Honda Ct-70 Trail Mini
HONDA CT-70 TRAIL MINI
CYCLE WORLD IMPRESSION
This Little Mini Stands Tall Among Its Competitors.
HONDA HAS YET to misjudge the motorcycle market. Whenever they tap it, they score. Each time they bring out a new model you know it'll be a hit, as surely as one Burma shave sign follows another.
But although near supernatural clairvoyance is evident, it’s not the only reason for Honda's success. They also produce a well engineered product for a budget price. Clearly a sales virtue in itself.
The Honda CT-70 Minitrail is the latest embodiment of this formula. It comes at the height of a minibike boom that has yet to crest and offers features sufficiently lavish to belie its sub-$300 price.
Lord knows, the little ohc Honda engine is virtually indestructible. And now that it has been punched out from 50 to 70 cc for extra pizazz, the minitrail powerplant is that much more suited to American tastes. Topping it all off is its rather elegant styling, desirably large 10-in. wheels, and all the equipment necessary to be street legal. And even though we don’t recommend that the little bugger be ventured on the highways, it is at least reassuring to know it may be done legally in a pinch; not necessarily limited to the dirt pile next door or supermarket parking lots.
And while most minis are designed for use by the younger set, comfort and accommodations are usually lacking for those,of adult proportions. So it came as a pleasant surprise when some of our larger staffers took extended turns in the saddle without ill effect. Much of the credit for this goes to the fat seat (on the scooter, that is) and well placed controls; elbows and knees don’t project into the breeze, while both palms and posterior retain more or less natural attitudes—words worthy of few other minis.
For access to the fuel tank, one merely flips a latch and the seat swings forward. This is not likely to be a common chore as gas consumption is so meager, but an interesting point is the sealing provision in the gas cap. A small rubber ring closes the cap vent when turned to the Off position, so fuel doesn’t seep out into your car’s trunk. But when stashing the mini away, don’t forget to also shut off the tap at the tank and drain the carburetor bowl of excess fuel. There’s a valve at the carburetor’s base for this purpose.
Another feature facilitating storage is the folding handlebars. Just loosen a knob at the base of each bar and they will swing downward to conserve space. In the raised position, they are secured by notches in the handlebar mounts, so there’s no danger of them coming adrift.
Of particular value to the beginner is the three-speed transmission and automatic clutch. Merely depress the shift lever to engage the gears, then release it. Now bring engine speed up to the point of clutch engagement and away you go.
The Honda’s left-handed rear brake lever may prove a bit confusing to the inveterate biker used to a hand clutch. And to compound the issue the rear brake is also actuated by a pedal on the right side. At first, this hand arrangement seemed unnecessary, but later in the test we were to discover its true value. Like all minis, the Honda is a bit more skittery than its larger-wheeled relatives. For this reason we had to negotiate a particularly precipitous grade with both feet dragging and little chance to use the foot brake. In situations such as this, the hand brake for the rear proved a wise adjunct.
The little Honda’s handling ranks as about the best of any mini we’ve tested. And while understandably it isn’t quite as forgiving as a full-sized bike, the CT-70 refrains from that dreadful highsiding twitchiness that threatens to put you on your head whenever you hit a bump. Ten-inch wheels, quite large for a mini, and a nifty little suspension deserve most of the credit for this virtue. Indeed, in the rear, where most scooters don’t even have springing, the Honda has a swinging arm, replete with chromed shock absorbers. The front fork, too, has a couple inches travel, which, combined with thoughtful front end geometry, adds up to a rather comfortable and controllable ride.
Considering all its features, this mini stands deservedly tall among its competitors. And to sum it up, handling and durability are just two of its strong points, while it still has much more to offer. You can’t beat it for looks and its portability makes it even that much more desirable.
