Introduced in 1979 as a replacement for the out going XL175, the XL185 ran on until 1983, it’s last year of production, and with it’s four stroke single overhead camshaft engine was very similar to it’s predecessor. It’s ample ground clearance, long travel suspension and it’s relatively light 118kg made it a competent rather than exiting off-road experience, the engine of just 10bhp would never light up to many blue touch papers!
A more powerful lighter competition enduro version was also launched in 1979, the XR185, this had smaller less vulnerable lights, and included fork boots and other modifications for serious off-road work.
