Honda XL185: history, specs, pictures

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Honda-xl185S-79.jpg
Honda XL185
Manufacturer
Also called XL185S
Production 1979 - 1983
Class Dual purpose
Predecessor Honda XL175
Engine
single cylinder, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 63.0mm x 57.8mm
Top Speed 71 mph (115 km/h)
Horsepower 15.69 HP (11.7 KW) @ 8000RPM
Spark Plug NGK D8EA `79-81[1]
Battery YUASA 6N4-2A-4 `79-81[1]
Transmission Gear box: 5-speed
Final Drive Chain: 428 `79-81[1]
Frame Semi double cradle
Suspension Front: 38mm Showa air assisted forks
Rear: Showa Pro-Link shocks
Brakes Front: 110mm Drum
Rear: 110mm Drum
Front Tire 2.75-21
Rear Tire 4.10-18
Weight 110 kg / 242.5 lbs (dry), 118.0 kg (wet)
Recommended Oil Honda GN4 10W-40
Fuel Capacity 1.85 Gallon (7.00 Liters)
Related Honda XL125
Manuals Service Manual

Brochures ·

The Honda XL185S was a single cylinder, four-stroke Trail motorcycle produced by Honda between 1979 and 1983. It could reach a top speed of 71 mph (115 km/h). Claimed horsepower was 15.69 HP (11.7 KW) @ 8000 RPM.


Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was an air cooled single cylinder, four-stroke. A 63.0mm bore x 57.8mm stroke result in a displacement of just 180.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a overhead cams (ohc). Mechanically, its engine is similar to Honda ATC 185 ATV. This engine was used as a basis for the version supplied by Honda RSC to Colin Seeley for the hand-built Seeley TL200 trials bike.[2]

The engine has a compression release, also called a decompressor valve, which is connected to the kick starter with a cable, to ease starting.

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 5-speed transmission.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 2.75-21 front tire and a 4.10-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via expanding brake in the front and a expanding brake in the rear. The XL185S was fitted with a 1.85 Gallon (7.00 Liters) fuel tank.

1979[edit | edit source]

1979 Honda XL185S



The XL185'79 was sold in 1979 in one color: Tahitian Red. The gas tank and side cover stripes were black, gray, and yellow. The bike had a one-piece rectangular instrument pod. The shock springs and kickstarter arm were chrome. The frame was black. The engine was a 180cc OHC single cylinder linked to a 5-speed. The serial number began XL185S-5001103.


1980[edit | edit source]

1980 Honda XL185S
1980 Honda XL185S in Red
1980 Honda XL185S in Red
1980 Honda XL185S in Red
1980 Honda XL185S in Red
1980 Honda XL185S in Red
1980 Honda XL185S in Red



The XL185'80 was sold in 1980 in one color: Helios Red. The gas tank and side cover stripes were white, yellow, and orange. The "HONDA" tank decal was red with a white outline. The bike had a round speedometer unit. The shock springs and kickstarter arm were black. The frame was black. The engine was a 180cc OHC single cylinder linked to a 5-speed. The serial number began MD02-5000003.

1981[edit | edit source]

1981 Honda XL185S



The XL185'81 was sold in 1981 in one color: Monza Red with Black. The gas tank was a two-tone: Red and Black. The "HONDA" tank decal was black. The "XL185S" side cover decal was red and white on a black panel. The shock springs and kickstarter arm were black. The bike had a round speedometer unit. The frame was black. The engine was a 180cc OHC single cylinder linked to a 5-speed. The serial number began JH2MD0203BK200002.

1981 Honda Motorcycle Full-Line Brochure

1982[edit | edit source]

1982 Honda XL185S



The XL185'82 was sold in 1982 in one color: Monza Red. The gas tank top stripe was black. The "185S" side cover decal was white and red on a black panel. The frame was red. The seat was black with a white "XL" logo on the side. The shock springs and kickstarter arm were black. The bike had a round speedometer unit. The engine was a 180cc OHC single cylinder linked to a 5-speed. The serial number began JH2MD020*CK300003.

1983[edit | edit source]

1983 Honda XL185S



The Honda XL185S'83 (XL185SL'83 in California) was sold in 1983. This was the last year for the XL185 series in the USA, but continued in Canada and elsewhere. One color was available: Monza Red. The "185" side cover decal was white. The side cover panels were black. The speedometer was round (unlike the rectangular model in 1979). The shock springs and kickstarter arm were black. The seat was black with a white "XL" logo. The frame was red. The engine was a single cylinder 180cc OHC with a 5-speed transmission. The California serial number began JH2MD0203DK400003 while the rest of the US models began JH2MD0204DK400003.

1984[edit | edit source]

1984 Honda XL185S
1984 Honda XL185S




  • The Honda XL185S'84 was sold in 1984.
  • Engine: 180cc four-stroke OHC
  • Ignition: CD
  • Front suspension: Air-assisted fork
  • Wheelbase: 1310mm (51.6 in.)
  • Dry weight: 105.5 kg (232.5 lb)
  • Seat height: 820mm (32.3 in.)
  • Front wheel travel: 200mm (7.9 in.)
  • Rear wheel travel: 165mm (6.5 in.)
  • The serial number began JH2MD0204EK400003.


Photos[edit | edit source]

Honda XL185 Honda XL185 Honda XL185

Specifications[edit | edit source]

Make Model Honda XL 185S
Year 1979 - 80
Engine Type Four stroke, single cylinder, OHC, 2 valve
Displacement 180 cc / 10.9 cu-in
Bore X Stroke 63.0 x 57.8 mm
Cooling System Air cooled
Compression 9.2:1
Lubrication Wet sump
Induction Single 24mm Keihin carburetor
Ignition CDI
Starting Kick
Max Power 16 hp / 11.7 kW @ 8000 rpm
Max Torque 13.6 Nm / 10.0 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm
Transmission 5 Speed
Final Drive Chain
Frame Semi double cradle
Front Suspension 38mm Showa air assisted forks
Front Wheel Travel 200 mm / 7.8 om
Rear Suspension Showa Pro-Link shocks
Rear Wheel Travel 165 mm /7.2 in
Front Brakes 110mm Drum
Rear Brakes 110mm Drum
Front Tire 2.75-21
Rear Tire 4.10-18
Dry Weight 110 kg / 242.5 lbs
Fuel Capacity 7 Liters / 1.8 US gal
Consumption Average 20.3 km/lit
Standing ¼ Mile 17.5 sec
Top Speed 138 km/h / 85.7 mph

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 2019 Western Power Sports Catalog. Western Power Sports. 2019. 
  2. Which Bike UK magazine, November 1980. On the Rough. Little Big Uns, Honda TL200. "The Honda is built in this country by Colin Seeley International, the engines being supplied by RSC in Japan and built specially for trials. At £1280 the Honda reflects its hand built origins..." Retrieved 2014-10-04


In Media[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

See Also[edit | edit source]


Honda
Motorcycles: CB series | CBF series | CM/CMX series | CX Series | CBR series | NSR series | CR series | Pacific Coast | XR/XL series | Bros/HawkGT | VF/VFR series | VT series | VTX series | ST series | Valkyrie series | GL series| NR series
Mopeds and light motorcycles: Ape models | Cub series | CT series | ST series/Dax | S series |Wave series | Z series