Xl250 Motorsport?

[Arch stanton]

Hello.
I wish to know. How many Xl250 Motorsports, Honda sold in the UK.
I know the 125 sold well. But the 250's were very scarce.
Can anyone advise where to find this info.
Regards
Sean.

[Bryanj]

The only people knowing that is Honda and i doubt they will give out the info.DVLA  will tell you how many are left on the road but thats about it

[Arch stanton]

Hello Bryan.
Thank you for confirming my suspicions.

[Andrew-S]

Hello.
I wish to know. How many Xl250 Motorsports, Honda sold in the UK.
I know the 125 sold well. But the 250's were very scarce.
Can anyone advise where to find this info.
Regards
Sean.

Glad I did a search before posting a similar question!

Having bought a SL125 new in 1974 at a mere 17 (with my dad's help of course) and having crashed it within the first 6 months I wanted to trade up a year or so later, but instead of buying a XL250 I bought a new DT250 and pretty much wrecked it doing trail riding and enduro...... 

Anyway, I've got a hankering for a UK spec XL250 Motosport K0 and just missed one. I know these are far and few between, but before I get too invested and buy on a whim I want to do some research into specs, frame and engine numbers etc, the usual stuff we all do, or should.

I've joined the XL250/350 FB Group but wondered whether there was a XL Owners Club, or can someone point me in the right direction to find the stuff I need to know?

Thanks, Andrew

BTW, here's my SL125 when it was a few days old, sitting on it are my Nan and her sister - mad as a bag of frogs those two!
Oh, the sting in the tail was the registration number spelt my 'SYON' which was my comprehensive school in Isleworth and one I couldn't wait to bloody leave!!! 

[JamesH]

Andrew - how are the XL250 K0 motorsports sold in the UK different to the US market model out of interest?

[Andrew-S]

Andrew - how are the XL250 K0 motorsports sold in the UK different to the US market model out of interest?

James,

From what I've found out so far the UK spec bikes had indicators and left-hand switchgear, black headlight switch on the headlight bowel (lhs) and a slightly different seat design and strap. The US bikes had reflectors on the headlight brackets. Also, I believe they had different speedos i.e. the US spec had a redline from 60mph and the UK bike didn't, plus the UK faces were blue, but I need to confirm this and stand to be corrected.


 

[JamesH]

That makes sense Andrew.

[Andrew-S]

That makes sense Andrew.

I stand self-corrected about the blue clock faces for the UK bike James, as they are the same colour as the US spec - photo below from an unrestored UK K0 I'm viewing on Wednesday morning.

Also attached are a couple of US sales brochures mentioned in my PM.

[Arch stanton]

Be warned. The 6v electrics are abysmal.
The headlight is excellent. But the rest not so.
I am currently converting to 12v.

[royhall]

The Honda XL250's appear to have got very popular very quickly in the UK. Have the biking media been pushing them as a future classics or something.

[PHILIP2908]

Hello,
I was prompted to go in the snow this morning and take some pics of my XL250 K0 to see if it was a UK spec bike, which I’m sure it is.
It’s a 1975 P reg, I bought it in 1989 and its still only got 1,100 miles on the clock – that’s all on green lanes – tremendous fun.
Usual story: kids, house moves, busy job – all conspired to prevent me from using it and hasn’t been started for nearly 20 years (but regularly turned it over with the kick starter). ‘Lock down’ was supposed to be the time I was going to restore it; but guess what: the CB750 K2 DK/DS special got in the way by fighting me every inch of the way with leaks, electrical gremlins etc (I was going to take it out for the first time this week but now there’s 2 inches of snow).
Looking at the XL:
•   The clock faces are green
•   There is a warning limit from 60mph on the speedo
•   The fork gaiters are not original
•   There is no stencil ‘HONDA’ on the back of the seat. I think all UK bikes were like this
When I got it I was warned not to leave it idling when on the side stand as this would starve the cam of oil – I runs directly in the head. Mine was pretty scabby when I took it apart so had it converted to roller bearings. This cost £120 in 1990.
If you are going to look at one be mindful of the side casings: these are magnesium and can corrode to white dust.
The exhaust rots through and when available from Dave Silver they are £275 each. Of course I need one and they don’t have any.
One of the best bikes I’ve owned – its an s.o.h.c. innit !
Phil [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Andrew-S]

Interesting story and useful advice Phil, thanks.

The XL250K0 Motosport was made from 72-73 and one way to tell if yours is a K0 (albeit on a 75 plate) is that although frame numbers began XL250 the engine numbers began with SL250E. If yours turns out to be a UK K0 then it's a rare thing.
This website is useful: https://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Honda_XL250

Cheers, Andrew