Honda XL 600 RM vs BSA M 21 (1987)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Honda XL 600 RMstacks up against the BSA M 21. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Honda XL 600 RM | BSA M 21 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1987 | 1956 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 591 cc | 591 cc |
| Horsepower | 44 hp | 15 hp |
| Fuel capacity | 3.4 L | 3.0 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | — |
| Front brakes | Single disc | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Tires | 3.00-21 / 5.10-17 | 3.25-19 / 3.25-19 |
Honda XL 600 RM vs BSA M 21 — which should you buy?
Picking between the Honda XL 600 RM and the BSA M 21 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Honda XL 600 RM brings 44 hp, while the BSA M 21 counters with 15 hp.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike:

