Topic: 2003 Honda XR 100

[BenelliSEI]

Looking at one for my grandson. Anyone have + or - experience with this model? Thanks!

[ekpent]

My closest was an XR200 I bought on a whim and had for awhile. Not too much power and something a kid could grow into. How old is he now ?

[grcamna2]

My closest was an XR200 I bought on a whim and had for awhile. Not too much power and something a kid could grow into. How old is he now ?

The mid-90's+ XR200R's sit lower to the ground and use shorter suspension parts than the earlier models.
The guys that want to ride them harder in the dirt like to swap-over the longer suspension assemblies(fork stanchions,rear swing-arms w/ shocks & linkages)so they can ride them better and faster.

[seanbarney41]

lol, I raced on one earlier this fall.  A friend of mine organized a pit bike race on his private property and I was loaned a fairly beat one to participate.  Really can't complain about the little thing.  My 210 pounds beat on it all day and it just got better and faster as the day went on.  Impressive low end torque, easy first kick starts every time, stable at speed, kinda slow turning for its small size, and super sturdy!  Crashed it a few times and it did not miss a beat.  I did get beat by guys on Yamaha TTR 125's and Kawasaki 140's, but it had enough fight in it for me to have a barrel of fun anyway! 

Upgraded xr200?  In the hands of a smaller stature adult, can be a bit of a vintage 4 stroke weapon in the tight tight woods of Michigan.

The whole XR lineup is just amazing tough as nails awesome bikes...easy to ride but very rewarding to those with offroad skills.

[Kevin D]

John, I had an SL100, an early predecessor of the XR. It took a beating and for several years it hauled me through the Michigan woods when I was a skinny kid. I bored it to 125 then 150 and used a couple different cams. Then I gave it to my nephews for more thrashing.

Later, 2005? I took my 13 yr old son and we went to a one day Honda dirt bike school in Troy, Ohio. He had never ridden or clutched or kick started anything before but very quickly was riding his XR100 very well. I was on an XR200 and even though it was 30 years since I had been on a dirt bike, it felt like I was 18 again.
Easy to ride.
A step up from CT70

Nice XR100R review here:

https://motocrosshideout.com/honda-xr100r-review-the-bullet-proof-dirt-bike/

[BenelliSEI]

Thanks all! He’s 12 and ridiculously tall, really outgrown the Z50.  I think this might be perfect.

[grcamna2]

Thanks all! He’s 12 and ridiculously tall, really outgrown the Z50.  I think this might be perfect.

I think a mid-90's+ XR200R might be just what he needs as a tall youth;they don't have too much power(about 200lbs. dry)and will last a Long time and it can easily be de-tuned at first by setting it up with a restrictive air filter and adjusting the drive chain a little tight.The XR200R is basically 'an adult play-bike'.. but so is the XR100 
The XR200R is what dirt bike guys start their wives out on,if they're interested 

[BenelliSEI]

Thanks all! He’s 12 and ridiculously tall, really outgrown the Z50.  I think this might be perfect.

I think a mid-90's+ XR200R might be just what he needs as a tall youth;they don't have too much power(about 200lbs. dry)and will last a Long time and it can easily be de-tuned at first by setting it up with a restrictive air filter and adjusting the drive chain a little tight.The XR200R is basically 'an adult play-bike'.. but so is the XR100 
The XR200R is what dirt bike guys start their wives out on,if they're interested 

Thanks! I’ll chase it down and see if I can get it.

[grcamna2]

Thanks all! He’s 12 and ridiculously tall, really outgrown the Z50.  I think this might be perfect.

I think a mid-90's+ XR200R might be just what he needs as a tall youth;they don't have too much power(about 200lbs. dry)and will last a Long time and it can easily be de-tuned at first by setting it up with a restrictive air filter and adjusting the drive chain a little tight.The XR200R is basically 'an adult play-bike'.. but so is the XR100 
The XR200R is what dirt bike guys start their wives out on,if they're interested 

Thanks! I’ll chase it down and see if I can get it.

John,I was reasoning,if he started out on an XR100,he would out-grow that;if he could fit the mid-90's XR200R,he may never outgrow it.

[BenelliSEI]

Thanks all! He’s 12 and ridiculously tall, really outgrown the Z50.  I think this might be perfect.

I think a mid-90's+ XR200R might be just what he needs as a tall youth;they don't have too much power(about 200lbs. dry)and will last a Long time and it can easily be de-tuned at first by setting it up with a restrictive air filter and adjusting the drive chain a little tight.The XR200R is basically 'an adult play-bike'.. but so is the XR100 
The XR200R is what dirt bike guys start their wives out on,if they're interested 

Thanks! I’ll chase it down and see if I can get it.

John,I was reasoning,if he started out on an XR100,he would out-grow that;if he could fit the mid-90's XR200R,he may never outgrow it.

OK... understood. I’ll look around for one. His Dad (my son) has one of the last two-stroke CR 250’s, so there is a next step machine, but it’s scary fast!

[ekpent]

I still have my old 1981 Yamaha YZ250 that I used to ride a lot from 1985 till the places all disappeared we rode on unfortunately. Last year of the air cooled and it had a ported cylinder from a place called FJR and a Wiseco piston. I used to love putting some 'braggers' on that thing and turn them loose in the gravel pit. Usually after not too long they would come back banged up pretty good and holding the back fender because they flipped it. Answer handlebars are great and never got bent.    Bit me hard that way the first day I rode it and ended up with a big gash in my knee hitting metal on the ground. I got hurt on that bike more then all the street bikes I have owned, mostly ribs. Thing was a wicked widowmaker for just a 250 Not a beginner bike.