2023 Honda CT125 Trail: All Things Change

I Done Done It

The deed is done. I bought a brand new 2023 Honda CT125 Trail. It’s home in the garage sipping power through a Battery Tender waiting for a little warmer weather. It was sunny and 17F this morning but the clarion call of cold weather riding no longer shouts louder than my desire to curl up in the house with a cup of hot chocolate or tea.

But this week the thermometer will point toward the 40F mark so the Honda CT125 Trail should see its first experience of the beautiful Central Pennsylvania landscapes.

Synchronicity

My friend Paul and I had been talking about both getting a Honda 125 Trail so we could ride together in the mountains here. When he sold his KTM 390 Adventure and was left with a Harley Sportster I began riding alone on the dirt and gravel.

I knew he was looking and that he had gone to pick a 2021 Honda 125 Trail. He didn’t know that I was in the process of buying one the same day.

Now we’re in synch again.

Words of Appreciation

When I began muttering about replacing my Royal Enfield Himalayan with something lighter I received a lot of comments, advice, and reactions. Before I go on I want to express my gratitude for that input. My own mind is often a chaotic swirl of indecision, misinformation, non-useful emotion, and myriad other things that seem to make decision making difficult. The input I received both here and on my YouTube channel was extremely helpful to my journey to this point. Thank you for the time and wisdom shared.

Thank you.

Hauling the Honda home left me feeling good about my decision and excited at the prospects for adventures that it will offer. Slow, laid back explorations of the hundreds of miles of dirt and gravel roads here is exciting. And without the rational/irrational concerns I was beginning to feel with the Himalayan and potential risks it posed for my aging body.

Poor Planning

I had been looking for both used and new Honda Trail bikes for a couple weeks. They’re pretty rare here in Pennsylvania. And the only easily accessible new one was just 45 minutes away at Roundhouse Powersports in Duncansville, Pennsylvania. An opportunity presented itself for clear weather, available pickup truck of a friend, and so off we went. But any hopes of riding were dashed a few hours later when it started to snow.

At least we got home before that mess began.

My Beloved Royal Enfield Himalayan.

I’m still riding the Himalayan. On the pavement there are no concerns or issues about it being a risk. It’s fun to ride and it checks all the riding boxes for me. It was just not feeling right anymore off the pavement.

Now I’m wondering what happens next. I own five machines now. The Vespa GTS is still out for maintenance but four are a tight fit in a small, single car garage. I can theoretically fit five machines in the garage but it would likely entail some annoying moto-gymnastics. Part of me envisions keeping the Himalayan. And another part sees it listed on Facebook Marketplace.

Winter Riding Commitment

I don’t winterize anything. Well, I do make sure the antifreeze in the Vespa GTS250 can handle the cold. But otherwise I ride everything at least once every couple weeks throughout the winter. Luckily for me the weather in recent years has made that possible. But with five machines it is just a bigger challenge. Even for the little 20-25 mile rides for machine health.

A recent ride on my 2001 Kawasaki W650 reminded me of how much I enjoy that motorcycle. Even as a naked machine in cold weather. And how fortunate I am to have a variety of machines to ride that each deliver their own unique experience.

But they do require some work.

Reminders of Gratitude

My friend Howard and I had breakfast last week and afterwards took a long walk around some of Penn State’s Arboretum properties. It was cold. But it was nice to walk and talk with a friend. The subject of the Honda Trail came up and he offered to drive his truck if I should buy something. That’s the second time. He hauled my Himalayan home when I bought it.

And as I walked I thought about the good fortune that has come my way in this life. Along with pain and suffering. But all of it is part of the reality that presents itself on a day to day basis. My job is to look at it and move on the best way possible. On this cold morning it was with a smile.