What is the ATC 125?

[unclejemima]

When I say "what is the ATC 125", I mean, what was its purpose?

Was it an upgrade/replacement to the ATC 110, or did both models exist at the same time?

Did the engine just have a slightly larger bore/stroke than the 110? Was it a new engine design? Were there any significant changes between the ATC 110 vs the 125?

I know some ATC 125M's that have electric start...is this an option or standard? Were there more models than just the 125M? (aka 125S, 125X, ext.)

I had a good lead on a 1982 ATC110, but the trike has been sold...so I found this *mint* 1985/86 ATC 125M that has my eye, but I'm not really to sure where the 125 fits in compared to the 110's I've always been looking at?

Thanks again,

[fabiodriven]

I'm pretty sure the ATC 110 and the 125M were produced at the same time. There was never an ATC 125X or S, or just plain ATC 125 either. Just the 125M. The big external differences between the 110 and the 125 are the M has a front brake and electric start. I'm not sure the difference internally on the motor, if it's a bigger bore or longer stroke.

Now, you made mention of an 85/86 125M. The difference between the 85 and 86 ATC 125M is huge. The 85 had the laydown motor, and in 86 they went to a more common upright jug. Like a jug you would see on the 200, 250SX, 350X, etc. I'm pretty sure they went to a straight five speed tranny in the 86 M as opposed to the 4 speed hi/low setup on the 85's. The 86 M's are somewhat rare and sought after, so make sure it's either an 85 or 86. They are two completely different animals.

[unclejemima]

Ah good info. I will find out...my luck it is probably just an 85.

I really do like the high/low option, so the 85 would not be a bad choice either.

Would it be fair to say the 1985 ATC125 is as reliable of a motor as the 1986 ATC125?

Are there any visual differences between the 85 and 86? (plastic tank for the 86?)

The 110 did not have a front brake, seriously! I did not know that!

When did the ATC 125 come out first? 1983?

[fabiodriven]

The laydown motors are tried and true, I really don't know much about the upright 125's. It is a Honda, so my guess is it's a pretty stout little engine. There are major cosmetic differences between the 85's and 86's, although I'm pretty sure the 86 still had a metal tank. I'm not positive the year the 125M came out, but I think it may be 84. It's no big deal not having a front brake on those little trikes. You don't really need it.

[leevarnado]

the 2nd gen 125m is also bullet proof,i would take my 86 125m over any 185-200 utilty trike

[unclejemima]

leevarnado, does your 86 125M have 5spd or 4spd trans? Does it have high/low range? Just wondering, do the 86's have electric start as well?

the 2nd gen 125m is also bullet proof

Good to know. I've got a slight hankering that the 2nd gen might be a bit more reliable, only because I've seen alot of the horizontal (1st gen) 110/125's that run good, but 50% of the them smoke blue...where i've never seen the TRX125 smoke blue (i've never seen an 86+ ATC125, but they have the same engine)

It could be just bad maintenance, or it could be a engine design thing...
Can anyone confirm/deny this? Perhaps all 110/125's I've seen just had bad maintenance or been abused? The horizontal design is a bit on the "old school" side though.

Does anyone else have a pre 86 125 that does not smoke blue?

the 2nd gen 125m is also bullet proof,i would take my 86 125m over any 185-200 utilty trike

They say its funner to drive something slow, fast; than something fast, slow.

[pickup-truckin]

I have one of each.. Of about a dozen lol.

my 85 never smoked, and my 86 never sees the light of day. Both have electric start, both have front and rear brakes. My 110 smoked however, no front brakes no electric start. Oddly enough, the 110 had front shocks. Never saw it before or again. Should've held on to it

[Jmoozy27]

I have one of each.. Of about a dozen lol.

my 85 never smoked, and my 86 never sees the light of day. Both have electric start, both have front and rear brakes. My 110 smoked however, no front brakes no electric start. Oddly enough, the 110 had front shocks. Never saw it before or again. Should've held on to it

Must have had a 200 front end. The 86 has a motor similar to the 200 series. Not horizontal.

[pickup-truckin]

I thought about the 200 front end. Wasn't sure if the heights matched or the bulk of the neck. I wasn't the original owner but it made me twitch that it smoked so much. I thought maybe it was an option in 85. My KLT 110 has front sus too

I love my 86, been in parades with it and my DRS.

[pickup-truckin]

Let's try this
1985 125m....



1986 125....



1985 110...

[Degoragon]

the 86 125m really is a beautiful machine, but also a rare and unique one, which makes it very hard to find parts for. also, a 185/200s engine will NOT fit on there without notching and re-welding the frame, I learned that the hard way. If you have a complete one, excellent, if not, its frustrating, that's why I sold my 86 and bought the 185s i currently own.

[cr480r]

The '85 125m I had was tired and low on power, but I found it very well balanced and fun to ride. I always wondered what fresh one would be like. I liked the handling much better than the 200s that replaced it. A friend has an 86 125m. Very cool machines indeed, but like said above good luck finding parts should you damage it or need to complete one

[86T3]

Not trying to be a buzzkill, but this thread is 6 years old.

[tripledog]

Not trying to be a buzzkill, but this thread is 6 years old.

I didn't even notice the date, but I still learned something that I didn't know before.

[atc300r]

I was looking at a couple second gen 125 last summer they were listed on CL as parts trikes. They ran but were missing tires and plastic. My plan was to get one and put the motor in a 200x frame.Still might do it if I can find a nice parts trike .