From 1985 to 90

1985 Honda bikes

1985 Honda RS250TW YAMAMOTO

The RS250TW from 1985 was based on the 1982 RS250T, painted Red, White and Blue colors, HRC engine TLR front forks and some improvements like oil cooler link.
The RS250TW was also called Yamamoto because he was the rider of this official bike.
Yamamoto Masaya was the winner of Japan Trial Championship from 1982 to 1986!!

Picture from Yamamoto thanks to my friend Ryosuke Ikuno.

The ENGINE
Displacement: 249,8cc
Maximum Power: 15 Hp at 6.000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 2,0 Kg/m at 4.000 rpm

The TRANSMISSION
Six speed

The FRAME
Weight: 87 Kg

Thanks to Jean-Pierre for the following pictures from his Honda RS250TW
Yamamoto Replica

Below these lines, an amazing Yamamoto restauration sent by Justin Gough from Australia.
You can see the special oil external engine link and the HRC engraved crankcase.
Spectacular! thanks Justin.

Below these lines, nice picture sent by Gabriele Milan. Japanese rider (sorry, I don't know his name) with a very special RS250TW.

1985 Honda RS250TA

Honda RS 250TA - The Honda Trials History

The Honda RS250TA was produced by HRC in a small quantity as all the RS Honda range of models. (the largest number I have noticed is 4240 that means at least 240 units were made)
After legendary RS250T and the evolutioned and very competitive RS250TW Yamamoto the RS250TA was the final step of the RS special race bikes. Close to the standar TLR and little bit more "civilized".
Frame number for this family began on RS250TAF - 4001, were 4001 was the first number of this series.

On the pic below:
Thanks to Hap Oswald from California we can enjoy with these pictures. An original RS250TA produced by HRC. Less than 100 were launched to the market and this is one of the only 10 that were flown into the USA in 1984 by a Trials Shp located in Los Angeles, California.
Harrys Trials Shop, California, USA.

1986 TL 125D

1986 Honda TL 125

Picture thanks Pat from Aspen Cafe

Based on the TLR200 (see 1982 Honda TLR200 and TLR250 Honda Trials History article) Honda developed the TL 125 model adapting same frame, similar gas tank, seat, plastic parts, and using the 125cc four stroke engine.

The model was offered in two plastic colors, Blue and red. Engine was silver Gray, Frame ever in Silver Gray.
Later in 1986 (1989 in Europe) TL 125 was Black engine painted frame in white, also gas tank and front forks. Seat pad was colored in blue.

Picture thanks Pat from Aspen Cafe

The ENGINE
Air cooled 4 stroke single cylinder
Displacement: 124 cc.
Maximum Power: 10 hp at 8.000 rpm
Maximum torque: 0,98 Kg/m at 4.500 rpm
Ignition: CDI

The TRANSMISSION
Five speed

The FRAME
Diamond steel type
Wheelbase: ? I have no this information
Caster angle: ? I have no this information
Front suspension: Telescopic
Rear Suspension: Hidraulic
Weight: 89 Kg

TL 125 from J.F. (The Honda Trials History)

Picture thanks to Pat from Aspen Cafe

Below, again a spectacular view of The TL125 sent by Pat from French Alps.

1986 Honda TL 125 Fieldtripper

Fieldtripper was sold in Japan in 1986 with these colors and finishing. The code was JD06 and it is close to TL 125D 1986 sold in Europe.

1986 Honda 270cc Rothmans

In 1986, the big cigarette company Rothmans agreed to sponsor Honda trials team, creating the new Rothmans-Honda Trials Team. The bike Honda used for this sponsored Team was the superb HRC Honda 270cc based on the RTL model.

Very small quantity bikes were made and again there is no so clear how many units are still alive because HRC had instructions to "crush" all the works bikes.
On this picture sent by The Honda Trials History friend Carlo, we are fortunate to see one of the unic survival Honda 270 Rothmans, maybe the only one survival!!
The bike was purchased to Derrick Edmonson (Steve Saunders mechanic) who saved from the "crusher". Today more than 25 years later the history can be related.
The fortunate rider is Pippo Bartorilla from Italy.
The use of any picture shall be authorised by his owner through The Honda Trials History web.

Today there is a lot of "Rothmans" fashion RTL's or TLR's but I'm sure that all the big quantity of units you can see everywere is only replicas, cosmetic replicas that the only they have is a nice painting but usually based on standard TLR's. Beautiful bikes anyway.

Bike used for this new season was based on the RTL250. The engine was enlarged to 270cc , also engine was improved with oil cooler to solve the hot problem that usually 4 stroke engines had on trial races, losing or affecting performance. Also exhaust system was modifyied to get more power. Engine was developed by HRC.

The stars of this Team were Lejeune and Saunders.

Thanks to John Moffat here is a nice picture from 1986 SSDT. Steve Saunders on his factory Honda RTL 270 Rothmans Racing colors.

In opinion of Moffat "the best looking trials machines ever made".

The picture was also taken by John Moffat.Thanks a lot John!!

Again, thanks to John Moffat we can enjoy with this great picture:
Eddy Lejeune with his factory Honda RTL 270SW Rothmans!!

The picture was taken by John at Scottish Six Days Trial 1986.

Eddy Lejeune at 1986 World Trial Championship, left the Honda factory RTL250S and RTL270SW Rothmans at right.

Picture thanks to Ron Walsh from Canada.

Factory Lejeune Rothmans, picture thanks to Ron Walsh from Canada.

Thanks to Pat from Aspen Cafe here is a Nice 270 Rothmans framework.
Petrol tank was alluminum, Over covered by the Rothmans painted kit seat and tank cover.

1986 Honda bikes

1986 Honda TLR200 REFLEX

reflex-Chris2

Honda TLR200 Reflex. Picture thanks to Chris Porter.

The TLR200 REFLEX used same TLR200 engine based on XR200 Honda engine, 194cc displacement 4 stroke. Honda Reflex was equiped with seat and lights acording USA standard road rules.

Honda TLR200 Reflex left view. Picture thanks to Jay from Iowa

Some differences were introduced like 33mm front forks, gas tank and seat new colors and stickers, new mufler to also adapt standards.

Honda TLR200 Reflex right view. Picture thanks to Jay from Iowa

The TLR200 TRANSMISSION

Gasoline air cooled 4-stroke

Displacement: 194 cc

Valve train: Overhead camshaft chain drive

Maximum Horspower: 13,4 hp at 6.500 rpm

Maximum Torque: 1,8 Kg/m at 4.000rpm

Compression ratio: 8.2 : 1

Ignition: CDI (Capacitor Discharge Ignition)

The TLR200 TRANSMISSION

6- Speed transmission constant mesh

Clutch: Wet multi-plate type

The TLR200 REFLEX FRAME

Diamond Type

Front suspension: 33mm diameter, 160mm travel

Rear suspension: swing arm 150mm travel

Fuel capacity: 6,5 lit

Caster angle: 26º 30'

The TLR200 REFLEX DIMENSIONS

Weight: 90 Kg

Wheel base: 1315mm

Seat heigh: 780mm

Honda Reflex in action! Picture thanks to Chris Porter.

1986 Honda TLR250R
(Honda Code KT2)

In 1986 Honda developed this four stroke engine trials bike for the Japanese market. Most innovative feature was the frame type.
The weakest point of this machine was its weight, 93kg!

The ENGINE
Air cooled 4 stroke OHC single cylinder
Displacement: 244 cc.
Maximum Power: 14 hp at 5.500 rpm
Maximum torque: 2,0 Kg/m at 2.500 rpm
Ignition: CDI

The TRANSMISSION
Six speed

The FRAME
Diamond steel type
Wheelbase: 1,335 mm
Caster angle: ? I have no this information
Front suspension: Telescopic
Rear Suspension: Pro-link
Weight: 93 Kg

Picture sent by Pat from Aspen Cafe

TLR 250R picture thanks to Jiří Kříž from Check Republic

1987 Honda bikes

1986-87 Honda RTL250s

(Honda Code ND9)

First RTL's prototypes were made around 1985 and developed by HRC.

First 1986 RTL's were equiped with drum brakes and had 249cc displacement, later this capacity were increased on the official bikes to 270cc. 1988 models were disk brakes improved.

Thanks to the valuable contribution of this site friend Carlo, today "The Honda TRials History" webpage is pleassed to show you this exceptional document.

This unit is the first RTL250s works Lejeune. Has the number 1 engine!!!!

The use of any picture shall be authorised by his owner through The Honda Trials History web.

This first monoshock model was the base for the later renowned Rothmans works RTL250s (increased to 270cc) for the Lejeune and Saunders Honda Team.

1988 RTL250S pink model (no disck brakes yet). Picture thanks to John Stuart.

Trials show at Yoyogi Stadium, Japam. Thanks to Ikutame Toshiyuki (rider on the picture)

First 1986 RTL's were equiped with drum brakes and had 249cc displacement, later this capacity were increased on the official bikes to 270cc. 1988 models were disk brakes improved.

1985 Honda RTL250S thanks to Andrew Hoddle from Mitland, Australia. The bike was acquired in Japan on this incredible conditions. The silencer was unmarked, unusual well conserved, also some details as the side stand rubber stop no damaged, and no big marks on the bash plate. Beautiful unit.

Steve Saunders, and later John Shirt rode with this special machines.

Also Derrick Edmonson rode with Eddy Lejeune as his minder.

Edmonson, pictures taken in April 1987 at the Hurst Cup Irish World Championship Trial,

thanks to Stuart for these pictures!

Edmonson in action with his RTL250S

The RTL250S 1987 Pink, blue, white colors.

Same Year at Hurst Cup Irish World Championship Trial, Thanks again Stuart.

The ENGINE
Displacement: 249cc.
Maximum Power: 14 hp at 6.000 rpm
Maximum torque: 2,05 Kg/m at 4.000 rpm
Ignition: CDI

The TRANSMISSION
Six speed

The FRAME
Diamond steel
Wheelbase: 1,315 mm
Caster angle: 25º
Front suspension: Telescopic
Rear Suspension: Pro-link
Weight: 82 Kg

The RTL250S folder thanks to John Moffat

John Shirt at Irish Experts Trial, early 1988. Picture thanks to Stuart Martin.

The bike is an Ex Lejeune 270cc, with the single downtube frame and deep

silencer exhaust, only fitted to factory bikes!

1989 Honda Trials bikes

The Honda RTL50S

At the end of 1988 Honda made a replica of the successful Honda RTL250S for trials beginners (kids).
Honda made a really nice replica using a two-stroke 50cc. engine.
Colors of this little machine matched with the RTL250S pink version.

Today, thanks to my site friend Stephane Zache I have rediscovered one of the Honda Trials bikes that I'm sure helped a lot of trials beginners like Stephane. (picture below)

1988 Honda bikes

1988 Honda RTL250S Disc brakes
(Honda Code NN0)

Picture sent by Pat from Aspen Cafe

Thanks to Craig McLeod for these nice RTL250S pictures.

In 1988 Honda made the last updating of RTL's series, Disc brakes and updated HRC engine, based on the last 1987 RTL (pink color).
As Tommy Sandham say in his Four-Sroke Finale? book, may be the ultimate trials weapon.
John Shirt Jr rode with this nice machine achieving good results also in the Scottish Six Days Trial in 1988.

John Shirt Jr at the 1988 SSDT, picture thanks to John from Trialmag.(John Shirt Snr. picture copyright)*

John Shirt Jr with his special disk brakes RTL250S in the Paddock at 1988 SSDT,

picture thanks to John from Trialmag.(John Shirt Snr. picture copyright)*

RTL250S, Picture sent by Pat from Aspen Cafe

Picture sent by Pat from Aspen Cafe

Nice RTL250S disk brakes, Picture sent by Patrick Frei.

Thanks to Patrick here is a nice 1988 RTL250S Disk brakes from Zurich.
D'ont forget to also see it at Patrick's web:
http://www.twnclub.ch/classic_trial_files/Classic_Trial.htm

RTL250S, both Rothmans painted. Picture sent by Pat from Aspen Cafe

Pictures thanks to Craig McLeod from UK.

Nice RTL250s Disck brakes thanks to Jiří Kříž from Check Republic

Really nice RTL250s Disck brakes Rothmans painted. One of the nicest units I've never saw!! thanks to Valter Ponzo from Italy. At 3rd picture you can see all the spares raedy to be assembled. Good work Valter.

If you have more information and pictures,
your help will be welcome!! send at honda@onlytrial.com

1989 Honda bikes (Two stroke engines)

The final of the four stroke models.

TLM series (two stroke engine)

The TLM series were included in this webpage due to their value as a trials post classic bike, also because of their rare and short production and for its nice and original design.
Of course it is not included on the Four Stroke range of Honda Trial classic, but I tought they had to have a place in my webpage.

1989 Honda TLM260R

Based on two stroke Spanish Montesa engine, Honda made these bikes for Japanese market. The TLM's never came to Europe or US market.
This was the "temporary" change made by Honda Trials Bikes, but no later, Honda returned to his Four-Stroke engines.

The ENGINE
Air cooled 2 stroke single cylinder
Displacement: 256 cc.
Maximum Power: 17 hp at 5.000 rpm
Maximum torque: 2,7 Kg/m at 3.500 rpm
Ignition: CDI

The TRANSMISSION
Six speed

The FRAME
Diamond steel type
Wheelbase: ? I have no this information
Caster angle: ? I have no this information
Front suspension: Telescopic
Rear Suspension: Pro-link
Weight: 84 Kg