In 1988 I rode an all black XR 250R in the US Army Spec Ops to ride off the tailgate of a C-130 onto an enemy runway for airport seizure operations. We rode in teams of 2. The best part was training. Riding our XR's all over the back woods and trails of our base in Washington state. It was a fun job when you are 19 years old. We rode the wheels off those bikes and they showed up the next day asking for more.

These are the type of in depth reviews that I crave

Excellent report, it’s nice to see someone present the facts in unbiased way, and with the understanding that not every bike has to be a hair on fire screamer to be a great machine.

I had a 1981 xr200R . I abused that thing for years, jumping it 4-5 feet in the air all day , hardly ever changed the oil (I was a kid) , never adjusted the valves or the cam chain, the thing ran like a clock

I still have my 2004 XR400R that I bought new in 2005 as a discounted dealer left over.

Wow this is great stuff. Very professional and accurate. You sir are very talented and your general love of dirtbikes really show in your work. I know that this review took ALOT of time. Thanks for sharing!

The XR200 was very reliable. I saw a guy win an enduro with only a supertrapp exhaust on a 1982 XR200R. You really do a great job with your videos!!

Thanks for the excellent review! I recently bought a 96 xr250r because of the reliability and parts availability. Also, it is easy to access the carb and the valves for service. Everything you said about the suspension being too soft and the frame too weak is true. It is really interesting to see what it looked like when it was new.

I've got the 98 .. absolutely love it , not many bikes with fully adjustable rear suspension from the factory, still smashes newer bikes on the trails ,great engine to work on... You just don't have to.

I had an 86' punched it out to a 300, camed it port and polished it. Put a bigger flat slide carb, Had the original Moose Racing in Colorado do the motor. Added supertrap with as many discs you could put on it. Powder coated the frame blue. Added a white Acerbes tank changed the number plates to blue. Finised off with White Power upside down forks and a White Power shock. It was really one of a kind bike. The bike had probably 50,000 miles on it by the time i sold it. 90%; all Colorado off road miles. Wore the engine caese out and later had to repalce the the lower motor from and 94' after blowing 3rd gear out.. And main bearings would fall out cases after tear down. Thank you for the video, brought back a lot of memories.

I have owned many of these throughout the years... I can still recall each new cosmetic revision when they came out. Good times.

Awesome job on the history of these xrs. I still have my 83 500r and still love it. Keep up the great work please!

Thank you for this. It is beyond appreciated. You have really done a service for a lot of people.

I just love this channel. I can’t get enough! Just so into it. It’s on the big screen in the living room! I really appreciate all the effort you put into it.

The gearbox on my ‘81 XR-250 had a better ratio spread than my 84 XR-350 for what terrain I rode COLORADO. Also my 250 had a higher compression ratio than 350 , which I found much better at above 8000’ elevation riding . ! Great vid !

Bikes for having fun wraps it up perfectly, great clip!

Hey i just wanna say thank you for the amazing Honda content. I know it’s a lot of work what you do. And I appreciate your hard work and research to give us content! Subscribed!

Thanks for the video, that was excellent! My first was a late 70s XL250. Next was an 85 XL350R (yes, an R designation on the XL). Great power on that one. Eventually sold to a friend when I picked up an 87 XR250, then later a 2000 XR400 (plated). I still ride the 400 often, unfortunately the the 250 sits for most of the summer. Can't stomach the thought of parting with it.

One of the most loved bikes here in Costa Rica, really reliable and good for our topography. So common around here, I worked at a shop that sells parts and services for XR's only.

I sold Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasakis 1982 through 1986. I got to ride most of the dirt bikes we sold. The XRs were always fun to ride with the XR200R the most capable in New England woods where it could, if flogged, keep up with the standard bearer of the class, the Kawasaki KDX175. I owned a 1979 XL250S as a playbike while I rode an IT200L for serious speed. I would like to point out that while the 23" front wheel did limit tire choices, it never caused any odd or unpleasant handling. I rode my XL250S very hard and was heavy at that time. It was great in tight woods and would only get funky if you mounted knobbies and rode fast in a straight line on power lines and such where the frame would now flex very noticeably. The stock trials universal tires allowed mores sliding so the frame was less taxed. Overall, the line of 4-stoke playbikes Honda built was never excelled for performance in the woods or for reliability by other manufacturers. Again, your work here is very accurate and detailed. Thank you for your efforts.

Thank you for such an informational video!! It is so cool to see someone put the time and work into creating such a great XR250R video! I have been riding XR250R's for over 30 years and still love to ride it often. Makes me laugh that they were never really considered a race bike, I was racing a 2002 XR250R in the RMEC in Colorado in the Senior B class for 2002-2008 and I was able to collect a number of trophies on it. Boy that was pissing people off! Ha ha. I have newer bikes now that I do ride most of the times but still love riding the XR. I will argue with anybody about the turning, braking, and just handling of XR's. I had a 2007 CRF250X that had a frame that felt more solid but in drag race the XR would stay right on it. Thanks again!!!!

I got mine new in 2004. Years ago I did the 280 big bore kit with cam, rod etc. I got no problem keeping up with my friends on their 450's on the trails. Such a comfortable bike to ride you can get right up on the tank smashing thru the single track I will never sell this bike. Green sticker registration for life in CA. Love it

We had an1983 XR200r, it was an awesome machine, first "performance" bike I ever rode, and what I learned about engines on. It was unburstable, and when it wore out, it was Honda easy to fix. Loved it.

Good stuff. These pics brought back to some early days. I was brought up on an XL 3 times bigger than what I should of been on being only 10 to 12 years old. Fast forward 30 years I’m riding a 2016 450r and mr kid is on a 150. But needless to say you brought back some good memories. Thanks.

I loved this video. My first new bike was a 1986 XR 200. I always wanted one of these. I love your videos on the motorcross bikes from the 80s and 90s.

My 93 is still a rollin chassis and the original seat cover has no tears...engine needs went through from a dip 8n a mud hole hottern hell....never needed a lighter cause runnin like I did the header would glow and easily light a cig...I still dream of owning a 650L...rode a klx650 in the hills and never got past 2nd gear...we bought 2 xr80s,250,and cr125 from 91 to 94...the feelin that morning dad took me to get my cr....priceless. ..and my best friend was just so happened to be at the shop gettin parts for his 79 xl350..aka the coalburner all black...but I just went from an 80 to a 2 stroke 125 and the seat height was gnarly...your channel takes me back

Great information and good video! The Honda XR250 aka Tornado is still being made in Argentina. Untill 2014 it was assambled in Brasil. I have a 2009 model with 66000km. Great motercicle, un caño! I use it 60 road, 40 dirt road. Greetings from Misiones, Argentina.

Great video, really enjoyed the year-by-year breakdown. Definitely educational.

This was outstanding. Best I've come across. I had an 84 XL350. Lots of fun, bulletproof (as long as you didn't expect it to do what my CR did!). Other than that, I rode that in the hills and all over the sands of Cali for years. Wished I had the XR - always a bit jealous. :)

Man! what a great video! i was looking info to buy this model, and I found out everything I needed.

So cool to see the CR 125 Elsinore...my dad bought me one when I was 12 and boy was it an awesome bike that I rode for 3 years...funny now at 56 years old it seems like yesterday....

Man thanks for making this one. I started out with a 1985 XR 100. So the XR line always had a special place in my heart. I think the 96 and 97 were my favorite years for the 250 and the 400 especially. Still to this day I would love to score a XR 400. The ones I’ve seen are still very expensive and it’s hard to find that unicorn out there that hasn’t been abused. With that being said, I still hope to add one to my stable that I can completely rebuild and add some modern hardware. Thanks for these videos. If you haven’t already please do a video like this on the XR 400, 600-650. I think that would be a great video. A lot of guys still ride the 650 L. I know they used to race these in Baja also so it would be cool to learn some of that history. Plus you’ve got to talk about Scott Summers!

Great stuff as always, Tony!

Wow how I miss the XR’s. You just brought back a lot of memories from the 80 & 90. I’ve a lot of the XRs 83 200, 84 200, XL84 200, 85 350, 94 600 all new ones and one used one 83 500. Thanks for sharing my friend.

Good report on the XR's love these bikes had quite a few of them throughout the years. Very dependable.

I love these videos!! After a long day at work I watch these at the table and reminisce 👍

Nice trip down memory lane . I loved both my 81 and 85 models.

awesome, just the kind of content I love to listen to while at work

had an 82 XR250R did a few easy mods and the bike was a killer in the narley wet forest and for winter drift bashing , it didn't have the HP or the acceleration that others did but it had bucket loads of tree stump pulling torque and a clutch that you just couldn't kill , it was , in short , a fantastic play bike !

I really enjoy your historical account of the Honda XRs.... Thank you...!!

Very good work. Interesting, light and fun too watch. Thank you!

Excelent history...I've been waiting and searching for this explanation of the xr's...👍

What a sorrow and great video this is! Thank you very much.

I just bought a Honda XR 250 L 1993 model. Good conditions for 1000 EUR. My first dual sport. I am really happy! Now I own a Vespa PX 150 2011 and the XR. Thank you for the historical overview.

Love both the ‘89 and ‘90 versions. If the ‘89 had the rear disc brake like the ‘90 model did then I’d be drooling. Awesome video, thanks for putting this together.

Thanks for your video, 15:45 took me back to 1984 and my XR250RE 👍 I read every magazine article and test and couldn't wait to buy one. I still remember the brochure you show in the vision, 17:25, loved that bike ❤️💛💙 You're certainly right about the overheating, I burned my ankle through leather boots in an Enduro late in 84 during hot event 🙂

For trail work in the rugged mountains of Idaho, the XR Hondas still set a standard to this day. Not for speed or raw power, or lightweight, or perfect handling, but for torque, tractability and unbeatable durability.

I’ve wanted an XR since the 80s. Finally got around to it! XR 400. ‘97 just want an all round trail/ dirt road toy! Mine is all black except for the stock seat . Great video!!

Absolutely love what you are doing mate! very well researched, brings me back to the good ol days :)

Great segment, I could not agree with you more on all of these XRs. Thank you.

I loved knowing where the history of the bike I ride today began. My motorcycle is an NX 350 Sahara, made in Brazil 1997, I always found it strange that in the Brazilian market this type of engine model was not so easily available, but thanks to your story I managed to understand everything.

Nicely detailed review of the beautiful XR, thank you! Longing for the 80's!!!

Outstanding post, Thank You for Sharing!

XR250R RULES!!!! Indestructible bike. That's why there are so many videos and more to come in the future. I own a 2001 model. RIP IT!!!!

Tony as usual you put out excellent videos on grear old bikes whether or not they were good or bad . Thanks again !

I just sold my ‘85 XR200R that I’ve owned since new. It was a great trail bike. I grew up riding it in the woods in PA. I’m getting back into trail riding with my daughter and decided I needed a newer bike. I found a new leftover ‘17 CRF250X that I’m having shipped in. I hope it’s as reliable as my old XR was. Great video by the way. Subscribed to your channel.

Love these videos I had a 1975 MR 175 as my first bike in 1993 while everyone else was riding the awesome looking red white and blue XRs I hated my bike at the time but would love to have it now. I have a MR 50 sitting in my shop needing restored now and a near mint 1979 XL 500s along with some more bikes we ride . Once again I love these vids

That was a cool vid about the xr history. Thumbs up! Fyi, they continue the xr250L in 2003 in black with upside down fork and and tank panels. They are still running here in cambodia and are very popular. They are fully road legal. We are still using them for our tours as they are absolutely bullet proof and easy to maintain!

you tell it like it is i like this i have had a lot of fun on the xrs myself and all i have to say is well said that brought back a lot of memories thanks

The best machine I had was the XR 250R 1982. I regret to not have it with me now. The most thing that I liked was the design of the front, very high. Greetings from Chile.

Love the old XRs

That was a very in-depth and informative report. I live in Australia, and there are multiple differences between the USA, and Australian models, right across the entire XR range. Very interesting. You have earned my subscription mate, nice work 👍 👏 👌

Wow. Such a great video with tons of great info. Thanks!!!!

Really enjoyed this, great in-depth history on a venerable bike.

I like the twin carb set up .. It's Progressive.. the left carb opened about 1/3 before the right carb started to open .. Also had automatic compression release tied to the kick starter a very cool feature..

i have and regularly ride a 1983 XR350R with stage 2 top end from WebCams. this bike is a beast. The little red pig tears through the Mojave desert like a champ.

I had a 2003 XR 400r, sold it about 12-13 years ago. Best bike I ever owned,aside from my VFR.

I had a 1999 xr250R for 21 years… getting older.. so I sold her and got a BAJA 250 with the MAGIC BUTTON(e-starter) got a good mechanic to transfer lots for stuffs from the previous 250r to my current Baja 250. Especially engine works!!

I had an '85 xr100 the first bike I bought with my own money in 1994. I loved the colors scheme. I love the new retro throwback 1985 year

First time watching 🎉 awesome stuff Tony! Thankyou 🤘

Great gear head history lesson! Love to see one on the 600r as well as the Dr 350 👍

Great channel , you have an amazing collection of mags and brochures , lots of good info too, you put it all together speaking in great detail and enthusiasm, I hope that your channel grows , you deserve a very popular channel, Im not sure people are aware of it, i wasn't until today, and spent alot of the day watch you videos, keep up the great channel, your friend from the north,

I learned to ride on a 86 XR80.. Great bike..

great video, great history, love the XR 's all... was a Suzuki guy, DR250....got spanked by friends on XR200's .....bought an 87 XR250.... did the 280 Muzzy kit.... now it runs decent. Also worked at a Honda dealership ....people would ask ( any model Honda 250, any yr ) "how's run?" we would have to say and to be honest "like a Honda 250" ....but the most fun and success i had was on an 1986 XR200 with Powroll 220 kit and CR 125 wheels, disc brakes forks and swing arm. For Eastern woods riding horsepower and coolant would sometimes work against you. Did very well in B 4 stroke class and fair in A 4 stroke class for a bit but now at this point in time the 4 stroke class was growing with "exotics" like thee Husaberg .....also I plan on buying the new CRF250F ....awesome offering FI, E start, air cooling ...p.s. had a CRF250X "hows it run?" "like a Honda 250" oh : / I will say great in NJ sand whoops and stuff ( MX frame ) but never got comfortable in Pennsylvania rocks. thanks

Out of all of my motorcycles, the one that I had the most fun on was a late 70's XL125 around the Estes Park Colorado area. We lived in Glen Haven. Having an XR250 would have been even better!!

Excellent review of the history of the xr250 ! Great work 👍

Just finished pressure washing the 96 250 and realized how much I still love the thing, I opened up yt to check the news and this video came up.. coincidence? I think not 😜

I like the 17 inch tires out back on the 80's XR's, it just looks cool. 350 of that era is the snitzle.

My first ever bike was a 1993 250. Loved it to bits.

These XR's where big and heavy bikes at the time. My friend rode the 89' XR 500, in our 2 stroke riding group. And ya, the XR went everywhere the 2 stroke's did.

Great vid!, in South América Honda still fabricate a kind of xr, it calls Honda tornado 250cc, very reliable machine y a lot of fun to ride.

Incredible review. It's really hard to beat Honda styling. I can't decide which one is the best looking though. The orange and blue is hard to beat but the 86 always cought my eye too and the 89 is right up there with them, idk. I never had an XR as I preferred to be on a CR but I had a couple of XL...R's for street use which were very enjoyable to own. I love these review's. Thanks

Great and very educational XR video! Love the video. I got 1990 XR 250.

Thanks for the video, learned a lot about the 86 XR250 I recently acquired to rebuild, appreciate it!

Now that I'm older I like these bikes a lot more. But when I was younger no friggin way. It had to be two stroke back then, or nothing.

Got an 89 xr250 that’s been sitting for years. Gonna get that up and running ASAP!

great video.....The 70's bikes were so cool looking.

Absolute fantastic documentary on the history of the XR many thanks indeed for this so explanatory. I have often wondered about how the XR evolved & from this you professionally give a clear understanding to everyone how it did so. What a thoroughly interesting piece of work & you very very clearly know your stuff. For everyone that’s into these bikes you have filled a knowledge void that’s been in everyone’s mind. Also a great tutorial for people looking to buy “vintage” XR’s what to look out for with the pitfalls or word of warning on the wet sump models & twin carb models so that they are prepared. I was originally looking at a new XR250R in 2003 and ended up buying the XR400R in 2003 from brand new £3850 on the road what a bargain, since then many mods. Kept it pretty much true in terms of looks but enhanced the bike with a proper electric start, still got the kick as an alternative, SRC fork brace, wider IMS pegs, Mikuni pumper carb, Revmax CDI, MOD bashplate, usual Renthals 7/8 but added bar risers also an ignition switch. Love my XR it’s part of me it’s always been mine & always will be, 15 years on & it looks amazing. I now know when the 400 was brought in as part of the XR history. Many many thanks indeed for producing this what an amazing piece of work & knowledge 👍🇬🇧

Love it, excellent excellent review!!

Very good and informative video, indeed. Funny fact, here in Germany Honda sold the XR250 models of 79-84 as XL250S (dual shock 79-81) and XL250R (MD03, single shock 82-84). The later model with the radial valve design was also called the XL250R but with Honda internal code MD11.

Excellent Review..THANKS!!!!! I got a 2000 XR250R..LOVE IT❤.. for me, the Best Dirt bike EVER MADE.....HONDA XR250R 96-04

I bought a new one in 1987 blew it up 3 times but I loved it man I could wheelie it for miles at a time

Excelente información, la disfruté mucho. Soy de Chile. Me acabo de comprar una XR250R del 2001 y luego de algunos arreglos de motor la estoy comenzando a disfrutar. Es una motocicleta muy recomendable para toda edad.

I’ve got an 03 250R that I bought new. It’s a great trail bike still very fun.

KEEP THESE VIDS COMING!!!!

Really good video at a great pace.

Nice! Pls do one about the other XR's, and include both 650's then also.

Love this video ! On my second xr250

My dad had one of the xr250s and I learned to ride on it as a kid, before that my first 4 wheeler was a early model Blaster with a twist throttle conversion and it was pretty damn quick!

I still have my XR400, i ride it every weekend off-road, soft enduro . great bike !!