?🙈

[@andrewstorm8240]

Amazing what the Honda can achieve

[@ScooterintheSticks]

It is a fine, capable machine. And perfect for me to explore pretty much anything I'll encounter.

[@rb196441]

Nice video Steve 🎉

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Glad you enjoyed it. It was a nice ride and a good excuse to shoot some video.

Thank you Steve for another very nice video!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@billalbion]

Thank you very much. Great wee fun ride.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Glad to provide a little riding enjoyment!

[@lawrencedevine2767]

Hi From Ireland. I Love My Honda Trail, And I Will Never Sell It.But I Want You To Have A Look, And Test Ride On A Yamaha XT Serow 250, You Will Love This Bike. Thanks For Your Content, Ride Safe.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

The Yamaha XT Serow 250 has long been on my radar since reading "Lois on the Loose" by Lois Pryce. Her adventures on that motorcycle had me wondering if it wasn't what I should buy for my off-road adventures. Sadly though I have never seen one in the wild or for sale here. So the Honda Trail 125 is an adequate substitute. Keep having fun riding yours. I'll do the same here across the pond!

[@heckadude]

Man, that 125 looks like so much fun. I enjoy trying to figure out which roads you’re on, and in this video had no idea!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

It's a lot of fun to ride. Especially in places I would not otherwise attempt. As far as the roads --- Wampler Road, Gettis Ridge Road (the bad part), and Beidleheimer Road.

[@heckadude]

@@ScooterintheSticks I had to Google it. That is a big swath of mountainous terrain. I've only scratched the surface in exploring it.

[@dustind3960]

That looj like a nice little trip riding the hinda trail 125 on that forrest trail path

[@ScooterintheSticks]

It was! And many more in the future I hope.

[@victorhawkins3461]

Hollah back when your temp goes up about 30 degrees or so...

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Hah. Mornings are now in the 50s and 60s. Easy riding now.

[@iggyzorro2406]

Is the Himalayan too tall or heavy for you in these situations? Why keep it then? - would have liked a good look at this bike. nice vid. thanks. stay safe.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

On some of the steep, rough trails I would worry on the Himalayan. I don't want to worry about dropping it and not being able to pick it up, or worse, dropping it on my leg or ankle and breaking something. I will keep it though because on the well maintained gravel roads of which there are many, I'm fine with the Himalayan. And for those rides where I will be spending 50 or 100 miles on pavement to get to some off road track the Himalayan is perhaps a better choice. So it remains part of the fleet.

[@clangerbasher]

I read 'solo' as 'sold'!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Sorry about that. Easy to see how that can happen. No plans to sell it though.

[@clangerbasher]

@@ScooterintheSticks No need to be sorry. I am perhaps a little too used to click bait titles!

[@BattShytKuhraezy]

ELITE11OCC guy. Just saying HAY!!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

The Elite 110 is a bomb proof scooter. I don't see a lot of them around anymore here.

[@il6113]

This rear looking camera really ruins the videos for me. The abrupt cutting of the the road ahead view to the beautiful hi-vis suit is unnecessary. Less is more in this case. Please get rid of this hanging ugly thing and clean up your handlebar. Thanks for the great content and congratulations for your awesome two wheeler!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I smiled when I read your comments. I have had others that suggest the opposite -- just having the front view is too boring and monotonous. I'm not sure where I stand on it. It is certainly more time consuming to sync two cameras and edit things together. I've shot a couple videos with only the front facing camera and cut into it static shots from a tripod mounted camera that I ride past. That's even more time consuming. At the end of the day the narration is probably more important -- what I do or don't say. I just keep experimenting...