2023 Honda XR150L First Ride

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When it’s time to get out of town, the 2023 Honda XR150L holds its own on a canyon road. (Honda/)

In recent years Honda has developed and expanded its range of accessible, entry-level motorcycles for new and beginner riders. Bikes such as the Honda Grom or Honda Navi are great starting points for those looking to experience a street-legal motorcycle for the first time. And for dirt enthusiasts, the Honda Trail125 is a fun option but it doesn’t have the same capabilities as a purpose-built off-road machine. Realizing the need for a small-displacement dual sport in its lineup, Honda Powersports has brought the XR150L to the US market for the first time.

The 2023 Honda XR150L ($2,971). (Honda/)

Originally the Honda XR150L was introduced 20 years ago in 2003 to Asian and Latin American markets. In 2013, those same markets saw an overhaul of the Honda XR150L. Now, in 2023, the XR150L has arrived in the North American market.

The 2023 Honda XR150L ($2,971) features a 149cc air-cooled single with a five-speed manual transmission and a 22mm piston valve carburetor. A 31mm telescopic fork offers 7.1 inches of travel and the Pro-Link shock with adjustable preload provides 5.9 inches of travel.

The 149cc air-cooled single features an OHC with two valves per cylinder and a bore and stroke of 57.3mm x 57.8mm. (Honda/)

Complementing the ample suspension are a 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel granting the XR150L legit off-road dimensions while still maintaining a relatively low seat height of 32.8 inches. The combination of an approachable powerplant and an utilitarian chassis makes the 2023 Honda XR150L a versatile package for modest off-road adventures, light commuting, and running errands around town.

Headed to the other side of town for a quick coffee. (Honda/)

As accessible as the XR150L is, Honda shared that roughly 50 percent of ownership has been experienced riders buying the bike as an addition to their motorcycle fleet. While 30 percent of its consumers have been casual riders, the final 20 percent are made up of the beginner rider segment. But Honda hopes to grow the beginner market and expand motorcycling opportunities to all.

The Honda XR150L comes standard with a utility rack. Did someone say grocery getter? (Honda/)

Mounting the Honda XR150L for the first time, you notice immediately how compact the rider triangle is. The bike is petite and instantly generates confidence that the XR150L is easily manageable in a variety of terrain.

Honda claims the XR150L has a 2.8-gallon gas tank with a fuel range of 346 miles. (Honda/)

Upon leaving our hotel in Santa Ynez on California’s central coast, the engine had no problem cruising north of 50 mph without any vibration. A combination of a supersmooth and quiet powerplant at times has you questioning if the motorcycle is actually on. Of course, getting up to highway speeds doesn’t happen instantly but it also isn’t painfully slow. At one point on our ride the speedometer was reading just north of 65 mph, making it capable of traveling on any road and most highways. Freeways are not recommended and might be prohibited in your state.

Throttle input and power delivery are predictable and manageable. A mechanical throttle cable has a precise and intuitive feel that translates nicely into engine rpm. At low speeds, the motor responds well to small throttle inputs and delivers the power linearly. With such a smooth and predictable power delivery, the rear tire is always in line and maintaining traction—one less thing for newer riders to worry about when attacking the trail.

The Honda XR150L offers 9.6 inches of ground clearance. (Honda/)

When utilizing second gear off-road as well as in city traffic, the XR bops along nicely without a notchy or unrefined throttle response. Rolling off the throttle is similar in this way. The air-cooled single does not generate excessive engine-braking that disrupts the bike or rider. New and beginning riders will appreciate this the most because it alleviates the need to slip the clutch at low speeds to maintain a smooth power response.

Getting off the busy interstate and traversing winding backroads past ranch properties, the Honda XR150L really comes into its own. Its slim build and quick steering give the bike light and intuitive handling characteristics. That combined with a heavily street-biased dual sport tire from CST offers plenty of corner confidence and responds especially well to rider input through the handlebar.

On the open highway the Honda XR150L can comfortably cruise north of 60 mph. (Honda/)

On winding backroads where speeds are in a constant flux, proper gear selection is crucial on the XR150L. The five-speed transmission has a very short throw when changing gears which allows for quick and precise shifting whether the clutch is used or not. No matter the bike or skill level, every rider can appreciate a tight gearbox. This characteristic especially paid dividends in the dirt where at times first gear was used. Not once throughout our entire expedition on the 2023 Honda XR150L did the machine miss a shift or hit a false neutral.

We spent the majority of our time riding the Honda XR150L on pavement, and found the suspension components delivered a plush, comfortable ride in the initial part of the stroke while still maintaining plenty of holdup when crossing broken asphalt, cattle guards, and potholes. As we transitioned into the dirt, the 31mm telescopic fork and Pro-Link shock continued to perform if ridden as intended.

Fitted with a dual sport tire, the Honda XR150L is not intimidated by a dirty backroad. (Honda/)

Off-road, the supple and forgiving suspension damps the small bumps, keeping the bike planted and maintaining traction at both wheels. As the bike encounters larger loads across water bars and steep transitions, the suspension action becomes progressively stiffer, providing plenty of bottoming resistance. The suspension settings are balanced well front to rear, creating a predictable response over a variety of terrain.

When the pavement ends, the fun doesn’t stop. The 2023 Honda XR150L provides a comfortable ride across a variety of terrain. (Honda/)

In the dirt the handling is very predictable, and the XR150L responds well to using the front end to steer the bike. Of course with such a street-biased front tire, one can’t expect too much lean angle from the Honda in stock trim, but when changing lines from one side of the trail to the other or if needing to swerve around an obstacle, the bike is very agreeable. At my height of 5 feet, 8 inches the handlebars feel a little low in a standing position but its big, cushy, soft seat is excellent for gripping with my legs.

An agile chassis and plush suspension generate plenty of midcorner confidence. (Honda/)

The XR’s front brake system utilizes a 240mm drilled disc with a dual-piston caliper; while in the rear, the Honda XR150L features a 110mm drum brake. Neither of the two are equipped with an ABS system. But on a bike like this, that’s built for a low price and without high performance intentions, it’s not needed. Although the drum brake may scream “budget,” both brakes provided ample and easy to modulate power. The initial bite is not very strong, but as the rider progresses deeper into the lever stroke, the binders easily shed speed.

The front brake features a 240mm slotted disc and dual-piston caliper. (Honda/)

The 2023 Honda XR150L stands alone in a new space for small-displacement and entry-level dual sports. As market trends have proved, the 149cc air-cooled single-cylinder dual sport is just as appealing to lifelong experienced riders as it is to new riders. Any rider regardless of size, experience, or talent can appreciate the 2023 Honda XR150L for what it is, an affordable, accessible, small-displacement dual sport with Ride Red reliability that will continually affirm your decision at the gas pump. Its extreme usability and remarkably competitive MSRP of $2,971 creates a pathway to get more people riding motorcycles—something Honda knows a thing or two about.

Keeping things simple and cost effective, the Honda XR150L features an analog speedometer, odometer, and tripmeter. (Honda/)

2023 Honda XR150L Specs

MSRP:	$2,971
Engine:	OHC, air-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder; 2 valves/cyl.
Displacement:	149cc
Bore x Stroke:	57.3 x 57.8mm
Compression Ratio:	9.5:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	5-speed/chain
Claimed Horsepower:	N/A
Claimed Torque:	N/A
Fuel System:	Carburetor w/ 22mm bore
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate
Engine Management/Ignition:	DC-CDI
Frame:	Steel
Front Suspension:	31mm telescopic fork; 7.1 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Single shock, spring preload adjustable; 5.9 in. travel
Front Brake:	2-piston caliper, 240mm disc
Rear Brake:	110mm drum
Wheels, Front/Rear:	19 in./17 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	90/90-19 / 110/90-17
Rake/Trail	27.0°/4.0 in.
Wheelbase:	53.5 in.
Ground Clearance:	9.6 in.
Seat Height:	32.8 in.
Fuel Capacity:	2.8 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight:	282 lb.
Contact:	powersports.honda.com

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