Welcome to XR Specialists New Zealand, your ultimate destination for high-quality Honda XR motorcycles and parts.

Our Story:

At XR Specialists New Zealand, we live and breathe Honda XR motorcycles. With a passion that spans over four decades, we've dedicated ourselves to preserving and restoring these iconic machines to their former glory.

Originating from South Africa, our journey began in 1986 when Corné first set foot into the world of mechanics, specializing in Honda XR models. At the age of 11, he bought his first parts bike from his brother Leon. Soon after he bought a trashed 1983 XR200R for less than the value of a seat, and the lights went on for him. After restoring and selling the 1981 XR200R, he started working on the 1983 model, buying up more parts and bikes in the process. The rest - as they say - is history.

Fueled by a deep-rooted passion for these legendary bikes, Corné quickly established a reputation for excellence, driven by the meticulous standards instilled by their father, Len and eldest brother Leon, who valued only OEM parts on every build. Leon, who now owns a design company called Venture-Graph Studios, was meticulous about using the correct colours, sticker sets, and anything visual had to be perfect with the emphasis on originality.

But our journey doesn't stop there. Corné proudly served in the South African army's Bike Squad in 1992, where he gained invaluable experience riding and maintaining XR500 models during deployments across rural landscapes. These experiences solidified our commitment to reliability and safety, shaping the ethos of our business today.

After restoring many XRs, predominantly XR200s, Corné gave it all up in 1996 to focus on his studies. In 2001 Corné moved to New Zealand with his wife, Alisa, to start a family and career in IT.

Corné's path took an unexpected turn during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when he faced uncertainty about his contract work. Fueled by a determination to stay productive and proactive, Corné seized the opportunity to dive headfirst into his passion for Honda XR motorcycles. Corné bought up any XR he could get his hands on and managed to collect a few, but as we went into the first lockdown, he had to devise plans to collect these bikes after lockdown. A trip with his friend, Peter, took him from Auckland to Hamilton, Taupo, New Plymouth, Whanganui and back to collect around 9 bikes in a single trip.

As restrictions eased, Corné expanded his efforts, collecting additional XR models with his son Keanu, and amassing a vast collection of spare parts for renovation projects.

Today, we focus on breathing new life into vintage XR motorcycles, utilizing our expertise to restore them to their former glory. While our primary focus remains on renovation projects, we also offer a wide selection of second-hand parts sourced from donor bikes, ensuring that every restoration receives the attention to detail it deserves.

Our current restoration project is this 1995 XR600R

Our Mission:

At XR Specialists, we're more than just a marketplace for Honda XR motorcycles and parts. We're a community of enthusiasts, united by a shared love for these legendary bikes. Whether you're a seasoned rider or a first-time enthusiast, we're here to provide you with top-notch products, expert advice, and unparalleled customer service.

Join us on this journey as we continue to celebrate the legacy of Honda XR motorcycles and fuel the passion of riders around the world.

If you're a fellow Kiwi, then please join our Facebook page dedicated to XR enthusiasts in New Zealand, where you can get tips, download XR manuals, buy or sell parts or just keep up with the goss https://www.facebook.com/groups/HondaXRs