Old vs. New: I Am A Honda Trail EXPERT, And Here's Exactly What I Think Of The New One!

[@dant.6364]

wow, this guy is a natural for KZbin. Please make him a regular!

[@linneasmith9522]

Thank you so much for the kind comment! My dad is stoked to be a part of these videos with TFL, stay tuned for more Andy! 😁

[@STAR-RADIANCE]

@@linneasmith9522 well if that’s true, then SWEET!

[@shaneintegra]

Exactly what I was thinking. I go instant dead brain when I know I'm being recorded lol

[@wileecoyote5749]

Unfortunately he was found dead

[@lisagriffistasse]

@@linneasmith9522 where is your Dads Shop? They didn’t give him credit in the title/info. So not right!

[@DersNoNem]

Seeing people in the west enjoying small motorcycle like we use every day makes me smile. Makes us riders are the same. Enjoying our time on two wheels!

[@hafizkassim8784]

This the right person to ask an opinion. Love this dude, great share of he's era and talking abt today's aspects.. He good skills too

[@timothysmith5060]

This was absolutely one of the best u tubes I’ve ever watched in terms of excellent communication, incredible dialog - and just simple understanding by what you guys are saying ! It was like any of us could of been standing with u in that shop - and would of totally been a part of the conversation!! Excellent video! Thank you!

[@rebellucy5610]

I have owned motorcycles from 49cc to 1500cc's. I actually enjoy riding my little Honda Monkey 125 more than anything. Like he said top speed is NOT what makes riding enjoyable. The small bikes bring back memories of childhood freedom which is Priceless!

[@rayditzenberger9517]

When motoX first became popular in the indiana area the 125 class was the fastest class almost every weekend for the first few years. Eventually the 250 took over but not by much. Husky wad the main reason for that.

[@americandude3825]

Would you recommend a trial or monkey to teach my 12 and 15 year olds to ride? I’ve got experience, etc. I think these two makes more sense than a ttr125 or crf110 based on cost, after market and usability.

[@genezeigler2252]

​@@americandude3825 I'd recommend a Trail 70 clone like the Ice Bear Champion. He'll out grow the Monkey, but not the clone which is actually a 125, not a 70. Semi-auto trans like this bike too.

[@americandude3825]

@@genezeigler2252 thank you. Appreciate that. Still haven’t gotten one. Wife….lol.

[@66block84]

In the Spring of 1969 at 16 years old I bought a new Trail 90, yellow. By the Spring of 1970 I wanted to go faster so bought a 305 SuperHawk. The guys with pickup truck campers were almost fighting each other to buy my Trail 90. My Dad said I should have priced it higher. What I should have done is kept it. I wish Honda would put a 175 or even 200 CC engine in it.

[@mrofnocnon]

A great little bike yes but the suspension and steering plus the chassis rigidity are far too inadequate for anything larger than a 125 engine.

[@wileecoyote5749]

Damn that means you're 83

[@66block84]

@@wileecoyote5749 Almost

[@BryceDaMemechanic]

I recently restored a yellow 1969 ct90 from the ground up, it was in really bad shape. These are my absolute favorite bikes.

[@LK-bz9sk]

Nostalgia is the word. This video made me pine for my 1972 Honda DAX. My stepdad got one for me, identical to the one shown here, to ride around on the farm in South Africa. This video was an absolute pleasure to watch.

[@RC-fu6hg]

Nothing runs like Honda equipment. Simply the best.

[@1960ARC]

This is not a beginner bike, its a forever bike! Nice video.

[@benkanobe7500]

Need to mention "Posty Bike" as the Australians used them to deliver mail and the automatic clutch was the key feature as well as reliability.

[@patrickamcguire8749]

My first motorcycle was a 72 ct90 in 1982. I got my license on it when I turned 16 That new 125 is cool, but I wish it had the H/L switch.

[@pudster2237]

Good to bring Andy back in the videos with these types of bikes. He seems to know his stuff on these types of bikes.

[@linneasmith9522]

My dad really does know his stuff, it’s his decades of personal knowledge in these beauties!

[@ryand8639]

@@linneasmith9522 will you ask your pops if he wants to part ways with his KDX...please?!?!

[@lisagriffistasse]

@@linneasmith9522 where is your dad’s shop? They gave him no credit in the video except his name.

[@steverandall5814]

I'm so glad to hear that Honda has kept the same bullet-proof design and build quality in their newest rendition of the venerable CT90. I rode my first CT90 more than 50 years ago, and I'm glad the current generation will be able to enjoy the same fun I had as a kid.

[@clarkleakins879]

I had a 1970 Trail 90. Put in a Rocky 110 bore kit. Much improved top speed, and less downshifts. MPG went from about 90 to about 75. Great college commuter! Even had to once ride while snowing! VERY CAREFUL on the turns! Regarding the shifter.... I set the lever with the toe higher, avoiding the inadvertent downshift. Move toe to rear lever pad to downshift. Also, keep ball of foot on peg, max to the outside. I did not see cotter pins on the axles. I had axles loosen, after that experience, drilled and cutter pinned mine. The old handle bar lever allowed to move handle parallel with the bike frame, to carry motorcycle on the Front of a pickup/van. I still have ORIGINAL bumper mount carrier for just such opportunity! That 90/110 went anywhere. Even dropped in a stream, submerged. Stood up vertical against a tree (with help) to drain the exhaust pipe. Kick started 20 minutes later and off we went. Can climb most anything, only limited by tire width/traction. Only struggle was through packed snow 6 inches plus. Just not enough knobby tire. The automatic trans allows to walk along side bike and maneuver big steps/over logs, while engine drives the bike. Especially handy if loading on a car ramp/bumper ramp. Many many deer hunters, and fishermen, trusted this ride back in the day. All over the Sierra in California. Not fast, but always got you in and out without trouble. Could short ride on the highway shoulder if necessary, maximum speed about 50 on the flats. Had the buddy seat on dads 1968 Trail 90. I was on the back (as a boy), both of us no trouble. Great times, beautiful memories!

[@americandude3825]

Would you get a 2022 trail or monkey to teach a 12 and 15 year old to ride? I rode a tw200 and versys 650 for a good while. I look at off-road bikes etc but the monkey or trail makes more sense.

[@johnnyrebellion8672]

I'm 59 and just bought a 2022 GasGas EC 300. It's light and very easy to ride. I'll get the trail 125 when I'm 72, Lord willing.

[@robertrishel3685]

My first “real” motorbike was a brand new 1976 Honda CT70. I was 9 years old and had been riding lawn mower engined mini bikes and snow mobiles (Alaska Pipeline, Valdez) since I was 7. We were then living in Saudi Arabia for my fathers job and it was a literal paradise for dirt biking. I rode it for just over a year before I wore my dad down and got a new 1978 Yamaha YZ80, then a 1979 YZ80 and a 1979 Suzuki RM125….it was a start of a life long love of motorcycles and racing motocross, road racing, observed trials and enduro. I competed in all of it over the years. I still love to see old CT70’s! Great memories of riding with my friends and my dad in the Saudi desert.

[@andrewerlandson4030]

I miss my old 69 Honda trail 90. I will never forget I rode it with 2 of my brothers and a neighbor kid up the ranch .we went 4 kids. I was standing on front pegs , one on the seat and 2 on the rack. wish I had picture of that

[@bradcwikla3099]

I have a 73 CT-70 that is heavily modified (155 cc motor with a ported race head, rear disc brake, new rims that are NOT split which allows no inner tubes). Love thia bike.

[@F9FCJ429]

I had no idea bikes like this were still around. Takes me right back to growing up as a kid in the 1970s. I started out with a Gemini 80 which taught me the fine art of clearing fouled spark plugs at the side of the road among other things it taught me how to swear proficiently at the tender age of 10. Meanwhile the neighbor kid had a CT 70 H, the one with the four-speed and a real clutch and that thing never ever broke down. I got smart, ditched the Gemini and replaced it with an SL 125. Which morphed into a 1976 XL 250. And by the time I was ready to get my drivers license in 1980 I had traded up to a 1980 XL 500 S, the one with the 23 inch front wheel. That was traded for a 1983 XL 600 which I kept until I moved to Dallas. I tried riding that bike a couple of times in Dallas traffic and quickly decided somebody drunk out of their skull in a Volvo station wagon at 10 o’clock in the morning was going to make a skid plate out of me and that was the end of my motorcycle riding career. Now I’m thinking something like this 125 might actually fit my 6 foot five frame and would be a really cool addition to the bed of my F150 when I needed to go places the F150 has no business going for photo ops!

[@Marvin-fn7ks]

My first bike was a 69. Honda CT70. At out farm during the 80’s -2000,we had 2 Ct 70s for work and fun. They are bulletproof. Kept them around for the chance that our nephews would enjoy them, they moved away. Finally sold them. Totally the best fun you can have and will get you home !

[@03bonneville]

Still smiling, great video. Everyone in the neighborhood had a Trail 90 or 70 growing up.

[@74beeper97]

I love this guys enthusiasm for these little bikes..... My first motorcycle was a 1973 Z50 and man do i miss it. Now that i have boys of my own, i would love to get one for them but damn they are crazy expensive now!

[@tomahawkjo8574]

My first bike was a 1974 Z50 and I still have it to this day. I am now 38 and both my kids still ride it. It is a bike that I will hold on to until it gets passed down to my kids. Still looks and runs great (considering its age).

[@propblast82nd]

I’d love to buy one but not for $4000 . I wonder if they pay that much In Thailand for these ?

[@spinnetti]

mine was a MT50 in yellow. Used of course.. maybe a 1970?

[@g4lines197]

Ct70 clone or build a z50 k3 for cheep. I’m about to engine swap my ct70 clone for a 212 manual 5 speed and will be building a z50a with the old engine

[@mmanjin]

Owned a Trail 70 back in the 70’s as a teenager. Grew up in the country and most rode off road. A lot of fun.

[@laranaarana]

My first trail motorcycle was a Honda 70c.c. that my father gave me for Christmas in 1972, I was 10 years old; when I turned 14 he gave me an SL-125. I had a lot of fun riding it on the back roads where we lived. I sure want to buy one!

[@thejubieexperience]

What isn't often touched on in comparisons is how terrible the old stock 6v headlights were at night. The headlight is a candle when stopped. I have an old trail 90 and a c70. I often take one of my newer bikes if there is any chance of riding after dark. The risk is just too great for me. My new CT125 lights up the city roads and dirt roads great. That increased flexibility more than offsets the missing dual range for me. Nice video. The shifter is definitely something to think about. I hear some are being recalled. I wonder if this is part of it.

[@andystm]

That's a simple enough upgrade, I always convert my bikes to led headlamps

[@ssrc30]

Andy is very bad for my pocket book. I wasn't interested in the Trail until I saw him demonstrate the bikes abilities. Hope to see him on here more often. We all need a bad influence in our lives 😂

[@lightworker4512]

Lol. Well, there are far worse influences!

[@justauser]

Same! I have cruiser street bikes, but I don't have anything offroad.. this is to enticing

[@samueldamewood5273]

That creeper gear was a winner. I used to skid logs with mine.

[@michaeldvorak5556]

Had a 90cc in 1970. That was a great little bike. It didn't have the high/low. I bought the larger gear that bolted to the rear sprocket. Didn't use that much unless I wanted to climb trees. Drove a lot of trails and dirt roads but was also my only transportation. Could do 50 if I crouched down. The shift drum bolt holding the selector plate snapped and it went from 4th to 1st at 50 mph. That poor engine screamed. No damage though.

[@the_jarmel]

Good decision guys on the interview...👏

[@fiveletters]

I don't know if this is the case on the CT125, on my Honda Cub knockoff, the shifter mates onto a pinion gear. You can loosen the grubscrew that affixes it, take off the lever, and put it back on in a position that lowers the rear part of the lever. I did this on the clone and it made the bike much easier to ride standing on the pegs when I didn't have to worry about kicking it into part-neutral or a different gear.

[@josephsullivan5145]

Great guy to bring in for a review!! Thank you for the video!!!

[@mortongosh983]

I am in my second year with this bike. Love it. Honda is now replacing the shifters now for free ( at least in Japan they are).

[@tauncfester3022]

We rode a lot of 2 stroke DS bikes back in the day Yamaha's Trailmaster 80 and L5T 100. Suzuki's TS and TC90 were fantastic and somewhat more adult sized with 18" wheels, as were Hodakas, the Ace 100 and Road Toad. The SL series of Hondas were also good.

[@Dot0011]

My 110 atc had the high low. Worked great

[@chopperchopster]

I have a mint 1970 Trail 70. I just fool around with it in my yard. Its way cool. Looks weird parked next to my choppers but I love it.

[@danielpredsox]

Fantastic evaluation of the Honda CT or Trail 125. Everything you stated in the video is spot on and very accurate. Mine is approaching 5,000 KM and have loved each and every kilometer. I have swapped out to a Moriwaki exhaust, 42 tooth rear sprocket, passenger seat, passenger foot pegs, handle bar risers, G Craft crash bar, Vee Rubber 022 tires and several other minor accessories. Loving life both in and around the city of Chiang Mai and also into the Northern Thailand mountains with my friend "the old Oakie retired in Thailand" otherwise known as Eddie. He is the one who has been experimenting with Torque, power, tires, etc and has fine tuned his CT 125 into a well oiled machine. Anyway, thanks for a fun informative video of the awesome Honda CT 125.

[@RobertBrown-vm9gu]

Have 4 ct90's in various stages.. Great hunting tool used to haul in n out in the mtns.

[@s9plus20]

I am old school, got my motorcycle endorsement in 1976. First thing I did to my Harley Street Glide was to get rid of that heel shifter. Made it much more enjoyable to be able to move my foot back on the floorboard for some comfort. I started off with a Honda 50 when I was 10ish, moved to a Honda trail 70 after that. It was a wonderful bike! Looked just like the blue one in the video. I went to a Suzuki TS185 and on to street bikes after that. Rode a Kawasaki KZ1000 for a while. I went bikeless when I had kids. After they were grown I went to Harley's. Even though my wife has a Harley Sportster and I have a Street Glide and a Dyna Switchback, A pair of these new Honda Trails would be lots of fun for the wife and I.

[@lynchcreekmuzzy5759]

Depending year/ model, Harley their can be an issue with wear and tear on the Shift Linkage if you remove heel shifter. I use my heel shifter, 2011 Road Glide 62,000mi, but went ahead and upgraded the shift linkage for preventative maintenance, because when they break....you ain't going anywhere.

[@ironwolfF1]

Bonus Round: in Thailand, you can get a 142cc big-bore kit for the CT-125. (And more after-market items than you can shake a stick at...)

[@goodcitizen]

I’m the proud owner of a super clean unmolested 1969 K1 Trail 90 all original. Also a 2021 Trail 125 and am waiting on another Trail 125. I have so much slow fun! I’m 62 years young … ok now when I want to go a bit faster and raise the adrenaline bar I get on my 2021 CRF 450RL with Yoshi and Vortex running Sunoco GTX260 unleaded 98 octane. This video was an absolute treat. Thank you and ride on!

[@clifffoltz651]

Nice video of new equipment and talks of old bikes , would like to resurrect my 72 ct 70 some day just to ride around the yard that would be so much fun and bring back so many memories from back in the day ! ! Thanks again !

[@maegeri007]

I know what you mean. I have a 1972 also. I'm retired now and I think that I am going to get it running again. It has a 4 speed transmission.

[@elroyosorio8850]

I've owned Honda motorcycle since 1969. My first bike was an SL90, then an XL 250, then a NT650 Hawk, and what I thought would be my last bike, a CB1100. But I grew too old for that bike, so I sold it. And I got a Trail 125. Time has come round.

[@bigjohn3928]

In 1977,use to visit cousins in N.eastern Pennsylvania, to a city kid, it felt like the mountains of the mid west.. The Trail 70 was the bike we spent hours of fun on...

[@MrBillCNW]

I love the old Honda motorcycles from the 1970s I owned a 1972 Honda CB 100 blue and white in color it was my first motorcycle I wish I still had it. 😢

[@ytr8989]

On the new CT125 Trail the front fenders are set to low. It would probably make sense to raise them, especially if you navigate through muddy terrain.

[@caribooskidoo3997]

I agree. I'm moving the fender on my'ct90 up for better clearance.

[@jhoncho4x4]

1964 Super Cub C102 - restored, I bought all new body parts available from Malaysia and a new semi auto Lifan 125 4 speed. I added the dual rear sprocket wheel from the original CT, before low range was added to engine. Have to put on extra longer piece of chain to run the larger sprocket for trail riding.

[@rayditzenberger9517]

My yammy 100 such a setup as this. Wished i had kept it too. Had auto oil mix. Sold it to buy one of the first Pentons. Wished i still had that too

[@onefatstratcat]

My first ride was a 1969 CT70.. we also had two older 90's at the ranch in the mid 70's. I'd herd the cows with the darn things!

[@rangeroadmoto]

That was really enjoyable. You couldn’t have found a better guy to talk about the trail 90. Thanks for making this, it encourages me to get my 1977 ct90 going again.

[@maegeri007]

I have a '72 with a 4 speed transmission. Needs some TLC.

[@Propelled]

By the way Enfield is selling those junky heavy things they make, I’d say that Honda needs to make a 450 Trail so that it would go freeway to trail. Add a low range to it and it would be a world conquerer!

[@rogersmith7396]

They used to make an off road version of their 350 and 450 street bikes. They were cool looking but not very good off road. Very heavy.

[@gro_skunk]

A slightly larger Trail 125 with the 300cc engine from the CRF300l and a low range would definitely be a magnificent beast

[@16driver16]

I swapped a 1985 atc 110 engine and harness into my old 1970 ct90 it's now got a cdi ignition, battery free charging system and 107cc. Only drawback is its pullstart now. Still has a honda engine with semi auto 4spd with hi and low range. All I had to add really was a voltage regulator . The atc125m is an even better engine swap. With these hondas you can't buy just one, you end up with 8 like I did

[@richardvalitalo3670]

It would be cool to see a 250 3 wheeler engine swap with shaft drive & rearend swap.

[@16driver16]

@@richardvalitalo3670 at that point you would just have a 250 3 wheeler with a front tire that may or may not have enough grip to turn, a live rear axle so asphalt and concrete wouldn't be fun above maybe 40mph, with a delta trike platform it'd be really tippy, and the front tire won't have nearly the same floatation as the stock one either so it'd take away from either bike

[@16driver16]

@@richardvalitalo3670 not to mention the frame on these bikes necessitates a horizontal cylinder and idk of any horizontal cylinder engines unless you look around quad engines maybe

[@richardvalitalo3670]

@@16driver16 I meant a shaft drive 2 wheeler rear hub. Just a different project if you like building !

[@16driver16]

@@richardvalitalo3670 why not just use one of the 250cc chain drive to make it that much more simple or use a motorcycle with a frame already made for that style engine why start with one of these to do what you want? Why not something that wouldn't fight every part of that

[@norsefalconer]

I am absolutely puzzled and disappointed that there isn't a two speed transfer case. Wouldn't keep me from getting one, but, imo, Honda missed the mark on that one.

[@berg6964]

AGREED!! Im his age & agree, so much fun back in the day lol. Awesome to see almost the same bike made today

[@sscbkr48]

Asked a hunter that loves his ct90 about whether he'd buy the 125.. He said no hi/lo, not interested!

[@nitroAle]

Yeah but I don't think you really need it

[@gregnutter4658]

I had a trail 110 when I was 12. It was a Great bike and tough as nails. Thank you Dad for getting me this, memories last for ever.

[@sdbobbyt]

I learned how to ride on a trail 70! It was 1970 I rec'd one for my birthday, but the whole family loved it. The two other kids were bigger than me so they got to ride it whenever they wanted. We had a Trail 90 too, with the auto/manually shift transmission. Wasn't as popular at campouts as the 70. Everyone, including all the other families, wanted to ride that 70. Good stuff.

[@pasdutout4690]

Absolutely great video. Hope Honda brings it to Canada before I die from despair...

[@SingleTrackMined]

The heel/toe shifter is great in the tough going where you can't or don't want to put your foot under the lever. Esp underwater where you can't see what's under your foot. We had 2 Trail 90s when I was a kid. A yellow one with the double sprockets for low range. You carried an extra length of chain and when you wanted low range you added the chain in and put it on the large rear sprocket. Also had a red one that shifted hi/lo as the one in the video. Rode those all over downeast Maine. Fun fun fun.

[@zyonsdream]

I taught both my kids how to ride on a Super Cub 125. We don’t have access to off road trails or land so they never rode quads or dirt bikes. I liked that the Cub was manual shift without a clutch. It let them focus on learning to ride. Once they had the basic skills, we upgraded to a CB500F and they learned the clutch. This was before the Trail 125 launched. Now I want to buy all of us one. These things are so cool.

[@sprc3352]

I am going back and forth about the CT125 or a Monkey 125 , just wish the dealers had them actually there in stock to see / test ride for myself .

[@findingneutral]

I am very fortunate and thankful to have both bikes. The Monkey is definitely more street oriented build wise. Whereas the Trail125 can do both, but as Andy nailed it "If your going to do mostly street riding the Trail125 might not be the bike for you". The reason I zero in on his statement is because that's exactly what I felt like after I bought mine and then came to the conclusion there was nowhere off-road nearby I could go ride legally. So I was just riding mine on road which eventually got boring because of the way the Trail125 is geared. The Monkey on-road beings it is classified by Honda as a street bike out shines the Trail125 in its stock form. Additionally, comfort wise the Monkey seat and rider's triangle is more comfy ( at least for me as I'm 5'6 145pds). You can definitely make the Monkey into an off road bike, but even after doing those mods an oem stock Trail125 will still be a better choice for off road due to its build. One thing to consider as well is the new 2022 Monkey's have a 5th gear and a dedicated removable oil filter. No more taking the whole side case off to clean a screen and oil spinner. What got me into these bikes was buying and trying to refurb a 1970 ct90. Then I bought a 2019 Monkey. Failed on the rebuild and literally right then Honda released the 2021 Trail125. By then I was hooked on the looks and classic vintage vibe of the Trail/CT so I put my deposit down. I know this is a lot of jibber jabber, but it boils down to setting aside each bikes looks factor a moment and asking yourself what kind of riding your going to do mostly and whether or not you can eventually have both bikes. To me having both bikes is like having a 250cc dual purpose bike, but cut down the middle. Monkey for street, Trail125 for the trail. Lastly, make sure you review each bikes load capacity. Since these engines are so tiny rider's weight and any carrying of loads will definitely impact your ability to get up to speed and whether or not you'll have to upgrade the factory suspension right away. Due to my smaller build I've been able to stick with the factory gearing and suspension on both bikes. No mods to the engine either besides just the header pipes and Yoshimura exhausts. Hope this info helps.

[@jerroldshelton9367]

I have a "hot rodded" CT 70 with a 125cc engine transplant, lower gearing, etc. I've had the bike since Christmas of '71. If I didn't have it, I'd be in the queue for a CT 125. It's more "grown up" ergonomically. At least to me. The Monkey doesn't feel that much different to me to what I've got to cause me to want one and I think having motorcycle wheels instead of what are essentially scooter wheels would be nice in the dirt for the same reason I'm not going back to 26" wheel All Terrain Bicycles after having a Specialized Hardrock 29'r. Scooter wheels don't stop me from getting where I want to go on my CT-70, though. ;)

[@findingneutral]

@@jerroldshelton9367 Wow, that CT70 sounds awesome. And the fact you've enjoyed it all these years is a testament to how great the timeless CT platform really is. Would be amazing if you could one day have both your's and a new Trail125. You'd be time warping going from bike to bike 😎💫👍

[@jerroldshelton9367]

@@findingneutral That little CT 70 of mine has taken me to some pretty amazing places. It just hasn't taken me to any of them very quickly. Not by "dirt bike" standards, anyhow. I'd probably get the new Trail 125 if my kids were in to riding the CT 70 I've got, but they've never been interested in riding it. They seem to think trail bikes are too much like work and come with a "learning curve" they can't be bothered with. If I had a "quad," they'd fight over taking turns riding it, but "two-wheels and dirt" just isn't something they're keen on. The way my situation is now, it would be hard to justify a new Trail 125 when I can already get everywhere I want to go on my 125cc-swapped CT 70.

[@findingneutral]

@@jerroldshelton9367 Cannot blame you there then. Well maybe one day something will present itself. You've got the real deal and its still serving you well. Two wheels are much more fun to me than 4. But yeah, thats mostly what I see in my parts. 4 wheelers all over the place.

[@johnpetersen8238]

I had the Honda 90, with the high\ low trans. I wish they would make the trail 70 again. They were awesome too.

[@ForeverYoungAaron]

Your wish has kinda been answered! Look up the Honda Dax

[@nostrilnick]

Takes me back seeing the CT70 (Trail 70). This is the bike that introduced me to motorcycles and off road riding in the late 70s as a young teen. What a hoot these little things were. I haven't ridden anything motorized on two wheels since the 80s, but videos like this make me want to get a Monkey or something similar. Looking back, it just happened this way, but I've never ridden anything that wasn't a Honda. CT70, XR80, XR200, CR125, and CB400... what a great time to be alive.

[@jasonhochman3750]

I just got my Trail 125. Taking a little practice to get the shifting right. Downshifting to first I had the rear skid a couple of times. I can't get used to the heel shifter. From what I saw online elsewhere, the clutch works when you hold down the shift lever, so releasing slowly when shifting is like using the clutch.

[@Ur_fav_me_b2j]

Great video Andy man. I miss you and CO. Seeing these videos is so cool cause you are so authentic. Learned a ton from you back in the day and truly wish I was still able to hang with ya and pick your brain. Keep up the great work.

[@Wolf359HeavyIndustries]

The question about the lack of a low gear was not answered. He talked about how good it was and then the subject got misdirected into changing countershaft teeth as an alternative. It could be 5 speed with TL125 gearing but as it is, what is the difference from a Grom?

[@fredflintstone6163]

My ct 110 high low gears is the magic of the machine

[@valedslinger6290]

Bro I had a Mini Trail 50, a Sl 70 and then a XR 75 the minute that hit the dealer. I raced the SL and the XR in minicycyle motocross. Trophy every race. Glory days.

[@kenbonner6]

The best mod i ever did for the trail 70 is a 110 motor with hi/lo gear box. makes it a perfect all around camp/trail bike. ( makes a tote goat scrap crap. )

[@Wabbit1961]

Awesome review. My brother is looking at this or the new Navi. One person can load this in the extended cab of a truck or buy a rear rack and the same applies. I do think it's a shame that the new engine doesn't have the low/hi switch and I honestly don't see a reason for the dual shifter, but overall that's just a niggle. The shifter can always be replaced and I'm sure it's out there and not expensive or hard to do.

[@johnrickards1908]

For the shifter, all you need is a hacksaw and the balls to do it!

[@drott150]

I used to have an SL90, which was configured as a normal motorcycle with the same engine as the Trail 90. I'd rather have that bike than the Trail as it's more capable off road and at least as good on the road as well. But both were heavy and grossly underpowered. You quickly outgrow them and want more within a very short time interval.

[@tauncfester3022]

My friends called my SL90 the SLow90 it was pretty handicapped by overall weight, but the fuel tank seemed to take forever to empty.

[@hillbillysportsman5818]

This was the “ATV” before there were ATVs. I had an uncle that used one hunting an seen many deer strapped to the rear rack.

[@Dave-sw2dm]

I got to ride a friends Trail 90 off road when I was a teenager. Great video.

[@robc.5745]

Very good video from a guy that knows his stuff .Still enthusiastic about it and very knowledgeable .Do they an aftermarket shifter or would you just cut the rear piece off? .I had a CT 70 as a 15 yr. old and when I sold it 4 yrs. later I had 3,600 miles on it all in the trails, It ran like a clock.

[@davidchristensen6908]

I grew up playing on the Honda 65cc, HONDA Tail 70 & 90 and I started on my Honda 1959 65 cc when I was in 4th grade but the Honda trail 90 with low range I loved riding them even when I moved on to much larger street bikes. This guy is right the more time you spend on one of these in the dirt the better rider you will be later. I loved the Hondamatic on these. Shifting is fine but anyone can operate a Honda trail 90 and have fun.

[@fritzd2116]

That is really cool. I never owned a Trail, but my very first motorbike was a 1975 Honda Z-50. Great memories.

[@daweed980]

Awesome video getting this pro's perspective!

[@timcastens1150]

Right on, bring back the 305 dream, loved the old Bridgestone 90 's, wish Honda would bring those types of bikes back.

[@ronalddaub9740]

Oh wow I got my first job in 1976 because I could work on a overhead cam Honda engines, and the rest,😎 this is cool.

[@tracykimball6919]

This guy knows his stuff, absolutely trust him. Just the look on his face says it all. Thanks for sharing

[@rachelsatlas]

I went over the handlebars of a CT 90 in 1979. I did allot more damage to myself than the bike. I wish I still had it. Those are great and fun bikes.

[@sceneanuerebelrebel9244]

Hi and lo range missing and needs the 142cc kit to make up for no low range and more street friendly..

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

I'm wondering if the wheel hub (which looks like a "drum brake" hub) preserved "the look" while also enabling the use of already existing spokes that are common in the supply-chain. Wouldn't surprise me, at least.

[@tauncfester3022]

Having respoked and rimmed my 1966 Honda Cub, these particular spokes are really common on the market, as are the 17" rims. I used to own a 1964 Yamaha MF-1 with really rusted out 16" rims and discovered that the C-100 rims and spokes from a motorcycle junkyard were a direct swap over for the old hard to find 16" X2.25" rims and tires. It made the engine labor a little more on grades and made the speedometer read a little closer to an honest speed.

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

@@tauncfester3022 Did you ever think of changing the sprocket(s) to adjust for the new wheel diameter?

[@tauncfester3022]

@@libraeotequever3pointoh95 yeah sprocket parts for that bike weren't the biggest problem I had after rebuilding the wheels. If anything it was a little faster on the level and the engine seemed a little more relaxed. I sort of doubted that the Yamaha shop had even seen one of these bikes, step-through Yamaha's were very rare in my past experience with them, you very rarely see a C-100 Honda Cub nowadays and back then my 65 C-100-T was really rare and that Yamaha I was told was imported in very small numbers

[@timcraig1161]

honda 70's of old I think was more for the hunter years ago people used then for going through the timber and up in the mountains the new trail is more street oriented with the thin tires but it is still cool

[@mattb3283]

No doubt..I'm 53 and bought a 2020 monkey..takes me back to my youth and puts a smile on my face. Just perfect on the farm. My harley street glide is jealous.

[@staninjapan07]

Top video! I may, if I can get a low mileage one at the right price, replace my 2015 PCX with one of these in a few years once the PCX has done its expected 150,000 kilometres of loyal service (well serviced loyal service). I use the PCX to commute, though, and while I ride manual bikes, too, I think the CVT may be better for getting through traffic. This, though, would not remain only a commuter!

[@parkland4530]

I owned a 90 Trail when they first came out. Late 60s I think. Great bike. Wonderfully durable. Wish I still owned it..

[@lauramater628]

The trail 70s were awsome bikes my dad wanted to save a buck and bought me a Gemini 50 and it lasted way longer than it should due to the amount of miles.

[@NitwitMN]

With this, you’ve offered to the world one of the finest (if not best, certainly within top three) profiles of the Trail - True story: I scored points with the bride after sharing with her. She thinks these bikes are fun, but thanks to your piece, she now also thinks these bikes are cool. Guess I picked out a cool platform. Owner of VINs ending 199 & 811 in Minnesota

[@Jokker868]

Awesome I had a 70 and a 50 back in the day you couldn't kill them great little bikes

[@ProlificInvention]

I'd cut that rear foot shift near the cantilever point, make a tight fitting 2" sleeve, and tighten it down with set screws. That way you can reattach it on demand with just a screwdriver.

[@SMKreitzer1968]

Brings back memories, had 2 CT 70's growing up!

[@stephencrandellsr4915]

I wonder if theirs a way to get a CDI unit replacement for my 1983 CT 110?

[@tombombadilofficial]

Where I live, small bikes like this is the king. Always fun to see people enjoying small cc bikes.

[@chuckbowen5024]

Never having used one of those rocker shifters I think I would probably get rid of it just because it's tough to teach an old dog new tricks. I don't have a trail I have an XL-100 from 1974 that I put a luggage rack on the back of it. It gets me to the fishing hole and relives my misspent youth.

[@medarby3066]

Learned to ride a bike on my uncles 4 speed manual trail 70 when i was 10. Then parents bought me my own used 3 speed automatic trail 70 when i was 12. Honda is printing money with these new versions.

[@wsbill14224]

I'm almost as old as you and I bought a new 2009 CRF230L in 2012 for $3,699 + tax. Best money I ever spent except for my SKSs in 1993. It is great for commuting or exploring or beer runs and is a full size dirt bike so it is way more capable and comfortable and has 17 HP not 9. Bigger wheels and more suspension and more power and same high quality for the same price. Wish I had that cargo rack though.

[@mwyatt222]

my 1st bike was a gold ct trail 70. Then xr 75. Then cr 125 elsinore. Then Yamaha yz 250. Then cr 250 elsinore as a kid.

[@linneasmith9522]

You’ll be seeing a gold CT Trail 70 soon 😁

[@daweed980]

This bike looks like a lot of fun for a small pocket bike. I can't decide between this or a Grom. I don't do any trail riding but the added ground clearance and suspension travel is nice to have. Plus being a semi automatic would be nice for non riders, like my wife, to give this bike a ride and hook them into the hobby 😄

[@DonaldMohrMusic]

For street only, the super cub might be better

[@jshireley]

@@everettstormy Gonna assume you have little to no experience in the Grom marketplace. Few vehicles hold their value as well as used Honda bikes, and Groms are no exception. Like, by far.

[@GratefulEd907]

My wife took over my trail 110 she loves it I still ride it though sometimes I have to walk right past the XR650L to get to it.

[@rogersmith7396]

The average 125 dirt bike goes good on the street. A 175 is better.

[@robpond7385]

First bike honda 50 step through rode on road and on trails it was a blast I am 70 now love to have that 125 go have a blast again

[@WyldeRoots]

My Trail 125 is on order! Hopefully in July...

[@GregHuston]

With the electronics, just don't expect to park it behind a shed for decades and expect it to run after 30 years (like many have done with the CT90).

[@garyjohnson1970]

I started my 50 years of riding on a CT70, now at 65 I want to go slow. Im getting one to end my career. I just need to cruise around DC. I hear the complaints but i dont think they understand the machine. And everyone wants fast, it doesn't do fast. What it does is everything else! Sometimes you have to dismount for hills and obstacles...been there done that. Im excited!😊

[@jocap7993]

Before Honda added the Hi-Lo shift to to the early trail 90's, they had an extra rear sprocket bolted to the street sprocket with a short piece of chain. This allowed slower travel with more power. Great bike, lots of good memories really glad to see them again.

[@danielhoskins976]

I had a 50 & my older brother, the "Trail 55". They both had the larger rear sprocket on the 'carrier', with extra chain, 2nd master-link and 4 bolts in the little compartment on the chassis. We learned (fairly soon) to always have a new (3rd) master link along, also- since breaking (or losing) the little spring clip- (after all the time/work of bolting the bigger trail sprocket on) was all for naught, and we'd both have to turn back if that happened! The "hi-lo" switch on the Trail 90's were worth their weight in gold, when they came up with that awesome innovation! I cannot believe the new 'Trail 125' doesn't have that "hi-lo" selector!! That is the huge & glaring drawback to this new model! ...(such a sad oversight)!

[@stevenjohnston3328]

These bike's have been delivering the mail in Australia since the early 80's..

[@hodaka1000]

I rode Honda 90s when I worked for Australia Post in the late 70s and again in the early 80s

[@grantdeisig1360]

I want to get one of these as well. I have a 64' trail 55 that I'm working on currently.