I bought one in 1976, a '72 model, as transport to get from Sydney Australia, to Tennant Creek, in the Northern Territory, where I got a job in the mines as a maintenance plumber. I built a rack, loaded it up with my belongings, including a guitar, and rode 3500km to Warrego Mine. I was 22. I patted her tank many times as she faithfully hauled myself and my gear through the desert, day after day, taking diversions due to flooding and enduring sand storms and terrential rain, she just kept going, 40 degree heat (Us Aussies have been metric for 50 years, that's 104 in Yank terms) without even a splutter. Then, as I settled in, I had a dirt bike to ride in the local desert on the weekends. She was such a brilliant bike. I'm now 72 and have an original '73 in the shed, about to be restored to her former glory; she even has her original front tyre fitted, so in very good condition. I now live in Western NSW, near the Warrumbungle Mountains, where I will once again enjoy the pleasures of these wonderful machines.

Stripped down, 276cc bore kit, head ports clean-up, Mikuni carb, header pipe with a Super Trapp, Preston Petty fenders, stiffer fork springs, stand-up shocks swingarm...those were the days, my friends.

In 1982 my college buddy asked if he could leave his newly acquired XL250 in my garage while he went home for the summer to Hawaii. He made me promise to ride it a few times over the summer to keep it from rusting. I had never rode anything larger than a Honda trail 50 with no street experience.  On my first ride I quickly discovered the fire roads throughout the mountains behind my home, and I rode for 6 hours!  I had discovered a new lifelong passion that sticks with me to this day and fell in love with that bike.  I put several thousand miles on that little wonder that summer, and felt pretty guilty about it when I handed it back to my buddy.  He was not fazed at all and happy I had ridden it as instructed.  "Its a Honda", he said, "You can't hurt it!" true words.  I have been looking for one ever since......

On  June 14, 1972 my twin brother and I bought new XL 250 HONDA MOTOSPORTS. WE PAID 879.00. WE DROVE THEM  10,000 MILES THE FIRST SUMMER DOING ALL KINDS OF RIDING. IN THE SPRING OF 1973 MY BROTHER AND   I., ALONG WITH 5 OTHER GUYS,  RODE OUR XL 250 FROM GRAND RAPIDS MN TO THE WEST COAST ANF THEN UP INTO B.C AND THROUGH SASKATCHEWAN BACK TO MINNESOTA.  WE PUT ON 4,500 miles in 19 days.  Cost us 200.00 dollars! The bikes had 15,000 miles on them after the trip. Traded them in on XL 350 in 1974 with over 20,000 miles on them at time of trade. We had a great time. Love that old Xl 250.  We were just barely 17 when we took that trip.  Kids now a days are glued to their DEVICES.

In 1977 I bought a brand new 1975 xl 250 at the honda shop for $650.I had seen an ad in a magazine about discounted xl 250,s and in january they had 2 at the honda shop.Looked like a brand new penny.I was so happy.Rode it in shale pits,loging roads and powerlines in the mountains of west virginia where I lived.Recently bought a new klx 230 and it is just too much fun for this old man.

Interestingly, Dirt Bike Magazine, in the early to mid-70s, did a review of these Hondas fitted to a number of after-market frames like Redline, Trackmaster, Champion etc, with a standard framed model as a control. The final result based upon the reports from several top line MX test riders was in favour of the factory frame. Honda got it right from the beginning, regardless of the weight. The general consensus was that the stock frame handled much better than any of the aftermarket units. Honda engineers, as well as Yamaha and the rest of the Japanese manufacturers knew their stuff.

I love these old Hondas. These were the bikes of my era and they were so much fun.

I bought my XL250 in April 1974 so it’s a K1. Still have it today 51 years later. Best bike to get my license and start using to ride to work through the week and play on the weekends.

As a 15 year old in 1977 I bought a new XL250s, with money I had earned working construction that summer.  I rode the pudding out that thing, both on and off road. Those laid-down rear shocks and "long travel" front forks were impressive back then. I quickly found that this bike was a wheelie machine - so I practiced until I could loft the front wheel changing into 2nd gear, and continue the wheelie through 5th gear. When the front wheel finally touched down it would let out a chirp 😊
Good times!

Stumbled upon a 1972 Honda XL250 with everything there and excited to clean it up and see how she runs down here in Fairhope, Alabama.

15:32 Thank god, someone with some sense. NOTHING is worse than being out on the trail and realizing you don't have any mustard.

Restored/modified a 1 owner 73, down to the frame a few years ago. Switched to 12V electronic ignition, stainless spokes. Came out sharp. NOS parts are getting rare and $$. No hydraulics, 100% mechanical speedo, tach, brakes and clutch. The side covers had factory hand made witness marks on the inside from the techs that drilled the holes in 72-73. That was a cool discovery.

I bought my '73 XL250 new. It was the talk of the enduro community and I still ride it frequently.  I've kept it in good condition and even after sitting all winter it starts first kick. A friend used to kid me about keeping it as it got older. He's not laughing now.

I wish somebody would make trail bikes like the ones of this era now. Today's dual sports are unnecessarily tall. My '69 Yamaha AT1 was comfortable for the 5'7" teenager I was. It never had a clearance problem, proving that the top-heaviness of today's dual sports is mostly for show.

My dad bought one new in 72.  He put a Jardine header/muffler on it. Man that bike sounded great. When we took it to the trails I'd use a big rock to get on and off the bike and ride it around.  I was 10 and couldn't touch the ground so I had to start and end my ride at the rock. Good times.

My first bike 37 years ago was a 1980 XL 80s.
Straight off the dealership floor. Completely street legal. Everything worked from blinkers , lights right down to the horn. It was what created my passion for moto that has lasted all these years. Wish I never got rid of that bike.

I like the old stuff too. Mine ain't a Honda, it's a 1978 Yamaha XT500. Paid $100, bought a carb 2 tubes,  2 tires, air filter. Runs good still.

Excellent choice! As a Honda mechanic for most of my life, this was in Honda's zenith. The XLs didn't do anything spectacular, but they did everything reliably and friendly to the rider and the public. Most who saw you ride wanted to join you, not outlaw you.

I bought a brand new XL-250 in 1972 when they first came out. I used it as a commuter for work and for some enduro and trail use. I loved the simplicity and dependability of it.  Here some 35+ motorcycles later, I wish I still had my old XL250.  It was that good.

and it threw off the competition when you used the blinkers for a left turn and suddenly turned right...very sneaky