Well, I finally bought one. After years of eyeing those little red Honda CT110s late at night on Facebook Marketplace, I caved. The first motorcycle I ever rode was an old CT back when I was around thirteen, and that cheese‑grater exhaust heat shield has been calling me ever since. Some bikes hook you with their performance; this one got me with nostalgia.

I did consider taking the easy route and buying one of the new Honda Trail 125s. They’re faster, more capable, and arguably more reliable. But if I was going to scratch this itch fully, I wanted the original. The CT110 may not win any spec-sheet battles, but it has something the modern version can’t replicate: authentic character. 

It’s simpler to work on, it’s never going to lose value, and it carries a couple of quirky features Honda deleted from the new model — like the foldaway handlebars that rotate in line with the front wheel, the hi‑low gear selector that gives you tractor‑like torque for steep climbs, and you kick-start it like a man!

After a borderline‑unhealthy amount of deal hunting online, I found a 1986 model — the last year Honda sold the CT110 in the U.S. — I picked up for $1,230. It ran, technically, but not well. It was rough around the edges, and when I proudly showed it to my brother‑in‑law, he looked at me and said, “You paid $1,200 for that thing?”.

OK, it’s no beauty queen, but all the original parts were there, it only had 3,450 miles on the odometer, and it wasn’t so clean that I’d be afraid to take it down a rough trail. That’s exactly what I wanted.

Calling this an “adventure bike” is generous. It’s a 105cc air‑cooled four‑stroke with two valves and a semi‑auto four‑speed. It made 7.5 horsepower on its best day. Top speed is 47 mph on flat ground, and that’s without a headwind. The suspension is basic — 4 inches up front, 3 inches for the dual shocks in the rear — and it rolls on skinny 2.75‑17 tires that look like they belong on a bicycle. Drum brakes both front and rear provide stopping power, and it’s not legal (or fast enough) to ride on the freeway. At 6’2” and 210 pounds, I know I probably look ridiculous on it too. 

And yet… I love it.

Why Choose This Underpowered Tiny Trail Bike?

Part of it is the look. It’s pure nostalgia, like a time capsule you can jump into anytime. Park it next to a parking meter and it already looks great. So I can’t wait to get it out into the wild for some proper photos in front of an incredible mountain vista.

But the real reason is that this bike represents something worth saving. The original design dates back to the early 60’s. Even in the 80s, the CT110 was already outdated, but that’s what makes it special. It smells like an old bike. Walk into the garage and you’re instantly transported back decades from the fumes it emits. Honda sold a ton of these, but every year more of them rust away to dust in someone’s shed. This one spent most of its life somewhat protected in a barn and it deserved a second shot.

And despite its size, the CT110 can haul gear surprisingly well. That giant rear rack is basically a built‑in ADV luggage system and it came with a center stand to make strapping on gear even easier. I’ve thrown a 60‑pound gearbag on the back for airport runs and still hit top speed. 

It sips fuel at 80 to 90 mpg, which is a nice break from filling my Silverado when gas is $6.50 a gallon here in California. With the 1.5-gallon fuel tank and the 1-gallon auxiliary tank, you’re good for around 200 miles of range.

It’s also nearly impossible to kill. Old Hondas are famous for that. Even if they’ve been sitting for years, a carb clean and a little tuning usually brings them back to life. This one was no exception. After some cleaning, adjusting and fiddling, it runs like a champ. And because it’s so simple, it’s the perfect bike to sharpen your mechanical skills on. Parts are still widely available and cheap, which is surprising for a 40-year-old machine.

Then there’s the practicality. It weighs only 200 pounds, has a 29‑inch seat height with a step-thru frame, and a tiny 48‑inch wheelbase that turns around on a dime. It’s the ideal extra bike to keep in the garage – something you can teach a kid or spouse to ride, or hand to a friend visiting from out of town. It’s a great camping companion, a firewood retriever, a grocery‑getter, and a beer‑run specialist. It barely takes up any space in the garage, and if you’re really tight on room, those foldaway handlebars come in handy.

And the attention? Almost too much. I’ve gotten more thumbs‑up on this thing than on bikes ten times the price. Riders of every stripe seem to appreciate it, Millennials and Boomers alike, and I often get asked questions about it or at least a “Nice bike!”.

Future Plans

It hasn’t been on any real adventures yet. Primarily back and forth to the grocery story. Right now I’m still dialing in the carb, tightening bolts, adjusting valves, and making sure it’s ready for the back of beyond, and back. There are no plans for an Ed March-style round‑the‑world trip, but I do want to load it up for short weekend escapes. Find remote campsites deep in the wilderness. Explore the kinds of backroads and trails this bike excels on. Who knows, maybe a little fishing?

I have a few upgrades in mind like better suspension, luggage and navigation but the goal is to keep it mostly stock. I want to experience it the way riders did decades ago. A little time machine on two wheels.

Even with all its charm, there’s no denying the CT110 does have some hard limits on where you can go and how fast you can get there. But honestly, that’s part of the appeal. Riding a bike like this forces you to slow down, pick roads less traveled, and appreciate the scenery most people blast by. And when I do want to cover big miles or tackle more demanding terrain, I’ve got other full‑sized machines in the garage for those types of trips. The CT110 isn’t meant to replace those bikes, it’s meant to open up a different kind of adventure riding experience. 

If you want to see more on this bike – how we prep it for adventure, what we upgrade, and how it performs on the trail – let us know in the comments. For now, I’m just excited to bring this little red relic back to life and see what adventures it can take us on. 

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.