ADVrider.com
How do you survive on a small bike? Not the “I ride a 1200 and anything less than 1000cc is a small bike to me,” not that, I’m taking really small bikes, single-digit-horsepower small.
Should they even be included in ADVrider? How much adventure can you have without speed? Where can you even ride one?
I rode this…
Image: Google Maps
It might have been a dumb idea, but in 2022, I decided to ride a Honda CT125 around 48 states with zero experience on anything this small. I never even had a scooter when I was a kid. The most distance I had put on one was maybe 10-15 miles on a rental, while visiting a Greek island in the ’80s.
This time, I went a lot further. I called the Ride Report ‘Utter Ridiculousness with 8HP’.
Sometime in early 2022, I saw a CT125 and immediately wanted one. This was harder to accomplish than I had expected. These little things are very desirable and finding one was a challenge, so much so that I bought mine in Florida and drove it back to AZ in the back of an ambulance…long story, it’s here
Photo: rtwPaul
The original plan was to have it as a run-around bike, for small local trips, I got into food delivery as a way to gain a little extra cash and it seemed perfect for that. But somewhere between dropping off a pizza and wondering if the gas gauge was working, since it hadn’t moved in a week… the crazy thought of riding around the whole of the United States of America popped into my head. I did it and this is what I learned along the way.
This is all based on me as a 6’1″ 240lb rider, not what Honda had in mind when they designed this bike!
Less Luggage
Take the absolute minimum—actually take less. If you won’t need it in the first few days, consider buying it along the way. I packed the little postie bike with a sparse 58 liters of gear. Throughout the trip, the temperature extremes were a high of 108F/42C and a low of 28f/ -2C. I still think I had too much, should have left the chair at home!
Mirror Upgrade
These were easily the most used part of the bike, I probably spent more time looking behind me than in front. I can’t stress enough that you need to be able to see out of them… I couldn’t use the stock units, so mirror extensions were required. They can be had for around $12 and are worth their weight in gold.
Photo: rtwPaul
Elevation Matters!
No, not the Rockies or the Andes or the Alps, I am talking at an elevation increase of absolute minimal proportions, something like this will affect you and your speed can fluctuate, a lot.
If you’re trying to keep a constant speed on roads where other bikes or cars don’t notice the minimal elevation changes, you may have a very different experience on an 8-hp bike. And you watch those mirrors as your speed is fluctuating, because the vehicles behind you might not realize you are slowing down.
Photo: rtwPaul
Bigger hills like the ones in the distance of this photo are a whole other story. They will halve your speed very quickly, if they go on for a mile or more. Time to learn to ride on the hard shoulder.
Tailwind/Headwind Considerations
The former is your friend and it can make you feel like you’ve doubled your horsepower. The latter will crush your soul.
Rain Is A Drag
See ‘headwind’ above. Rain has resistance, and it slowed me down!
Sort Out Your Seat
Get this right before you go. My bike new is around $4,000, do you think Honda is going to give you a great seat and plush comfort to ride thousands of miles on? Nope, in my case, a sheepskin from Alaska Leather and a couple of stadium seat memory foam pads did the trick for all-day comfort. They were $6 from Wal-Mart.
Photo: rtwPaul
Range Time
Small bikes don’t need big tanks. This one carries 1.4 gallons, and the new Honda Super Cub has a fraction less than 1 gallon. You need to know its absolute worse range, then for good measure deduct 10-20%.
Why? There is a good chance when you are out of your local area you might be riding at full throttle a lot, which obviously crushes your MPG, regardless of what your license plate claims.
Photo: rtwPaul
Extra Fuel?
As the CT125 only has a small tank, you’ll need extra fuel somewhere along the way (in my case, I needed it five times along the way). Figure out a way to carry it, and of course know how much it will extend your range! This is an extra 1.3 gallon/5 liters, so it nearly doubles my total range.
Photo: rtwPaul
Tire Choices
Selection is minimal for this bike. Despite its low power, it eats tires, most likely because this rubber wasn’t made for long trips or carrying excessive weight. Watch the tires closely; the wear can be quick. Be knowledgeable about where you can get replacements. Sometimes they can be hard to get, so order ahead and carry them if necessary.
1,500 to 5,000 miles is considered good life according to most riders. You might get farther but the tread will be all but useless. At that point, punctures are imminent, so also carry a repair kit and a spare tube.
Photo: rtwPaul
Suspension
Same as the seat—there was minimal expense by the factory. Saying that, I did zero modifications and was just fine. Although the suspension was a little spongy, I wasn’t bottoming out (surprisingly!).
Lighting the Way
See seat and suspension—crap is a good term to use here. If you plan to ride at night, look into getting some kind of upgrade. LEDs are standard from the factory but the output could be better for sure. Check the alignment of the headlight too, it can be significantly off.
Oil Level
Keep an eye on it. With no explanation, sometimes it burnt oil sometimes it didn’t! Carry some spare oil for a top-up. The CT125 doesn’t have an oil filter, just a screen, so all it takes to do an oil change is almost a liter and five minutes. Get a magnetic plug to help grab any little particles that might be floating around in the black stuff.
Finding Your Way
Be very aware of where you are going, because there is a good chance you might be the slowest thing out there. Around town where speed limits are 30-45mph, it’s easy to keep up. Outside of town where speed limits are 45mph + and everyone drives 10-20 mph faster, you won’t keep up. These roads are not for you.
Cycling routes (not cycling paths) are usually a good way to navigate because they use smaller, quieter back roads. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to find a new route, either try Google Maps’ bicycle option, or even better, download the free ScootRoute app.
By no means is it perfect, but will certainly help plan short rides within a 300-mile-or-less radius on your phone. It also lets you adjust preferences which is a nice feature that no other app I’ve found offers.
Should I buy one and why?
If you can find one—hell yeah, they are fun! Have a new experience on a motorcycle; it’ll bring back your childhood.
Get past the stigma of riding something so small and underpowered and go and explore tiny backroads you might never normally ride. See things you might have missed before because you were going way faster. Give yourself a new challenge. Save money on fuel!
The best analogy for a single digit h.p. bike…’ it’s like riding a bicycle without having to pedal!’
**Like anything motorcycle, my findings are subjective and YMMV
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