Honda’s XL 25OS trail bike

Press, 30 November 1978, Page 11

Honda’s XL 25OS trail bike

By

ROD DEW

There is no doubt that the original Honda XL2SO trail bike was a soundly designed mount. But, even when it first appeared on the international market in 1972, it was too heavy for serious trail riding and its performance was anything but spirited. As the years passed, it became even heavier and many sports minded riders looked elsewhere for their fun machines. However, Honda has now answered criticisms of what was largely an undeveloped machine with a completely new trial bike carrying the XL2SO designation. Known as the “S” model, it is considerably lighter, handles better in the rough, has a much improved performance in all conditions, and f ■ motor, now equipped with chain-driven counter balancers, is even smoother than before. This is one four-stroke which will not get blown into the weeds by every two-stroke which happens by. For those interested in enduro competition, the new XL2SOS can be readily adapted. Much of the electrical gear, including the battery, can be stripped off in moments. The new Honda has been a long time coming be at this stage it is probably the best fourstroke off-road machine available. In New Zealand, the model is finding a ready market and, after testing one example, provided by Honda City, it is not difficult to understand whv It is more inclined towards off-road riding than its predecessors. The steering head angle is more upright and more care has to be taken than usual to keep the bike running in a straight line on the road. But in the dirt, it gives the rider far greater manoeuvrability. Combined with the new 23in front wheel — the

Specifications of the Honda XL2SOS are:— Engine, single overhead camshaft four-stroke with four valves; displacement, 24? cu cm; bore and stroke, 74 x 57.8 mm; compression, 9 to 1; horsepower, 20.2 b.h.p. at 7500 r.p.m.; torque, 2.okg-m at 4000 r.p.m.; frame, diamond; suspension, telescopic front and swinging arm at rear; clutch, wet, multi-

biggest so far on any trail bike from Japan — this helps give the bike a handling edge over its chief rivals. The Honda runs true in loose going and changes of direction on rutted tracks are no problem at all, thanks largely to the bigger front wheel. But perhaps the most worthwhile improvement is in the weight. The XL2SOS tips the scales at 119 kg (262.31 b dry, which is a marked improvement over the 1977 mode! which weighed 154 kg (3401 b and even the 1966 model which weighed 126 kg 62781 b). It is still no lightweight, but for a fourstroke it is more than acceptable. Honda has obviously gone to considerable extremes to reduce the weight. The four-valve engine has been pared down. The weight of the crankshaft, piston, clutch, transmission, and some other components, has all been reduced and the frame has been changed from a full single cradle to a diamond using the

plate; carburettor, 28mm piston valve; ignition, electronic; starting, primary kick; ienglh, 217.5 cm; width 87.5 cm; height, 118.5 cm; seat height, 85cm; heeibase, 139 cm; ground clearance, 26cm; dry weight, 119 kg; tyres, 3.00-23 4PR at front and 4.60-18 4 PR at rear; fuel capacity, 9.5 litres (2.09 gallons). Test machine provided by Honda City, 72-76 Manchester Street. Christchurch.

engine as a member of the frame.

The engine is braced at the top as well as the bottom and appears to suffer no ill-effects from the flexing of the frame in rough conditions. The rev counter had been dispensed with and in its place is a larger trip meter, which will please enduro enthusiasts. Those who do most of their riding on the road, a high percentage, will miss the rev counter. Trail riding enthusiasists will consider the rev counter unnecessary. But then, the same could be said about mudguards in the dry. Oddly enough, the speedometer has no cowling and the plastic cover reflects light. The warning lights at the bottom are not easy to see, either. New suspension al! round makes the handling far more secure in the rough, and it seems to handle the tarmac well, too. In fact, with road tyres fitted it is possible that the Honda could match or exceed the performance of many road bikes on twisty sections of road.

In front, the Honda has a conventional telescopic

fork with a movement of 203 mm, compared with ISOmm for the previous model. The long inclined

shock absorbers at the rear are inverted and of the gas/oil damped variety. They have an impressive movement of 175 mm, compared with 105 mm for the older machine.

A new tread pattern has been introduced by Honda for the bike. This is claimed to be an improvement on the trials universal for a road/trail machine.

The new frame enables the seat height to be lower than the previous model, and yet the ground clearance has been increased to 24cm (10in). Trail bikes have been __ steadily getting taller as ' the demand for greater suspension movement has increased. That Honda has managed to increase the movement and reduce the height of the machine is particularly praiseworthy. The single overhead camshaft engine is the

smoothest of any single at present available, thanks to the counter rotating balance weights. The bore and stroke are the same oversquare 74 x 57.8 mm. The crankshaft is short and strong, supported on both sides by large roller bearings located by dowels to prevent radial creeping. In spite of the weightreducing efforts, the engine is robust and would certainly lend itself to further development, just as the engine of the previous model did. The maximum power at 20.2 b.h.p. is about the same but it is achieved at 500 r.p.m. lower at 7500 r.p.m..

There are two exhaust pipes to the twin exhaust ports on the engine, making it look a little like a twin to the uninitiated. The whole exhaust system is lighter and neater than anytning previously produced by Honda/ Overweight silencing systems were one of the major handicaps of the earlier models and were quickly replaced.

Unfortunately, the noise emission is rather greater than it was for the previous model. In the noise

SINGING RACER Egon Muller (West Germany), who recently won the world 1000 metres long track championship for the third time, is considering retiring. The blond racer is also a successful singer and he is concerned that a speedway accident could ruin his career as a stage and cabaret artist. “I can earn more in two sessions of half an hour’s singing than at one race meeting. And it is not so dangerous. I have a new record coming out soon and if it does well in the charts I think I will have to stop racing. I cannot afford to get hurt.” Muller at present earns about $4OOO for a race meeting. ROBERTS KING

Kenny Roberts (United States) has won the world 500 cu cm road racing championship for Yamaha at his first attempt. He put the outcome beyond doubt with a third placing in the West German grand prix behind' Virginio Ferrari (Suzuki), of Italy, and Johnny Cecotto (Yamaha), of Argentina. The world champion for the last two seasons, Barry Sheene (Suzuki), of England, was fourth. Roberts, the first American to win a world title since Jack Milne won the world

test conducted by the Ministry of Works noise control officer, Mr R. W. Wright, a maximum reading of 84dbA was recorded. This was considerably higher than the 78dbA recorded by the 1977 XL2SO.

The new figure is still within the limit of 86dbA for new machines, but it is now among the noisiest of street legal motorcycles. This is a considerable disappointment considering the old XL2SO was the quietest. However, the characteristics of the engine are such that this figure would rarely be achieved with normal riding. Once on the move, the power band of the engine is so wide that the top three gears cover most conditions.

On the road, the engine will pull strongly in top from about llkm/h right up to its maximum of about 129km/h. Its pulling power throughout the range is outstanding. The test model was ridden from Cashmere to Governor’s Bay over Dyers Pass without dropping out of top gear. An unofficial noise reading taken in top gear at maximum acceleration returned 77dbA, which was far more acceptable. The six readings were: 84, 83, 84, 83, 82, 82dbA. The transmission is smooth and positive and the brakes are well suited to a dirt orientated machine. The front unit is smooth and positive, and can be Operated with two fingers. The foot brake is not particularly effective unless one applies considerable pressure. And that is just the way trail riders prefer it.

The new Honda XJL2SOS is a first class trail bike, featuring excellent steerintg, suspension and a tor* quey, economical engine with electronic ignition. It is mild-mannered, but can cover the kilometres at a surprisingly rapid rate, on the road and off. In New Zealand, it retails for $2338.

speedway crown in 1937, has indicated that he will; return to Europe nextj year to defend his title. I FLYING FINN Heikki Mikkoia (Yamaha),! of Finland, dominated the! world 500 cu cm moto-j cross championship this I year in a manner which few have done before him. I He won 14 of the 24 world championship races and put the issue beyond doubt with three races in hand. Mikkoia, a master of balance and one of the most brilliant rough riders of all time, led the world championship from beginning to end. It was his third successive victory in the world championship. Runner-up honours went to an American, Brad Lackey (Honda). The former world champion,! Roger De Coster (Suzuki), was a distant third. IVAN NUDGED A slow-motion television film of the controversial! world speedway cham-i pionship heat in whichthe defending title-holder. | Ivan Mauger, was tipped' off has shown beyond | doubt that he received a| nudge from Gordon Ken-1 nett (England). Mauger’s' protest was rejected byi the referee at the time and | probably cost him hisi chance of winning the world championship