Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126624
ers, however, needed to adjust the suspension to suit their weight and riding sty le. This was no problem as there are four damping adjustments on the shock, plus preload adjustment, and the forks can be adjusted with air or by changing oil weight and/or level. Just be sure to make adjustments at both ends at the same time so the bike remains properly balanced from front to rear. The owner's manual describes the procedure and provides a tro ublesh ooting chart with the suggested solutions. Logging the miles After our motocross trip, we took the XR200 on numerous trail rides and entered a couple of enduros. The only maintenance required was filter cleaning, an oil change. chain lube, spoke tightening and brake adjustment. The air filter requires tools to get to it and the skid plate must be removed to change the oil, but neither task is all that time consuming. Spoke tightening is always required with new bikes and ours loosened up quite a bit. The rear brake a lso needed to be tightened and this is due in part to th e cable that operates it. We're not fond of rear brake cables because of the logistics of having all the weight of the rider pressing on that lever a n d stretchin g th e cable. Step lightly and buy fewer brake cables. The XR was ridden in the desert an d in the trees , and has a host of goodies for the task. Folding shift •• and brake Jevers; an 'a ll purpose tool and tool bag, a protective skid plate. and a single in-line throttle ca ble (goodbye p u sh- p u ll assembly) make owning an XR more enjoyable. There is a lso a speedometer/odometer for those speed freaks and enduro timekeepers, and our ,h eadlig h t and taillight worked throughout the tes t. So what did we think? After logging a ll the miles, we learned to get our we ight forward on the XR for corners and appreciate the stability the p lus side of the heavier steering provides. The XR has a short wheelbase and, though heavier than two-stroke machinery, was much eas ier for Novice a nd Expert a like to handle. The ad justable suspension a nd wi de powerband make the X R so predictable that a rider needs to devote very little attention to shifting. In 'end u ro , it is the speed average that counts and the XR is so forgiving and easy to ride that it has become a serious competitor by virtue of ihe additional attention it a llows the racer to give to the trail-and his timekeeping. Three /ears old and still going strong, the Honda XR200R still meets the ne eds of trail riders and enduro riders alike. With time proven engine reliability and the la test enduro goodies, th e XR is th e p erfect trail bike and a ser ious co m pet itor. In an age of tight money a n d high-technolog y sales pitches, it's amazing tha t a threeyear-old motorcycle still looks in style and is exceptionally co m p eti tive. When will time catch up? • Specifications Engine , Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Air-cooled four-stroke. Displacement . . . . .. . .. .. . .... . . ... .. . . . .. . . • • . . . • . • . .. ; . . 195cc. Bore x stroke . . . . . . . . . .•. . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. .• 66.6 x 57.Smm. Oil capacity . . . . . . . .. ..... . . . .... .. . . . . . . . . ... . . • .. .. . 1 .2 quarts. Compression ratio .. . . .• . . . . . • . . . . ... . . . . . . .. . . .. .. . . . . . . 10.0:1. Maximum horsepower (clai m ed) ... • .. . . . . ... . 19 @ 9.9000 rpm. Maximum torque 1.7 kilograms @ 7 .000 rpm. Starting system . . . ....... . ... . . . . • .. . . . ..... .. .... . Primary kick. Ignition system . . . . ... • . . ..... . . . ... . Capacitor discharge Ignition. Spark plug : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. NGK DRSES-l: Transmission Six speed constant mesh. Carburetor : 26mm Keihin. Frame Type ' Front suspension/travel Rear suspension/travel Front t ire Rear t ire : Diamond. telescopic air fork /9.S in . Pro-link/9.7 in . IRC 3 .00 x 21 - 6 PRo IRC 4. 10 x 1 8 - 6 PR. Dimensions Wheelbase Seat height M inimum ground clearance Dry weight (claim ed) Fuel capacity Fuel reserve capacity Suggested retail price : . . 53.3 in . 36.0 in. 1 3. 4 in . 222.7Ibs. 2.1 gal. 0.6 gal. $1676. 11