I have always said it is easier to ride a slow bike fast than it is to ride a fast bike slow. The XR200 was/is a complete joy to ride in the woods and trails.
Rode a 200R in the tenth Blackwater 100 in '84. Modded with a YZ 125 front end, a lengthened swingarm, and a Powrol stroked crank. Broke the kick starter internally while knee deep in the middle of the Blackwater river on lap two. Push started it and finished three laps and 75 miles with the trans crunching all the way. Seventh place trophy in the 4-stroke class, what a day!
Just go out and find an old school XR and get a $200 full engine rebuild kit, they're so easy to just slap together, I did my 1989 CT200 (the same engine, completely different transmission) entirely without a torque wrench. Probably didn't even need it but I like not having to refill my oil every week or so.
My first one was a XR250R 1988. To become experiences it was perfect for. I won several races in the 350cc class. After that I bought a HVA WR250 two stroke. And therefore you need to have good skills in race mode. The Honda XR was the best decision I made as a beginner.
The answer is yes. My dad has been riding xr200s for over 20 years. Only been through 2 of them, they need damn near no maintenance for years at a time, and the short wheelbase makes them great in the tight woods. May have no power but he manages to keep up surprisingly well on it.. it just lives at 3/4 to wfo
Still have this bike. It’s all I use for tough, rocky mining trails around where I live in Empire Co. Running a combination of Cox Glow Fuel and methanol to compensate for elevation with a 72 tooth rear sprocket gives it an unfair advantage over most other dirt bikes. My KTM 300EXC’s air box is now relegated to a breeding ground for Black widow spiders.
Awesome man. I have a 95' XR200R with a white tank, plastics are cracked and decals are destroyed from trailing so hard :) That gauge cluster is pretty sick.
Electric start is a massive advantage. I also love TPI and not mixing gas or fouling plugs. TPI and E start have gotten so good now they are the new bench mark
Is the TPI full sorted yet though? A substantial number of guys have been having issues with it here in Australia and have reverted to either Sherco or Beta until the system is working properly... that was a year ago.
@@crosstrainingenduro it’s sorted out completely. The 2021 is amazing. No known issues. Majority of 2020 where the same as well. All the issues where before that.
All joking aside, 20years ago I was a shortass street rider intimidated by dirtbikes. I got to try dirt first on a YZ250. The bike kicked my ass and laughed at me. I decided dirt riding sucked after that. About 4years later I had the chance to try it again, this time on a XR200. I couldn't get enough of trashing that bike. I loved it and it made me in to a lifelong dirt rider. Currently on a 350RRS.
Excellent learner's bike, but then it was also good enough in its day to then be competititive too as the rider improved. The two strokes were faster of course, but it's not always about outright horsepower.
Haha! My experience is from the other direction - dirt to street! Oh yeah, and unfortunately,add another 20 yrs as well... Started on HD dirt bikes (really) and an uncle (yes the crazy one) decided to "acquire" a CB for me. It was a screamer and scared the heck out of me. Riding it like a dirt bike on the road at twice my normal dirt speed was not a good combo. Mom had my dad take it away from me for a few months when a lady told her I was power sliding around corners in the city (didn't know any better - brakes? What are those??)
Just welded the kick leaver with my dad on my xr250r this morning just to take the slack out of it was hitting the frame such a great bike and so easy simple to work on aswell definitely doesn't break the bank keeping the maintenance up on them.
I took a Fresh 1977 Honda CR-125 two stroke motor out of the frame and repalced it with a 1971 Honda SL -125 Motor that was borked and stroked to 160 CC;s Ported head hot cam 24 mm Mikuni carb.. It's a light good handling fun bike to ride.. then about 1 year after I built it Honda came out with the XR-200 with shorter stoke bigger bore and 4 valve head.. I do need to upgrade to a CDI Ignition for now I have no spark.. I built my 4 stroe dirt bike around 1981 or '82
I have a 1985 xr200. I rebuilt the carbs in 1991 and haven’t done anything but ride it and change the oil since. It still still starts on the first kick every time.
The poor XR200 in this vid had been really abused... no oil change for years. Zero maintenance. The eRag guys are now maintaining properly but it was amazing it ran at all with the thick black goopy oil that eventually was changed.
@@crosstrainingenduro These bikes literally don’t ever die. Mine was stolen when I was in high school. Some guy rode and threw it in the woods. The police found it a few weeks later. It kicked right off and we took it home.
Dig the high speed disclaimer at the beginning! Bought a XR200R new in 1982 when most of my friends were buying two strokes. I would race Thursday night motocross at the Irvine International Speedway in Southern California wearing my trademark Aloha Hawaiian shirt and just have a blast. I found a very good condition all original 1982 XR200R on Craigslist about four years ago and swap between that and my 2021 KTM 300 with the TPI. Cross training at its best!
I have a road legal 2000 XR200r, I've been trying to make it look more like this 80s dirt bike version that didn't come to my country. Best motorbike ever
I rode the 1984 China ISDE qualifier on one. Did several endos in the miles of whoops when the suspension went by-by. Rode a KDX 200 the year afterwards. Never had a lick of motor trouble with either one.
@@crosstrainingenduro bank on it .. How does a guy find out where you folks are riding ..if in the PNW ..id love to ride woth you crazy blokes.n hopefully give you the 15% sellers bonus.
Every time I see a XR200 I can't help but think of the time in '89 when one of our new riding buddies bought a brand new XR on the second day of our 3 day trip. He was riding a Honda Transalp the first day. We had fun with him on the 3rd day. We took of his spark plug boot....he he.
Great video.What a monster of a machine. Honda had to discontinue this bike because most riders found it way too gnarly. We just weren't ready for the four stroke revolution at the time.
Whan i was 13 (1993) my dad bought me a 1982 xr200,i was so excited! I found an old 82 twowheels mag with the xr200 on the cover riding through a river almost up to the tank and thought that will be me one day! First ride out I rode it through a puddle and it cut out haha.My dad has an old 200 under a cover at his place i think i might go get it going and take it out!
Man what an awesome bike to have as a teenager! I think I was on an XL100 at that point which was still great, but I dreamed of the 'serious' dirt bikes like the XRs....
I bought an xr200 for a whole $150 once. Spent $250 doing new valves and a overbore piston, then got fancy and spent $100 adding a cr125 front end for a disc brake. Ended up selling it for $1300 and still wish I hadn't sold it. It wasn't fast, the suspension was iffy, but it was perfect for how I ride dirt and just big enough to not be uncomfortable.
Xr250 79 first bike bought it randomly in my 20s never looked back. I miss riding it WOT the entire day. Always had to bring spark plugs unless i wanted to push it home. Would have been better with some suspension, however!!
These things thrive on abuse and neglect. I just rebuilt the carb on my 02 200r today because after 19 years the bowl started leaking. Every seal in it was either made from granite, cracked, or dissappeared. The jets looked like they may have been part of the antikathyra mechanism, and the bowl was coated in varnish. Somehow the bike still ran like that.
I say it’s the rider not the bike (as you’ve said so many times in your videos) however I say the ratio is more like 80% -90% rider, the rest bike ..... What a bike and what a rider! 👍
I reckon you'd be right, Jeff. On a fairly tight relatively flat track like this the bike becomes even less important. In fairness we should have let Megs do a few practice laps as she had never ridden an old clunker before...😁
I find it hilarious that only a month after buying my own 1986 xr200r Cross Training Enduro posted their firs video about it. Only difference is they are riding theirs and I'm still waiting on parts for mine :(
@@crosstrainingenduro Yup, street legal too! Just like yours if I'm not mistaken. Now about that camera......we can arrange for content ideas/brainstorming together you know?
Yes, the parametric combobulator was seen as an unfair advantage, along with the two 'pro links' used by the XR. I never found out what a pro link was, but I'm sure it made the bike even more powerful.
@@crosstrainingenduro 500cc 2 strokes can move aside if any xr200 ever receives an anodized aluminum gas cap. God have mercy on the poor soul riding that rocket ship 🚀
Loved my XR400, it's a shame they didn't continue it and challenge the DRZ400 which became a big seller. E-start would have been easy too, just bring it across from their TRX quad model.
Honest, it’s a fun bike that forgives a lot. But, it won’t forgive lack of maintenance. Change the oil and keep the timing chain adjusted. Change the timing gear and upper sprocket once in a while to keep from dropping a valve onto the piston. Honda dropped the ball by not supporting the cam on bearings. There is a company that provides a new cam supported by bearings.
Hey Dallas, I was researching known issues for the XR and they said most models go forever but usually the timing chain is the first thing to go and can cause some damage. I'm sure Chuck will check on that but just a heads up. www.justxr.com/old/models/xr200.html
@@crosstrainingenduro they sure are. A 95 kdx200 carried my fat arse (280lb) to 8th overall out of 45 in my 1st hare scramble. Had one about 15 years ago it was a peach. Love how the rear bounces around while the front stays planted. In the market for a clapped out one to rebuild.
My mate just bought the 250.... I spent a full day welding new frame tubing under the engine as a dickhead covered over massive rust holes with filler. Then we found out the paperwork was fake so he sent it back. I was so impressed with the ride that ive decided to buy one.... And now ive got a KMX200 sat in front of the sofa.... uhhh?
@@crosstrainingenduro it is indeed. It was kawasakis answer to the DT200. ....and now the pain starts as i try to locate parts. ..it still idles with a perished inlet manifold and a blown crank seal!
It being a four stroke places it at top of the heap. I've had 25 bikes so far. Oh a steep hard packed hill with softball sized rocks a four stroke is better, a 350 is better
Well Barry, I see you’re finally taking sponsorship money. That was somewhat a blatantly obvious pro Honda review. Can’t blame you though,money is money.🤣
Yes, I have received a large chunk of the millions that Honda has made available to reintroduce these bikes soon... since they seem unable to innovate any of their current models and drag them into the 21st century. 😂
Had one as well, too bad they don't make this bike today - all they make today is a bunch of 'clone' big 4 bikes (EURO is where it is at) I wish KTM would build a 200cc 4 stroke enduro bike
The '85 XR200R is NOT a good bike at all. I had one. The engine was made from very poor metal. I can't tell you how many bolts stripped out. It was full of heli coils by the time I was done with it. It had this dual carb set up that absolutely sucked. Valves had to replaced. After that it died again. In the end I sold it for $150. That being said if I had bought an '83 or an '86 I probably would have done a lot better when selling it. It was a great bike to learn on. The smaller frame was excellent for me. I rode a '19 250F, it has a smaller frame as well, loved it. Very low energy easy bikes to ride.
Stripped bolts? That sounds more lik user-error to me, Doobie? Were you using torque wrench or just winging it? The 1984 and 1985 models definitely did have some known issues (dual carb and valve problems) but soft metal has never been reported as one of them... www.justxr.com/models/xr200.html
@@crosstrainingenduro it wasn't me doing the wrenching, it was a reputable Honda shop. The metal was shit. There were several heli coils in the head and block. In fact, the shop let watch as they torqued down a head bolt, to the specified torque value, and it stripped out. They had me watch because it had happened to other bolts on the engine. They didn't want me to think they were incompetent. That same shop has done other work for me and they were great. I have heard the 84-85 years were the only two years of that design and they were terrible. I would never buy an XR from those two years again.
Damn. Well there you go, they must have let the trainees let loose on the design for those years... One thing I found interesting was that certain models of earlier XR200s and XR250s apparently had top end failures but I googled around and couldn't find anything about this. And there was nothing on the JustXR website. Not sure if that one's an urban myth or not.
@@crosstrainingenduro my buddy had an '83 XR, not sure if it was a 200 or 250. It did not have the dual carb set up. He had no issues with that bike though. I think the 84s & 85s were just cursed.
The new bikes are no where near as comfortable or reliable and cost 3 times as much or more shame on Honda for dropping the xr and Kawasaki for dropping the kdx the 2 best bikes ever made
I'd love to ride one of those, Lance. I did ride an IT250 years ago and it had a vicious powerband on it. I heard the 200 had a much friendlier power delivery though?
@@crosstrainingenduro yes I believe that I did. Must be considered a classic. The buyer bought it sight unseen and had it shipped from me in Pennsylvania to Florida.
I have always said it is easier to ride a slow bike fast than it is to ride a fast bike slow. The XR200 was/is a complete joy to ride in the woods and trails.
Wise words!
Rode a 200R in the tenth Blackwater 100 in '84. Modded with a YZ 125 front end, a lengthened swingarm, and a Powrol stroked crank. Broke the kick starter internally while knee deep in the middle of the Blackwater river on lap two. Push started it and finished three laps and 75 miles with the trans crunching all the way. Seventh place trophy in the 4-stroke class, what a day!
80s air cooled machines were nearly indestructible. I was there man.
Just go out and find an old school XR and get a $200 full engine rebuild kit, they're so easy to just slap together, I did my 1989 CT200 (the same engine, completely different transmission) entirely without a torque wrench. Probably didn't even need it but I like not having to refill my oil every week or so.
I’m not from the 80’s but have put in the blood, and sweat to save some machines from that time and man was it worth it!
Just bought the same one I had as a kid! Indestructible is right
13 years xt 550 Yamaha 82 model.
I had a kdx200, amazing machine!
My first one was a XR250R 1988. To become experiences it was perfect for. I won several races in the 350cc class. After that I bought a HVA WR250 two stroke. And therefore you need to have good skills in race mode. The Honda XR was the best decision I made as a beginner.
The answer is yes.
My dad has been riding xr200s for over 20 years. Only been through 2 of them, they need damn near no maintenance for years at a time, and the short wheelbase makes them great in the tight woods. May have no power but he manages to keep up surprisingly well on it.. it just lives at 3/4 to wfo
It's certainly not all about power, Megs Braap cut some fast laps with the XR on the same track
Still have this bike. It’s all I use for tough, rocky mining trails around where I live in Empire Co. Running a combination of Cox Glow Fuel and methanol to compensate for elevation with a 72 tooth rear sprocket gives it an unfair advantage over most other dirt bikes. My KTM 300EXC’s air box is now relegated to a breeding ground for Black widow spiders.
They seem to be unstoppable. This Canadian one has countless hours over 26 years and still no engine work done yet....
Awesome man. I have a 95' XR200R with a white tank, plastics are cracked and decals are destroyed from trailing so hard :)
That gauge cluster is pretty sick.
Full analogue speedo for extra power lol
@@crosstrainingenduro where did you get that thing? how did you hook it up? seems like a sick mod
I got one new in 1986. I loved it. My dad still has it somewhere in storage.
Our 2008 KTM XC 200 is the go to bike in our stable of 3 bikes: Kickstarter, carburetor, & no battery.
Braaaaping and smiling!
Electric start is a massive advantage. I also love TPI and not mixing gas or fouling plugs. TPI and E start have gotten so good now they are the new bench mark
Is the TPI full sorted yet though? A substantial number of guys have been having issues with it here in Australia and have reverted to either Sherco or Beta until the system is working properly... that was a year ago.
@@crosstrainingenduro it’s sorted out completely. The 2021 is amazing. No known issues. Majority of 2020 where the same as well. All the issues where before that.
My 16' KTM 350 had a lot of starter, and EFI issues, Bike gave me the creeps.
@@billybobbubbawubba9457 yeah 2016-2019 sucked - the new ones are spot on though
What a beast I remember doing wellies on them as a kid up the bush come to think of it still a kid at heart 42 an still at it
All joking aside, 20years ago I was a shortass street rider intimidated by dirtbikes. I got to try dirt first on a YZ250. The bike kicked my ass and laughed at me. I decided dirt riding sucked after that. About 4years later I had the chance to try it again, this time on a XR200. I couldn't get enough of trashing that bike. I loved it and it made me in to a lifelong dirt rider. Currently on a 350RRS.
Excellent learner's bike, but then it was also good enough in its day to then be competititive too as the rider improved. The two strokes were faster of course, but it's not always about outright horsepower.
Haha! My experience is from the other direction - dirt to street!
Oh yeah, and unfortunately,add another 20 yrs as well...
Started on HD dirt bikes (really) and an uncle (yes the crazy one) decided to "acquire" a CB for me.
It was a screamer and scared the heck out of me.
Riding it like a dirt bike on the road at twice my normal dirt speed was not a good combo.
Mom had my dad take it away from me for a few months when a lady told her I was power sliding around corners in the city (didn't know any better - brakes? What are those??)
Such a great bike!
Great seeing meg on this channel ha i watch both of your videos
Just welded the kick leaver with my dad on my xr250r this morning just to take the slack out of it was hitting the frame such a great bike and so easy simple to work on aswell definitely doesn't break the bank keeping the maintenance up on them.
So solid... the one in this vid has had zero engine work in 26 years.
I took a Fresh 1977 Honda CR-125 two stroke motor out of the frame and repalced it with a 1971 Honda SL -125 Motor that was borked and stroked to 160 CC;s Ported head hot cam 24 mm Mikuni carb.. It's a light good handling fun bike to ride.. then about 1 year after I built it Honda came out with the XR-200 with shorter stoke bigger bore and 4 valve head.. I do need to upgrade to a CDI Ignition for now I have no spark..
I built my 4 stroe dirt bike around 1981 or '82
I used to have that bike. Great to see a video on it.
I have a 1985 xr200. I rebuilt the carbs in 1991 and haven’t done anything but ride it and change the oil since. It still still starts on the first kick every time.
The poor XR200 in this vid had been really abused... no oil change for years. Zero maintenance. The eRag guys are now maintaining properly but it was amazing it ran at all with the thick black goopy oil that eventually was changed.
@@crosstrainingenduro These bikes literally don’t ever die. Mine was stolen when I was in high school. Some guy rode and threw it in the woods. The police found it a few weeks later. It kicked right off and we took it home.
Dig the high speed disclaimer at the beginning! Bought a XR200R new in 1982 when most of my friends were buying two strokes. I would race Thursday night motocross at the Irvine International Speedway in Southern California wearing my trademark Aloha Hawaiian shirt and just have a blast. I found a very good condition all original 1982 XR200R on Craigslist about four years ago and swap between that and my 2021 KTM 300 with the TPI. Cross training at its best!
Awesome to hear... especially the Aloha shirt. 😂 I love riding this XR200 every time I visit Canada...
I have a road legal 2000 XR200r, I've been trying to make it look more like this 80s dirt bike version that didn't come to my country.
Best motorbike ever
My first ever bike was a 82 XR200 it didn't even come with a head light. But what is more impressive is that he did a stopie with that drum brake!
I had to do several months of intense hand exercises to yank on that drum brake hard enough lol.
I have that bike, been riding it for a long time I have the baffle removed and it rides and sounds awesome
I rode the 1984 China ISDE qualifier on one. Did several endos in the miles of whoops when the suspension went by-by. Rode a KDX 200 the year afterwards. Never had a lick of motor trouble with either one.
Yes the XR suspension reminded me of an old Citroen car... not the best for whoops.
Sweet you just increaced the value of my old XRs.
I do expect a cut when you sell... 😁
@@crosstrainingenduro bank on it .. How does a guy find out where you folks are riding ..if in the PNW ..id love to ride woth you crazy blokes.n hopefully give you the 15% sellers bonus.
I'm in Australia but pop over to ride with the Traction eRag guys in BC.
@@gypsymanjeff2184 We're messing about in Kamloops!
Every time I see a XR200 I can't help but think of the time in '89 when one of our new riding buddies bought a brand new XR on the second day of our 3 day trip. He was riding a Honda Transalp the first day. We had fun with him on the 3rd day. We took of his spark plug boot....he he.
"Air cooled because the phenomenal acceleration kept ripping off the radiators"😂😂😂 Please do one on the KDX200!
The lean mean green machine. Wish we had access to one.
YES, XR200 was the first dirt bike that I bought. Loved it.
i want to get an xr200 with newer inverted forks and wheels for disc brakes. would be a wonderful all around hoon machine
That's called a CRF250F. For reals...
Yup. 😍
@@dallas_shannon doesnt come with inverted forks sadly
@@permafrost8541 CRF250X is what you need
I ran one for several years in desert races and motocross events - It was a simple low cost bike to have fun on.
Great video.What a monster of a machine. Honda had to discontinue this bike because most riders found it way too gnarly. We just weren't ready for the four stroke revolution at the time.
Maybe some time this millenium, Mike...
Still have mine and I'd never sell or give it up. I've bent four handle bars on it with my lousy riding but everything still works fine.
XR 200 brilliant little bikes made when men where men and sheep where terrified lool
Only the very fastest sheep could outrun an XR! 😂
@@crosstrainingenduro and those sheep were from NZ. They have seen that the farmers do. Lol
@@crosstrainingenduro velcro gloves and knee pads loool
Noooooooooooo 🤣
These are a great little bike. Even Steve Chapman won enduros on one in the 80's.
Had an 1982 xr200 and 1985 xr350. Loved both
Whan i was 13 (1993) my dad bought me a 1982 xr200,i was so excited! I found an old 82 twowheels mag with the xr200 on the cover riding through a river almost up to the tank and thought that will be me one day! First ride out I rode it through a puddle and it cut out haha.My dad has an old 200 under a cover at his place i think i might go get it going and take it out!
Man what an awesome bike to have as a teenager! I think I was on an XL100 at that point which was still great, but I dreamed of the 'serious' dirt bikes like the XRs....
@@crosstrainingenduro i had a real old cr80 before that but the powerband was a bit savage for me riding in the forrest
I bought an xr200 for a whole $150 once. Spent $250 doing new valves and a overbore piston, then got fancy and spent $100 adding a cr125 front end for a disc brake. Ended up selling it for $1300 and still wish I hadn't sold it. It wasn't fast, the suspension was iffy, but it was perfect for how I ride dirt and just big enough to not be uncomfortable.
That would have been a cool bike or sure. I can tell on this Canadian one in the vid that better forks would transform the bike.
Bought one in '82 and competed in local enduros. After owning so many different dirt bikes I'm thinking a CRF250F. That would be going full circle.
Actually we had a CRF250F on that trip and a few of commented on how it felt like a modern version of the XR...
I had a ‘94 XR200R. I didn’t like the rear drum brake but it rode good.
been there done that yes all day long wheely machine was a fun bike
Xr250 79 first bike bought it randomly in my 20s never looked back. I miss riding it WOT the entire day. Always had to bring spark plugs unless i wanted to push it home. Would have been better with some suspension, however!!
These things thrive on abuse and neglect.
I just rebuilt the carb on my 02 200r today because after 19 years the bowl started leaking. Every seal in it was either made from granite, cracked, or dissappeared. The jets looked like they may have been part of the antikathyra mechanism, and the bowl was coated in varnish. Somehow the bike still ran like that.
Unstoppable!
That is EXACTLY what I want to hear. That poor bike is neglected then ridden hard. Rinse and repeat sans water and soap.
I have a 98 Xr400r I wish I had the xr250r cuz I trail a lot. But idk cuz I’m 6 ft 200lb. Love Honda air cooled bikes. Best to me also favorite.
A mate of mine ran a CR125 front on one of these in the early 90’s and embarrassed plenty of want a bees 😂😂👍👍
I say it’s the rider not the bike (as you’ve said so many times in your videos) however I say the ratio is more like 80% -90% rider, the rest bike .....
What a bike and what a rider! 👍
I reckon you'd be right, Jeff. On a fairly tight relatively flat track like this the bike becomes even less important. In fairness we should have let Megs do a few practice laps as she had never ridden an old clunker before...😁
Just picked one up today. Going to xl it and back again 🤔
What do you think is the best tire valve cap?
Anodized billet alloy. Of course.
the xr 200 has a solid and undisputed seat at the table of the high aristocracy of dirt bikes.
Amen
I have a 2002 and just love it.
Were they still making them that late, Robin?
@@crosstrainingenduro Until 2014 I believe. Best years were 86-96 because of production cuts later on
Muy buenas noches amigo querio una moto de está dónde puedo comprar una dónde me correspondes
Had a 1988 loved it!
I ride a 1986 XR200. The bigger bikes might pass me on the highway, but on the trail, noones over taking my little xr
I find it hilarious that only a month after buying my own 1986 xr200r Cross Training Enduro posted their firs video about it. Only difference is they are riding theirs and I'm still waiting on parts for mine :(
It's our secret spy camera in your garage, Chris. We are watching everything you do. 😂 Are you doing a full restoration job on yours?
@@crosstrainingenduro Yup, street legal too! Just like yours if I'm not mistaken. Now about that camera......we can arrange for content ideas/brainstorming together you know?
Can’t beat a parametric combobulator. Puzzling that manufacturers abandoned that technology.
Yes, the parametric combobulator was seen as an unfair advantage, along with the two 'pro links' used by the XR. I never found out what a pro link was, but I'm sure it made the bike even more powerful.
@@crosstrainingenduro 500cc 2 strokes can move aside if any xr200 ever receives an anodized aluminum gas cap. God have mercy on the poor soul riding that rocket ship 🚀
It will be probably be used for space travel actually...
I'd say the XR250R !!
The best 😍❤️🚀
Me and my dad had these, and then the XR400 . They were absolutely bullet proof, and we had years of fun on them!
Loved my XR400, it's a shame they didn't continue it and challenge the DRZ400 which became a big seller. E-start would have been easy too, just bring it across from their TRX quad model.
The XR200 was reborn as AJP 240 PR4 ENDURO EXTREME . Best learning machine in the market
I was keen to do a review on the AJPs but could never get an answer from the distributor or local dealer.
AGREED! They never went anywhere in North America but we loved them...
Rode my uncles for a couple hours this weekend it was a blast
No school like the old school, Sara 😊
Hmmm. That is illegal in Canada... well, as long as nobody finds out.
Hahaha some things were built right the 1st time all XRs reign supreme goodonya guys cheers
Honest, it’s a fun bike that forgives a lot. But, it won’t forgive lack of maintenance. Change the oil and keep the timing chain adjusted. Change the timing gear and upper sprocket once in a while to keep from dropping a valve onto the piston. Honda dropped the ball by not supporting the cam on bearings. There is a company that provides a new cam supported by bearings.
Hmmm... what's maintenance? This bike is going to be on Chuck Harder's bench soon!
Hey Dallas, I was researching known issues for the XR and they said most models go forever but usually the timing chain is the first thing to go and can cause some damage. I'm sure Chuck will check on that but just a heads up. www.justxr.com/old/models/xr200.html
I got a 2001 and it’s a lot of fun lol but it’s just a tad gutless and a little noisy, maybe time for a refresh lol
Yes, loved my 86’
Best beginner bike ever!!!
It makes me feel better about my age. I left school in 1986.
Me too!!
don't know what I'm all excited about...
That sucks!
There, fixed it.
Johnny Lawrence from Cobra Kai rode a Honda, that’s good enough for me!
Wasn't he the bad guy? Heh heh.
Sadly on today’s market that bike would still sell for $4500 as is! 5 more and you could leave with the RX
I just found a xr on Craigslist for $1,000 it is a 1984. Looks great too.
Someone accidentally put diesel in mike and didn’t tell me till after I drove it on diesel drained and started first kick
I'm picking up a 1996 Xr200 tomorrow.
I love this vid.
Looks like fun!!
J'ai eu une XR250R formidable machine , je me suis bien amusé en tout terrain.
Tout les XRs sont formidable 😊
Queria uma dessa
Eu não estou surpreso. Ótimas motos.
@@crosstrainingenduro a minha já é velha
My favourite bike when I was a lad 😍
I had a 1983 back in the day
To answer your question, yes it is.
Xr200 and kdx200 are my favorite trail bikes. Even though I am substantially large 😆
A few years back I had a chance to buy a mint condition KDX very cheaply, still regretting it. Great bikes!
@@crosstrainingenduro they sure are. A 95 kdx200 carried my fat arse (280lb) to 8th overall out of 45 in my 1st hare scramble. Had one about 15 years ago it was a peach. Love how the rear bounces around while the front stays planted. In the market for a clapped out one to rebuild.
Yup my son had an xr200 I have a kdx220
You think this is powerful I’ve got the 1985 one with dual carbs and 4 valves absolute beast faster than an f1 car
Those dual carbs can be fussy!
@@dallas_shannon yes but my bike has been well maintained and taken care of so nothing to worry about
My mate just bought the 250....
I spent a full day welding new frame tubing under the engine as a dickhead covered over massive rust holes with filler.
Then we found out the paperwork was fake so he sent it back. I was so impressed with the ride that ive decided to buy one....
And now ive got a KMX200 sat in front of the sofa.... uhhh?
I had to google the KMX, never heard of it! Is that the softer version of the KDX?
@@crosstrainingenduro it is indeed. It was kawasakis answer to the DT200.
....and now the pain starts as i try to locate parts.
..it still idles with a perished inlet manifold and a blown crank seal!
Love me some pre famulated amulite
Good for an extra 10% power and traction
Had 2 of them and an xr 100!
I grew up with Hondas... QA50, XR75, XL100, XL125, XL250, TLR250R. 😍
The 98 250R is the best.....but that's cos I ride one 😉
By far
Lol... these videos crack me up!
amo esa moto
It being a four stroke places it at top of the heap. I've had 25 bikes so far. Oh a steep hard packed hill with softball sized rocks a four stroke is better, a 350 is better
Well Barry, I see you’re finally taking sponsorship money. That was somewhat a blatantly obvious pro Honda review. Can’t blame you though,money is money.🤣
Yes, I have received a large chunk of the millions that Honda has made available to reintroduce these bikes soon... since they seem unable to innovate any of their current models and drag them into the 21st century. 😂
@@crosstrainingenduro share me some man 🤣 I sponsor Honda too
1983 XR200 is the best year.
95% Enduro riders need nothing mor than this ,me too ha ha!
es la mejor moto de la historia
Es verdad, Marvin. 😎
ttr250 samurai has got it covered
Hai, Jimmy-san
Had one as well, too bad they don't make this bike today - all they make today is a bunch of 'clone' big 4 bikes (EURO is where it is at) I wish KTM would build a 200cc 4 stroke enduro bike
CRF230 is pretty close, plus it's got a front disk and electric start
@@JMKady76 I wish KTM would build one as it would be light weight, excellent quality and steel frame.
They built a 250 for a long time and they didn't sell well.
They do! The CRF250F is the modern XR. Believe me I have both parked outside my door.
It was too fast for me... 😎
I should have never sold my 1989 XR200.
My xr200 was twice as good since it had 2 shocks!
👀🤣
The '85 XR200R is NOT a good bike at all. I had one. The engine was made from very poor metal. I can't tell you how many bolts stripped out. It was full of heli coils by the time I was done with it. It had this dual carb set up that absolutely sucked. Valves had to replaced. After that it died again. In the end I sold it for $150. That being said if I had bought an '83 or an '86 I probably would have done a lot better when selling it. It was a great bike to learn on. The smaller frame was excellent for me. I rode a '19 250F, it has a smaller frame as well, loved it. Very low energy easy bikes to ride.
Stripped bolts? That sounds more lik user-error to me, Doobie? Were you using torque wrench or just winging it? The 1984 and 1985 models definitely did have some known issues (dual carb and valve problems) but soft metal has never been reported as one of them... www.justxr.com/models/xr200.html
@@crosstrainingenduro it wasn't me doing the wrenching, it was a reputable Honda shop. The metal was shit. There were several heli coils in the head and block. In fact, the shop let watch as they torqued down a head bolt, to the specified torque value, and it stripped out. They had me watch because it had happened to other bolts on the engine. They didn't want me to think they were incompetent. That same shop has done other work for me and they were great. I have heard the 84-85 years were the only two years of that design and they were terrible. I would never buy an XR from those two years again.
Damn. Well there you go, they must have let the trainees let loose on the design for those years... One thing I found interesting was that certain models of earlier XR200s and XR250s apparently had top end failures but I googled around and couldn't find anything about this. And there was nothing on the JustXR website. Not sure if that one's an urban myth or not.
@@crosstrainingenduro my buddy had an '83 XR, not sure if it was a 200 or 250. It did not have the dual carb set up. He had no issues with that bike though. I think the 84s & 85s were just cursed.
The dual carb model sucked on donkey dink.
wish mine was an 86 or at least had the forks and rear suspension off one from 84-91
The suspension definitely got better over the years...
@@crosstrainingenduro lol
Picking on the Xr200 again I see😂
It is a holy relic and held by awe from those of us lucky enough to bask in its presence.
The xr’s weren’t the fastest but If taken care of would never let you down!
I have a 86
The new bikes are no where near as comfortable or reliable and cost 3 times as much or more shame on Honda for dropping the xr and Kawasaki for dropping the kdx the 2 best bikes ever made
What a Crotch Rocket. Watch yourselves with that unit.
Life insurance is always a good idea. It's not just the crazy acceleration, it's trying to pull it up with those drum brakes. 😂
I've still got my 1986 it200s cos 2 strokes rule for easy maintenance. ......bring on the hate.....
I'd love to ride one of those, Lance. I did ride an IT250 years ago and it had a vicious powerband on it. I heard the 200 had a much friendlier power delivery though?
@@crosstrainingenduro yeah the 250's were a bit intimidating, I was happier with the 175/200's power & weight 👍
8.12.22
Stop it with the XR200 videos! I sold my ‘85 200R that I owned since new just last summer. You’re making me miss it.
Noooooo! Did you get a good price? I figure these are probably seen as classics nowadays?
@@crosstrainingenduro yes I believe that I did. Must be considered a classic. The buyer bought it sight unseen and had it shipped from me in Pennsylvania to Florida.
@@TheMentch171 OUCH
These things are fucking beasts