WORTH THE MONEY??? Honda Trail 125

Today, we convert Brock's 2021 Honda Trail 125 into a full on overlanding adventure motorcycle, with the installation of a new side rack provided to us by Kemimoto! Stay tuned because after this one guys, there isn't anything this bike won't be able to handle that we throw at it!
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[@WilcoxGarageRecovery]

A very informative review of the product. I think as you pointed out, while the side rack is a very durable product, a rider still needs to understand the weak points of the machine itself. I was very well entertained with the banter while watching this, which I think will help keep your viewers engaged. I think videos like this will also help product manufacturers perfect their products, leading to more happy consumers. 👍🏻

[@retro_grade]

Thanks. I'm glad that through our humor and banter, that point was effectively made. It's not really the rack manufacturer's fault of the weak point of the CT's mounting points, they worked with what they had for the most part. Now, what they were thinking on the Rotopax stuff I'm not sure..... Hopefully they take our humor lightly and make some improvements to this - maybe they are "doing it as we speak", as Andrew said 😂

[@rjchandler6477]

Love this content guys

[@retro_grade]

Thanks, we certainly appreciate it! This video took a bit more to get where we wanted it to go 😂

[@ToursOfManyAreas]

It's not the OEM toolbox bracket welds that are of concern, it's the bracket itself. With enough weight on it, it is likely to crack from fatigue over time. The third attachment point helps prevent it from flexing, but there are still reports of it happening with side racks that have a third attachment point to the side reflector. This is why the Japanese (and Canadian) market model has added extra mount points to the rear carrier for accessories such as the OEM Honda side box.

[@retro_grade]

Yeah, that makes sense - I thought I had read it was the welds but maybe I just assumed. Looking underneath mine, I thought the welds looked fine (but considering the recall on the shifter weld thought maybe it was still possible). I actually had a voiceover section scripted and recorded at the end of this video, where I talked about even the added weight of the rack itself fatiguing the mout over time (versus a simple overload condition), and the small design envelope that Kemimoto had to work within to make this with a lack of mounting options available. I also mentioned that there is some framework underneath the plastic fender that we were pretty harsh on, but that it still doesn't stack up to being a decently rigid subframe like many other dual sport models would have. We decided that this segment was a bit repetitive, dove down into the weeds a bit too far, and that "it will break" was sufficient, so it got cut out the day before release. Interesting that the non-US models have extra mounting points to the rear carrier. That would be a huge benefit for accessories like this one. Now, (if you can't tell by our banter) I'm not one to load one of these CT's up and travel with it, but a pretty significant porition of the US owners actually do. Honda should take note of this. -Brock

[@Argo-F-Ur-Sef]

So is that a recommend?

[@retro_grade]

Depends - if you want a reasonably priced, available in the US, well built rack that you don't mind having do work on a bit to get a Rotopax to mount up to it well, then it's fine. If you want to mount a Rotopax up and don't want to have to grind or file on anything, then you may want to look around. Aside from the Rotopax part, we thought it went together very easy and was well made. If you plan on loading it up with a bunch of weight, you may need to reinforce the mounting area at the tool box on your Honda. (This would be the case for most racks out there, unless they mount up to the side of the luggage rack instead).

[@Boscob155]

That will not pass inspection 😅

[@retro_grade]

Which part? And what "inspection" are we referring to lol? Just in general as a statement? I mean, there aren't many other mouting points for a rack like this to bolt up to this bike. I'm not sure that other designs are much better. Personally, I just wouldn't use one, in general.

[@Boscob155]

Don't want it 😮

[@retro_grade]

What about the rack makes you not want it?

[@BillyBoblovesthedirt]

I want to see the old CT parked in the garage. If you don’t mind.