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/141011
" 'g . .., . " '" ,." ,. , , ~ Q. N .... Ol 25 XL250=======:::;'l DIMENSIONS . Overall Length Overall Width Overall Height Wheel Base . . Drsy Height . . . ~ ~ W Z 83 .5 inc . 33.1 in . 44 .3 in . 54 .5 in .32.3 in . .75 in . 278 lb Ground C learance w Dry Weight . -' U FRAME >- Type of frame .Semi-double cradle F. Suspension. U Travel 6.7" Tele. fork tubu lar ty pe R . Suspension Travel 4 .4 in . Sw ing A rm F.TireSize. type. Pressure . . .2.75·21 (4PR) Semi-knobby tire R. Tire Size. Type. Pressure . . .4.00·18 (4PR) Semi-knobby tire F. Brake. Sweep Area . . .19.5 sq. inch. I nt erna l expanding sh oe Fuel Capacitv 2.1 US. gal. Fuel ReserveCapacity . . 0.5 US . gal. Caster Angle 59.5 degree from horizontal Trail Lenth , , .. 5.5 in. .. inclined fro m vert ical Bore and Stroke .74 mm X 57 .8 mm Displacement . . . . . . . . . . 248cc Compress ion Rat io Carburet or . . . . . . . . 9. 1: 1 Keihi n PW-28 Valve Train chain driv. ove r head cams haft 1.9 US. qt . Lubricat ion SystemForced and wet sump Fuel Requ ired Low ·lead gasol ine w ith 91 octane no . or higher, o r reg. grade Air Filtrat io n .Oiled po ly urethane fo am Oil Capacity Engine Drv Weight (w/earb.l . .. 84 Ib DRIVE TRAIN Type of Clutch . . Wet multi-plate type Transm ission . .5 -speed, c onstant mesh Primary Reduction Rat io: Ratios: 1 Ratios: 2 Ratios: 3 Ratioos: 4 Rat ios: 5 Final Reduction Rario .3.125 .2.352 .1.666 .1.280 .2.000 . .0.806 3.200 :1 Cyli"der Arrangement Single cylinder ,10 'i CIl ':l .~ Cl ELECTRICS ENGINE TypeAir cooled. SOHC 4 valves. 4 stroke - .... Type of Ignition . Flywheel magneto >-" Starting System . . Kick starter pedal B ~ o ~========================!J~ _ .-.A . . The Honda does one th ing bett er than any oth er production bike outs ide the BSA 500 MX : climb hills. ByTo m Culp March , th e old proverb says, co mes in like a lion and exits like a lamb. Something like that. Well, in Southern California the little woolly marched in with days in the high 70's, beautiful, clear days that make any work a bummer for any motorcyclist, especially if you're working 50 feet from a shin y new motorcycle just made for chasing the sun. And a machine so new it has only been ridden by a handful of test riders, to boot. As I pass by it at least 25 times a day I pause to look for some reason to take it out of ' this drab dull everyday existence, into the hills, fields and forests where it more at home. The latest Honda for the street/trail fans was j ust waiting for me to get a big h andful and set sail on another da y of all-out fun . Three d ays had passed since I last rued it up and split out across the sandwash at Indian Dunes. The crowd that gathers at the sight of something as new as this watched, waiting for the big heavy four-stroke to part my command. Alas, I splashed into the water. I made it all the way across the big wide wash flat-out, way over my head, but I showed those four-stroke skeptics it really was not that big or heavy. It's not light, by any means. A good 300 pounds, gassed and ready to take on any rider. Uh-o h , Hitting the water, I remembered what about water proofing. "Here's where I get off," I thought. Only I didn 't. The 250 just sailed on through never missing a beat. Great. Now for that big hill. I sent Dave - the photog up to capture th e Lighweight conical hubs and rims, the latest rage everywhere, can be found on the Honda . The bike needs to lose weight anyway , if the rider . is to compete seriously. great ascent for posterity. Up, up, and away. Not flat out, just an easy looping second-gear run to see what this bike had for steam. No problem. Continuing on climbing high above the valley along the fire roads used for the Viewfinders Grand Prix L had the feeling this four-stroker might make the grade. The engineers in the Land of the Rising Sun are catching on much quicker nowadays. The handling was proving to exceed what I had hoped for in a combination machine. Lugging around a 84·pound (dry weight) overhead cam engine whould play havoc on any b ike's handling, but Honda has succeeded. The use of t he 2I -ineh front wheel helped get the weight back and ligh ter alloy rims front and rear improves matter. These rims are shaped just like any steel rim and are finished in a light gray color. They look sharp, and are very strong, but not strong enough for a super fast des ert ride. As a combo bike, handling is right-on. Two more inches of wheelbase over the stock 54.5 inches would do wonders for the competition rider. I am testing a dual-purpose bike and that is how I will grade it , Once you've raced a four-stroke you just can't let go of the hope of again seeing them campaigned again. Thise one has plenty of potential; just trim a lot of fat and give 'er the old 98-pound-weaklin~kit and you're read y. All this is going to cost bucks and time so yo u reall y have to want to ride a four stro ke. The frame builders an d engin e accesso ry fo lks ar e wo rking in that direction. T akin g into consideratio n the Although it has on e carburetor, it has two throttl e cables. One of them pulls the butterfly open and the oth er one pulls it shut. base price of around $850 you co uld get a winner for what th e more expensive twa. strokes are running. Back to what the Honda is designed for . Now, what every rider is licking his chops for power. Power it has but not the instant gang-buster type you get from all two strokes . It's a more even, better-handled type. Tach it to the eight-grand redline and slip the clutch, no sweat. It's a strong one. If you're real quick you can get the jump on 'em, if not, don't worry. Second gear lifts the front wheel and you blow by. This is due to the new four-valve head, which gives quicker rpms. The stock gearing is fine if you intend to ride a'great deal of open road. It'll pull 70 easy in fifth. A gear ratio reduction should be first order of business for any serious dirt rider. Shifting is the best in any bike I've ridden. After many hours of no-clutch banging, neutral came right in there every time I wanted it . • While in neutral, 111 relate a little story. Seems the photog, testing on.e of The author spins some do-nuts. The ultra--manageabte powerband makes such tricks a breeze . . , ." " Jc'- , rI ' 0 {)