QuestionBecause of the rising cost of gas, we are looking around for a small motorcycle such as a Honda Trail 90 to get around town. Recently, I read that anything under a Honda 250 has a 6 volt system that has poor lights and that the smaller bikes also have poor brakes and are bad on rainy, wet roads. Is this true? Please advise. Thank you so much.
AnswerIt may be true that older Hondas smaller than 250s used a 6V system which made for poor lighting, and most smaller bikes of that generation had poor brakes, and the tires of that generation were far less capable than the tires we have today.
If Honda still makes the T90, I would imagine that this is not the case. However, there's more choices out there than just a Honda T90.
Most modern small bikes (and scooters!) 50-250cc are equipped with decent brakes, suspension, tires, and equipment; are fairly low maintenance; and are cheap to run and insure. Shop around. Go to the dealership and take a few test rides.
For example, I bought a stupid little 50cc 2004 Chinese scooter, a Yamaha Zuma/MUZ knockoff, to commute on and to buzz around town, and even that P.O.S. (fit, finish, and quality are very poor) has very good lights, great tires and good brakes. The little bugger gets 80 mpg! I can only ride it on 30 mph streets or less (that's as fast as it goes) but I'm fortunate I have a route to work that is mostly on 25 mph streets.
The safety aspect comes from the nut that connects the seat to the handlebars: you. Even on a little bike, wear full protective gear (eye prot., helmet, jacket, boots, gloves, long pants) and make yourself VISIBLE with a bright reflective safety vest (I don't get on my scooter without one), white helmet, and brightly colored jacket. Go take a motorcycle safety course (call 800-446-9227) so you know how to control it when things get dicey, and remember that you are the one who is in control of the situations in which you find yourself.
Ride safe, and happy shopping!
Pat
