Cw Riding Impression
CW RIDING IMPRESSION
HONDA XR250L
LOVERS OF DIRT-WORTHY dual-purpose motorcycles have been left waiting in the wings the past few years. The only machines available to them were big, heavy bikes that worked well on paved roads but left a lot to be desired when aimed towards dirt.
Suzuki started a movement back towards dual-purpose bikes with equal amounts of onand off-road savvy with the introduction of its 1990 DR250S, DR350S and DR650S models.
This prompted Honda to immediately begin prototyping comparable bikes based on the XR250 and a hybrid XR600 with an electric-start NX650 engine installed.
We rode both bikes several months ago and we were impressed. Honda employee and desert-racing star Bruce Ogilvie had valved the suspensions on each bike and both were extremely plush and well behaved. Both bikes could be ridden at high speeds on rough ground and across sand whoops with excellent control.
When we asked about actual production machines and the absence of a 350, we were surprised at the answers: There would be no 350 because Honda of Japan had destroyed the tooling for the 350cc engine. The neat electricstart 650 was something American Honda had built and it hadn't been viewed by the Japanese home base yet, so, no go, at least for 1991.
But the XR250L definitely would be a 1991 model. Honda told us. And the production bike, with the exception of small changes to insure street legality in America, would be identical to the prototype, including the suspension.
Well, the production edition of the 1991 XR250L is here, and with the exception of its color and minor bits and pieces, the bike does indeed appear to be identical to the prototype. The L is an XR250 with a steel fuel tank, a battery, turnsignals, speedometer, lights and a rear fender bag.
But, despite American Honda’s good intentions, the suspension doesn’t perform with the same degree of perfection the prototype displayed. Its primary problem is that both ends are too soft. The softness can be alleviated at the rear by increasing the spring preload and adjusting the compression damper to a heavier setting. But the fork offers no adjustments for damping or spring preload, so a heavier spring will be needed to bring it around.
With the exception of itstoosoft suspension, though, the XR250L is a good do-it-all bike. It starts easily, runs smoothly, has strong disc brakes, a sixspeed transmission and decent manners onand off-road.
So, welcome back to the world of real dual-purpose bikes. Honda. The XR250L is a good start. Now, let’s talk about that wonderful 650 electric-start job. Please tell us that it’s on the way.
—Ron Griewe
