We love motorcycles, and the extended staff at Dirt Bike has been lucky enough to spend the last 55 years riding and testing some truly great ones. Some have been greater than others. In the May, 2026 issue we have the latest installment of the “Life and Times” series where we look back at certain iconic bikes. In this round, we take a look at the short-lived, but very memorable Honda XR400R. Here’s a preview of that feature:
THE LIFE & TIMES OF THE HONDA XR400R
Thirty years ago, the world was a different place. It was filled with VCRs, floppy disks, telephone answering machines and high-tech must-haves that came and went very quickly. That was the setting for the Honda XR400R. It arrived in 1996 as the herald of a new generation of four-strokes. And, within eight years it was gone. Hard to believe, but the Honda XR400R was only produced until 2004. Other motorcycles go on and on; just look at the XR650L and the Yamaha TW200. Yet, in that short span, the middleweight Honda altered the way we think of four-strokes and shaped the bikes to come. You can read more in the May print edition of Dirt Bike, but here are some other Life & Times features from earlier issues.
THE LIFE & TIMES OF HUSQVARNA MOTO
By Gunnar Lindstrom
Husqvarna is not only one of the oldest motorcycle makers in the world, it’s one of the oldest continuously operated manufacturing operations of any kind. Prior to building its first motorcycle in 1903, the mill at Huskvarna, Sweden, produced firearms and other goods dating all the way back to the 17th century. But, can you realistically say that the Husqvarna of 2025 is the same company that produced muskets for King Charles XI of Sweden in 1689? No motorcycle maker has such a complicated and serpentine history. It’s a story of stunning success, dark chapters and forgotten years. Here’s a brief overview of one of the greatest legacies in the motorcycle world. Read more … https://dirtbikemagazine.com/husky-the-forgotten-years-the-life-and-times-of-husqvarna-moto/
THE LIFE & TIMES OF THE HONDA XR650L
The 32-year history of the Honda XR650L can be fit into a very brief summary: It arrived in 1993. It’s still here. The XR is an accountant’s dream bike. It was assembled mostly from existing parts, and for more than three decades nothing has changed—no new tooling, no new parts, no new part numbers. It’s a page right out of the Volkswagen Beetle playbook. Read more … https://dirtbikemagazine.com/dual-sport-icon-the-life-times-of-the-honda-xr650l/
THE LIFE & TIMES OF THE SUZUKI RM250
The story of the Suzuki RM250 isn’t just about a single motorcycle. It’s about a dynasty of bikes, championships and riders that goes back to a glorious era in the history of motocross. Forty-five years ago, motocross was an obscure European sport. In America, we loved flat track and hill climbing. Even in Europe, road racing was a far more popular sport. No one really saw any future in the cult sport of motocross. Read more … https://dirtbikemagazine.com/the-life-and-times-of-the-suzuki-rm250/
THE LIFE & TIMES OF THE SUZUKI DR-Z400
What’s the best investment in motorcycling? Forget the stock market; put all your money in Japanese dual-sport bikes. In a sport where hardware is famous for rapid obsolescence, dual-sport bikes hold their value. The Suzuki DR-Z400S is a perfect example. In its first year of production, it sold for $5349. For the next 25 years, the only thing that changed about the DR-Z was the price. Riders could, in theory, get a new DR-Z each year with the resale money from the previous one. Read more …
https://dirtbikemagazine.com/great-motorcycles-we-have-known-the-life-times-of-the-suzuki-dr-z400s/
THE LIFE & TIMES OF THE KAWASAKI KDX200
To this day, no one can clearly define the Kawasaki KDX200. Was it a beginner bike designed to teach wives and kids the fine art of off-road riding? Or was it a Navy SEAL of a bike built for the toughest enduros and the most grizzled riders? Clearly it was used as both. In its official lifespan from 1983 to 2006, the KDX was an evolutionary alligator, remaining mostly unchanged as eras passed and other bikes became extinct. One of the reasons that Kawasaki engineers made so few changes was because they were afraid they would mess up the magic formula. The KDX sold thousands of units, year in and year out, without any need for reinvestment. Read more … https://dirtbikemagazine.com/the-life-times-of-the-kawasaki-kdx200/
THE LIFE & TIMES OF THE KTM 300
You could probably call the KTM 300 the Volksmotard, the people’s motorcycle. Never mind what pros ride or what champions race, the KTM 300 was inspired, designed and demanded by everyday riders—American riders. It doesn’t have a long string of championships on its resume, it’s hardly identified with any famous names and it wasn’t made to capitalize on any iconic races, yet the KTM 300 is the most demanded and respected dirt bike among the rank and file of American regular guys and has held that position for over 20 years. Read more …
https://dirtbikemagazine.com/the-life-and-times-of-the-ktm-300/
THE LIFE & TIMES OF THE KAWASAKI KX500
“A fuse looking for a light.”
“Unrideable.”
“Violent.”
Those are all quotes from the June 1983 issue of Dirt Bike. The subject? Kawasaki’s first KX500, a bike that was destined to become a legend in motocross and desert racing. It was a humble beginning for one of the greatest dirt bikes in history. At the time, there were no 500cc motocrossers. Kawasaki was the first to go there since the notorious 501 Maico of the previous decade. But in the end, the KX would outlast all others of its kind, officially turning out the lights on the 500 two-stroke class in 2004. Read more … https://dirtbikemagazine.com/kx500-the-one-bike-to-ride-before-you-die/
THE LIFE & TIMES OF THE HONDA CR250R
In the auto world there was the Mustang. In aviation it was the P-51 and in bicycles there was the Schwinn Sting Ray. There are timeless classics in each field, and in the dirt bike world, there’s nothing that has reached that status like the Honda CR250R. Even though it’s been out of production in the U.S. since 2007, the CR probably won more combined amateur and professional races than any other motorcycle in the dirt world. And they are still out there winning. The CR is a hot commodity on the used-bike market, and on start lines across they still outnumber many current models. Read more … https://dirtbikemagazine.com/life-and-times-of-the-honda-cr250r/
THE LIFE & TIMES OF THE YAMAHA YZ250
The Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke has now been in production for over 50 years. No other motocross bike has been around longer. There’s no telling what the history of motocross would look like if not for the YZ250 and the people who built it.
The list of technology that debuted on the YZ includes reed valves, single-shock suspension and power valves. Perhaps, more than anything, the YZ250 is known for the legendary riders who used it to win. The list includes Gary Jones, Bob Hannah, Mike Bell, Ricky Johnson and Jeremy McGrath, to name a few Americans. In Europe, Hakan Andersson and Neil Hudson and Americans Danny LaPorte and Donny Schmit gave the YZ its championships. Read more … https://dirtbikemagazine.com/the-life-times-of-the-yamaha-yz250/
The Life & Times series is an on-going feature in Dirt Bike. Check out your back issues or just do a search right here to find your favorite bike.