Honda's BIGGEST Mistake - The bike that never came 

Whoever made the call of importing the DAX over the CT should be fired. You make all good points, if Honda want to engage youngsters and have life long customers, they need to sell the right bike and a DAX is not it. I suppose they sell enough CBF125 it is a non issue for them.

I live in Canada and my friends and I have been bugging Honda to import them here for 3 years. The Honda management will never give a reason why not and just keep pushing the Grom and Monkey minibikes, completely missing the context of our query and understanding us. Good luck getting them in the UK and Europe...

Totally agree with what you are saying not only would it get the younger generation involved in motorcycling, but it would help us 70yrs plus riders to still have our fun off road too, i have a himalayan and that's not a light bike to pick up on your own great review 👍

Totally agree, Honda Europe missed a massive opportunity with this model. Only one grey importer supplying them here in limited numbers in Ireland as well. Fantastic little machine, mine gets used a lot more than my bigger bikes and will be touring Normandy on it in 2023.

I liked the off-road high low transmission on the previous model. Wish they had kept that feature

I completely agree. The best bike made in the past ten years by Honda (or any other manufacturer). Shame it hasn’t (and will never) come to the U.K. Mine is currently on the boat...

I watch a lot of bike reviews and for me, the bike reviews you do are amongst the best on RU-vid👍👍👍 It looks a great little robust bike and would no doubt sell in bucket loads, a strange decision by Honda.

Another example of management nit understanding the shop floor and workers, perhaps? Agree completely 👌

Great Video Nathan. I have an Africa Twin and CRF450L, also a DRZ400 But when UK lanes are really sloppy I take out a Yamaha TW225. Low height, low weight and low geared make it easy to ride and almost impossible to drop. Too many people ignore small bikes.

Nailed it again Nathan. These things are brilliant fun and incredibly capable, Honda must be crackers. Nicely produced film too!

Bought a 2022 CT125 this past fall. Had a hard time finding one. Had to call many dealers, got lucky and found one that was supppsed to have arrived in the spring. The dealer had just prepped it, but was not being advertised as available yet. Bought it over the phone and drove many hours to go pick it up. Well built quality bike, amazed how nice it rides, everytime I ride it. Was bought for a first time rider; great to learn on. Heavier than my rebuilt 1964 Super Cub 125, but has alot more tech, efi, abs, etc. A youtuber called "someguyrides" rode the entire TAT with his and it was troublefree. He then bought a new Himalayan, did a few rides, broke, dealer couldn't figure out what was wrong with it and he was leaving next day for another long planned ride. He had to quickly transfer the camping gear to the CT125, that had been sitting neglected since the TAT ride and it still performed like new.

I 100% agree, I'd have one of these in a snap if they came in officially, and I know many others who would too.

Genuinely I was weighing up a C125 Vs Scram/Himalayan recently. Ended up choosing a £4k ex-demo Himalayan over the Cub because it has all-terrain capability, if there had been a proper CT125 available that would have been a strong contender! I don't need to go fast, just need something cheap to run on two wheels that can get me to wherever I need to go in Scotland with minimal fuss. A lost opportunity!

I bought 2 here in Thailand. £2,500 OTR. A great bike with unlimited accessories. I'm going to travel/ tour Thailand with my girlfriend. Great vid, you are right, they would sell in vast numbers in Europe.

After the postie bike adventure day I think these small hondas are great little bikes and it is a great shame that they are not on sale in the UK, I would buy one if available. Will come down for a day out on one in the spring, thanks for the video, Tim.

100% spot on. This bike was on my shopping list for a long time. Given up now and bought something else from another brand. Missed opportunity to win a customer Honda.

I can totally aggree to your oppinion in all points!!! :) Soo many people over Europe and me here in Germany too, are completely pissed off by now because of Honda (Motorcycles Europe) for not bringing the CT125 to the EU market... -.- Nooo, instead they release the C125 (maaah...), the Monkey125 (naaaah...) and so on. Types that don't sell much. (at least I haven't seen a C125 on the road) Everyone I know, met and talked about can't understand this (soooo unbelievible stupid) decision made by Honda -.- -.-. They all've waited and WANTED the CT125 after the debut in Japan. In Germany we even get a 'new driving licence type around 3 years ago, called B186, to make it easier for those who have normal car licence (called class B), to make their 'small' bike licence for up to 125cc in a MUCH shorter/sheeper/easier way than before. Registrations in the 125cc's grew up segnificantly from there on (thanks to ur hight gas prices too [NOT!!!] ). But untill now it seems that Honda doesn't want a piece from that very sweet cake at all! And this really sucks a lot. She would be 'the best new Honda model' since years to be sold and MANY would sell, I'm so damn sure of it. Everybody around the globe likes the CT125. Starting from Japan, over Thailand, to Australia and making a jump over to the U.S. where she has a quite large fan scene since the first cross cub was sold. (Which we didn't get... xD ) By now there is only the way to import one by your self or dealer what makes her kinda pricy instead of regular selling. A guy in the Netherlands wants around 6200,-€ for an import but to register it for example here in GER we would need a whole spec list of wheights, mesures, emissions and so on from Honda to show that it'll pass all of the bullshit EU regulations plus it could be that you have to take her to the "TÜV" for an offical document (COC papers and the rest of the bullsh**...) to get a licence plate etc. So for the worst it could rise up maybe from 7000,- to 7500,-€ + .... I hope there will be a mind change in the euro headoffice in the near future; by now I've not given up that "last little hope" of mine. :)

Totally agree. I had a whale of a time on the CT110 postie bike last year, and this is its more modern and slightly larger cousin. The mind boggles at Honda's decision process. We NEED these available in Europe!

i live in America called everywhere for 8 months before i found one and only found it because the guy thats was planning on buying it got tired of waiting and bought a supercub instead. but we are starting to get more now and i really love the looks of the 2023. i just wish they would put the low range back in these. it would be perfect then

Hi Nathan Spot on revenue as I have been trail riding since 1976 here in south Devon you are spot on you don't need a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Small bikes rule ,when I meet people wishing to start trail riding I always say keep it small and light poss a Beta Alp or a serrow or Dr200. I'm still using a 1980 Dt175 MX and it's more than capable of tackling all I have come across in the last few years. Thanks for the great review's keep up the good work with getting people in to the sport/hobby. Regards Rich T PS Happy Christmas.

Thing is no motorbike manufacturers seem to be run by people who actually ride bikes. You can see by the way development is going. Just a commodity and influenced by marketeers who market eggs and chocolates!

What an honour to feature in such an excellent video! 😅 They're wicked little bikes. So much fun!

I have a CT125, and have done everything on it from grocery-getting to riding up mountain trails. It's my first bike, and I hope more people get to have THIS first bike.

I've been close to pulling the trigger on this bike twice, but it's just so expensive when you have to import it. Hope Honda get their act together.

I bought one of those (in Australia) and enjoyed it for the time I had it. They aren't popular here just as a value proposition more than anything else. There's things I'd like improved: the centrifugal clutch... useful for a postie but for a general rider? It's just lacking compared to a regular clutch. You eventually learn you can press your heel a bit to slip the clutch but it's never as good as a regular one. Secondly, the chain. It's terrible, and it stretches continually. But overall, if you can get one, and the price doesn't put you off, they're a workhorse. You can't beat smacking a milk crate on the back!

Bought one of these a year ago from 7 Seas after seeing yours, probably the best bike I’ve ever bought - you don’t stop smiling on it 👍

Great video and totally agree. They should give it rear ABS so we can buy them here in Australia and NZ again. Tey're sadly no longer available in Oz anymore because we now require rear ABS :(

To be fair to Honda, this is just another episode in the story of a manufacturer who is becoming increasingly irrelevant in the motorcycle world… The fiasco of underestimating the CRF300L demand, the lacklustre new Transalp, the CRF450L (low power and crazy pricing), the lack of a CRF450 Rally, the Africa Twin (a heavyweight adventure bike with the power of a middleweight), the CB1000R (a modern sports naked with all the power and features of one from 2012). Honda used to be one of the most exciting and interesting bike manufacturers around, especially for those of us who also enjoy smaller, lighter bikes. Now a shadow of their former selves totally lacking in any innovation or interest. Beyond a CRF300L I can’t think of a single Honda in the U.K. lineup that I’d want, let alone pay for.

Totally agree with you. As you know I ride mine as much if not more than my big bikes!! I spoke with Honda at the NEC bike show. They did explain why Europe is not getting them. Its simply numbers. They can't build enough for the whole world so they choose the best markets to sell them in. Sort of makes sense. I agree with you. They'd sell more than all there other retro 125s put together. Every biker I meet loves my ct plus knows about them. Ps great video quality Pps how did you film it all without mentioning the Himalayan word? Ppps someone must have edited that word out 😊 Keep up the great work.

*I'm surprised they didn't sell them in the UK.* These are part of the CUB family of variants, of which Honda has sold more than 100,000,000 units. Maybe like here in Australia next year, all new bikes must have dual-channel ABS and Honda is not keen on fitting it to small models. For us it means the end of the Grom, Monkey, probably the CT125 and we'll never see the DAX125. *Come on Honda... get with it*

Hi Nathan , couldn’t agree more,as a self confessed bike addict,I’m increasingly enjoying small bikes , 2 groms , 1 monkeybike , 4 benelli tnts , dax is next on the list , I’d totally have a ct if Honda brought the to the uk , 🏍🏍👍👍

While waiting for a Dax that never arrived, I picked up a Honda Innova for £225. Spent a couple of hundred quid getting it back on the road and absolutely love it. A lot of similarities and I've taken it on most roads and tracks here on the IoM. It's a happy, fun bike. If Honda ever do bring the CT125 over here, I'll buy one. In the meantime I'll continue to ride the arse off this one with a massive grin on my face! Thanks for the vid Nathan, ace as always!

Glad we have them in the USA. Now I wish we had the NT1100 DCT here like you have it there. Honda is weird about these things.

Well, at least you get the Dax and the Super Cub, all we get here in Canada are the Monkey and the Grom. South of the border they get the whole gamut of the 125cc line. Great video btw, as bad as you think you have it, Europe has a much better selection of different types and brands of motorcycles.

Great video Nathan. I'm an Aussie and just picked up one of these 2nd hand - great fun bike. Unfortunately, while there were quite a few imported into Australia in 2021 and 2022, the Australian Design Laws were changed in 2022 meaning that new bikes mist have front AND rear ABS to be registerable in Australia. There is a loophole for small bikes and scooters that

Like you, I was dismayed when Honda announced they were bringing the Dax to Europe but not the CT125. They obviously see Europeans as a bunch of coffee shop posers - perhaps they're right! Totally agree with you on the CT125 - I'd buy it tomorrow if I could. Wake up Honda - listen to your potential customers!

True, i was also searching for a light offroad capable bike which doesn't look like a cross bike and is lower then these. Saw these and did not get why there aren't sold here. Also there is not much on the used bikes market. Thought of sth like a Yamaha TW125 but they are rare and expensive. Bought now a old Suzuki Freewind, which is robust, more powerfull and was cheap. I enjoy riding it and started with some first positive offroad trials but it is high and weights more. I guess i will keep the Freewind, but if sth like a CT200 would appear... or maybe Skyteam or similar others take these niche over!

The most fun I've had on a bike was on an old ct110, been tempted to sell the BMW gs and get the new ct125. I'm sure you have but if not check out the after market accessories for these in Japan, there's some pretty sweet looking bikes over there.

I would buy one in a heartbeat , I live in southern Austria and it would be perfect for the mountain forest trails , I used to own a yellow. Ct 90 when I lived in the Uk , I bought your book at the Stafford ss how that you gladly signed for me , keep up the great work

The shittiest thing about the trail is lack of ability. People in Europe shouldn’t be too upset. I live in the states and they aren’t really that available here. It’s so hard to get them the dealers are ripping people off and even used ones cost more than msrp. Everyone that does have one here seems to have paid at least 20% over msrp, some people pay way more than that. I totally agree Honda should chill out on the big bikes and focusing on bikes like the trail that could sell like crazy if they were widely available. From what I see Honda doesn’t actually sell many $10k+ bikes here in the states outside of the gold wing.

Couldn't agree more about small bikes. Done the entire coast of the UK on a chaly clone 125 and currently tinkering with my 1962 c105t

They have been importing this bike and it's ancestors into NZ since the 60s mostly as farm bikes but also as a postie bike. The problem is they last so long people are reluctant to upgrade to new ones. There's a dedicated subgroup who insist on doing crazy journeys to impossible places on them.

Have to agree one hundred per cent. The styling is the right side of stylish/funky and an adult can ride one without looking a total tool. I'm convinced that it would sell more units than the Dax/Monkey/MX put together.

I would love one, but in Scotland we don't have many places we can ride off road, not like England with the green lanes.

I wrote to Honda UK and asked the same thing. I got a really snotty reply! They know their market best, and that market was 600cc and up sport bikes.

Ive just bought one of these brand new fir £2,100 and will be bringing if to the UK after 6 months.

I couldn't agree more. Sadly we don't get it in Canada either. The closest thing to it is my Suzuki VanVan RV200, which sadly is no longer avilable as well.

Made in Thailand but you don't see many here. I think it's probably because there isn't any underseat storage and it's expensive relatively. I agree with you, Natan. It would sell well in GB. Personally I can't get on with the gearchange. I tried a week on a Wave 125i and hated it. Very torquey engine, though. I still have a yearning for a VanVan 200. But maybe I could get used to the CT's gearchange. Great video.

I think Honda realise that if they DID import it into EU/UK then it would take sales away from their other higher end more expensive (and therefore more profit) adventure bikes.....

I think they are stopping selling these in Aus also. I got a C125, but the dealer told me it was one of the last available ( january 2022) because it didn't have abs on the rear - the C125 has a drum rear which is absolutely fine for this bike. But they were bringing them in on an exemption, and that expired last year. Maybe the same in the UK. Still if they're selling the cub why can't they sell the CT. I don't want to get political but I'm wondering if its time to wake up to what our bureaucrats are doing to us. Thanks for the video 👍🇦🇺

Great video and editing! Sad you all don't get this version.

Whole heartedly agree with everything you said Nathan As I get older it would be the perfect bike but then why wait till then. Would order one tomorrow if they were available. Always ask at dealers, bike shows etc Always the same reply. So come on Honda you know it makes sense.

"Ed March has entered the chat!" Lol. Brilliant vid and great to see a channel promoting the use of bikes like this instead of the usual BMW GS stuff.

Great video Nathan, I'm puzzled as to why they wouldn't sell them here as I would for sure be on the list to buy one. I own a Grom and a CB125f (both of which i use for adventure riding lol) and it would literally be the perfect median between those two. Looks like a great blast.

I'm from Europe and I would 100% buy this bike but unfortunately... 😡

Love it, hoping to make it down come spring, want to do an A2 day but would be amazing if I could schedule both an A2 & postie bike tour 😂.

It's the same here in Canada, we can get the Monkey, Grom, Navi, they even brought back the Giorno scooter, but the Cub and CT125 for whatever reason they just won't bring them over here.

Given the variety of buyers across the EU and the lack of any real off road ability in the other 125s they sell, i can't help but think this must be a homologation issue. I'm sure someone look at the cost of making it compliant, added that it to the expected retail price and thought "This is getting to look awfully close to the CRF300L" Or, just maybe, they were concerned it might take sales away from the bigger bike...

Id buy one of those tomorrow. I live in Canada and you cant get one for love nor money. Never even seen one on the road.

I really don’t understand where Honda are coming from with this decision. I have bought a new monkey and cub and would have one of these in a heartbeat. I was so excited when rumours started that Honda were going to make this bike then someone behind a desk somewhere decided that people in England are not allowed to have one. You would think they would send a few this way and try the market.

Fantastic little bike....... I'm a long time rider having raced Enduro and motocross and a Power Ranger on the road-bikes.......So many riders just don't get these bikes at all...... Non-riders are no different. To many confuse having fun with having a bigger and more powerful bike. I know how people in UK and the US, are finding it hard to get this bike and very expense, bike and aftermarket parts. I am just about to pick mine up, I bought one today!...... No issue walking in and buying one here! Thailand, been here 16 years and I live on the edge of the Northern Thai jungle. I currently hike and MTB in the local mountains and jungle.... Can't wait to get this puppy out there....... It really is up there for fun factor. You don't need speed or to much power in the jungle, you do need a lightweight platform able to carry all your bits and pieces and you are able to man-handle forward or, literally pick up and turn around on the spot. I used to ride my KX250 in the jungle...... I must have been mad! It's interesting that the boot is on the other foot, so to speak...... Living in Thailand I'm the one normally unable to get a product or gouged on the price and deliver to Thailand....... Not this bike or the aftermarket parts.... Made in Thailand! To give you an idea the price for a new bike in Thailand; 88,000 Baht = $2,547................. A typical aftermarket part, 'Headlight gauge and Rack' 1200 Baht = $34........... If I seem to be gloating, I'm not guys, just very happy I've caught a break with this bike...... Happy riding.

I don't see that many new CT125s rolling around Australia as there should be and I believe it comes down to the asking price and the competition like RE offering more bang for buck.

In Australia they aren’t available to the general public new. They are only available to Australia post and their authorised contractors. When the contractors have finished with them, they can then be sold on to the public. Most of the second hand ones have around 60,000kms on the odometer and they still run fine.

Great wee bikes.... just about every farm in New Zealand has one or more of them.....They are bulletproof, and they get you there.... and keep doing it.

Since about 1970 the Honda CT's where used as postal bikes here in Australia, however, 2022 is the last year that the CT's will be imported here.

I try to ask Honda Germany, why they do not sell this perfect bike. The Guy on the phone told me that he does not know a Honda Motorcycle called CT 125 and that it is Impossible to get one in Germany. Poor Honda. Maybe YAMAHA someday will build a similar bike. I pray every night. Me and my friends would buy it in a heartbeat. Honda, come on.😊

Great video Nathan. You make a compelling argument for lighter and simple bike's as always 😜. I see me visiting in the new year to try the CT 125 👍. It would seem that the manufacturer's are just pushing what they think we want? Is anyone actually asking us??

I completely agree with you. I first spotted this bike a couple of years ago and had my fingers crossed for the UK to receive it. As kids me and my mates always rode around on old C90’s , stripped down and hand painted up…. there wasn’t a place they wouldn’t go…. Great bikes.

Great video and the reason I’ll never sell my CT90 😊 I would like the 125 too though 👍🏼

Here in New Zealand we have F&R ABS on the CT125. So surely that means it can come to the UK?

I’d love to get one here in the UK! Such a shame as Honda are missing out on potential sales.

My first bike was an st70 dax, I'd buy the new st125 but I'd prefer the ct125. I suspect they're having trouble supplying demand for existing markets without supplying new ones.

We want it in Greece, too!!!!

I have a C125 here in Japan. I dropped by the Honda dealership yesterday, and saw loads of these CT125 (HUNTER CUBS). They do look fun indeed. Wondering if I should have gotten that instead. lol

I'd never buy a Dax but I mihjt be tempted to buy a CT

Great bike - we have them here in NZ, but a bit pricey for what they are because there are better options: Honda CT125 NZ$6,895 Honda XR150L NZ$4,940 RE 411 Scram NZ$7,690

I love these, haven't got one obviously! Might try to come down & ride one in 2023 😁

I'm from the Philippines, and the only way one can own one of these here is to import them from Thailand at more than 2x the SRP. Classic bikes, motocamping and motodelivery are trending here, and selling the hunter cub would've made so much sense. CVT AT scooters are great - easy to learn, easy to ride through traffic - but nothing beats the versatility of a semi or clutch bike.

ADV has to be macho to sell in large quantities(especially in Europe, less possibilities to move freely, greater need for dreaming and posing), sweet little CT is the antithesis of that.

Great bikes although I think they're a bit expensive at 8k AUD or roughly 4,400 GBP. Plenty of great condition CT110's still survive down under priced around 1,500 AUD.

I thought from day one that Honda were missing a selling point by not selling these in UK. And, if you decide that you like off roading, but eventually find the trail 125 too small, Honda sell plenty of bigger off road bikes to "upgrade" to......

as a lucky American customer I was able to get me one of these in Michigan for some reason our state does not get very many but the southern states seem to get a lot of them. Tons in Florida Dealerships. It is slow as lava however it is super easy to ride off road like in the mud in this video as long as you got the correct tires it really is a fun little machine. I am tall so I put bar risers on it and a "long seat" and now its amazing for my 6ft 3 self

Took me forever to find one in the US and the dealer marked up the price by $2,500.

Really liked my NX 250. 120 kilos too, but 29hp. Now I got the 125 monkey. Great too, has done 40.000 kms in 2 years. Yes 40k, you have not misread. Bullerproof bike. Greetings from Finland, I ride in winter here too.

The Trail 125 is a brilliant bike thats been super badly managed. Even in countries its available its still a pain to get ahold of, I had to drive a couple hours away to get mine out of state (and thats after months of looking). Hopefully the 2023 models finally ramp up production so people can actually buy it.

As kids we bought honda step throughs and stripped them down put chunky tyres on and basically made these bikes. That was 50 years back. The engines were bomb proof and easily swappable 50cc > 120c We put bigger carbs on removed air box plenums. Chain guards front mudguards and anything else not needed including blinkers. Some fitted spot lamps and front racks off bicycles.

We have them in the States, but just try and buy one.. The waiting lists are , well, not worth the wait. Yes, they are that long.

In Thailand there's a 182 cc kit and header system and assortment of sprockets at local bike shop internet surfing a must kits go fast shocks and forks too ! There are 182 kit reviews in Thailand trails and major hills ..

05:00 "Everyone likes a big rack!" Yes sir , yes we do haha. Good video! Mine is on a boat from Japan coming to me in Belgium. Can't wait to ride it! Didn't know the Japanese bikes are 4 gears down and not up damn lol. 🤣😄

True. Would buy one in Germany immediately, if they had it in stock.

Totally agree. Why don't we get the usable honda's?

I have a couple of these but you can’t buy them new in Australia anymore due to the lack of abs on the rear wheel. It’s a shame because they’re really useful and nothing else new comes close. I mean how hard would it be to put abs on the rear wheel??

My initial thoughts, Cool factor low - Fun factor high. ‘Fun, manageable and practical’, I cannot disagree there. Great review Nathan.

Hi Nathan, I have seen previews of a new bike from yamaha very similar to the CT called the PG-1. Its meant to come out in asia next year. Wonder if yamaha will bring it to Europe.

YOU DONT SAY! i would buy this bike on a heartbeat.

Would buy one 100% but can't find one in the UK.... we're is your site would love to come down for the day

Tend to agree nathan ....late 80s brothers friend bought2 from australia 110s complete with red dust....did well on fells up here in cumbria now at pension age it would tick my off road box after im to old for my himalayan cheers dave🎅🎅🎅

This is my opinion, I wish they had kept the high/low gearbox and the low price, I looked at one and wasn't necessarily impressed considering what they are asking for it, I would pay close to asking in a heartbeat had they kept the high/low gearbox, that is what made that bike such a utility back in the day, it was considered a tool and functioned well as one, Honda strayed away from usefulness to just another scooter.

I Totally agree they would sell a heck of a lot I recon! Best Regards, DCT Dave & Butty Bach 🙂

Totally agree, want one.