Really good video as always. I came here for the Italian bikes but I'm very glad to see your TL. My uncle had a TL250 and his son a 125, bought new in about 1979/80. I was a bit too young to ride either bike at that time but some years later same uncle bought me a modified TL125 that sported a high front mudguard and a hell of a punchy motor. It was like night and day to the standard bike. It was a bit rough round the edges but I loved that bike. I could tell another story about the time an old friend won a local motocross race on a TL125 but I don't think a soul would believe me! RIP Digger Mackay.
Thanks for the kind words. Yes that would be quite a feat to win even one MX heat on a TL125! This one now has the DEP exhaust and a 150cc piston and that has made a big difference to the ability to climb - much more power and a better bike overall. I have a TL250 as well and while the motor is superb, it is just a bit too heavy for real trials work - but for the vintage trials I ride it's almost OK. I love Italian road machines of course, and I love Japanese too, however there are lots of people restoring and riding Japanese models, so the only ones I'd own are ones like these: that you won't see very often. Of course Italy made and still make some excellent Trials bikes - so I have a few of them as well...
I rode mine once in mx and a few times in hare scrambles. I had the Powroll 175cc bored and stroked kit in it. I could out climb Sherpa 350s and Cota 348s. I rode Expert Class back in the day and won the District 5 Championship on it in 1976.
Interesting video. Very beautiful motorcycle. I am also increasingly interested in 125 cc in recent years. So I bought a Suzuki TS 125, with a two-stroke engine. It weighs only 100 kg and is extremely fun to drive.
I like all the off-road bikes from the 70s really - but trials bikes the most as they can truly go anywhere, mostly because of the gearing and the steering lock.
You are very kind. It just may be my favourite bike! Of course the upgrades I've made have addressed its shortcomings, yet they are still a fine bike when bone stock.
I had the red '73.....we rode it in the house it was so quiet (and we didn't have a Mom to complain) Mine had a headlight with a wire guard on it plus a tiny tail light, and with just oil changes it could not be killed!
Had '74 model. Stock front sprocket too big from factory. I think I went to like a 12 tooth or so. Made a huge difference on steep climbs. My friend bought a Yamaha 250 trials. The Honda 125 with the smaller front sprocket was just as cappeble as the larger 250 cc Yamaha. Gearing can make up for the lack of horse power.
Yup I think I have a 9T sprocket on the front actually. Great bike, maybe my favourite. I've had 3 different TY250 and a TY250 mono, as well as 3 different TY175s. I know people love them but I've just never got on with them.
A beauty ! At 14 (1975), I rode one a few weeks and almost bought it used back in 1976. But I went for a more powerful and new Yamaha TY 175. Riding these bikes was a blast ! In North America (Canada), I was looked at as if I was an extra terrestrial because all kids around me bought moto x at the time.
Wow. Same story here. Came really close to buying one at 15, but all my friends had motocross bikes. I was riding a hot suzuki 90 and looked to upgrade. Rode one of these for a week until i settled on a Yamaha 250. Really liked the honda. Just no one else had a trials bike
I know that feeling! Luckily both my brothers got into Trials and we developed an entire community here in southern Ontario Canada. We had a lot of fun, and I'm still riding this bike in competitions today!
It's OEM. Original tank on its original bike, never been painted. The inside was all rusted when I got the bike, and I needed to clear that out and have it lined. It's been fine since.
If you like trials it will be fine. If you are a trail rider it will still be fine. Suspension will be a little soft, but you can manage that. The motor is a bit low on power, but for trail riding and just fooling around it will be ok. Riding position will be OK too though you may want to get higher bars? I'm 5' 11" and weigh 75 kilos so not too much smaller than you are.
If you look at some of my other videos you will see my thoughs on my '75 TL250. I think you are implying that it's not as capable a trials bike as the 125? I agree, though I would NOT call it sluggish! It is one of the most powerful trials bikes of its time, and plenty powerful today. It has several other issues that make it a better trail bike than a trials bike. Overall, I like them both but prefer to ride the 125 more often. Of course other opinions are available.
My brother had a TL250. It was a fabulous trail bike and alright for the novice/junior classes, being just a bit too heavy, too wide between the legs and not quite enough ground clearance. But boy what an engine!
The TL125 was never a competitive trials bike as such, it was originally designed for the New Zealand/Austrialian sheep farmers. Trials riding only started really in the early 70’s and was domintated by the Spanish manufactures ...,Bultaco, Ossa, Montesa etc. They was lighter and 2strokes as apposed to the heavier 4 strokes. Tyres on the Honda TL125 where Dunlop trial masters and they did a street version with a lighting called the TL125s. The K1 (earlier models had a single head) the K2 onwards had a split head. Also the side panels are different
Thanks for the info John. While the TL125 was certainly not a world class trials iron, it is a true trials bike and it did pretty well in club trials the world over! And it's still a delight to ride. As for Trials riding really only starting in the early 70s, well, before Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa, AJS, Greeves, James, BSA and famously Ariel ruled the British and European Championships. But I'm sure you know that. Most historians would say that Trials riding began before 1910...
@@wakinossin The 70's bit was refering to the 2 strokes explosion of the Spanish bikes sorry if i misled you a bit. When i competed in trials on a TL125 in the 70's and eighties where i live in the north of England you did'nt come across TL125's or even the TL250's very often. They was considered to be gutless,heavy and not competetive. When i jumped onto a Yamaha TY175 the first time the bikes where night and day
@@johnpomfret5146 Ah I understand. Yes here in Canada it was much the same in the 70s/80s. The TL125 was fine, if underpowered. The TL250 had an excellent engine but far too heavy and not quite enough ground clearance. More rode the TL125 than the TL250 here. But of course Bultaco, Ossa and Montesa were most competitive, until Mick Andrews brought his trials riding school to Ontario and highlighted the Yamaha TYs. Over here the TY250 became more popular than the TY175, though nowadays folks prefer the TY175. I've owned several examples of both, and personally never got on with them. The TY250 feels too heavy on the front end for me, and the TY175's wheelbase is so short it is difficult to keep the front wheel under control on climbs. Of course other opinions are available. I regularly finish behind riders on TYs!
I have two exactly like this bike..got them from my uncle.. i learned how to ride on them... great little bike!
Oh that's wonderful. Yes they are fun machines and quite capable for vintage trials too.
Really good video as always. I came here for the Italian bikes but I'm very glad to see your TL. My uncle had a TL250 and his son a 125, bought new in about 1979/80. I was a bit too young to ride either bike at that time but some years later same uncle bought me a modified TL125 that sported a high front mudguard and a hell of a punchy motor. It was like night and day to the standard bike. It was a bit rough round the edges but I loved that bike.
I could tell another story about the time an old friend won a local motocross race on a TL125 but I don't think a soul would believe me! RIP Digger Mackay.
Thanks for the kind words. Yes that would be quite a feat to win even one MX heat on a TL125! This one now has the DEP exhaust and a 150cc piston and that has made a big difference to the ability to climb - much more power and a better bike overall. I have a TL250 as well and while the motor is superb, it is just a bit too heavy for real trials work - but for the vintage trials I ride it's almost OK. I love Italian road machines of course, and I love Japanese too, however there are lots of people restoring and riding Japanese models, so the only ones I'd own are ones like these: that you won't see very often. Of course Italy made and still make some excellent Trials bikes - so I have a few of them as well...
I rode mine once in mx and a few times in hare scrambles. I had the Powroll 175cc bored and stroked kit in it. I could out climb Sherpa 350s and Cota 348s. I rode Expert Class back in the day and won the District 5 Championship on it in 1976.
Happy that you shared, your bike is a beauty, I had that baby and wish I still did.
I highly recommend the bike! If you can get another one, you should!
Interesting video. Very beautiful motorcycle. I am also increasingly interested in 125 cc in recent years. So I bought a Suzuki TS 125, with a two-stroke engine. It weighs only 100 kg and is extremely fun to drive.
I like all the off-road bikes from the 70s really - but trials bikes the most as they can truly go anywhere, mostly because of the gearing and the steering lock.
Thanks for this great review. I am thinking of getting one and I think you have convinced me!
You are very kind. It just may be my favourite bike! Of course the upgrades I've made have addressed its shortcomings, yet they are still a fine bike when bone stock.
I had the red '73.....we rode it in the house it was so quiet (and we didn't have a Mom to complain) Mine had a headlight with a wire guard on it plus a tiny tail light, and with just oil changes it could not be killed!
They weren't available until 1974
Introduced in the 73 model year...red.@@robbartlett5887
Had '74 model. Stock front sprocket too big from factory. I think I went to like a 12 tooth or so. Made a huge difference on steep climbs. My friend bought a Yamaha 250 trials. The Honda 125 with the smaller front sprocket was just as cappeble as the larger 250 cc Yamaha. Gearing can make up for the lack of horse power.
Yup I think I have a 9T sprocket on the front actually. Great bike, maybe my favourite. I've had 3 different TY250 and a TY250 mono, as well as 3 different TY175s. I know people love them but I've just never got on with them.
A beauty !
At 14 (1975), I rode one a few weeks and almost bought it used back in 1976. But I went for a more powerful and new Yamaha TY 175.
Riding these bikes was a blast !
In North America (Canada), I was looked at as if I was an extra terrestrial because all kids around me bought moto x at the time.
Wow. Same story here. Came really close to buying one at 15, but all my friends had motocross bikes. I was riding a hot suzuki 90 and looked to upgrade. Rode one of these for a week until i settled on a Yamaha 250. Really liked the honda. Just no one else had a trials bike
I know that feeling! Luckily both my brothers got into Trials and we developed an entire community here in southern Ontario Canada. We had a lot of fun, and I'm still riding this bike in competitions today!
Nice example of the 74. Your blue on the tank looks correct. Is it OEM or do you have a place that one can get that blue?
It's OEM. Original tank on its original bike, never been painted. The inside was all rusted when I got the bike, and I needed to clear that out and have it lined. It's been fine since.
@@wakinossin nice example of this. mine was done incorrectly
@@scalecraft4663 Oh that's too bad. Sorry.
I had a red and silver one. To this day one of my favorite motorcycle that I have owned. Would really like to find another one to restore and keep.
Yes they're so much fun and plenty capable.
I’ve got one for sale. You interested still
1973- red and silver
How would this bike work for a 6 foot 190 pound man
If you like trials it will be fine. If you are a trail rider it will still be fine. Suspension will be a little soft, but you can manage that. The motor is a bit low on power, but for trail riding and just fooling around it will be ok. Riding position will be OK too though you may want to get higher bars? I'm 5' 11" and weigh 75 kilos so not too much smaller than you are.
Great bike, had one
I had both the 125 and the later 250. The 125 was best. I found the 250 to sluggish.
If you look at some of my other videos you will see my thoughs on my '75 TL250. I think you are implying that it's not as capable a trials bike as the 125? I agree, though I would NOT call it sluggish! It is one of the most powerful trials bikes of its time, and plenty powerful today. It has several other issues that make it a better trail bike than a trials bike. Overall, I like them both but prefer to ride the 125 more often. Of course other opinions are available.
I used to have a green and silver TL125 , I'm fairly sure it was original , then i bought TL250s .
My brother had a TL250. It was a fabulous trail bike and alright for the novice/junior classes, being just a bit too heavy, too wide between the legs and not quite enough ground clearance. But boy what an engine!
The TL125 was never a competitive trials bike as such, it was originally designed for the New Zealand/Austrialian sheep farmers. Trials riding only started really in the early 70’s and was domintated by the Spanish manufactures ...,Bultaco, Ossa, Montesa etc. They was lighter and 2strokes as apposed to the heavier 4 strokes. Tyres on the Honda TL125 where Dunlop trial masters and they did a street version with a lighting called the TL125s. The K1 (earlier models had a single head) the K2 onwards had a split head. Also the side panels are different
Thanks for the info John. While the TL125 was certainly not a world class trials iron, it is a true trials bike and it did pretty well in club trials the world over! And it's still a delight to ride. As for Trials riding really only starting in the early 70s, well, before Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa, AJS, Greeves, James, BSA and famously Ariel ruled the British and European Championships. But I'm sure you know that. Most historians would say that Trials riding began before 1910...
I was riding Expert Class with my 1974 with a Powroll 175 trials engine kit and had it down to 167 lbs.
@@wakinossin The 70's bit was refering to the 2 strokes explosion of the Spanish bikes sorry if i misled you a bit. When i competed in trials on a TL125 in the 70's and eighties where i live in the north of England you did'nt come across TL125's or even the TL250's very often. They was considered to be gutless,heavy and not competetive. When i jumped onto a Yamaha TY175 the first time the bikes where night and day
@@johnpomfret5146 Ah I understand. Yes here in Canada it was much the same in the 70s/80s. The TL125 was fine, if underpowered. The TL250 had an excellent engine but far too heavy and not quite enough ground clearance. More rode the TL125 than the TL250 here. But of course Bultaco, Ossa and Montesa were most competitive, until Mick Andrews brought his trials riding school to Ontario and highlighted the Yamaha TYs. Over here the TY250 became more popular than the TY175, though nowadays folks prefer the TY175. I've owned several examples of both, and personally never got on with them. The TY250 feels too heavy on the front end for me, and the TY175's wheelbase is so short it is difficult to keep the front wheel under control on climbs. Of course other opinions are available. I regularly finish behind riders on TYs!
@@wakinossin I currently compete on a 82 Fantic 200 which was a game changer when they arrived here. I also own a TL125s but not for comps
Клас уменя TL125 88 ГДЕ КУПИТЬ ЗАПЧАСИ?
Ah....a Benelli enthusiast to I see !
Yes, but really a Laverda guy. Check out the other videos on my channel.
@@wakinossin Hi !... I will ThankYou, I have a few Ducati’s. I restored a TL125 for my wife to ride around on when I compete on my Beta Evo.
@@NickHellings-zq8xt Sounds great - nice machines. And thank you!
Агонь best