Honda XL250 – The Forgotten Racer words & photos courtesy of The Vintage Movement
In 1973 , Honda released their world-changing CR250M Elsinore . Coming from a company renowned for , and dedicated to , four-stroke engines , this model not only broke the mold for Honda , but in many ways also changed the sport of motorcycling forever . Indeed , with the Elsinore , Honda set a new standard for production off-road race bikes in manufacturing quality , dedicated design , light weight , and unprecedented overall performance .
In fact , such was the impact the 250 Elsinore had on off-roading , it virtually eclipsed everything which had come before – including other models from within Honda itself . However , for one year prior to the introduction of the Elsinore , there was another Honda off-road bike which , in its own right , garnered tremendous attention and has earned lasting respect within the sport of motorcycling . That bike was Honda ’ s original XL250 .
Prior to its introduction in early 1973 , Honda kept a tight lid on the Elsinore . Nobody saw it coming .
And so , up to that time , other newly-designed bikes received a great deal of attention , and the XL250 was certainly among those which did . Officially the XL250KO Motosport , this machine was no Elsinore . It was of course a fully street-legal dual-sport , or “ Enduro ” as we called such bikes back then . And it was no lightweight , coming in at nearly 300lbs ready to ride . Suspension was the standard of the day , with just a few inches of travel front and real . Power , as Rolls Royce famously referenced in their marketing , was “ adequate ”. Actually , there was about 24 hp on tap – plenty enough to push the bike around quite respectably .
And yet there was much to get excited about with this new bike . The XL came with a brand-new frame , designed exclusively for this model . The engine was also brand new , and as had become the standard for Honda , was extremely well-designed , oil-tight , and bulletproof . Also featured was a high-mounted , very well tucked in and extremely quiet and effective
ON THE PEGS // PAGE 52