Honda XRM 125 Motard: Who should buy?

The Honda XRM 125 has been a staple for motorcycle riders in the Philippines since 2001. It was launched as a dual sport – a segment that does not get a lot of attention in the country – and has become extremely popular. Boosted by Honda’s reliability and the very much affordable cost, the bike took no time in becoming the bestselling Honda motorcycle in the country.

Honda was quick to realize XRM’s potential and has taken steps to keep the bike fresh in the long run. The last update was as recent as 2017. The company has also made the bike available in various variants to cater to different customer segments.

Under the skin, all three variants of the XRM come with the same specs. But subtle differences between them, make it versatile and very well suited for the Philippines. One of the trim is the DS that can be considered to be the base. You can differentiate it from the others on the basis of its brightly colored knuckle guards. Then there is the XRM DSX which comes with an all-black color scheme. And then there is the Motard.

Being a dual sport, the Honda XRM needs to have some characteristics that make it at home both on and off the road. Here the Motard takes a slightly urban-friendly approach. So, who is it best suited for? Let’s find out.

The basic bike stays the same. The engine is the same reliable 125 cc OHC unit that churns out 9.25 hp at 7500 rpm and 10.4 Nm of torque at 5000 rpm. The engine has been tuned to deliver a high amount of torque low down the rev range. This makes it punchy from the get goers. Acceleration is instant for traffic stops. Off the road the bike needs the same low down grunt to get over obstacles and uneven road surfaces.

Another factor that makes the bike so popular is its mileage. The XRM 125 uses a fuel injected engine that delivers up 55 kmpl easily.
Also coming from the underlying dual sport connection are the compact dimensions. The bike has a wheelbase of just 1239 mm making it easy to maneuver. With a weight of just 99 kg, it is also extremely easy to use both on dirt roads and on city streets. The bike also gets a pliant suspension that works well both off and on the road. Then there are the wide handlebars that allow the rider greater control, especially on slow speeds. Something like this comes handy on the trail just as much as while filtering through slow moving traffic. Rider always has excellent control over their turning radius and lean angle. Like the others, the Motard also gets a high front fender that serves very well in mud and water. The styling, including the CRF inspired headlight that is carried across all three variants as well.

 

But the XRM 125 Motard has a distinct identity of its own in the XRM lineup. This identity does come at a cost. At Php 71,800, this bike is indeed the most expensive of the three. That too when the base DS can be bought for just Php 66,500.

These enhancements, however, make the Motard especially useful for the urban dual sport rider. Firstly, instead of the usual knobbly tires, the Motard’s tires get a more urban-friendly tread pattern. This makes it better suited for smoother roads and also works better with rain. The other point of difference are the wheels. All versions get 17” wheels but while the DS and the DSX get spoked wheels, the Motard gets 5 spoke alloy wheels. These work better on city streets to provide a stable ride and also a bit of flair.

Other enhancements like the different stickering and the dual tone color schemes make it stand out from all the other underbones plying the roads. Then there are the dual disc brakes and the under-seat storage space that are present across the XRM range but increase the practicality of the Motard in the urban environment.

The XRM 125 Motard then is for the rider that wants to be able to ride their bike on rural as well on city roads. This rider spends more of their time in cities but doesn’t shy away from going off road when the opportunity presents itself. And going by the popularity of the bike here, it has found its audience.