My first bike was a 1970 Honda CT trail 70. It was sitting in a basement for 20yrs in mint condition, I pit a new plug in, cleaned the carb. Put gas and new oil and it fired up 1 kick! Still running 2day!!!
Now that's a classic! Hang onto that! And of course keep riding it too, they're a lot of fun. I had one back in the late '70's and man it was a blast to ride
A few years ago when I saw the new Trail 125 I wanted one really bad but, in a way I'm glad I didn't because I think I'll have more fun on my XR. I still own a '76 RD400 that I will probably never sell
I bought one for my son (16yr). He tried it and didn’t like it. So I started taking it and man I feel like a kid again. It does great around town and it’s so fun on fire trails. Can’t wait for next season. Maintenance is super easy also
@@scubasteve9449 lol you can only show them the way and pray they follow. Good to know it wasn’t anything against this bike in particular. I’m a four wheel guy my self but wanting to get my first bike. This is quite high on the list of options.
@@travisclark7892 I’m 204lbs and I top out 55mph. Everywhere else for around town and backroads it’s fine. But I’d agree definitely not for highway speeds
I bought one last week, and really like it. My 5th bike, and it is easy to start if you use the warm up setting on the choke. Smooth shifting, comfortable, and I bought it to go to work and around town, not off road. So far, it goes everything perfectly. The price is what really got my attention. Don’t regret it at all.
Another great review by different spokes. Honest, thorough, and realistic. I can't really imagine a better full-sized beginner bike. It is docile in every way, which is a good thing, not bad thing. It benefits from years of refinement. The engine is incredibly smooth and vibration-free, as well as the mirrors, which are actually wide enough for American shoulders. The clutch is excellent. Big comfortable seat, the big gas tank has lots of cruising range, and I'm getting an average of 85 miles per gallon over the last fifteen hundred miles. It is 5 to 10 mph faster than the mini motos which as you pointed out means a lot. Realistic cruising is 50 to 55 mph which is fast enough for secondary roads. Handling is quick without being nervous. Lots of extra features including a rear rack, a helmet lock, and a tool case. If you want to set up the miniest of adv bikes, this is an ideal platform!
A very thorough and honest review. At 76 yrs and riding for 60 years, the XR150L has become one of my most favorite bikes. I also have the Navi. Economy choices and for my rural PA geography, these two machines along with my Forza 300, suit my every whim of the day excursion diet. The XR mpg high was 110 so far, but average is about 103 while the smaller Navi avg is 90 and my Forza 85 mpg. I like the old school reserve valve and use it often on the Navi at about the 60 mile mark but the long range with the XR, the reserve isn't necessary until about the 200 mile mark for me. Economical to buy and own, this seasoned biker still has a lot of common sense and quality reviews on RUclips made my choice all the easier.
61 here and riding 45+ years. I hope to catch up with your time in the saddle some day. The XR is actually my first dual sport bike as I started on RD's and then road raced in the 80's at Willow Springs and Riverside Raceway on 4-stroke 600. I've never owned a bike with ABS or computers except for my Buell that had an ECM for the fuel injection so I have no problem with the basics of this bike. I actually just had a car turn left in front of me the other day and I was able to grab a handful of front brake w/out face planting. A friend pointed out that he didn't think I needed dual piston front brake but, I think it works great.
I'm stoked you got one of these to test! I really like that bike. Yeah man, just give it a simultaneous blip of throttle when starting and it'll fire right up, and keep blipping it for 30 seconds or so after it starts.
Mine started running alot better after the break-in period or maybe even 1000 miles. It had a hard time starting at first, but now it starts right up all the time. It's like a scooter without the shame!
I just rode 400km in vietnam on a honda wave 110 scooter and its was torture , looking forward to buying a XR150L on tuesday in Ho Chi Minh City as i want to go up north and the wave just doesnt cut it on vietnamese country roads .
Thank you for this video and to Mrs. Brooke as well. I'm 5'7" also and I've been considering getting this bike but I was a bit worried about my height. I have peace of mind now knowing I'll be able to flat foot it. Liked and subbed
I'm glad you didn't blame the bike for the little mishap. Too many riders blame their bike for their own lack of skill. I ride a 2018 CRF250L and it is plenty of bike, most people don't ride to their bikes full capability. This little 150L looks like a really good affordable option. If I didn't already have my 250L i would seriously consider this little champion!
Answer is yes, would buy one in a heartbeat if I had a use for it. Carbs and old school is just my thing, in a soon 50 year career as a motorcycle rider I still have not owned one single bike with fuel injection. So that would suit me, I could propably even do all maintenance on it myself. Great that you take bikes like this seriously, and do reviews on them!
I can easily understand someone buying this small bike. What I have NEVER understood however,is a full grown human being buying the Grom or Navi! Also,it sounds like you and Brook have been together for a long time! That’s awesome!👍👍
I own one. Bought it new in Aug 2023 and took it in our toy hauler to Virginia and rode through Shenandoah National Park. I am 180lbs and even is the city - using it as a commuter bike - I get 85 MPG. I only have 500 miles on it and hope to get it off road in the fall. Yes, it is a cold nature's little bike. For me, it is very similar to the bikes.I had in the early to mid 80's and after 30 years of not riding, I took right to it. I'm in South Louisiana.
So far, I'm really enjoying this little thumper😂 perfect addition to my DRZ400, but it feels so much lighter to me. Very nimble & fun for riding in the Yosemite Foothill areas
Nice video, when I was 15 I got my motorcycle license and my first bike was a Honda 150 Dream street bike. It was fun, but not much power. I now ride a 1997 Honda CB750 Nighthawk, still air cooled, no abs with 4 carbs., with a lot more power. The older bikes are so much fun to ride. Ride Safe
That's a keeper. Talking about a girl who rides. I've been riding for 45+ years and my first bikes were Yamaha RD's so this is actually more of a starter bike than the ones I started on. I actually bought my XR as a finisher bike since I have intentions of buying any more motorcycles. I no longer have any triple digit HP bikes and if I do want a littler more speed than the XR has, I can still ride my RD in the profile pic. Really great review of the XR here.
I bought one of these the week it arrived in my local dealership. My daughter rides it more than me and is now able to trail ride with her friends, who have much bigger dual sports. I was debating between this and a CT125 trail, but the simplicity and price were the main factors in choosing the XR. The most fun for your money.
Nice review! I plan to sell my vStrom 650, which was the ideal "all around" on the west coast, but North of Winnipeg, after a rain, the black dirt turns into cake icing made from grease ... 6" deep! And the vStrom is too heavy to pick up. (There are more quads than off road bikes here). So I want a LIGHT dual sport, and an older sport tourer for occasional 2-up. And this bike is cheaper than 20 year old used dual sports! Plus, with honda of Canada financing, it's $20.97 a week to buy, with nothing down. A no-brainer in my books!
CRF 230L reincarnated. And cold blooded like the 230. A simple carb rejet would solve it. Wife's first dual sport was bought used in Perth with 120kms on it and 4 years old. Doubled it riding home to Orleans. Sold it 6 years later for a small profit and guess where it ended up? Yup, back in Perth 😊. Glad Honda is bringing back a small, affordable Dual Sport that no doubt will introduce many more riders to our great community. Glad you're foot is ok.
It really is something different to watch a Different Spokes video about a bike I see everyday unlike the large capacity bikes I usually can only see in RUclips. The XR150L has a lot of competition where I live, no just from Japanese brands, but also (and mostly) Indian ones. I'd say the Yamaha XTZ150 is much better than the Honda, with Suzuki's DR150 somewhere in between. Looking forward to your next video, as always.
Thanks! Yes! We need more of these in North America. Every student and young commuter needs to get on two wheels and start advocating for motorcyclists.
At 200lbs, 5'9" the bike fits me like a glove. My first bike. I take the Harley course getting my license soon. Of course I do everything backwards, got the bike first, taught myself to ride it with the help of great Neighbors. I will finish my schooling with the Harley DMV course. Not bad for 63. Sorry I waited, should've started 48 years ago. Oh well, shoulda' coulda!
I just bought one last week and already really like it for all the reasons you listed. My last bike was a Kawasaki 900, so yes, I stepped down in size. But I had the 900 when I was 30 years old, and now I’m 67. I just want a little bike to chug around on in the local area.
Sweet, old school ride. If riders, new/old can overlook, and get used to, the old tech, and are riding on local roads, this can be a great everday bike.✌🏾
@DifferentSpokesTV Carbonated engines tend to intimadate people. That being said, with a bike of this type, simply stay on the local roads and just enjoy the ride.👌🏽
Good review. I ride and old ‘choke equipped’ mc. Here on the west coast, I really don’t need to use the choke to cold start it, i do have to warm it up though. You might find that, unless it’s really cold, you don’t need to use full choke. You will need to manage the throttle to warm it up though. 😊
4:52 yes, you just have to pull throttle a bit while pressing the starter button. If the carb is tuned right, and the weather is warm you wont need to touch a choke. we have many cheap chinese 200-250 enduro bikes on our market - they are all like that. A bit heavier, have more torque and twice cheaper than this XR. Some people make something like that XR with their Yamaha ybr125, changing tires and some fender from road to dirt.
In some Southeast Asia countries, there's another choice from Honda, the CRF150L, which features an almost identical engine as the XR150L (albeit with fuel injection), a chassis inspired by the CRF250L/300L, and a 18-21 inch pair of wheels. This CRF150L reportedly performed much better offroad (probably due to its' lighter weight, and the 18-21 inch wheels setup), and is also a good choice for supermoto conversions for street uses.
I live in Northern Nevada with hundreds of miles of open dirt roads on BLM Lands, just a few miles from my house. Unfortunately there's a long waiting list for fthis model at the local Honda motorcycle dealers. This model is VERY popular.
Thank goodness your foot is ok! A great example of why proper gear is so important. This bike shares some of the fine features of my DR650! It would be great to see you review the big DR one day. Stock suspension is soft, but oh, what a difference with quality aftermarket components!
@@DifferentSpokesTV Yes sir, The mighty Doctor is the unicorn or the white buffalo of the dual sport world. You just have to decide what path you want it to take and then modify accordingly. It’s 360 Lbs wet, so over 100lbs lighter with more hp,torque then the chunky,oil burning,self destructive KLR.
@@Bugoutnow589 The DR650 is a really great bike! I have one, and use it for both street, and mountain trails in Colorado. Hard to beat for sure. I rode a KLR about ten years ago and hated that thing. Felt super heavy and didn't have nearly as much power as the DR, or even an XR650L (which is also a really good bike). For single track I ride something most people would laugh at, but it's a hard bike to keep up with on tight single track in the woods; a DRZ125L. I had the idea to get a small dirt bike when I was riding my old XR250R on single track and got left behind by a teenager on a Honda CRF100. Lol
As with all old school carb, a bit of gas reqd. Seems it started fine when you had a crack of gas. Ground clearance issue definitely a good point. Great review. Thanks very much!
Something id like to point out regarding the choke on the XR150l is that when you have the choke fully out the bike itself will not start unless you give it gas after holding the ignition, once you let go of the gas it will die again. Im going to assume the whole reason for that is to allow you to actually get the engine running and to use revving as a way to heat the engine enough to be able to idle at half choke.
It absolutely reminds me of some of the Chinese dual sports that you can get like the Hawk 250 or Taotao tbr7. I'd love to see a video on those at some point!
@@DifferentSpokesTV I imagine it's not easy to get one as a press bike. I have one (the tbr7) that is extremely similar to the XR150L. The biggest difference that I see is a) quality, and b) the 250 makes a lot more torque (partially because it's bigger, but also probably because it's a pushrod motor). It would be sweet to see a comparison, because those China bikes are a whole lot of fun for the money, especially for a beginner!
I just rode 400km in vietnam on a honda wave 110 scooter and its was torture , looking forward to buying a XR150L on tuesday in Ho Chi Minh City as i want to go up north and the wave just doesnt cut it on vietnamese country roads .
With fuel prices nearing 5 dollars per gallon here in Arizona this bike would pay for itself in a year...but I am retired and don't commute anywhere, so there is that.
I would much sooner pick up a lightly used Yamaha xt 250 for a similar price. Why? 1. It weighs only 10 pounds more. 2. Fuel injection, 3. Lower seat height. 4. Full sized tires 5. More ground clearance 6. Enough power to maintain highway speeds. 7. Better suspension. 8. Disk brakes front and rear. Pro's for the Honda. 1. Not intimidating for beginners. 2. Amazing fuel economy and range. 3.Price new. I think you should try to do a review of the xt. It would be a great bike I believe for Brooke. I'm riding the klx now but there are a lot of things I miss from the xt.
Great review as always, thanks! I'm glad to see Brooke's clutch-hand is doing OK. I hope that CT125 Trail is not going to get neglected since she's discovered the superiority of this XR 😊 I know it's a case of different spokes for different folks but I reckon this XR is going to cannibalize sales from Honda's other mini bikes. My 2015 model here is South Africa is a real cold-blooded pain but I believe a slightly larger pilot jet can rectify that. When it comes to needing a new chain and sprockets, I highly recommend a one tooth smaller front sprocket and a 120 vs stock 110 width rear tyre. Mine has kick-start as well as electric-start but haven't needed the former as yet, in 8 years and 21000kms.
Thanks and I’m glad to hear your XR is holding up well. And you’re right, this bike has just slightly more power than the 125s and that makes a big difference.
@@DifferentSpokesTV No I get the importance of this bike for mass markets being as cheap as possible. I just don’t agree with Honda’s decision to make it a 150cc when they could of slapped a larger jug on it for no extra money and tripled their sales for the North American market, 150cc 12hp is just dangerous to drive on the roads in North America other then cruising in a 15 min city.
@@brucewygal133 Quite possibly for the new models sold in the US but my older, 2015 model only struggles with cold starting. In fact, it easily reaches its top speed of 70mph on a level road once warmed up.
>Cold start issue Heh. I'm lucky we got CRF150L instead, which is a slightly more expensive bike, but fuel injected and slightly more powerful. However XR150L is still a great bike for the price. Definitely Honda quality.
Interesting bike. I'd like to find out what the real-world mileage is that this bike gets. I think for now I'd stick with a Yamaha XT250. Glad to hear your foot was not seriously injured, by the way. 👍
I'm 228 lbs. and around 170 miles I'm switching to reserve. It's a great bike and it would be a great choice for someone starting out. I have 5 dual sports ranging from a Grom with knobbies to an 890 KTM but this little XR really is a fun bike.
In other countries that Honda it's is referred as a Honda XR 125 that's a brilliant bikes for a first motorcycle fairly handy it's also a very popular uber bike deliveries
I have the Honda XL 200 which I have had since new 22 years ago its very similar to this and still drives well for being 22 years old can be seen on my channel so if looked after they will have a long life
would be great for old rider like me when in the deserts of Arizona in the winter, dont like the drum brake but most ones i have ever owned had them and they suck in a emergency stop always lock up
REGARDING SPECS: Did you notice that the Canadian bike has ?? (what do you call those telescoping rubber boots protecting the forks? ) anyway, in SOME of the US reviews they don't have those. ? Apparently, the bikes sold in the USA (in a choice of colors) are made in Asia. And the bikes sold in Canada are made in Mexico (which is domestic via NAFTA AKA USMCA trade agreement) which means no import duties. So, there might be suspension component differences, for example.
I like it and I understand that to make it so cheap it has to cut cost here and there, but those skinny front forks really look ridiculous. They could gave it at least another inch in diameter.
I kind of like the bike, however only as a city commuter. Anything else just buy a used bike for the same price and save yourself the trouble. Just curious why they choose to make it a 150cc and not at least a 300cc single. Well glad to see your not hurt buddy as we have some R.F to review next month.
I assume you are not thinking about fuel efficiency. In countries like Mexico, that motorcycle is used as a work tool. That bike offers 82.3 m/g. The smaller the engine, the lower its consumption. Yamaha in Mexico sells the XTZ150 that is exactly the same as the Honda but FI and its performance is 105.8 m/g.
A lot of people talk about buying their kid a bike they can grow into, and at 59 years old, yet an experienced rider (although not very good) i am thinking I can ‘grow into’ this bike too. Maybe not perform to my liking so much 1st year, But by the time I’m 65 it’ll feel like a 450! lol. I’m serious though, so is that wishful thinking??
@@DifferentSpokesTV I was all excited to see celebrities haha. Good thing I did not chase them down. Amazingly there is another couple out there on a on a Yamaha T7 and a Honda Rally. Maybe they have watched you folks in action and decided to emulate what you are doing. Cheers
@meredithwright4930 Wow, amazing! Hopefully they watch the channel. The only place we ever get recognized is at the bike shows. Thanks for your comment!
Honda knows how to disappoint the USA market. I.E. no NT1100, or Transalp unless it is cut way back to 83 hp Yes the 91 hp in Europe But the US version is 83 hp.
In Europe, the XL750 Transalp’s 755cc Parallel-Twin claims a peak output of 67.5 kW at 9,500 rpm, which translates to about 90.5 hp. For U.S.-bound models, however, we can confirm the Transalp will claim an output of just 62 kW at 8,500 rpm, or 83 hp I clipped the from adv rider. Not trying to make a problem. Thats a 9% reduction in HP. Nuts
Well you lost your man card when you tried to start the bike like a 12 year old girl. Its just a choke dude. Lol just kidding it was a good review. Looks like a fun bike.
The choke was funny. You have to be old school to get but, it's a honda and it will start. I'm 65 and small this bike is perfect for me. A run to the store or a local trail. Where I can't take the 4 wheeler. Just what I'm looking for and it's a honda.
Cannot be sold anywhere in Europe, nor Oceana, nor India and Asia, nor even Thailand and other SEA countries. Why? Because its not FI. North America is so 3rd world these days.....
@@tomekvilmovskiy6547 nope. No new models with carbs sold in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia or Malaysia. Which, last time i checked was SEA. Some of the countries i just mentioned, its not even been recent.
@@tomekvilmovskiy6547 Not in parts of southeast Asia no. Indonesia banned new carb bikes from factory since 2016 and this destroyed the local Chinese 50cc market. Hence we have CRF150L instead of XR150L (It has 150cc FI)
The luggage alone for a 1250GS costs more than this bike. Ed March would approve. It kind of pisses me off this bargain, cheapest bike you can buy, is the one that comes with a comfy seat, a big fuel range and luggage rack. Features that zero other base model bikes come with. I hope they sell well. Annoyingly, you can't get them here on Vancouver Island which has 850,000 people and more miles of logging roads than paved. When this first was announced I posted a picture of this next to a 1250 GS on an adventure ride group and asked which one would be more fun. It was rhetorical, I already know the answer to that.
Should be $1999 out the door. Can't even find one in stock, all the dealers I called claimed 8 weeks out so I'm going for Kawasaki which I can go pick up right now.
My first bike was a 1970 Honda CT trail 70. It was sitting in a basement for 20yrs in mint condition, I pit a new plug in, cleaned the carb. Put gas and new oil and it fired up 1 kick! Still running 2day!!!
Total classic now. Probably worth more than a new 125.
Now that's a classic! Hang onto that! And of course keep riding it too, they're a lot of fun. I had one back in the late '70's and man it was a blast to ride
That was my first bike in the 70's , a CT 70 Honda Dax .
I still have my from new 1982 CT 70, they are tons of smiles :) It also explains why I liked and bought a TW200.
A few years ago when I saw the new Trail 125 I wanted one really bad but, in a way I'm glad I didn't because I think I'll have more fun on my XR. I still own a '76 RD400 that I will probably never sell
I bought one for my son (16yr). He tried it and didn’t like it. So I started taking it and man I feel like a kid again. It does great around town and it’s so fun on fire trails. Can’t wait for next season. Maintenance is super easy also
What made him not like it
@@ezntertainment3601 he said two wheels isn’t for him he likes four wheelers and trucks better. 🤦♂️ I tried to raise him right
@@scubasteve9449 lol you can only show them the way and pray they follow. Good to know it wasn’t anything against this bike in particular. I’m a four wheel guy my self but wanting to get my first bike. This is quite high on the list of options.
@ezntertainment3601 don't buy it if your interested in going the speed limit.
@@travisclark7892 I’m 204lbs and I top out 55mph. Everywhere else for around town and backroads it’s fine. But I’d agree definitely not for highway speeds
I bought one last week, and really like it. My 5th bike, and it is easy to start if you use the warm up setting on the choke. Smooth shifting, comfortable, and I bought it to go to work and around town, not off road. So far, it goes everything perfectly. The price is what really got my attention. Don’t regret it at all.
Starts a lot better rejetting the carb main jet to a 115. No choke needed.
Another great review by different spokes. Honest, thorough, and realistic. I can't really imagine a better full-sized beginner bike. It is docile in every way, which is a good thing, not bad thing. It benefits from years of refinement. The engine is incredibly smooth and vibration-free, as well as the mirrors, which are actually wide enough for American shoulders. The clutch is excellent. Big comfortable seat, the big gas tank has lots of cruising range, and I'm getting an average of 85 miles per gallon over the last fifteen hundred miles. It is 5 to 10 mph faster than the mini motos which as you pointed out means a lot. Realistic cruising is 50 to 55 mph which is fast enough for secondary roads. Handling is quick without being nervous. Lots of extra features including a rear rack, a helmet lock, and a tool case. If you want to set up the miniest of adv bikes, this is an ideal platform!
Thanks! Yep, you sum it up perfectly. Great bike to learn on and has some practical uses like commuting and local off roading.
A very thorough and honest review. At 76 yrs and riding for 60 years, the XR150L has become one of my most favorite bikes. I also have the Navi. Economy choices and for my rural PA geography, these two machines along with my Forza 300, suit my every whim of the day excursion diet. The XR mpg high was 110 so far, but average is about 103 while the smaller Navi avg is 90 and my Forza 85 mpg. I like the old school reserve valve and use it often on the Navi at about the 60 mile mark but the long range with the XR, the reserve isn't necessary until about the 200 mile mark for me. Economical to buy and own, this seasoned biker still has a lot of common sense and quality reviews on RUclips made my choice all the easier.
59 years old, and heck yes, I hear you.
It’s either this or the 230 klx
61 here and riding 45+ years. I hope to catch up with your time in the saddle some day. The XR is actually my first dual sport bike as I started on RD's and then road raced in the 80's at Willow Springs and Riverside Raceway on 4-stroke 600. I've never owned a bike with ABS or computers except for my Buell that had an ECM for the fuel injection so I have no problem with the basics of this bike. I actually just had a car turn left in front of me the other day and I was able to grab a handful of front brake w/out face planting. A friend pointed out that he didn't think I needed dual piston front brake but, I think it works great.
I love my Forza 300 also.. The one bike I can't get rid of 😂
I'm stoked you got one of these to test! I really like that bike. Yeah man, just give it a simultaneous blip of throttle when starting and it'll fire right up, and keep blipping it for 30 seconds or so after it starts.
Mine started running alot better after the break-in period or maybe even 1000 miles. It had a hard time starting at first, but now it starts right up all the time. It's like a scooter without the shame!
Lol, well put.
Exactly
I just rode 400km in vietnam on a honda wave 110 scooter and its was torture , looking forward to buying a XR150L on tuesday in Ho Chi Minh City as i want to go up north and the wave just doesnt cut it on vietnamese country roads .
My dad once said to me when I had a moped. What's do fat women and mopeds have in common? There both fun to ride until your friends see you on it
Noooo I love how scoots look 😭😭
Thank you for this video and to Mrs. Brooke as well. I'm 5'7" also and I've been considering getting this bike but I was a bit worried about my height. I have peace of mind now knowing I'll be able to flat foot it. Liked and subbed
I'm glad you didn't blame the bike for the little mishap. Too many riders blame their bike for their own lack of skill. I ride a 2018 CRF250L and it is plenty of bike, most people don't ride to their bikes full capability. This little 150L looks like a really good affordable option. If I didn't already have my 250L i would seriously consider this little champion!
Answer is yes, would buy one in a heartbeat if I had a use for it. Carbs and old school is just my thing, in a soon 50 year career as a motorcycle rider I still have not owned one single bike with fuel injection. So that would suit me, I could propably even do all maintenance on it myself. Great that you take bikes like this seriously, and do reviews on them!
Yep, in a world of computerized vehicles hardly anyone can do all their own maintenance anymore.
I can easily understand someone buying this small bike. What I have NEVER understood however,is a full grown human being buying the Grom or Navi!
Also,it sounds like you and Brook have been together for a long time! That’s awesome!👍👍
Yep. Thirty years in February and still going strong. Thanks for the comment!
Saw a guy on RUclips had 50K mi on a Grom doing food delivery.
I own one. Bought it new in Aug 2023 and took it in our toy hauler to Virginia and rode through Shenandoah National Park. I am 180lbs and even is the city - using it as a commuter bike - I get 85 MPG. I only have 500 miles on it and hope to get it off road in the fall. Yes, it is a cold nature's little bike. For me, it is very similar to the bikes.I had in the early to mid 80's and after 30 years of not riding, I took right to it. I'm in South Louisiana.
Be a great "extra" bike to have around. Also could throw it on the back of an RV for getting around after setting up in a park.
Yep, definitely light enough. I put it on my hitch carrier and it didn’t budge.
It definitely would be great for that.
So far, I'm really enjoying this little thumper😂 perfect addition to my DRZ400, but it feels so much lighter to me. Very nimble & fun for riding in the Yosemite Foothill areas
Don't worry about what other people think or say, always wear the proper gear.🙂✌🏾
Nice video, when I was 15 I got my motorcycle license and my first bike was a Honda 150 Dream street bike. It was fun, but not much power.
I now ride a 1997 Honda CB750 Nighthawk, still air cooled, no abs with 4 carbs., with a lot more power. The older bikes are so much fun to ride. Ride Safe
That's a keeper. Talking about a girl who rides. I've been riding for 45+ years and my first bikes were Yamaha RD's so this is actually more of a starter bike than the ones I started on. I actually bought my XR as a finisher bike since I have intentions of buying any more motorcycles. I no longer have any triple digit HP bikes and if I do want a littler more speed than the XR has, I can still ride my RD in the profile pic. Really great review of the XR here.
I bought one of these the week it arrived in my local dealership. My daughter rides it more than me and is now able to trail ride with her friends, who have much bigger dual sports.
I was debating between this and a CT125 trail, but the simplicity and price were the main factors in choosing the XR.
The most fun for your money.
We jist took our bikes out on some trails, my nephew has this bike and did everything my trail bike did. I was impressed
Nice review!
I plan to sell my vStrom 650, which was the ideal "all around" on the west coast, but North of Winnipeg, after a rain, the black dirt turns into cake icing made from grease ... 6" deep! And the vStrom is too heavy to pick up. (There are more quads than off road bikes here).
So I want a LIGHT dual sport, and an older sport tourer for occasional 2-up. And this bike is cheaper than 20 year old used dual sports!
Plus, with honda of Canada financing, it's $20.97 a week to buy, with nothing down.
A no-brainer in my books!
Another great review. I really like your content, you are one of my favorite motorcycle channels on youtube, keep it up.
Thank you for the kind words. We really appreciate that!
CRF 230L reincarnated. And cold blooded like the 230. A simple carb rejet would solve it.
Wife's first dual sport was bought used in Perth with 120kms on it and 4 years old. Doubled it riding home to Orleans. Sold it 6 years later for a small profit and guess where it ended up? Yup, back in Perth 😊.
Glad Honda is bringing back a small, affordable Dual Sport that no doubt will introduce many more riders to our great community. Glad you're foot is ok.
Thanks! Yes, the XR is perfect for introducing people to dirt. Not intimidating at all.
Glad you were not hurt bad. Always put the gear on, you never know what the next hour will bring.
Thanks! Yep, I’ve bounced those boots off a few rocks and roots already. They’re clunky but the extra protection is worth it.
I have one. You are right. It rides with no drama. It is a workhorse.
It really is something different to watch a Different Spokes video about a bike I see everyday unlike the large capacity bikes I usually can only see in RUclips. The XR150L has a lot of competition where I live, no just from Japanese brands, but also (and mostly) Indian ones. I'd say the Yamaha XTZ150 is much better than the Honda, with Suzuki's DR150 somewhere in between. Looking forward to your next video, as always.
Thanks! Yes! We need more of these in North America. Every student and young commuter needs to get on two wheels and start advocating for motorcyclists.
At 200lbs, 5'9" the bike fits me like a glove. My first bike. I take the Harley course getting my license soon. Of course I do everything backwards, got the bike first, taught myself to ride it with the help of great Neighbors. I will finish my schooling with the Harley DMV course. Not bad for 63. Sorry I waited, should've started 48 years ago. Oh well, shoulda' coulda!
Got one & I love it
Excellent video! I really like that bike! Very glad that you wore those boots too. Poor foot!
Thanks for all that riding footage. Good off roading!
I just bought one last week and already really like it for all the reasons you listed. My last bike was a Kawasaki 900, so yes, I stepped down in size. But I had the 900 when I was 30 years old, and now I’m 67. I just want a little bike to chug around on in the local area.
Sweet, old school ride. If riders, new/old can overlook, and get used to, the old tech, and are riding on local roads, this can be a great everday bike.✌🏾
Yep, as long as you don’t try to get on a multi lane highway this bike can do just about anything you want.
@DifferentSpokesTV Carbonated engines tend to intimadate people. That being said, with a bike of this type, simply stay on the local roads and just enjoy the ride.👌🏽
Good review. I ride and old ‘choke equipped’ mc. Here on the west coast, I really don’t need to use the choke to cold start it, i do have to warm it up though. You might find that, unless it’s really cold, you don’t need to use full choke. You will need to manage the throttle to warm it up though. 😊
Yes, I found that it needed a bit of throttle for about 20-30 seconds to get going.
4:52 yes, you just have to pull throttle a bit while pressing the starter button. If the carb is tuned right, and the weather is warm you wont need to touch a choke.
we have many cheap chinese 200-250 enduro bikes on our market - they are all like that. A bit heavier, have more torque and twice cheaper than this XR.
Some people make something like that XR with their Yamaha ybr125, changing tires and some fender from road to dirt.
In some Southeast Asia countries, there's another choice from Honda, the CRF150L, which features an almost identical engine as the XR150L (albeit with fuel injection), a chassis inspired by the CRF250L/300L, and a 18-21 inch pair of wheels. This CRF150L reportedly performed much better offroad (probably due to its' lighter weight, and the 18-21 inch wheels setup), and is also a good choice for supermoto conversions for street uses.
I live in Northern Nevada with hundreds of miles of open dirt roads on BLM Lands, just a few miles from my house. Unfortunately there's a long waiting list for fthis model at the local Honda motorcycle dealers. This model is VERY popular.
Thank goodness your foot is ok! A great example of why proper gear is so important.
This bike shares some of the fine features of my DR650! It would be great to see you review the big DR one day. Stock suspension is soft, but oh, what a difference with quality aftermarket components!
I like the big DR and would like to review it. It is what the KLR used to be but lighter.
@@DifferentSpokesTV Yes sir, The mighty Doctor is the unicorn or the white buffalo of the dual sport world. You just have to decide what path you want it to take and then modify accordingly. It’s 360 Lbs wet, so over 100lbs lighter with more hp,torque then the chunky,oil burning,self destructive KLR.
@@Bugoutnow589 The DR650 is a really great bike! I have one, and use it for both street, and mountain trails in Colorado. Hard to beat for sure. I rode a KLR about ten years ago and hated that thing. Felt super heavy and didn't have nearly as much power as the DR, or even an XR650L (which is also a really good bike). For single track I ride something most people would laugh at, but it's a hard bike to keep up with on tight single track in the woods; a DRZ125L. I had the idea to get a small dirt bike when I was riding my old XR250R on single track and got left behind by a teenager on a Honda CRF100. Lol
Saw it yesterday at a dealership and it reminded me of my Yamaha DT 179 I had in the late 90s. Might pick up one Intead of the rebel I wanted.
As with all old school carb, a bit of gas reqd. Seems it started fine when you had a crack of gas. Ground clearance issue definitely a good point. Great review. Thanks very much!
This bike and a good E bike is all you need for local and weekend fun. What a hoot. 😂
The manual says to give it a little throttle when you start it up cold using the choke. If you do that it starts fine.
Something id like to point out regarding the choke on the XR150l is that when you have the choke fully out the bike itself will not start unless you give it gas after holding the ignition, once you let go of the gas it will die again. Im going to assume the whole reason for that is to allow you to actually get the engine running and to use revving as a way to heat the engine enough to be able to idle at half choke.
It absolutely reminds me of some of the Chinese dual sports that you can get like the Hawk 250 or Taotao tbr7. I'd love to see a video on those at some point!
Hard to get my hands on those bikes but many of the Chinese bikes are actually copies of Hondas. This bike has a Chinese copy as well.
@@DifferentSpokesTV I imagine it's not easy to get one as a press bike. I have one (the tbr7) that is extremely similar to the XR150L. The biggest difference that I see is a) quality, and b) the 250 makes a lot more torque (partially because it's bigger, but also probably because it's a pushrod motor). It would be sweet to see a comparison, because those China bikes are a whole lot of fun for the money, especially for a beginner!
I just rode 400km in vietnam on a honda wave 110 scooter and its was torture , looking forward to buying a XR150L on tuesday in Ho Chi Minh City as i want to go up north and the wave just doesnt cut it on vietnamese country roads .
With fuel prices nearing 5 dollars per gallon here in Arizona this bike would pay for itself in a year...but I am retired and don't commute anywhere, so there is that.
Yeah, this would be perfect for a student or someone just starting out.
I would much sooner pick up a lightly used Yamaha xt 250 for a similar price. Why? 1. It weighs only 10 pounds more. 2. Fuel injection, 3. Lower seat height. 4. Full sized tires 5. More ground clearance 6. Enough power to maintain highway speeds. 7. Better suspension. 8. Disk brakes front and rear.
Pro's for the Honda. 1. Not intimidating for beginners. 2. Amazing fuel economy and range. 3.Price new.
I think you should try to do a review of the xt. It would be a great bike I believe for Brooke. I'm riding the klx now but there are a lot of things I miss from the xt.
Great review as always, thanks!
I'm glad to see Brooke's clutch-hand is doing OK. I hope that CT125 Trail is not going to get neglected since she's discovered the superiority of this XR 😊
I know it's a case of different spokes for different folks but I reckon this XR is going to cannibalize sales from Honda's other mini bikes. My 2015 model here is South Africa is a real cold-blooded pain but I believe a slightly larger pilot jet can rectify that.
When it comes to needing a new chain and sprockets, I highly recommend a one tooth smaller front sprocket and a 120 vs stock 110 width rear tyre.
Mine has kick-start as well as electric-start but haven't needed the former as yet, in 8 years and 21000kms.
Thanks and I’m glad to hear your XR is holding up well. And you’re right, this bike has just slightly more power than the 125s and that makes a big difference.
@@DifferentSpokesTV No I get the importance of this bike for mass markets being as cheap as possible. I just don’t agree with Honda’s decision to make it a 150cc when they could of slapped a larger jug on it for no extra money and tripled their sales for the North American market, 150cc 12hp is just dangerous to drive on the roads in North America other then cruising in a 15 min city.
I agree. A 200 would have been nice.
I believe a slightly larger MAIN jet is the ticket.
@@brucewygal133 Quite possibly for the new models sold in the US but my older, 2015 model only struggles with cold starting. In fact, it easily reaches its top speed of 70mph on a level road once warmed up.
Good stuff! Glad you had those boots on wow.
I took my cousins crf 450 out one morning broke my foot and still rode home about 20 or 30 miles it was a challenge and very painful but still fun
>Cold start issue
Heh. I'm lucky we got CRF150L instead, which is a slightly more expensive bike, but fuel injected and slightly more powerful.
However XR150L is still a great bike for the price. Definitely Honda quality.
You can't put "sub 3k" in the thumbnail when you're paying over 4k otd
How about a set of Dunlop D606's? That may help.. Change mirrors and add hand guards..pegs and bash plate. Or just get a Yamaha XT250 and do all that.
Interesting bike. I'd like to find out what the real-world mileage is that this bike gets. I think for now I'd stick with a Yamaha XT250. Glad to hear your foot was not seriously injured, by the way. 👍
Yes, in this class the XT250 is the standard. More expensive than the XR150, but you get better performance.
The XT250 is more expensive, but man it's a far superior bike. Also the KLX 230 is a good bike or so I've heard.
I'm 228 lbs. and around 170 miles I'm switching to reserve. It's a great bike and it would be a great choice for someone starting out. I have 5 dual sports ranging from a Grom with knobbies to an 890 KTM but this little XR really is a fun bike.
Very detailed review. Thanks!
Looks to be a good grocery bike with the occasional light trail riding.
In other countries that Honda it's is referred as a Honda XR 125 that's a brilliant bikes for a first motorcycle fairly handy it's also a very popular uber bike deliveries
I have the Honda XL 200 which I have had since new 22 years ago its very similar to this and still drives well for being 22 years old can be seen on my channel so if looked after they will have a long life
2nd least expensive bike? So what’s the first least expensive motorcycle?
would be great for old rider like me when in the deserts of Arizona in the winter, dont like the drum brake but most ones i have ever owned had them and they suck in a emergency stop always lock up
I wish they would put a 3 gallon tank on the KLX300 and the crf300l.
GREAT.... WORD AN VIDEO ON THE HONDA. ..THEY LOOK TO BE A NICE BIKE. . I HOPE SO I JUST ORDERED ONE 👍👍
REGARDING SPECS:
Did you notice that the Canadian bike has ?? (what do you call those telescoping rubber boots protecting the forks? ) anyway, in SOME of the US reviews they don't have those. ?
Apparently, the bikes sold in the USA (in a choice of colors) are made in Asia.
And the bikes sold in Canada are made in Mexico (which is domestic via NAFTA AKA USMCA trade agreement) which means no import duties.
So, there might be suspension component differences, for example.
It's gonna be fine for offroad It's gonna go where an adv will go and more just don't expect it to go hard enduro or be fast
Just bought one today. OTD 4001
What bike is considered the 1st least expensive motorcycle in N. American mkt? Navi?
I like it and I understand that to make it so cheap it has to cut cost here and there, but those skinny front forks really look ridiculous. They could gave it at least another inch in diameter.
I kind of like the bike, however only as a city commuter. Anything else just buy a used bike for the same price and save yourself the trouble. Just curious why they choose to make it a 150cc and not at least a 300cc single. Well glad to see your not hurt buddy as we have some R.F to review next month.
Thanks! They have a 286cc CRF300L but it’s way more expensive. Around here even the used 250s are still pretty pricey.
I assume you are not thinking about fuel efficiency. In countries like Mexico, that motorcycle is used as a work tool. That bike offers 82.3 m/g. The smaller the engine, the lower its consumption. Yamaha in Mexico sells the XTZ150 that is exactly the same as the Honda but FI and its performance is 105.8 m/g.
You are so used to EFI, you have forgotten how to use the accelerator pump. ✌😎
A lot of people talk about buying their kid a bike they can grow into, and at 59 years old, yet an experienced rider (although not very good) i am thinking I can ‘grow into’ this bike too. Maybe not perform to my liking so much 1st year, But by the time I’m 65 it’ll feel like a 450! lol.
I’m serious though, so is that wishful thinking??
Where did you get that neck brace?
7:50 was that behind bruce mines? haaha
You need to put the camera down when your trying to start it. It smells like feul because you flooded it!
NICE VIDEO..THANKS. JUST PUT A DEPOSIT ON ONE... THEY ARE SWEET 👍👍
Was that you and Brooke in Burritts Rapids on Saturday ?
Nah, we’ve been home for a couple of weeks now and just doing local rides.
@@DifferentSpokesTV I was all excited to see celebrities haha. Good thing I did not chase them down. Amazingly there is another couple out there on a on a Yamaha T7 and a Honda Rally. Maybe they have watched you folks in action and decided to emulate what you are doing.
Cheers
@meredithwright4930 Wow, amazing! Hopefully they watch the channel. The only place we ever get recognized is at the bike shows. Thanks for your comment!
How them mexican welds
For the type of riding people do on these, you can have schoolyard welds and it’ll never break
Honda Grom farm edition
🤙🤙👍👍
Honda knows how to disappoint the USA market. I.E. no NT1100, or Transalp unless it is cut way back to 83 hp
Yes the 91 hp in Europe
But the US version is 83 hp.
I didn’t know that. Here in Canada still don’t have the Transalp.
In Europe, the XL750 Transalp’s 755cc Parallel-Twin claims a peak output of 67.5 kW at 9,500 rpm, which translates to about 90.5 hp. For U.S.-bound models, however, we can confirm the Transalp will claim an output of just 62 kW at 8,500 rpm, or 83 hp
I clipped the from adv rider. Not trying to make a problem.
Thats a 9% reduction in HP.
Nuts
Weird as Europe usually has tighter emissions. Either way there will be workarounds for that. Just spend more and the problem goes away.
Well you lost your man card when you tried to start the bike like a 12 year old girl. Its just a choke dude. Lol just kidding it was a good review. Looks like a fun bike.
The choke was funny. You have to be old school to get but, it's a honda and it will start. I'm 65 and small this bike is perfect for me. A run to the store or a local trail. Where I can't take the 4 wheeler. Just what I'm looking for and it's a honda.
mpg
This bike only cost less than $1,800 in asia.
some of the adds that come up before the videos are a joke like the ford maga power all electric f-150 wow it can haul a mega load up to 400 pounds ?
You don't know much about carb equipped bikes eh...
*has the choke on* "smells like it's running rich" duhh, that's the point.
Yuk....
Cannot be sold anywhere in Europe, nor Oceana, nor India and Asia, nor even Thailand and other SEA countries.
Why?
Because its not FI.
North America is so 3rd world these days.....
half of Bajaj bikes not Fi, and Bajaj don't make any bikes for export only.
the whole Asia also uses cheap carb Honda cub clones.
@@tomekvilmovskiy6547 whole Asia is what/where? Certainly not SEA.
@@michaelhayward7572 well, mostly SEA. Vietnam, Cambodia etc
@@tomekvilmovskiy6547 nope.
No new models with carbs sold in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia or Malaysia.
Which, last time i checked was SEA.
Some of the countries i just mentioned, its not even been recent.
@@tomekvilmovskiy6547 Not in parts of southeast Asia no. Indonesia banned new carb bikes from factory since 2016 and this destroyed the local Chinese 50cc market. Hence we have CRF150L instead of XR150L (It has 150cc FI)
Just checked at dealer they want 4500 plus tax
You are very religious aren't you. Bye !
The luggage alone for a 1250GS costs more than this bike. Ed March would approve. It kind of pisses me off this bargain, cheapest bike you can buy, is the one that comes with a comfy seat, a big fuel range and luggage rack. Features that zero other base model bikes come with. I hope they sell well. Annoyingly, you can't get them here on Vancouver Island which has 850,000 people and more miles of logging roads than paved. When this first was announced I posted a picture of this next to a 1250 GS on an adventure ride group and asked which one would be more fun. It was rhetorical, I already know the answer to that.
That wasn't the bikes fault with the cold start.
It was your lack of effort when you give it a review it was there. On effort or technique
>carbs
Should be $1999 out the door. Can't even find one in stock, all the dealers I called claimed 8 weeks out so I'm going for Kawasaki which I can go pick up right now.
$4200 out the door for a weak piece of trash