Honda trail

[rclouse79]

Advice from the his forum steered towards a Honda crf 250f for my hunting bike (which I love by the way). I was toying around with the idea of a trail 110 or the new 125 as a bike my kids or wife could ride. I couldn’t see them taking it on anything more than a four wheeler trail. I like the idea of not having a clutch for a super casual riders.
I am wondering if there is a better option out there for the money. It looks like you can pick up an old 110 for 1-2k and a newer 125 for close to 4k. Thanks in advance for any advise.

 

[betelgeuse]

I have a 110 that will surprise you where you can go. The new 125 does not have the low range on the the tranny, but you might not need it with the 125, especially if you geared it down a couple teeth. I don't think there is a better bike for beginners and novices than the 110/125. Weight is around 200lbs so not to heavy for young or old. There is the XR150 which is cheaper but has a clutch and weighs a bit more. The step through frame on the 110/125 is nice too.

 

[Ross]

Grew up using xr200 in the 80s packed several bulls on it. Then went to the 2003 ttr 250 geared down and was awesome. Packed out many bulls on it. Sold it after knee replacement. Then 2024 got the itch and bought this ttr125, added lite and geared it down. Can say it will do ok for someone with some skills on single track and pull modest climbs. For easy road and trails would be awesome as it is super lite. You would not want to be over 5 7 as your legs will cramp. Out the door was only 4500$

 

[betelgeuse]

I should also add the new Honda trail 125 is fuel injected which takes care of the altitude. On my 110 after about 7500 ft it loses tons of power and you have to drop the bowl and change the jet. Some of the older 110s have an altitude knob you can pull out. Mine does not. I am considering a new Trail 125 because of this.

 

[Jimbee]

I have a Honda crf110f. It's fuel injected, electric or kickstart, no clutch. I weigh 190 and it hauls me around just fine. My kid has beat the crap out of it and the only thing I've had to fix is a tire tube once in awhile.

 

[idahodave]

The crf250f is the perfect hunting bike for 99 percent of the guys out there. It’s in a whole other class than the 125 Trail imho.

If not having a clutch is the draw, they make a rekluse for the Crf.

I’d take a 250f over the 125 trail all day, every day and twice on Sunday.

Dave

 

[rclouse79]

The crf250f is the perfect hunting bike for 99 percent of the guys out there. It’s in a whole other class than the 125 Trail imho.

If not having a clutch is the draw, they make a rekluse for the Crf.

I’d take a 250f over the 125 trail all day, every day and twice on Sunday.

Dave

I completely agree, I am keeping my crf250f for life. The trail125 was more of an idea for kids/wife.

 

[idahodave]

I’d look at the KLX140 over the Trail 125 given the wife/kid scenario.

They make a rekluse for the 140 as well fwtw.

 

[Blockcaver]

The 1993 Trail 110 Aussie Ag bike I had sported the two speed sub-transmission to go with a 4 speed main transmission. It had a dry weight spec of 190#. The Honda Trail 125 has a listed wet weight of 256#s per the specs...quite heavy for the size and no sub-transmission to go with the 4-speed main transmission. (Note that I have never ridden a Honda Trail 125).

The Trail 110 step thru design is nice if you have a milk crate on the back rack. Low seat height is good. 6-volt electrical system means pretty dim lighting and turn signals. Handling is marginal with the fairly minimal 4" rear shock and front fork travel. Engines are very reliable and parts are generally available for the Trail series machines as the Honda produced some 65 million of them...sold worldwide, but note that the 110 isn't supported by your Honda dealer as the last ones imported to North America were the 1986 model year. I'd call it an excellent starter trail bike for kids and ladies. It was low for me as an adult with a 34" inseam.

Just a note and not a recommendation...I bought a 2006 Yamaha XT225. Weighs 238# dry, has decent shock and fork travel and a 6 speed transmission, manual clutch, 12 volt (good lights and turn signals) with electric start. Sure makes a much nicer trail bike you can ride out to the logging roads than the Honda Trail 110 Ag bike did for me. And I pocketed nearly $800 selling the Honda Trail 110 and buying the Yamaha XT225 with slightly more (3900 km vs 2800 km) miles on the Yamaha. Yamaha still has a low seat height but fits me better than the Honda.