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Honda XL 600R Pharaohs Limited Edition

Make Model	Honda XL 600R Pharaohs Limited Edition
Year	1985
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
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 Pharaohs Limited Edition 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 Pharaohs edition 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 Pharaohs edition topped its competitor with what seemed to be a decisive advantage: an electric starter. Despite all its advantages, the XL 600 Pharaohs edition never made the big time. It took a twin-cylinder bike before Honda could reap the rewards of its African investment.