Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1537759
August 2025 35 Being a small-bore fan, the Honda XR185 did have my interest. During the Pre Delivery Inspec on process, a test ride was in order to make sure all systems func oned properly before the customer took delivery. I remember vividly how much the XR185 differed from my IT175, but not in a bad way. The bike was unique and behaved so differ- ently from my IT. What I remember the most is the short wheelbase and torquey powerplant al- lowed for wheelies of tremendous length. Back in the day, I could ride seemingly endless wheelies, shi ing through the gears and even downshi ing on one wheel. The XR185 made the job so easy while making me look like a hero in the process. Great days indeed. I'm not sure what happened along the way, but my one-wheeled skills have diminished over the years as riding smarter took priority. In recent years, the early Honda XRs have experi- enced a surge in popularity, par cularly at vintage events. The small-bore models being the most popular, and I'm not ashamed to admit it's a bit humbling when someone on a li le XR rips past me on my Husky 430 in the ght stuff. The bo om line is they worked well in the woods back then and they s ll do today. Being one who enjoys reliving my youth, the search began for a clean Honda XR185 or 200. Honda produced huge numbers of these bikes and clean examples do pop up here and there. While surfing Craigslist one evening, a nice-looking 1983 XR200R popped up in the ATV and Snowmobiles category. With the seller only 20 minutes from the house, I reached out to see if it was s ll available, and fortunately it was.