The Honda XL250 defined dual-sport bikes with its groundbreaking design and became one of the most popular on/off-road bikes ever. In spite of its competitors going the two-stroke route, Honda stuck with four. The compact and over-square 248cc engine used a 57.8mm stroke and 74mm bore with a shallow squish-band combustion chamber for its four valves. A 28mm Keihin carburetor provided fuel, with ignition to the central spark plug by flywheel magneto. The aluminum alloy cylinder was lined with an iron sleeve and the piston drove a sturdy crank running on two roller mains. A trochoidal oil pump provided pressure lubrication to the big end bearing and valve train. Engine cases were in aluminum with side covers in then-exotic magnesium alloy. Primary gears fed power to the five-speed transmission through a seven-plate wet clutch.

The drivetrain fitted into a spine frame with a single tube loop under the engine, and the aluminium-rim, 18-inch rear wheel was controlled by five-way adjustable dual shocks. At the front, Honda borrowed the latest fork technology from Ceriani, using a piston to control damping. Attached to the Ceriani forks was a 21-inch aluminium-rim front wheel. Fully equipped with 6-volt lighting, turn signals and paired speedometer/tachometer, the XL250 weighed in at 130kg with half a tank of petrol.

Testers raved about the XL250, finding it smoother than the two-stroke competition and more tractable at low revs. Cycle World summed it up like this: "The XL250 is destined to become one of the best off-road motorcycles ever."

Description by seller:
Original and unrestored. It's been up the likes of Sani Pass on numerous occasions and had a few falls but always got back up. This means plenty of bumps and bruises but it still fires up at first kick. Brakes are good, head and taillight work but the indicators are no longer on the bike. It is licensed and has valid paperwork.

This Honda XL250 is available to view in Johannesburg by appointment.

Reminders to bidders:

• A buyer's premium of 5% (which includes VAT) for cars and bikes applies.
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