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/126775
The new Radial Four Valve Combustion motor and dual carbs give the XR more horsepower; however it isn't enough for the serious competitor. vived every crash without ,my problems. The odometer and speedometer are next to useless in an enduro. A decen t aftermarket countdown/chart holder combo is a must for the serious enduro rider. Maintenance is easy. The quickrelease rear wheel assembly is a breeze, and the snail cam adjuster makes adjusting the chain very simple and accurate. The sealed O-ring chain held up well, and never stretched. A tool pouch is mounted on top of the rear fender, which never got in our way. Only two tools comes stock with the XR, but they are enough to get moston-the-trail repairs accomplished. One is a spark plug socket, and the other is a five-in-one wrench, which includes assorted sizes and an axle wrench. Getting the socket over the spark plug is a real pain, though. There is barely enough room between the head and the frame to fit the wrench in. Hand grips are the same found on the motocrossers, and they are the best in the business. They hold up well in crashes and should last as long as a rider owns the bike; and besides that, they're very comfortable. The XR200RE is an excellent playbike but falls short for the purposes of a serious enduro rider. There is more horsepower this year, but the XR still just doesn't have enough. The XR200RE suits the needs of an eastern enduro rider more than a' southern competitor, because the XR is more at home weaving through trees and wading through stream crossings, than held wide-open through vast deserts. Fun, not winning, is what makes the XR200RE a winner. • S pacifications 26 the best way to keep the rear from locking up is to adjust the cable a lillie loose, but then the brake pedal must be depressed too far. If the pedal is adj usted to a finer touch, the rear end Locks easily. Somewhere in between is a semi-happy medium. When adjusted cor~ectly, and with just the right amount of engine braking, the XR is a blast on fireroads when traction is at a minimum. Both front and rear brakes seal out water fairly well. Stre.am crossings never gave us any problems on the XR. We spent many miles in engine-ease-deep water, but it never failed. However, we do recommend giving the airbox some waterproofing attention if water crossing should become any deeper. The footpegs and brake pedal have good traction keeping wet boots where they should be. OIJ . ~h.e. subject of uaction, the stock IRe tires keep the XR in a straight line even on slick, hard surfaces. Knobby life has a long expectancy, because there isn't that much power pumped out of the XR, so excessive wheelspin is almost nonexistent. But the front tire does skate around a bit on switchback trails. Thanks to the high ground clearance, the frame doesn't drag much. The only time we dragged the 'frame was climbing over large logs and boulders, but the aluminum skid plate saved the cases from damage. The Honda's riding position feels a little small and short for a rider pushing six feet. The new safety-style seat is firm and comfortable, and the handlebars have a goOd bend. Both clutch and front brake lever have a good feel, while the plastic hand guards do a great job warding off tree branches and mud. The guards sur- Engine type Air cooled OHC, 4-stroke single cylinder Bore x stroke 67x56.5mm Oisplacement 199cc Compression ratio 1 1 .1: 1 Carburetion ..... (2) 18/20mm Keihit!. tt.orsepower 23 @ 9.000 Torque ... 14.5 ft/lbs. @ 7;500 Valves per cylinder. . . . . . . .. .. 4 Intake valve size 27mm Exhaust valve size .. ·. . 23.5mm Intake lift ' 7.6mm '1.3mm Exhaust lift Included valve angle 45° Intake valve timing 5°-36° Exhaust valve timing 35°-5° (measuring pt.) 1mm' Ignition COl Headlight 36 watt Lubrication Wet sump Oil capacity 1.4 qt. Gear ratios Primary·········3 F~~~I ::::::::::: 846' i;~}5~~ 4th 3rd 2nd 1st Frame 50 mph 40 mph 30 mph 21 mph Steel semi double cradle Rake 26° Trail. 4.1 inches Front suspension type .... Telescopic forks Fork tube diameter '36mm Front wheel travel 10 in. Rear suspension type Singleshock swingarm Rear wheel travel. .. 9.7 inches Front brakes .. Double-leading shoe Rear brakes Singleleading shoes Front wheel 21 -in. Rear wheel ..........•... 17-in. Fronttire 3.00-21 6-ply IRC Rear tire 1 10/90-17 6-ply IRC Dry weight 220.6 lb. g.:~~ ~rc:.':.a:itY::::::::::~~l~~: 6t " ,. 174 4th 1 '460 3rd .. ,................. . Reierve Ground cleamce Footp8g height 0.4 ga" 12.4-in. 16 2 in ~~d.::::::::::d::.::::::: :~:~:~ ~-:~~:~=: j:i'~ :(~:~:: :~.~:.~:.i~: Calculated spee redline 6th 5th In 103.6/116.9 Ibs. Colors red 7 2 mPh Retail price ......••..... $1696 . 6 1 mph gears at ..