Quick Ride
Quick Ride
HONDA XR50R The Mini-Trail looks mighty good
MINI-TRAIL 50. MONKEY 50. Z-50. And now, keeping with the times, XR50R. That’s right, the minibike on which so many of us got our first taste of motorized madness is still with us, decked out for the new millennium in flashy new plastic.
Styling is not all that’s new with the seemingly timeless, sohc, two-valve, 49cc Single. Everything surrounding the aircooled powerplant has been upgraded, starting with the steel frame that now incorporates single-shock rear suspension. Also catching up with the times is an inverted fork, painted gold to resemble the bigger CR motocrossers. The motocross influence is also apparent in the seat and faux radiator shrouds that cover the 0.8-gallon gas tank. The biggest change, however, is the replacement of the old 8-inch wheels and balloontype tires with spoked 10-inchers and more modern knobbies.
Details aside, we didn’t come across anyone who didn’t want to throw a leg over the littlest XR. Size-wise, it’s perfect for the intended market, with starting being the biggest hurdle to overcome. But even if the smallest of riders is challenged by the location of the kickstarter or by his inability to swing the lever through its range, the engine is nearly impossible to stall once running. What’s more, the threespeed automatic transmission is great for learning the basics of shifting without the added hassles of clutching. Truth be told, the bike can be ridden in a single gear all day.
Matching the low, 21-inch seat height and junior-size handgrips are scaled-down brake controls. These are located in the same places as on bigger bikes so as not to confuse younger riders with, say, a lefthanded rear-brake lever as fitted on other Pee-Wee machines. Finally, a keyed ignition provides incentive-should any be needed-for better grades in school.
In unrestricted form, the power is a bit abrupt for newbies. With the twist of a screwdriver on the throttle limiter, however, the XR’s acceleration can be limited to a crawl. And as for maintenance, think again. During the past eight months, we’ve done nothing but put gas in the bike. Even with full-sized adults on-board, we’ve encountered no problems-not even a loose spoke. In my case, the XR’s presence even inspired some backyard track building. Now, I hold what the neighbors think is some sort of lawnmower shootout every week. Through it all. the XR has never missed a beat. Three of my friends now have XR50s, too. And the bikes aren’t for their kids, despite what my pals told their wives.
So, whether you’ve got an aspiring young trailrider, or just need something with which to make a mailbox run, the $1299 XR50R is timeless. It will never be outdated, only used. I’ve even heard Santa’s sleigh has a special rack for them.
Jimmy Lewis
