I was wondering what is the different beteen a TLR 250 and a RTL 250 engine?

I was wondering what is the different beteen a TLR 250 and a RTL 250 engine?

Cannot give you the technical arguement, but as a rider who has a 1986 RTL 250 and a 1987 TLR 250, they are like chalk and cheese. The RTL has vastly more power, across the full engine range. The TLR is much smoother (= flatter!!) and generally easier to ride, but much less capable of handling modern trials. For an average clubman, I would say the TLR is more manageable, but the RTL gives a bigger grin factor!

The engine internals on the RTL and TLR are basically the same, piston, valves, cam etc.

The RTL has a different ignition which gives a different power characteristic, smoother off idle than the TLR which in standard config is too sharp, prone to spit stall and doesn't rev out. Valve timing may differ as well.

Later RTL had a bigger clutch and different gear ratios.

Jerry - not sure which TLR you are referring to, the twinshock TLR wasn't made in '87, they were '84. The TLR250R was '87 but that was a different bike althogether, monoshock and a different engine.

Let me share you some engine Technical data:

The TLR250 Honda official data for Europe and US market was:

The ENGINE

Air cooled 4-stroke

Displacement: 249,8 cc

Bore and stroke: 70 X 64,9mm

Valve train: Overhead camshaft chain drive

Maximum Horspower: 15hp at 6.000rpm

Maximum Torque: 2 Kg/m at 4.000rpm

Compression ratio: 8.3:1

Ignition: CDI (Capacitor Discharge Ignition)

The RTL250 and RTL250S Honda official data for Europe and US market was:

The ENGINE

Air cooled 4-stroke

Displacement: 249 cc

Bore and stroke: 70 X 64,9mm

Valve train: Overhead camshaft chain drive

Maximum Horspower: 14hp at 6.000rpm

Maximum Torque: 2,05 Kg/m at 4.000rpm

Compression ratio: 8.3:1

Ignition: CDI (Capacitor Discharge Ignition)

TLR250 had more power (1hp more) but less torque, 2Kg instead 2,05Kg

RTL250 weight was 6Kg lighter, 82Kg while TLR was 88Kg

Some Magazines at this time announced 16Hp for the RTL250 (No official data)

The Honda Trials History