In the 1960s, when Honda was still a relatively new name in motorcycling, British and American riders, infatuated with their native marques, tended to look upon it as slightly suspect. It was something of an unknown to them, and although Honda’s products were technically sound and could be fun, for a while it failed to grasp the importance of æsthetics, which mattered to many Western buyers as much as performance and handling.

Then, in the 1970s, something started to change. Hondas began to be seen not merely as acceptable, but even as cool. One big reason for this was its development of small dirt bikes, which occidental buyers were soon forced to admit were actually a lot of fun, and they were cheap and affordable. Having built a reputation for good-quality bikes which could be used as off-road convenience tools or raced enthusiastically, it struck upon an idea: why not catch the next generation of Honda riders early by building motorcycles for children?

That was where Honda’s XR range came in, and in particular the XR75, which was the most popular child’s motorbike of the ’70s. Launched in 1973, its success was most notable in America, where expanses of open land gave countless thousands of children the opportunity to get their first taste of motorcycling, away from the dangers and regulations of the highway. Even decades down the line, many XR75s remain running and, doubtless, there are still some children today learning to ride on them. Of course, plenty of adults have enjoyed a sneaky ride on them, too.

The four-stroke 72cc engine would push the bike along to 40 mph, which was faster than most of its rivals, and it was generally said to be smoother. The dual-clutch four-speed transmission meant it could shift well, too. The forks were made to a high standard, the single-loop frame was of lightweight construction and the suspension was ideal for bouncing along dirt tracks. Simply put, if your parents bought you one of these, you were probably the luckiest, not to mention coolest, kid on the block.

There is no record of this bike’s history, but it is being sold by a motorcycle collector who keeps a large stable of bikes, always in running order.

Since this is not a road bike, it had never required registration, hence there is no paperwork with it.

As you’d expect for a child’s dirt bike, this XR75 has been well used and that shows, although it certainly hasn’t been abused. There is an obvious patina across the whole bike, which does it no harm at all; we think it really enhances the bike’s character, and we far prefer to think of an off-road bike being used and enjoyed instead of pampered.

The weathered look that the bike sports is nothing more than superficial. There is only a small dent in the tank but, apart from that, nothing the matter. The frame looks to us to be sound, and the plastic mudguard and side panels are in good condition. We can see no reason why you shouldn’t be able to jump on this bike and race it tomorrow, if you wished.

The only thing which looks like it will need attention in the long term is the seat, which is split in a number of places. However, unless you’re a perfectionist, there’s no urgent need to have it recovered. It’s still firm, comfortable and durable, so you should enjoy lots of rides over many years before it actually requires repairs.

We have seen this bike start and can confirm that it runs nicely, although it has not been ridden for a long time. The vendor keeps all his bikes in good order, giving them all necessary maintenance, and this bike looks like it has been well looked-after, so we don’t think it’s likely to have any major problems. 

Without having a chance to see it ridden, we cannot make further comment, and would advise that some recommissioning might be necessary before it is subjected to any serious use.

Anyone looking to recapture their lost youth could do well to pick up an XR-75. It’s all very well filling a room with Star Wars toys or a cupboard with original Top Trumps, but a half-size motorbike is really the only 1970s toy you can still play with and enjoy as an adult.

Maybe, though, you might not want this bike for yourself. Maybe you’re raising the next generation of motorcycle enthusiasts and need to start them young. This is exactly what they need. And even if you do buy it for your children, you’d still technically be the owner, so you could ride it when they’re not looking…

This particular one is a great example in running order which oozes character. It might be that it needs some very light recommissioning, but so what if it does? That sounds to us like the perfect opportunity to get your children wielding a spanner and fixing their first project vehicle.