Is a ATC 125 right for me?

[HondaCT90]

Hi all, I have found a good deal on a Honda ATC 125m and I don't know if its right for me. I was originally looking at getting something around 200cc. I'm going to use the ATC for Ice fishing, hauling wood, and for riding for fun. I don't really care about having a high top speed. I like that it is small and light so I can just pull it out if I get stuck. I also like that it's not as wide as a 200 so I can go through small trails. Most of the time 90% I'll just be using it to ride in the swamp to set up trail cams. I’m not worried about reliability because it’s a Honda.

Do these ATC handle good in a swamp?
Would it be able to drag small dead trees out of the way like in 6 or 8foot sections?
Would the ATC be able to tow a small lawn mower trailer?
Are these ATC a good small workhorse?
How would it com pear to a 185 or 200x on the size?

[86125m]

the 125m like all hondas are great little bikes and should work for what your want it for but you would do beter getting a 200.

[350for350]

Remember that a 125 has no suspension. If you will be ok with that, then I say buy it. Good deals are getting harder to find. If it doesn't work, you can always sell it later and get a bigger one.

[HondaCT90]

If I'm not mistaken alot of the 200cc don't have suspension. The issue I have found is alot of the 200cc ATC for sale, people are asking around $1500 if they'er in decent condition. The ones people are selling for $400-$800 are in terrible condition. It sounds like a 125 might work for what I want.

[barnett468]

I don't really care about having a high top speed.

Do these ATC handle good in a swamp?
Would it be able to drag small dead trees out of the way like in 6 or 8foot sections?
Would the ATC be able to tow a small lawn mower trailer?
Are these ATC a good small workhorse?
How would it com pear to a 185 or 200x on the size?

First of all, welcome to 3WW . There are a lot of people here with a lot of knowledge.

Top speed is is one of your key comments . That bike has replaceable sprockets . The numerically higher your gear ratio is, the better it will pull things and the less top speed it will have, so if you feel that it does not have enough power for what you want to do with it and you are willing to give up around 6 mph in top speed for more torque/power, simply buy a front sprocket that has 1 less tooth on it than your current sprocket and try that . This will make a very noticeable change in the gear ratio and performance and will only cost around $15.00 and is easy to change.

1. "Handling" is not a major criteria for low speed riding.

2. Hard to say because it depends on how big around the trees are and if you are trying to drag them through deep thick mud and how much traction the bike will be able to get . If you could pull them by hand, you could easily pull them with a 125 . There is a significant difference in power between a 125 and larger bikes like a 185 and 200.

3. It could easily pull a trailer on hard level ground that weighed 300 lbs.

4. See above, however, there is no replacement for displacement.

5. There is a significant difference in bottom end power/torque between a 125 and a 185 and 200.



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[barnett468]

I have found a good deal on a Honda ATC 125m...

I'm going to use the ATC for Ice fishing, hauling wood,...

I like that it is small and light so I can just pull it out if I get stuck.

Most of the time 90% I'll just be using it to ride in the swamp to set up trail cams.

If you need storage space on it and it does not have a rear rack, you can sometimes find original rear racks on Ebay, however, they are rare and quite pricey . You might consider buying the one below . It looks like they made 2 different styles.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3223900...&ul_noapp=true







They also made a front rack and a headlight guard and the rfront rack looks like it came in 2 different styles also . The front rack and headlight guard are two separate pieces so you can run just one or both of them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FRONT-LUGGAG...3D322390012264



http://www.ebay.com/itm/FRONT-LUGGAG...3D322390012264






Verify with sellers that they will fit your bike.


In addition, if you have a rack, you can mount a small winch on it if you want . They make a mechanical and an electric style, and since that bike has a battery so you can use the electric one if you want . Just remember to increase the engine rpm a little when you are operating an electric one.

https://www.google.com/#q=small+winch

https://www.google.com/search?q=smal...h3DCkQ_AUIBygC


$64.00 at Northern Tool

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...FUSSfgodLH0ExA






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[HondaCT90]

Thanks I guess the little 125 are more capable then I thought. I didn't know they made a front and rear rack for them. Its starting to look like a good buy

[barnett468]

Thanks I guess the little 125 are more capable then I thought. I didn't know they made a front and rear rack for them. Its starting to look like a good buy

Well it all depends on wether you need the racks or not and how much they will cost you.

Don't rule out other brands either . The Kawasaki KLT200 will do everything you need and is a bullet proof bike that is nearly impossible to drown.



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