In case you haven't heard, there are restrictive exhaust emissions laws coming down on motorcycles in many countries. Two-strokes are no longer legal for road use in the US and some countries in Europe may ban them. A sad story-until Honda came along offering new hope with a radical new design. In the punishing week-long Nevada rally, Bruce Ogilvie finished 8th overall, and in the Baja 1000 Honda's riding team of Chuck Miller, Paul Ostbo and Greg Bringle finished 7th overall and first in class. After the EXP-2 proved it could stand up to this kind of destructive treatment, Honda let Motorcycle Online ride it.
Some differences are obvious, like the the main frame, hand-built from aluminum tube and sheet.
Other parts are more familiar. The rear sub-frame is sourced from a CR500, as are the seat and fender. The swing-arm is the same size as a CR500 item and is suspended by a Showa shock. A small fairing bolts to a bracket attached to the frame headstock, and can be replaced with a set of headlights for night riding. Flip the ignition switch hidden in the radiator shroud and the powervalve motor whines as it cycles the valve to the starting position and the fuel pump charges the fuel injection system.