Beautiful machine. Man, I would have love to take my chances for that bike, but I live on the other side of the world. Best of luck to everyone who've joined!
Spoiler alert for those that haven't watched. If i were to win i would prefer the old gas cap with a sticker pointed at the dents saying "ZACH DID THIS". Awesome Bike I had a similar XL growing up, great job Ari!
Mine was a green SL100 with the white stripes here in New Zealand in 1975 and I'll never forget that day either. Or my mates. We all bought them. Then SL125s (the richer mates) and then the really rich mates bought these motorsports (or motosports?) They were silver with red stripes. I moved into Suzie 250s...and yeah...good days!! Still riding. Anyway, a random hi from NZ. Ride safe.
In high school, two of my friends had xl 250s while I had a Kawi f11 250. We called that whole class of bikes trail bikes, and everyone immediately removed the mirrors and signals because it was cool and because they were going to be busted off anyway when we crashed in the woods. We rode them to work every day to McDonald's and blasted them down the interstate when the interstate was still a construction site. Best daily riders ever. I sure hope I win that old dog!
Whoever wins this should definitely get the dented gas cap that fell off! That's as much a part of the story as all the rest. Great video. I'd love to see a Widowmaker on the next DR Classics if you can find one to use.
These bikes in the 69 to 74 range did indeed birth what we have today… We stripped the lights off of them or just taped them up and raced them motocross, hare scrambles, flat track… I remember Kent Howerton showing up on a 175 Yamaha with electrical tape over his headlight, killing the 250 class. I was riding a Hodaka 125 when the CRs came out. then the Yamaha mono-shock which gave birth to tracks groomed for long suspension, making it “the wand over the wizard” for a short time. Modern suspensions has us trying crazier and crazier stuff… been fun to see and be a part of… but I do yearn for the simplicity of 1974.
Man Ari has mad skills! ..that bike is beautiful! I guess that summer working at Stricks cycle in Asheville NC served him well!!???😀😀...of course those skills were his before working there...but his eye for deta and limitless vision make him THE GUY!!
So much work into that bike, anyone who restores old bikes knows, so much, but at least Ari has proven the concept, and can replicate it faster\cheaper on his own now, that would have taken me a whole year, perfection!
I've owned a 250XL (K3) for a couple of years and it has been one of the most fun bikes i've ever ridden! Many don't realise the influence this bike had on future road legal motorcross/dual sport bikes! So great to see you give it some attention.
My good friend from high school had the original 72 model XL 250 Motorsport. I have never seen a bike with so much torque for the size. He put a torque pipe on it and made it even stronger. He put rim locks on it to keep from tearing the valve stem out as it would twist the wheel in the tire. We love to Hill climb every chance we got. My cousin also had a 74 XL 350 with a torque pipe there wasn't a hill that we found that we couldn't conquer I'm 67 now and long for those days. Have had many bikes over the years. But the best ones I've ever had or Hondas. My favorite was my Mt 125 Elsinore definitely the best handling bike I ever rode
They are such beauties!! I have the same bike. It is absolutely fun to ride. I have a group of riding buddies. it is unbelievable, the hills we had it climb and trails we have put this bike through!!😂 solid build!!
Talk about a trip down memory lane! 48 years ago I bought a ratted out '72 XL 250 (the same day I had all 4 wisdom teeth removed!) and rebuilt it in the spare bedroom over the winter. It became my commuter bike for my daily ride to Nellis AFB as a young airman. With the desert tank that came with the bike, it was also my off-road explorer. Such great memories, thanks guys.
It’s crazy how we watched these bike meltdown to “ratted out“, bought and refurbished 48 years ago… Geez, I bought a Junk, locked up DT1 in 1974 for 25 bucks. Holy cow, was 50 years ago… cool memories.
Great timing! I just had surgery to repair a tendon in my hand and won't be riding for a month or so. Thanks for letting me ride vicariously, Mr Courts. And on such a beauty! We are all your passengers, in a way
Those little ‘70s enduros are the bikes I grew up on. So much fun and such good memories!!! The tires are dirty and that’s only as God and nature intend! 😃❤️😃
Good video Zack, I was thinking that the freeway portion of your normal Daily ride was going to be a little challenging, then as a Retired Deputy Sheriff, I was thinking that the trip without a license plate might not go uninterrupted, but the gas cap seems to be the only real issue, I was loving the ride, as it reminded me of my 1971 Honda 175 Scrambler a little, a fun little scoot for sure. Good job.
Zach, I really enjoyed meeting you at the handbuilt show. I wish I’d known that you were from Vermont. My folks lived in Stowe for 20 years. A friend and I rode KLR’s from my parents’ house in Stowe to Lincoln, VT and surrounding areas during the first week of October. Magical.
I’ve got a 1969 triumph bonneville and gotta spend about 4 grand for a engine rebuild , but I gotta say it’s worth it , something about old bikes that you just don’t get on new ones , it’s just you and the bike , no computer , no abs , traction control etc. you just feel the most connected to the road with them
Way to go Ari and Zack!! Quite a special bike to commemorate 50 years! ✨ Entering now! 👌🏼 ps My sister rode a Yamaha DT175 back in the day and I had a Yamaha YZ80!
As a rider that is slightly older than the '74 XL250+ I can understand the giggle factor when it comes to riding such a pure, raw, but updated bike. Ari did an awesome job bringing her up to modern day standards yet keeping her soul. I may have put her at the top of the classic leader board.
Had one a few years ago and sold it cheap like a fool. Wish I had it back. I have the Transalp. On it right now on a motocampingbtrip watching this in my tent.
Wow I’m in my garage customizing my bike right now, and this video pops in my watch list. What an incredible amount of detail, thought, and improvement’s into this incredible bike. Beutiful!
The 1979 XL250 was the bike I rode in HS. My first bike was a brand new 1974 Honda XL70 I got for my birthday when I was 8. They were great bikes because trail riding wasn't a problem, and they were street legal at the same time, even my XL70.
Well that was fun thanks! As soon as you kick started it it took me right back I had the same bike as a kid and wore that thing slap out but motor never quit. not fast by todays standards but it was a rocket to me back then
My first bike was my dad’s 1971 Bridgestone 100cc two stroke dual sport. I don’t even know the model. Twin gearing. Oil injection. It was (and still is) amazing. He bought it new when he was 17. This Honda is a beaut. Over the years and many many motorcycles, I now find myself drawn to older machines. I’ve found that newer bikes feel somewhat soulless and numb. I’d take that Honda any day. Best of luck and congrats to whoever wins!
I used a set of Golden Boys to great effect on my old XL-175...Lean angles almost beyond belief...feeling both ends gripping and slipping. I would recommend them to any classic dual sport rider. Great nostalgic ride that brought back a lot of memories rider my DT-1, and XL-175, dual sports on the street, and my XR-250 in the woods. Great stuff, keep up the fine work.
I had a 1972 XL-250 in 1976 and it is one of the three bikes I am still sorry I sold (the others being a 1974 Suzuki TM400 and a 1977 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD). The 55 mph national speed limit worked in favor of the bike as I was able to go anywhere on it - travel a hundred miles on the Interstate in the morning and be fording creeks deep in the woods that afternoon. It looked great, performed well, and wasn't too heavy. It was very close to being a perfect motorcycle.
Great Bike!!! Mine was stolen back in 1978 at a gas station while I was taking a leak in the restroom 200 miles away from home, luckily a trucker unbeknownst to him, he seen the robbery happen, he was heading in my direction so he gave me a lift back home.
Gotta say, I would put the XL at the tip top of the list. It checks so many(if not all) boxes for a daily rider. Amazing work, Ari! I saw the gas cap dancing a little while before falling. Thought, "I wonder if that is secure?".....Nope!😂 I have been wanting to get my wife on the Transalp since it was announced. Too many pennies for us right now. One day, some day.
That thing sounds a lot like the '78 XL175 I had as a teen. I'm not too hopeful I'll end up with this thing, but it does make me want to find an old XL250/350. What a great creation! Thanks Ari for making it and thanks Zack!
That is such a nice daily. Well, no matter how much we want it, some things aren't just for made for us. Nice review as always, this channel was one of the reasons I am going to get beginner bikes of 400cc and up. Just can't decide what type yet lol
Such a cool looking bike. I remember when these type of bikes were everywhere, just keep them well serviced and put gas in and enjoy. As much as I like modern machines these are the bikes I grew up with and I just love the analogue feeling, all about the skill level of the rider.
I just bought a 2007 XR 125 L and I think it'll offer me pretty much the experience this bike does. It will go everywhere, just not very quickly. Without any extra frills. I think it will be a good bike for me to start exploring some trails as it gives me the confidence that I can get out of pretty much anything with the little machine. Just waiting for it to come back from the mechanic for a full maintenance look over and I'm super excited.
I would love to Win this bike 🤩. It reminds me of Yamaha Rx100 which is the first bike I used to learn riding a motorcycle. It would be an absolute dream start and a beauty to have to start off the bike riding Journey in Canada. Thanks for this review Zack & Ari you are absolutely genius for restoring this bike back to new glory.
My buddy and I had 2 of these; it was my first bike. We went on a 300 mile camping trip; the knobbies make your hands fall asleep. Rode them on single track; fairly heavy and kick start is a real pain restarting on a hill. For some reason, the starter gear started breaking teeth (I still have the special removal socket); replaced it twice. Kept it until 1978 or so and sold it. Still only feel "at home" on a small dual sport.
Super nice bike!! I jumped through the entry hoops until there weren’t any more so hopefully my entry was received. (72 year older rider) First bike was a mid 40s Indian 74 chief….one of those “I wish I’d never let it go” bikes.
Tricky checkboxes on the sweepstakes sign up! (You don't have to check the final 2 boxes to sign up emails from Progressive and Honda, though the wording somewhat implies you do.) Amazing bike and great video, as always!
Yep... that is why 3 out of my 4 bikes are oldies... oldies that are not garage queens and wear the scars proud! They make you feel a certain way when you ride them... and I love that feeling.
