Honda CT 90 Trail 90

The CT90 Trail 90 was preceded by the CT200 Trail 90 (1964 - 1966), which featured a similar design, and was itself preceded by dealer-level modifications to the 49cc Super Cub and the C105T Trail 55. The CT200 had an 87 cc iron-head pushrod OHV engine, instead of the CT90's 89 cc alloy head OHC, with a carburetor to match. Except for the engine change, the 1966 models of CT200 and CT90 were the same -- the change in model number reflected a new Honda policy that model numbers would indicate engine-size class.

The CT200 and 1966 CT90 had a dual rear sprocket, which created a lower gear range for heavy weight or steep terrain. To shift to the low range, the operator had to stop and clip a short additional section onto the chain, which then would allow it to go around the larger rear sprocket. Starting in August 1967, this cumbersome arrangement was replaced by a two-range sub-transmission, which could be set far more easily by simply moving a small lever while the bike was in neutral and idling.

The first Honda Trail 90 released to the motorcycle market was in 1964 under the model name CT200. The concept was the same as that of the ever popular Honda Trail 55: a rugged trail bike that could conquer paths and even run through thick bush to get hunters, hikers and fishermen to the best deep woods destinations.

The original Honda CT200 Trail 90, although not initially as popular as it’s smaller counterpart offered 30% more power, and was bigger and almost equally as cost effective. The CT200 Trail 90 was also one of Honda’s first trail bikes to be standardly equipped a muffler with a United States Department of Agriculture approved spark arrestor. This was a big leap in technology at a time when many other motorcycle companies neglected environmental conciousness.

The Honda 90 CT200 was the perfect bike for just about anyone. For beginners, it was a great bike to learn how to ride a motorcycle on. For experts, it was a fun, peppy, and light bike hat could go just about anywhere without many complaints. It was tough, rugged, and expremely reliable. But it was also not exactly perfect. Although many would complain that it was loud, and parts would rattle at high speeds, most riders would rather not bother worrying about it, as it’s Honda engine generally would last as long as you felt like driving it.

In 1966, Honda dropped the CT200 designation, and the bike was renamed and re-marketed as the Honda CT90 Trail 90 K0. By 1969, the new Honda 90 with an 89cc OHC single cylinder engine and automatic clutch. would have it’s front end upgraded with telescopic forks, a huge improvement over the old, problematic front suspension carried by the CT200 which was widely criticized for having a very short travel life. With an upswept muffler, and ample ground clearance, the new Honda CT90 Trail 90 grew to become a much bigger success than is predecessor.

The Honda 90 Trail CT90 was produced for 10 more years until 1969 by the Honda CT110 Trail bike, which was essentially the same bike with a larger engine. Over the course of it’s lifetime on the Trail Bike market the Honda 90 Trail bike would receive many improvements such as a better chain transfer box that would allow you to adjust the gear ratio with the flip of a lever for riding on steeper trails and roads.

Although maybe not Honda’s greatest trail bike success, the Honda Trail 90 CT90 was certainly one of the most innovative and all around best trail bikes in the industry for it’s time. Over the years The Honda 90 CT90 has gotten more and more recognition and is still a popular bike today for it’s fun, peppy, and light rideability, as well as it’s increasing collector’s value.

Honda 90 enthusiasts today are doing greater restorations than ever to bring these great bikes back to life and to show the world what the Honda 90 Trail CT90 is made of!

When the Honda Trail 110 CT110 replaced the Honda Trail 90 in the late 1970’s, it was soon adopted by the Australian Postal Service as the official motorcycle of the Postal delivery sevice. This was largely because of its convenience, reliability and ease of getting on and off the bike. Because of this, Honda Trail CT110 Trail bikes became known as “posties”, and Australian’s adopted a new motorsport known as postie racing; where owner’s would soop up their Honda CT110 Trail bikes with bigger engines, performance mufflers, aftermarket parts, and you name it, and race at local dirt tracks.