April 9, 2002-Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced the release of the new XL230 sports bike, an easy-handling motorcycle featuring a vintage off-road look and a water-cooled, 4-stroke OHC single-cylinder 230cc engine. Versatile enough to be used both around town and on longer trips, the XL230 goes on sale April 10th.
The design features a slender, smallish fuel tank reminiscent of those employed on the Elsinore MT250 off-road bike released in 1973 and the XL125 released in 1975, in addition to a round halogen headlight and a speedometer with a navy blue number plate for superior readability. The center up-swept muffler, which extends behind the engine and through the rear suspension, emphasizes the bike's slim design. Other touches, including tires with a block-pattern tread for a racing feel, further enhance the bike's overall vintage image, creating a fresh, approachable design that will appeal to younger riders in their late teens and twenties.
The engine is tuned to deliver superior low-to-midrange response, for nimble performance both around town and on longer trips, and power to spare even with a passenger onboard.
The XL230 comes complete with an anti-theft system featuring a reinforced handlebar lock, reinforced key cylinder, anti-hotwiring circuit, and alarm kit compatibility (alarm kit, manufactured by Honda Access, sold separately).
Two body colors are available:
Boon Silver Metallic (with orange stripe design on upper surface of fuel tank) Fighting Red (with black stripe design on upper surface of fuel tank)
XL230
●Annual domestic sales target: | 4,000 units |
●Manufacturer's suggested retail price (consumption tax not included): | ¥349,000 |
(Example of regionally adjusted manufacturer's suggested retail price: Okinawa +8,000 yen. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is for reference only. Similar adjustments may be made in other regions.) |
Specifications
Model Name | XL230 | |
Model Type | Honda BA-MC36 | |
L x W x H (m) | 2.025 x 0.835 x 1.115 | |
Wheelbase (m) | 1.305 | |
Ground Clearance (m) | 0.225 | |
Seat Height (m) | 0.800 | |
Vehicle Weight (kg) | 120 | |
Dry Weight (kg) | 113 | |
Number of riders | 2 | |
Fuel Consumption (km/L) | 40.0 (60km/h constant speed, low altitude) | |
Turning Radius (m) | 2.1 | |
Engine Type | MD33E (water-cooled, 4-stroke OHC mono-cylinder) | |
Displacement (cm3) | 223 | |
Bore x Stroke (mm) | 65.5 x 66.2 | |
Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 | |
Max· Power (kW[PS]/rpm) | 13[18]/7,000 | |
Max· Torque (N·m[kg·m]/rpm) | 19[1.9]/6,000 | |
Carburetor Type | PDC7A | |
Starter | Self-starting | |
Ignition | CDI, battery-powered | |
Lubrication | Force-fed and splash; | |
Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 6.0 | |
Clutch | Wet-type, Multi-plate coil spring | |
Gearbox | Constant mesh, 5-speed return | |
Gear Ratio | 1st Gear | 2.769 |
2nd Gear | 1.722 | |
3rd Gear | 1.263 | |
4th Gear | 0.960 | |
5th Gear | 0.814 | |
Differential (primary/secondary) | 3.090/3.076 | |
Caster angle (degrees/Trail (mm)) | 28°20'/114 | |
Tire Size | Front | 90/100-19M/C55P |
Rear | 110/90-18M/C61P | |
Braking System | Front | Mechanical, leading/trailing drum-type |
Rear | Mechanical, leading/trailing drum-type | |
Suspension | Front | Telescopic |
Rear | Swing arm | |
Frame | Semi-double cradle |