1981 Honda XR80: Rekindle the Joy of a Kid on a Dirt Bike
Motorcycles & ATVs
Motorcycles
If you’ve been riding a motorcycle since an early age, you probably have experienced some variation of the Honda XR. Perhaps a loving adult gave you a 50cc pocket-sized pit bike. Or maybe you started riding on a dirt bike like the nifty 1983 Honda XR80 that was recently offered for sale on eBay.
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Two Flavors of Small Hondas
Honda had a great lineup of dirt bikes and enduros back in the day. (It still does - opens in new window or tab..) In 1983, the XR80 — featuring an 80cc four-stroke engine and a 5-speed transmission — was one of its most popular small bikes. It was the perfect way for smaller people (including kids) to get out on the dirt. And the XR80 was also well-suited for use by racers as a pit bike.
Honda’s XR series had two versions. There were R-series enduro bikes tailored for off-road riding, but not generally as street-legal machines. And there was the L version, a larger dual-sport motorcycle outfitted with lights, turn signals, a horn, and street-legal tires. (There wasn’t an L offering for the 80 model.)
Any Color You Want, If It's Red
Honda produced the XR80 lineup from 1979 until 2003. It was enshrined in popular culture in 1991 when the young John Connor character rode one in Terminator 2.
The bike for sale on eBay is a 1983 model. That’s the second generation of the XR80. Honda offered this generation exclusively in one primary color, “Flash Red,” a variant of the “Tahitian Red” used on earlier models. The fuel tank, fenders, and side covers featured new styling for ‘83, and the engine and crankcases were black.
This XR80 has a documented top speed of 49 miles per hour, which is pretty impressive for its size. The wheelbase is a mere 47.6 inches, with a modest seat height of 28.58 inches. The dry weight is just 154 pounds, granting a satisfying power-to-weight ratio.
Relive the Glory Days
The XR80 on offer appears to be in excellent condition. The seller notes the bike is all original except for a pair of new tires. The paint, seat, and decals still look lovely. Even the levers look solid—a component that can suffer damage on an off-road bike.
Since smaller Honda XR models are not street legal, they usually don’t come with a title. That’s the case for this sale as well, although the seller will assist in shipping. Can you imagine the new buyer’s excitement when this 1983 Honda XR arrives at the door?
It could be you. The ’83 XR is hard to beat for anybody wanting to recreate the youthful experience of ripping around the yard on a small-cc bike—or perhaps introducing the next generation to similar good times.
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