1985 Honda XL350R Dual Sport Ride

1985 Honda XL 350 R

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

350cc 80s dual sport? That bike is mint. Enjoy it.🎉😎👍🇺🇸

[@darrylpaterick3108]

Bought one of these brand new when I was 19 years old and working at the local Honda dealer. Wish I still had it.

[@gmiller831]

Charlie Sheen rides one in The Wraith.

[@fuckoff5078]

Beautiful bike it looks brand new. Mine looks like it's been to war, but it runs great. love the 350's 85' was the best year.

[@Enduro.Trials]

Thank you. It was a smooth old bike.

[@waynejordan6497]

Hi, thanks for the great vid. I spent many a fun hours on the identical one. Have had two others since then but this one is very dear to my heart. Brought back some great memories of when I was a young man. Thanks Wayne

[@Enduro.Trials]

+Wayne Jordan Thank you! I really like the color scheme of the Honda's from the mid 80's. Check out the walk-around video of my XR250R. Looks very similar. Thanks.

[@SoloArtForm]

bought mine today. i am very exited

[@border411]

You lucky SOB! That bike is beautiful! My first bike was an XR 100, and now with a family I am itching to get back into it. Definitely want a DS so I can ride to the trails.

[@Enduro.Trials]

+border411 The look of the bike is exactly what I wanted as I remember from my childhood. I wasn't riding it much so I sold it so someone else could get some good use out of it. I found an 84 XR250R that looks exactly the same so I bought it. We use it for the occasional trail ride. If you look under my videos you'll see it. Thank you!!

[@border411]

Still hate you.....!

[@robertnocerajr3985]

Awesome bike... Classic.

[@vidalrzdavid]

The Wraith :3

[@lucasjames518]

I have the 1985 XL350R too boss!! I will make a video in the next few days of my me and my 350r 👌🏽👌🏽 You’re bike is perfect Stay tuned for my video

[@JoeNietzsche]

I had an 85 up to 92 or so, really miss that old bike.

[@simonepastorino8675]

Ma la mia aveva anche il contagiri RPM x 1000 questa no.

[@Staticbrain]

damn I wish we had trails like this in nj

[@dugsbigfish]

I had a new one in 1986, I put a lot of miles on it. The one thing about it, was side case would get VERY HOT!! You had to wear mx boots. Also you had change oil & good oil,often.

[@switch625.]

My dad just bought one today!

[@border411]

XL350? That is almost as rare as a unicorn being rode by a leprechaun handing out chocolate twinkies

[@Enduro.Trials]

Yes, almost. It was a smooth running dual sport cruising down the road, but too heavy and slow for a 350 so I sold it.

[@davenport869]

I rode a xl350 (unicorn) once. Such a lovely sure footed ride. The twin carbs gave it gorgeous, addictive power delivery. If you ever get a chance, buy one

[@Jthumper]

@@davenport869 exactly, with some suspension work and they are amazing

[@Laffinty8908]

I have a xl350 and let me tell you finding parts is a bitch at times. I love mine tho!

[@cparch1758]

​@Laffinty8908 it's a few years later now, but im getting one with 4k on it through a trade with a buddy. What parts were/are the hardest to find for you?

[@johnallex2344]

Were is that in canada ?

[@bigchungus2493]

I'm having front brake problems with mine, it's extremely hard and stiff but still stops. Any ideas?

[@tvr419]

Maybe new brake oil?

[@connorgunion8597]

I currently have this bike however have yet to receive the manual from the seller, what are the required oil volumes for this bike and also simply what type of oil should i use? Thanks

[@Enduro.Trials]

Connor Gunion Rotella

[@dustdevil9614]

What's the RPM like at highway speeds. 55? 65? Ty

[@rhodesy761uk]

whats the best sprocket set up for off road as mine is still oem standard road ratio ,oh its the 1984 xl 350r i want more power.? help would be gratefully accepted

[@Enduro.Trials]

Paul Rhodes Mine was stock ratio. If you want more low end power for off-road I would get a larger rear sprocket. If you go with 3 extra teeth on the rear sprocket, its the same as 1 less tooth on the front sprocket. I think stock is 40 tooth rear, so you would want a 43 tooth.

[@rhodesy761uk]

DualSport I will try the 43 tooth .Thanks for the reply :)

[@Enduro.Trials]

Paul Rhodes If there isn't plenty of slack left in your chain, you may need a new one with one extra link.

[@rhodesy761uk]

DualSport thanks will keep that in mind

[@lucindabose9442]

+Paul Rhodes Put a thirteen tooth counter sproket on the engine!

[@jeffgarner1448]

Why did honda stop making xl and xr

[@lazysloth1000]

that is a very lovey bike what are they like for long distance and everyday rides ? I have been rideing an 85 xr 350 for 4 years now only offroad but thinking of getting it on the road

[@Enduro.Trials]

lazysloth loveswood The old Honda XL's are very smooth cruising down the road. Not much power on the top end and the suspension is not very good. But they're good little bikes.

[@samguenther3177]

I just picked up one of these and am having issues starting. Do you have any tips for a good procedure? Any good resources for spare parts?

[@Enduro.Trials]

It's been awhile since I owned it. Remind me, does it have a decompression release lever? When was the last time you had it running? If it has the decompression release and if it has been a month or so since you last ran it do this: Give it 2 quick throttle blips, turn choke on, pull decompression release in and hold, kick through the kickstart 3 times, then lightly kick until you hear it click. Once you hear it click, release the decompression lever, then bring kickstart back up and kick it hard but do NOT give it any gas. If it doesn't start then pull in the decomp lever and lightly kick again until you hear it click, then do it again. If you kick too far down after it clicks it will not start. I've had 3 old XR's with the decomp lever and they all start just like this assuming your carb jets are clean. LMK!

[@samguenther3177]

​ @Kansas Enduro Rider Thanks! I will give that procedure a go. It does have a compression lever. I have been researching and it seems like there are a few ways to kick these bikes over. Do you give the throttle blips with the key off?

[@Enduro.Trials]

@@samguenther3177 Doesn't matter. Only need the throttle blips if its been sitting awhile. What is really important is to stop kicking right when you hear it click and to not give it throttle when you go for your hard kick. If you do, the kickstarter will kick back at you on the old Honda's.

[@drummerdad80]

just got mine and had a major rebuild, cam chain guides valves, and more, i just got running today it sounds like yours, i rode for about 30 minutes and the motor was very hot, does yours run hot to?

[@Enduro.Trials]

No hotter than any other air-cooled Honda. Maybe it was hot because it was breaking in? I don't know.

[@drummerdad80]

DualSport thanks for the fast reply, only air cooled vehicle i had was a yamaha blaster and it ran cool so i don't have a good way to compare it, everything else i have is liquid cooled

[@Enduro.Trials]

I would think the blaster would have ran cooler since it's a 2 stroke. Maybe ride it at night next time. If you see the exhaust header is glowing red you definitely have a problem. If it looks normal, then I would change the oil to see if you have any large metal pieces. If not, you should be good to go.

[@spjr4840]

could be running too lean

[@deborahchesser7375]

Those bikes all ran hot, get yourself a Lockhart oil cooler, and enjoy a happier bike and rider

[@TreuNorthExplorers]

Could the xl350r be used as a 20miler going 50mph commuter on an occasion?

[@Enduro.Trials]

Oh ya, easily. Smooth engine, just tends to run on the warm side. Shinko 244 are good dual sport and commuter tires.

[@TreuNorthExplorers]

Thanks! Let me know if you ever want to sell ;)

[@Enduro.Trials]

+KTS Champion I sold it a few years ago and still see the guy riding it around town.

[@dugsbigfish]

I change the oil every 3or 4 rides. ! know the guy who I sold it to, & he said the last time he had it out, it ran great! he had about 2000 miles on it & when I sold it, I had 7000 miles. So 9000 miles & no tear down.( I would write down miles) Dirt Bike at the time, said change the oil often, as the heat would brake down the oil. Guess they were right.

[@bobbyv125]

how many mirrors did you Snap off yet ??

[@Enduro.Trials]

bobbyv125 Zero. I ride slow

[@MikeSmith-ve2qu]

How does it handle big hills ?

[@Enduro.Trials]

Steep hills on the trails it does just fine. But some of these smaller cc dual sport bikes with WR trannies can't keep their speed going up hills in 6th gear. No biggie though, just downshift 1.

[@Enduro.Trials]

Good to know. How often do you usually change oil in the old girl?

[@mickeycostagain660]

Kansas Enduro Rider hey how big is the bike looking into buying an xl350r I’m 5,4 you think I could ride it ??

[@kaboom362]

@@mickeycostagain660 yes bro .. go for it.. the bike has a real great center of balance.. wheelies galore. 2nd gear throws the front end up with ease

[@joztunes69]

Do you want to sell it? I sure miss mine

[@Enduro.Trials]

Sorry, I sold it quite awhile ago. I now have an '84 XR250R that works better for easy trail riding.

[@jameshalbig1179]

Had one put many miles on it two malfunctions put out of commission first valve seat lifted then starting cog blew up to expensive to keep fixing my next dual sport will be a BMWgs 1200 end all say all on off road motor cycles

[@deborahchesser7375]

Don’t scratch that pretty thing up

[@Enduro.Trials]

Don't worry I won't. When I ride it, I don't ride it hard.

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@Enduro.Trials do you still have that pretty ol XL

[@Enduro.Trials]

@@deborahchesser7375 No I sold it. It was a decent gravel cruiser, but it was pretty gutless. I still have an XR250R though (if you look in my other videos)