Running out of Gas in the Desert: 1k mile ride shakedown run

The Honda Trail CT125 minimoto gets great gas mileage but every tank runs out eventually. I set out to ride to Death Valley National Park and find out just how far you can go on a single tank of gas. This video was also intended to be a dry run for my attempt at riding 1000 miles in 24 hours. Calling it a success may be overly positive but I did learn a lot.
If you want to read about my journey to the thousand mile attempt, www.baldrider.com is my blog.
#trail125 #honda #motorcycle #adventuremotorcycle #deathvalley #desert #adventure #ct125 #minimoto

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

Lack of common sense is one of the dangers I suffer from, which I point out in my video on too long days. But well done! Test + data = improvement. I hope the problems with the bike are easily rectified. You are an inspiration.

[@baldrider]

Breaking things for the first time on a new bike is like getting the first scratch on a new car. Once it happens, I lose the hesitation to do things because it might get messed up. I anticipate more shenanigans in the future...but not until we do this 1k run. I need the bike to be reliable to run at full throttle for 1000 miles. After that, all bets are off.

[@pbeardy]

Sorry to hear about Booger! I do hope any internal “damage” were related only to that trip and I hope the external damage gets fixed up soon. Trona, California- only known to me as the hometown of a very good friend of mine.

[@Limewire1984]

So, I live in Rochester, NY. I plan to do the Lower Great Lakes Iron Butt on a Shadow Phantom [about 1025 miles, last I looked]. I don't like to fail; so, I plan to do a 250 miles trip, then 500, then 750, and the Big Kahuna. Hopefully, this summer, but we'll see.

[@baldrider]

Sounds like a solid plan but it eats a lot of time. If you’ve never done a long-ish ride before, you’ll probably learn the most about comfort in the 250 trip. I’d probably skip the 750 but you’ll be able to decide for yourself once you finish the 500

[@Limewire1984]

@@baldrider I'll keep the 750 decision in mind.

[@allenanthony2651]

Should've had a pre-test run before the test run.

[@prestonrobert2625]

I have a 125 just like yours that I bought in July. I am 73 and live around Daytona Beach bone stock. Man this old biker gets new life off this lil Green Hornet. Ha ha they are like a Harley want to buy stuff.

[@baldrider]

At least stuff for this bike is cheaper…until you have to pay shipping. It’s the most fun bike I’ve ever had.

[@janvandermark2747]

Well I’ve posted on your videos before with having a ruckus and contemplating getting a trail125. Well, I did it because the ruckus needed to be about 10-15 MPH quicker on some stretches of road. I end up getting the turmeric yellow color for the 2024 model. I previously owned the 2022 one in red, if my memory serves me correctly. It seems the 2024 model is a bit slower than my 2022 model. I could get up to 60 mph pretty easily on straightaways with it here in Florida. The 2024 model is only getting up around 50 to 52 mph… AnyWho, just thought I’d share.

[@baldrider]

Maybe it isn't broken in yet. Mine gained a few mph's after about 1000 miles

[@AdventuresonZero]

I’d love to check out this route and see if it’s possible on electric. Can you send me the details of your route? Curious how the Del Mar would perform. I can run it through my planning process

[@baldrider]

I published the proposed complete route on my website www.baldrider.com/blog/ironbeard2

[@eugeniodesantiago6640]

Where u get that seat from? Must be really comfortable if you drove all those miles.

[@baldrider]

I bought a used Corbin before the trip. I have no complaints with the seat. However, the backrest is digging holes into it.

[@IdeaStudioBKK]

Always good to do test runs, sorry to hear you jacked up the bike. But on the up side it sounds like you had an epic adventure on that jeep trial. For us big boys weight is always gonna be an issue on small bikes. Its just a fact of life. Have you thought of getting like an ADV bar to mount everything on? I have a setup like that on my grom and my exciter and it allows me to mount everything in front of the bars, keeping them free. That lower fuel range on the way back is def concerning, hopefully its just due to wind and elevation. You could always pick a more optimal route, and then make it a one way trip if possible... Fuel wise tho, the only option is the carry it with you, so not much you can do about that. Good luck with the repairs and still excited for the future successful attempt.

[@baldrider]

While struggling on the trail, I was kicking myself for not having cameras on. I thought I had forgotten my memory cards at home but they were in my pocket the whole time. It would have made for entertaining content. I've got some rethinkings to rethink, for sure. I chose to do the practice/shakedown on this route because I expected it to be the worst of the gas mileage. Everything else should be a bit better. I'm going to have to do it again when I change the front sprocket to see if it affects the mileage. And 62mph is scary on this little bike. I backed off because I thought the thing was going to explode. At least comfort isn't an issue, mostly. One less thing to worry about.

[@IdeaStudioBKK]

@@baldrider yeah would have made for some great footage. it's too bad you can't get a bigger tank for the CT, well not with at least plumming in an external tank.

[@ShahryarSaigol]

All those devices on the handlebar act as air brakes. Better to mount all that stuff behind an angled windshield. And you already know the best way to lose weight...Keto. Yeah it really sucks.

[@baldrider]

It appears my reply has disappeared. I’m not really interested in a windshield. That’s more stuff and I am a big wall of human who is going to catch the wind anyway. I did stop eating for a couple weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas last year to try to make some progress. I posted a video over on my other channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i37FY3SbeKpsn9Esi=skBvk7EcM52sSafR

[@Kathikas1]

I don’t know if your own rules allow it, or if indeed it would help, but could you or an accomplice, place a fuel stash or two along route? This might lighten your load both physically and mentally!

[@baldrider]

That isn't out of the realm of possibility. Depending on how the next dry run goes, I might need to get a chase/support vehicle.

[@JR-zz4zy]

I figured that I would eventually tow my bike these places with my truck, then I could safely ride around with some extra fuel and return back to truck when i'my done. Looking forward to your 13T sprocket video. There are a few inclines on my commute where the speed limit is 45, but I can only maintain 35. Maybe the 13T plus an intake/exhaust. Not sure if I'd want to do a Big Bore Kit. Good luck and, be careful out there.

[@baldrider]

That’s a more reasonable way to get there. Booger is still sitting broken in the garage at the moment. I haven’t had time to fix him and get that 13T on. Hoping to get back to it soon.

[@UguysRnuts]

What a FN disaster. This becomes more cringe with every instalment. Multiple falls is crazy. Quit while you're ahead.

[@banjogames2003]

Bikes are built to be used