North Carolina: The Outer Banks on a Honda Trail 125

The mighty Honda Trail 125 was strapped securely to the Mototote carrier on the back of the Toyota Tacoma when my work day in Raleigh, NC, ended. Everything I needed for the two-day tour was ready to be added to the bike when I reached the Roanoke Island Inn in Manteo. The weather forecast was finally favorable for this attempt—although only for a couple days. The Outer Banks are not for the faint of heart weather-wise. The brave ones taking the ferries to reach Ocracoke Island where the best fish tacos are must accept being stuck should the winds exceed 40 mph.

Born and raised in North Carolina, I never experienced the Outer Banks until adulthood. Myrtle Beach was closer to Winston-Salem, so my family went there instead. It wasn’t until years later, after I had moved away from home, that the Outer Banks began popping up on my radar when travelers learned I was from North Carolina and inquired about the place. Being a motorcyclist, it spurred my curiosity to set sail to those barrier islands.

Honda’s mini sensation, the Trail 125, seemed the right bike for the task, thanks to the restricted speed limits and frequent sights to behold on the famous Hwy 12. The only curves I recall are on the massive modern bridges, some tall enough to parachute from.