Is it true that a Honda xl185s camshaft has a higher lift than a Honda xr200 camshaft?

Answer 1

We are talking about three different bikes here with interchangable camshafts that differ a bit. There is the 125 cc, the 185 cc and the 200 cc version of this bike.

Some people have found that the XR 200 cams and the XL185S cams give more power to the engine than the usual stock 200X model cams. The lobe height of these cams is indeed shorter than that of the the regular 200X cams. However, it is not the exact lobe height that is important, it is the duration and the center angles of the camshaft that is the important feature that will give more power to the engine when properly installed.

Part number of camshaft from Honda: 14101-437-000-MSRP price maybe around $80.

This camshaft is only for the dual sport bikes and has a higher lift and duration than the XR version camshafts.

It will fit the following models:
1979-1984 XL 125S
1979-1983 XL 185S
1983-1984 XL 200R

Camshaft Part number 14101-446-000-MSRP-Price around $90. This camshaft can be fitted to all XR 185 and 200 bikes up to and including the 2002 model except for the 1984-1985 XR200R model.

Fits the following models:
1979 XR 185
1980 to 1984 XR 200
1981 to1983 and 1985 to 2002 XR 200R

Camshaft Part number: 14101-965-000-MSRP. Price around $95
This camshaft is used for the ATC 185/200 engines except the 1986-1987 200X engine.
The 1983 to 1985 200X camshaft can be used in all ATC 200 models.

Fits:

1980 ATC185
1981-1983 ATC185S
1981-1983 ATC200
1982-1983 ATC200E
1984 ATC200ES
1984-1986 ATC200S
1984-1985 ATC200M
1983-1985 ATC200X
1984 TRX200

The valve springs are the same for all the engines above and all 3 kinds of camshafts can be used in any of the engines except for the exception mentioned. The camshafts have a model number prefix on them.