Honda XL250 Degree Service Workshop Repair Manual

Wikipedia's own broader XL250 history confirms the genuine lineage this nameplate carries: the original XL250, launched in 1972, "was the first modern four-stroke enduro motorcycle and the first mass-produced four-valve motorcycle," laying the groundwork the later Degree name would build on decades afterward as a genuinely modernized dual-sport aimed primarily at Japan's domestic market.

Motorbikecatalog's own detailed spec sheets confirm the earlier MD26-coded Degree (offered 1991 through roughly 1995) ran a 249.4cc engine delivering 25 hp (18.4 kW) through a 6-speed manual transmission — genuinely closely related to the contemporary XR250R's four-valve SOHC architecture of the same era, which Wikipedia's own dedicated XR250R/XR250L entry confirms ran output "24.56 hp (18.31 kW) @ 8,000 rpm" across its own 1986-1995 configuration, a near-identical figure suggesting genuine shared engine-family DNA between these two Honda dual-purpose lines sold in overlapping years.

EverybodyWiki's own research confirms the genuine mechanical break that arrived with the later MD21-coded generation: "Honda released a line of XL250 known as Honda XL250 Degree using the general release model code as MD21. Road legal, these vehicles shared similar attributes to the earlier XL250 however used the newer MD21E engine (as found in the Honda NX250 and AX-1)" — meaning a 1996-2000 Degree and a 1998 UltimateSpecs-documented example (delivering a claimed 28 hp at 8,000 rpm) are running genuinely different internal architecture from an earlier 1991-1993 example, despite sharing the same model name and broadly similar exterior styling. That same source confirms the correct reference for the later engine specifically: "Engine (MD21E) - refer to the NX250 shop manual" — a genuinely important cross-reference for anyone sourcing service information on a later-model Degree, since Honda's own official parts number for this bike's dedicated manual has reportedly gone permanently out of print.

Standard equipment across both generations included a single front disc brake paired with a rear drum, a genuinely simple, field-serviceable dual-sport chassis with a raised front fender and enduro-style bodywork, and Honda's characteristic dual-purpose tire fitment suited to mixed on- and off-road Japanese domestic-market riding. Because correct identification of the exact model code (MD26 versus MD21) against the VIN is essential before ordering engine parts or attempting a rebuild, confirming that code stamped on the frame remains the single most important step before relying on any specific torque spec or component fitment from either era of this nameplate's production.

This factory service manual covers the procedures, torque specs, and diagrams needed to keep a Honda XL250 Degree's engine and driveline running the way it was built to.