2021 Honda Trail 125 ABS First Ride Review

For many, the news of the 2021 Honda Trail 125 brought on waves of nostalgia, of riding around campsites, trails, and fishing holes during the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. Fast-forward to today and Big Red is ready for more. With the latest Trail poised with purpose by a quaint campsite in Julian, California, the mini moto invites the rider to experience the outdoors. Its accessibility reintroduces adventure to older generations and entices newer riders to explore as well.

Related: Here’s The Honda CT125 Trail Cub Concept Bike

What started out as a churning of modified Honda 50s by Idaho dealer Herb Uhl, then exploded into a production model spread to dealers across America in March 1961. The 50 led to 70, 90, and finally 110cc evolutions, with the 110 being the last run in the US. Now Honda’s current mini moto line grows with the 2021 Trail 125.

Related: 2019 Honda Monkey First Ride Review

Powered by a fuel-injected, 125cc, air-cooled single engine with a four-speed semi-automatic transmission, it offers an approachability to those nostalgic older riders and newer riders alike—it “strips the intimidation,” said past Cycle journalist Mark Lindemann, who brought his own 1984 Trail 110 for comparison. It is approachable because the semi-automatic transmission removes the traditional clutch lever. Clutch function is integrated into the transmission. Twist the throttle, grab a gear, and away you go. On the dyno the Trail doles out 7.9 hp at 5,710 rpm and 7.4 pound-feet at 4,650 rpm.

Pinning the throttle on a straightaway shows a maximum speed of 55 mph. While top speed isn’t crazy, the 100 mpg is. A circular digital gauge provides the bare-essential data. Just like the old CT, instrumentation is devoid of a gear position indicator.

First and second gears are low enough for small hill climbs. Third gear is best suited for around town and fire road riding, and fourth gear is ideal for longer rides to the bait-and-tackle shop.

Whereas with a manual transmission you manage shifting with smooth clutch-lever work, the semi-automatic requires shift lever finesse for smoother gear exchanges.

Its step-through design is similar to the Super Cub, making reach to the ground from the measured 31.6-inch seat height approachable to riders tall and small. For my 6-foot stature, the bar-to-seat reach was cramped with the bars close to the chest. Peg-to-seat, however, was roomy especially since the 1.4-gallon tank is located under the seat, not between the legs.

With a compact 49.4-inch wheelbase and low, centralized 259-pound weight, the Trail flaunts flickability and rider confidence on varying road surfaces. Overall, the suspension delivers a nice ride over road and trail, though washboard bumps rattle the rider. A skid plate comes standard to protect the bottom from damage and a high intake, air filter, and upswept exhaust allow for stream crossing capability.

Slowing down, the 220mm and 190mm disc at the front and rear, respectively, offer a more current braking package (the past models were equipped with drum brakes both front and rear). This setup works as advertised. Fixed front ABS mitigates instability during braking. Conversely the rear brake excludes ABS so the rider can lock the tire and skid the rear end if desired.

Not only is the ride raw and simple, but the Trail 125′s design is near identical to its predecessors. Just look again at the side-by-side shot of it compared to the ’84 Trail 110 toward the beginning of the article—the similarities are uncanny. But Honda knows how to make the old new again. There’s the sleek full-LED lighting, simple, round digital LCD gauge, and electric start, but Honda retained the cargo rack (that can hold up to 45 pounds), fork boots, and a kickstarter (which is quickly becoming old school these days). It’s a great overall balance between the old and the new with a very reasonable $3,899 price to boot—perfect for the intended audience as well.

Small technical trails, fire roads, paved country roads, or the circuit around the campsite, the Trail 125 is poised to repeat its exploratory past. Just give me a second to grab my tent and fishing rod.

Helmet: Schuberth E1

Jacket: Rev’It Airwave 3 Jacket

Pant: Tobacco Indigo Protective Riding Jeans

Gloves: Rev’It Striker 3 Ladies Gloves

Boots: TCX Boots Street Ace Lady Waterproof