February 14, 2005—Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that it will release two new sport bikes, to go on sale Friday, February 25. The XR50 Motard, equipped with an air-cooled, 4-stroke, OHC single-cylinder 50cc engine, is an ideal introductory model that is fun and easy to drive, while the XR100 Motard comes with a 100cc engine powerful enough to accommodate two riders.

The XR50 Motard and XR100 Motard are equipped with the same air-cooled, 4-stroke, OHC single-cylinder engines that were made popular in the Ape^*1and Ape 100, with some changes to the intake and exhaust settings. They also come with the popular 5-speed return transmission that allows the rider to experience the fun of changing gears.

Disc brakes on the front and rear provide outstanding braking control, while front and rear aluminum cast wheels ensure nimble driving performance.

Styling includes a tank shroud and front meter visors, up-type muffler, and two-tone seat, to convey the image of a genuine Super Motard^*2 machine.

In addition to its powerful engine, the XR100 Motard also comes with pillion steps, seat band, and muffler protector, making it easy for two to ride at once.

Two body colors are available: dynamic Extreme Red—the same color that is used in Honda’s CRF
Series motocross racing bikes; and intrepid Black.

The XR50 Motard and the XR100 Motard are equipped with the same compact, air-cooled, 4-stroke, OHC single-cylinder engines made popular in the Ape and Ape 100, designed with city driving performance in mind. Changes to the intake and exhaust settings in the engines result in responsive low- to mid-range performance with nimble controllability.

The 5-speed return transmission, also made popular in the Ape series, delivers the fun of gear changing and allows the rider to select the optimum gear for the driving conditions.

For the frame as well, the XR50 Motard and XR100 Motard employ the diamond-type pipe frame made popular in the Ape series. The newly designed rear swing arm is 40mm longer than the one used in the Ape series, for improved straight-line stability.

The running gear features lightweight, 6-spoke aluminum cast wheels and hydraulic disc brakes front and rear, to achieve nimble driving performance combined with stable braking.

The design is patterned after the image of a genuine Super Motard racing machine, with approachable, compact styling. The bike's tank shroud, V-shaped front meter visors, up-type muffler, and two-tone seat impart the same Super Motard image as the XR250 Motard. The slim fuel tank has been newly designed to achieve an easy-to-straddle riding position.

The XR100 Motard has been designed for two, with pillion steps and a seat band to accommodate a second rider. A muffler protector has also been added to protect the passenger from the muffler's heat.

The XR50 Motard and the XR100 Motard are available in two different color schemes. The Extreme Red scheme, inspired by the CRF series, features Extreme Red on the front and rear fenders, the seat side, and the tank shroud, highlighted with White on meter visors and side covers. The Black scheme creates an intrepid image, with Black employed everywhere except on the seat surface.