The Honda Trail was invented by an American: Herb Uhl

[@SmallBikeStuff]

I've just heard from Herb. He has seen the video and enjoys it. Mission success! Thanks everyone for watching so far. It's been a rewarding experience to get this important piece of history online.

[@bavarianbanshee]

Absolutely fantastic interview. Pass on our love and appreciation to Herb. He's an absolute legend.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

He really is. The Honda Trail is an amazing legacy. Thanks for viewing the video.

[@PSBEadventures]

As I've gotten older, the hands on the clock seem to have doubled in speed and only getting faster. I rode a trail as a kid and got the new 125 in 21. Out on the trail in the backcountry, I've noticed time slows back down to my childhood. I'd like to personally thank Herb for the trail and Honda for bringing it back! Greatly appreciate you making this interview happen man!! What a piece of history of a machine that left its mark on so many of us!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thats a great comment. These bikes certainly have a way of instilling nostalgia. I am a fan of any small Honda! Thanks for watching, and thanks for the comment.

[@weebercorey]

What a legend. I'm so surprised he's not angry that Honda stole his idea and made millions without giving him a dime or even naming the bike "The Uhl". What a great story. History made!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

It's certainly interesting - I agree that he didn't get enough credit. Recently Honda released a 5 part Manga series about their origins. Herb doesn't even get a mention in the USA video, but it is designed to celebrate Soichiro I guess. Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWrXiKljfbxrb7c

[@mikeratkowski3506]

This man is a national treasure!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

He really is!

[@tedecker3792]

Honda has produced that basic engine for many years. Over 100 million of them. I’ve got a near perfect 1976 trail 90 in my shed. Now I’ll think of Herb every time I fire it up!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks for watching Herb's story!

[@AriH211]

Thanks for documenting this amazing piece of motorcycle history. I'm especially fond of the Trail, and only had a vague understanding of the model's origin. What a treat to hear about it from the man himself. Nice work Callum.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

That’s huge praise coming from one of the greatest sources of motorcycle content in the modern day. Thanks Ari, appreciate your view and glad it could teach a few things about Herb in the process.

[@Garage-dd7kk]

Incredible video! What an honor to have the man himself. The quality is outstanding.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks for the comment! Appreciate you, Dan.

[@petraroams]

Legend !! Awesome to hear these stories straight from the source.... especially the thoughts on the new release... hope Honda takes note.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

It would be cool to see a dual range CT125!

[@HelmetHead]

This is super interesting 👍 Great video.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Yayyyyy it’s Helmet Head! Appreciate your view my friend. Hope all is well.

[@HelmetHead]

@@SmallBikeStuff I’m great thanks buddy 👍

[@gustwowheeling7337]

Great story! Thanks for sharing. Herb you are a legend.

[@ddorko]

Absolute legend. And humble and not bitter to boot. I have had so many good times and made some lifelong friends with my CT cause this guy had a think on how to sell little around town bikes in the boonies.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

I feel the same way. Without Herb, my motorcycle adventures would have been very different.

[@ryanroux5429]

These lovely machines have a keen following here in Johannesburg South Africa 👌👍

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Nice to hear of more people appreciating these bikes around the world!

[@charlesjahnke8549]

Love my 1974 CT 90,1020 miles, Original condition.Has the Hi-Lo transmission!

[@TheRunAndGun10]

Wow! I feel like I’ve just discovered gold watching this video.

[@dougiekavanagh7508]

Thank Herb for tour dedication tip the Honda Trail

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks Herb!

[@Gkuljian]

Thank you for addressing the hi-low gearbox. I would gladly purchase one of the new models if it had that. The low range is a must. Great story! I never knew...

[@RB-po4ce]

Thanks for this video. I noticed Herb's name is mentioned in a recent Honda press release '2023 Honda Trail125 Features & Benefits'. Honda should make a Uhl special, a Trail with a two-range transmission. I would buy one instantly....

[@nealn7349]

This is an incredible piece of history, to be able to interview the man himself and get the full story direct from the source. Great video, very informative and it’s a story that needed to be told.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks Neal. How about we build us some HERCO trails?

[@motobones59]

freakin love this video as well Herb!!! you are the man!!! i am a honda nut and have been for 50 years now and still finding new cool stuff to play with and of course you have to get on the web to find parts and info and that brought me here..thanks so much to the guys behind this video and Herb..i am working on bring back a 1963 honda trail 55 and when it is done it will sit next to my xr75 the ultimate mini bike..thanks and bravo!!!!

[@retro_grade]

Absolutely legendary, fantastic interview! How Herb has not gotten more press for his contribution to the offroad and ATV industry is puzzling. Hearing him say that the only thing Honda contributed was the hi lo, and calling the new 125 'not a good road bike or a good trail bike'' as a result of Honda eliminating that feature made my day!!! 😂

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Great channel you've got there. Just subscribed to it. Gotta be honest thats my favourite part of the video too! He's right though, it's a damn good "off road fun bike".

[@retro_grade]

@Small Bike Stuff thanks, appreciated! I wouldn't hold your breath - our quality over here varies, in usefulness and maturity level at times 🤣 We actually have a Trail 55 (shown in very early videos) that we wanted to use for content on the Trail series history and in comparison to the models that came after. Its one of our many ideas. Was going to film early on after buying the bike, but decided we wouldn't be happy with how it turned out, at our experience level. That's one we want to do 100 percent. One day we'll get there 😆

[@benpinter1988]

Great story, thanks for sharing! Those must've been the golden days of importing whatever you wanted to the US as a small business.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Agreed! Just place an order and when it arrives, go for gold!

[@Chubbydippin]

What a great guy and a absolute pioneer. To see a niche before it becomes one is absolutely amazing. Though he seems content and happy, I hope he got compensated by Honda for having the foresight for this platform becoming so successful. Consumers in so many ways are still the test subjects of development. Good stuff and thankyou for the story, interview and exposing to us all what a amazing man he is.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks so much for watching. It's a creation from that magical moment in time where the 2 wheel industry wasn't yet set in their ways and true innovation was possible.

[@iansansburn4619]

What a great interview! Glad I found your channel, love it!

[@endonutz]

the Uhl's are legend here in Boise...

[@jaspervanp2346]

great interview !

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks for watching!

[@IdeaStudioBKK]

Absolutly epic!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Appreciate you mate! Thanks for viewing.

[@asuehutch18]

Absolutely loved that interview and obviously the bikes

[@youtuber-MGTOW]

Didn´t know that. Thanks! 🙏

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Appreciate you watching. Thanks as always!

[@KIWIMEDIA]

wow !! love it . great work on covering this amazing story guys

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks Kiwi! Hope you enjoy your new CT125!

[@batterybuilding]

Hats off to you for putting together this story. It’s cool to think about the origins of the new bike that I ride every day has such a specific history.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

I appreciate your view. Thank you so much. Agreed also, it's amazing to learn that one of Honda's best selling models has an American to thank for its existence.

[@batterybuilding]

@@SmallBikeStuff The Toyota 4Runner has a very similar story. A stretch from small bikes but interesting for the same reasons.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

@@batterybuilding any pointers to where I can learn more?

[@back-engineered]

Awesome story! Thanks for the video buddy.

[@goodmonkeygarage]

Simply fantastic, such a great interview with a legend! Thanks for getting this story documented for all of us Callum!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks Ray, glad you enjoyed it.

[@chrismorresey1185]

Really beaut bit of history there !

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks for watching buddy. Wouldn’t have my small bike existence without ya.

[@upstateplanes6702]

Awesome story!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

It really is! Thanks so much for watching.

[@mikecampell]

Thank you, sir, I still have a 1974 CT90

[@harrysaunderson-warner4519]

14:06 what a legend

[@SmallBikeStuff]

He really is!

[@dula4552]

Awesome interview! I was planning on getting a ct125, but the 7k price tag is so steep. Have been waiting a few years for them to drop in price or second hand ones to start popping up at a reasonible price. Now hearing how simple the mods were that Herb made to the cub's and the fact that his mods made it ideal for hunting/real off road work. I'll be doing just that now, a cub for 1-2k, swap out the rear sprocket, throw on some knoblies and take off the plastic flarings! Very easy! Then the fact the hi/low gearing is gone with the new ct125's, so you've lost the up hill ability. Why pay 7-8k for a slight off road fun bike as he puts it. A real off road tool simply needs a few cheap mods and it'll perform much better for a heap less! Again really aplreciate this interview and interview!!! 😎

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Sounds like an awesome plan. Cheers for watching and enjoy the build!

[@timhudson1846]

Dula..... That's exactly what I'm doing.. I have a 1969 Honda super cub 90.. Just acquired a duel sprocket rim .. I'll put on a knobby. Remove front fender and faring.. Then figure out how to make a peashooter exhaust.. Presto !! Your right.. much cheaper.. I traded a deer rifle for mine. I do have a Yamaha TW for light duty street riding.. But the little Honda trail will be perfect for tight woods and hills in the Ozarks of Missouri

[@timhudson1846]

​@@SmallBikeStuff yes , awesome interview.. So glad to be able to see it.. I've been wanting a 50 Honda super cub for forever.. Finally found a 1969 super cub.. 90 and ordered up a duel sprockets rim. So my project is starting.. Need a peashooter exhaust.. They are fantastic little bikes. Excellent job on this video.

[@AgentTommyLeep]

great video👍 thanks!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Glad you liked it!

[@earlbigod]

What a great guy!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

He truly is! Thanks for watching.

[@lucky-rowe2623]

This is an amazing story and makes me proud to be from The Treasure Valley. We are very lucky to be just minutes to be riding in the woods to the north and out in the desert if we head south.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Sounds like a dream of a location! Thanks for watching.

[@leeball4]

Thank you so much for this interview! I think this settles the debate, the CT125 should have a high/low gearbox. Herb says so.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Couldn't help but have a little chuckle to myself at that part of the video!

[@jakeheusinkveld]

Thanks for creating this great video. I live in Boise/Garden City across the river from his shop. I met his son, Mike, a few years ago. So glad that his story has been put into video.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

What is the shop like these days? Occupied by something else? I tried to search it on google as I had the address from some old correspondence letters with Honda - but I couldn't quite figure out where it is now.

[@aksaraksar5781]

I pulled a 1965 CT200 out of a barn in Eastern Washington last October. It was completely buried in dirt. Cleaned it up and put in a new battery and it runs and rides great. Funny how long those old bikes last even with no maintenance.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Maintenance schmaintenance. All ya need is new gas and good to go!

[@notsdandard3449]

This is a brilliant piece of history! And such a wicked story! Great work dude!! Keep it up!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Appreciated it Dan. Thanks for watching!

[@Brunow007]

Thanks for the story and insights! Good job!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Appreciate your viewership. Thanks so much for watching.

[@paulquinn428]

Love this story, make me want to restore my C105. Thanks for the awesome video

[@SmallBikeStuff]

That would be awesome to see. Definitely worth the effort.

[@KtotheL]

i love you man ! god bless you. thank you so much

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Herb is a great human!

[@nicholebousman2464]

Cool video and bits of info I didn't know about. Thanks for sharing Herb's story. I bought a brand new Honda CT125 Trail about a year ago. First bike ever. Yep, a newbie when it comes to riding. I've always been a passenger on a bike, and it is not the same. I am enjoying my little Honda and will keep this bike a long, long while. Though I am switching the tires out for meatier ones. Just needed to be done. 😊

[@SmallBikeStuff]

I love the Trail 125. It's a fun bike! I did a review on it a long time ago on the channel. Thanks for watching!

[@nicholebousman2464]

@Small Bike Stuff I have watched that video. Part of what inspired me, along with info I read on them. Decided it was a good fit for me.

[@raymondreid3958]

Fantastic! Thank you...

[@SmallBikeStuff]

And thank you for watching!

[@jessemullins8144]

Thank you so much for this content sir.

[@NicksBikes]

This is phenomenal!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

As always, appreciate your comments and views Nick. Thanks a bunch!

[@papatorr3669]

❤ I like the like button, but I would love a love button. KZbin needs to add a love button for videos like this!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks for watching!

[@Exlancer001]

Very interesting!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks for the view Brett!

[@zukins5003]

How am i not subbed with a name like Small Bike Stuff;) great content and what a cool interview. Like and Subbed

[@SmallBikeStuff]

I've been subbed to you for years brother! Love your videos.

[@zukins5003]

@@SmallBikeStuff yes brother thank you and I do remember you come to a Thailand on a regular basis or at least been for a while. I'm not sure why I didn't follow years back but glad I found ya again. Keep it up I love the small bike segment and I'm learning a lot from you!!

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks mate! Yeah I'm riding from Kuala Lumpur upto Southern Thailand and then back down to Malaysia in late February. It should be a good trip! If you head back to my releases 1 year ago they are mostly from Thailand too - that was the last trip.

[@zukins5003]

@@SmallBikeStuff Do you know yet how far up into Southern Thailand will you be? Maybe I can ride out to meet you guys.And yes I believe I did watch one of your epic trips actually all are;) I'm just enjoying all your videos and did notice Thailand.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

We're going through Yala, Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat then over to Krabi and back down towards Malaysia - I'm on Facebook and Instagram - give us a follow - we could chat more there. Small Bike Stuff.

[@lekomato]

legend

[@timhudson1846]

I need the exhaust pipe for a 69 Honda super cub. Then I can recreate the Honda trail. I already have the duel sprockets

[@kevinc8744]

Good one,

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks for watching.

[@arnenelson4495]

The Trail 90 certainly changed my life for the better. Had a '66 then a new '69 and 50 yrs later I just got a nice '69 I'm restoring. It's a love affair!

[@texassledder]

Sure wish someone would engineer a way to create a high/low gearing setup for the newest gen of the CT........They could continue the legacy a new way.

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Agreed! The lack of low range on the latest Trail Cub can be attributed to the production location of Thailand, where as the previous CT models were all Japan assembled. Honda Thailand provides impeccable build quality, however the power plant for the CT125 has come directly from the Thai Honda line, specifically beginning life as the engine in the Honda Wave, before carrying on with various changes between the Honda Grom, Monkey 125, Super Cub 125 and Dax 125. Honda Thailand have been around in a manufacturing capacity since 1986, and in this time they’ve never provided a bike equipped with a dual range transmission. Honda’s last dual range CT110’s were produced in the early 2000’s. It's almost like the tooling for the dual range stuff was retired and no one thought to ship it over to Thailand for the new bike.

[@ddorko]

I'm just waiting for a hobby machinist to retrofit the hi/low case and internal components onto a CT125. Ooh better yet retrofit an atc 125m engine into a CT 125 and still run it's FI system

[@vinnyvinson]

Good content. History

[@SmallBikeStuff]

Thanks for watching Vinny!

[@johndavis6596]

I hope Honda reparated Herb for inventing the trail bike.