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Honda XR70R 2003

Beginner · 2/10

Trail

2003 Honda XR70R

72cc

4-stroke

139lb

Curb weight

25.8in

Seat height

3.9in

Front travel

3spd

Gearbox

2003 Honda XR70R overview

Where it rides
  • Street
  • Trail
  • Woods
  • Rocks
  • Desert
  • Track

The 2003 Honda XR70R is Honda's youth trail bike, the step up from the XR50R and below the XR80R. It has a carbureted, air-cooled 72cc single with a SOHC two-valve head, a kickstarter, and a three-speed gearbox with an automatic centrifugal clutch, so there is no clutch lever. It has a telescopic fork, a single rear shock and drum brakes front and rear, on 14-inch front and 12-inch rear spoked wheels. 2003 was its last year: the CRF70F replaced it for 2004. It came in red.

Who it's for

Young riders too big for an XR50R who aren't ready for a clutch lever: the automatic clutch and low 25.8-inch seat let them learn to shift at their own pace. It starts with a kickstarter only. Honda's weight limit is 132 lb, rider and gear included. It is for off-road use only, carries one rider, and has no lights.

Quick facts

  • The 2003 Honda XR70R has a 72cc carbureted 4-stroke engine, a 3-speed gearbox and kick start.
  • The 2003 XR70R weighs 139 lb ready to ride and has a 25.8 in seat height.
  • The 2003 XR70R runs 2.50-14 4PR front and 3.00-12 4PR rear tires.
  • The 2003 XR70R takes 0.63 US qt (0.6 L) of 10W-40 engine oil; change it every 600 mi or 6 months.
  • The 2003 XR70R listed at $1,399 (US MSRP). It is not street legal in the US.

2003 Honda XR70R photos

2003 Honda XR70R specifications

Engine

Displacement
72cc
Stroke
4-stroke
Fuel system
Carburetor
Bore × stroke
47 × 41.4 mm
Compression
9.0:1
Cooling
Air
Configuration
Single-cylinder
Valve train
SOHC
Valves
2
Engine oil
0.63 US qt (0.6 L)
Oil type
10W-40

Clutch

Type
Centrifugal
Assist
Auto

Drivetrain

Starting
Kick
Transmission
3-speed
Chain size
420
Front sprocket
15T
Rear sprocket
36T

Dimensions

Dry weight
130 lb
Seat height
25.8″
Ground clearance
6.4″
Wheelbase
42″
Width
27.3″
Height
34.7″
Length
61.6″
Curb weight
139 lb
Fuel capacity
1.48 gal

Price & warranty

Colors
Red

Equipment

Spark arrester
Standard
Ignition key
Standard
Lights
Not fitted

Frame & steering

Rake
27°
Trail
2.7″

Suspension

Front
Telescopic fork
Front travel
3.9″
Rear
Swingarm with conventional type oil damper
Rear travel
3.5″

Wheels & tires

Front wheel
14″
Rear wheel
12″
Front tire
2.50-14 4PR
Rear tire
3.00-12 4PR

Stock features

Street legal (US)
No

Battery / electrical

Battery
No

2003 Honda XR70R maintenance

From the maker's manuals. Tap a row to see the manual page.

Service intervals

Change engine oil
Every 600 mi or 6 months
Clean air filter
Every 600 mi or 6 months
Inspect spark plug
Every 600 mi or 6 months
Change engine oil (first time)
After 100 mi or 1 month

Spark plug

Spark plug
NGK CR6HSA
Plug gap
0.024 – 0.028 in (0.60 – 0.70 mm)
Spark plug (alternative)
DENSO U20FSR-U
Spark plug (cold climate, below 41°F / 5°C)
NGK CR5HSA
Spark plug (cold climate, below 41°F / 5°C, alternative)
DENSO U16FSR-U
Spark plug (extended high-speed riding)
NGK CR7HSA
Spark plug (extended high-speed riding, alternative)
DENSO U22FSR-U

Torque specs

Oil drain bolt
18 ft‑lb (25 N·m, 2.5 kgf·m)
Front axle
44 ft‑lb (59 N·m, 6.0 kgf·m)
Rear axle
44 ft‑lb (59 N·m, 6.0 kgf·m)

Parts that fit the 2003 Honda XR70R

Exact parts for this bike. Tap one to see every store selling it, cheapest first.

Maintenance

Oil, filters, spark plug and drive parts you replace as you ride.

Tires

Stock sizes, from the maker's manual.

Prices include shipping where the store lists it and were checked Nov 2, 2026. A store that doesn't list its shipping shows an estimate (~): what it charges on its other parts, or what paid shipping on this part typically costs. Prices change, so confirm at the store before you buy.

2003 Honda XR70R vs 2002

New for 2003: The owner's manual is back to 43 lbf·ft (59 N·m) for both axles. None of the specs below changed from the 2002 model.

Spec20022003Changed
MSRP$1,399Same
Displacement72ccSame
Curb weight139 lbSame
Dry weight130 lbSame
Seat height25.8 inSame
Front travel3.9 inSame
Rear travel3.5 inSame
Fuel1.48 galSame
Gearbox3-speedSame
Front tire2.50-14 4PRSame
Rear tire3.00-12 4PRSame

Honda XR70R FAQ

  1. What engine does the 2003 Honda XR70R have?

    A carbureted, air-cooled 72cc single-cylinder four-stroke with a SOHC two-valve head, kick start, and a three-speed gearbox.

  2. Does the 2003 Honda XR70R have a clutch lever?

    No. It has an automatic centrifugal clutch: the rider shifts the three gears with the foot lever, with no clutch lever to work.

  3. Does the 2003 Honda XR70R have electric start?

    No. It starts with a kickstarter only.

  4. What is the seat height of the 2003 Honda XR70R?

    25.8 in.

  5. How much does the 2003 Honda XR70R weigh?

    The owner's manual gives a dry weight of 130 lb (59 kg), without fuel or oil. Honda's service manual gives a curb weight of 139 lb (63 kg), one figure for every 1997–2003 model.

  6. What is the weight limit of the 2003 Honda XR70R?

    132 lb, including the rider and any accessories.

  7. How much suspension travel does the 2003 Honda XR70R have?

    3.9 in at the front (fork stroke) and 3.5 in at the rear.

  8. How much fuel does the 2003 Honda XR70R hold?

    1.48 US gal (5.6 L), including a 0.29 US gal (1.1 L) reserve on the fuel valve.

  9. What oil does the 2003 Honda XR70R take?

    SAE 10W-40 four-stroke motorcycle oil (API SG or higher, JASO T 903 MA, not labeled energy conserving), 0.6 US qt (0.6 L) after draining.

  10. What spark plug does the 2003 Honda XR70R use?

    An NGK CR6HSA (or DENSO U20FSR-U), gapped 0.024–0.028 in (0.60–0.70 mm).

  11. Is the 2003 Honda XR70R street legal?

    No. It is for off-road use only and has no lights.

  12. What was the MSRP of the 2003 Honda XR70R?

    $1,399.

  13. What size tires does the 2003 Honda XR70R use?

    2.50-14 4PR front and 3.00-12 4PR rear.

  14. What chain and sprockets does the 2003 Honda XR70R use?

    A 420 chain on a 15-tooth front and 36-tooth rear sprocket.

  15. Is the 2003 Honda XR70R different from the 2002 model?

    Yes. New for 2003: The owner's manual is back to 43 lbf·ft (59 N·m) for both axles. None of the main specs changed from the 2002 model.

Other Honda XR70R model years

Specs from Honda's owner's and service manuals and Honda's website. Updated .