.

Honda XL 600LM Limited Edition

.  

Make Model

Honda XL 600LM Limited Edition

Year

1986

Engine

Four stroke,  single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valve, RFVC radial valve, PD04

Capacity

591 cc / 36.0 cu-in
Bore x Stroke 97 x 80 mm
Cooking System Air cooled
Compression Ratio 9.0:1

Induction

2 x 28mm piston valve carburetor

Ignition 

Solid state CD
Starting Electric & Primary kick with automatic compression release

Max Power

33 kW / 45 hp @ 6500 rpm

Max Torque

48.8 Nm / 36 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

Transmission 

5 Speed 
Final Drive Chain

Front Suspension

39mm Showa air-adjustable leading-axle forks with dual Syntallic bushings
Front Wheel Travel 220 mm / 9.0 in

Rear Suspension

Pro-link with adjustable rebound damping
Rear Wheel Travel 203 mm / 8.0 in

Front Brakes

Single 240mm disc 2 piston calliper

Rear Brakes

140mm Drum

Front Tyre

3.00-21

Rear Tyre

5.10-17
Wheelbase 1420mm / 55.9 in
Seat Height 860mm / 33.8 in
Ground Clearance  274 mm / 10.8 in
Dry Weight 155 kg / 341.7 lbs

Wet Weight

189.0 kg / 416.7 lbs

Fuel Capacity

28 Litres / 7.4 US gal

.  

Back in 1985, the Paris-Dakar rally across Africa was at its high point. The factories were investing like crazy in this trans-Sahara adventure, and their marketing departments were exploiting the activity. In the forefront was Honda, trying to repeat its 1982 victory by lining up impressively large works teams of well-known riders.

It Looked like a Racer

It was against this background that the Honda XL 600 XLM was created. More than ever, it played the card of total identification with the prestigious (though luckless) racing machines, not only from the esthetic angle big 7.4 gallon (US) tank, color scheme redolent of the works livery, twin headlamp � but also technically with square-tube chassis and swing arm, tubeless tires and a red-finished power unit benefiting from the lessons learned in competition.

Highly Specified

The 600 XLM was intended as a response to its best-selling competitor, the Yamaha 600 Ténéré, which had appeared two years earlier. Influenced by the unique appeal of its rival, the Honda offered an even more high-tech specification, particularly its radial four-valve head and complex induction system using two out-of-phase carburetors on conical intake tracts of different diameters. The XLM topped its competitor with what seemed to be a decisive advantage: an electric starter. Despite all its advantages, the XL 600 LM never made the big time. It took a twin-cylinder bike before Honda could reap the rewards of its African investment.