Honda XR190CT 2026 Review

Motorcycles have long been a favourite tool for farmers – they’re lightweight, nimble, rugged, and capable of tackling terrain that four-wheelers simply can’t. And among the dedicated farm bikes you can buy in Australia, the Honda XR190CT sits right at the top of the heap as the largest model in Honda’s agriculture range.

On paper, it’s a rugged, farm-ready machine loaded with features aimed squarely at making a big day’s work just that little bit easier. But is it truly ready for the demands of the farm? And how does a modern agricultural workhorse like this stack up against the old classics so many farmers still swear by?

To find out, we put the XR190CT to work at Tulara Warmbloods in the Victorian High Country, where our friends Nick and Rach used it to round up cattle and put every farm-focused feature through its paces.

The XR190CT checks in at $5798 ride-away, making it an affordable work tool in an age where many motorcycles keep increasing in price.

Despite that sharp sticker, it brings a long list of practical inclusions: front and rear luggage racks, dual beefy side-stands, lever and engine guards, off-road friendly tyres, and a big 12-litre fuel tank to keep you moving through long days on the property. For farmers, these are no-brainer essentials. 

One of the biggest upgrades compared to old-school AG bikes is the engine. Instead of a carby-fed thumper, Honda fits a modern yet simple 184cc air-cooled single-cylinder motor with fuel injection. It’s paired with a tough five-speed gearbox and a handy clutch lock, which quickly becomes your best friend when stopping to open gates. There’s an electric start for convenience, and a good old-fashioned kickstarter as backup.

Nick, after a few hours rounding up cattle, praised the comfort – especially given the steep hills and creek crossings on the property – saying he could sit on it all day. He also highlighted how progressive and linear the throttle felt, with no abrupt powerband and smooth delivery through the gears.

On the job, the XR190CT’s long list of practical features really pulls its weight. The dual side stands are a standout: they let you dismount from either side depending on the terrain, and the oversized feet help prevent the stands sinking into soft ground. Both Nick and Rach made excellent use of them throughout the day.

Farm-friendly details continue with basic but clear instrumentation, a USB port to keep your phone alive, and Honda’s Pro-Link suspension. And while no one is sending this thing off jumps, the chassis, wheels and suspension handle muddy patches, creek crossings and rocky climbs without fuss.

If we’re being picky, the XR190CT could benefit from stronger suspension. It gets the job done, but a little more support would be welcome on rougher properties or with heavier loads onboard.

Styling is another area that feels dated, though this is arguably part of the charm. It's not built to win design awards, and a cosmetic overhaul wouldn’t necessarily make it a better farm bike.

Tech is limited too: there’s no ABS, the dash is extremely basic, and the brakes are simple – a single 240mm front disc and a 110mm rear drum. None of this is unexpected for a farm-focused workhorse, but riders coming from modern road bikes will notice.

If you’re after a tool rather than a toy, the Honda XR190CT is exactly what it promises to be: a rugged, unpretentious, highly functional farm bike designed to make big days on the land easier.

It isn’t about looks, flashy tech, or high performance. It’s about reliability, simplicity, and practicality – and on those counts, the XR190CT absolutely delivers. Features like the clutch lock and dual side stands genuinely improve the day-to-day experience, while the modern fuel-injected engine brings welcome improvements over older farm bikes without adding complexity.

For farmers who just want a dependable machine that starts every morning, handles rough ground, carries gear, and never complains, the XR190CT is a solid, sensible buy – and one of the best-value agricultural motorcycles in Australia.

ENGINE
Type: Air-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder
Capacity: 184cc
Bore x Stroke: 61 x 63.1 mm
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1

TRANSMISSION
Gearbox: 5-speed

Final Drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Front Suspension: Telescopic fork, 160mm travel, non-adjustable 

Rear Suspension: Monoshock, 150mm travel, non-adjustable
Wheels: 2.75-21 (front), 90/100-18 (rear)

BRAKING
Front Brakes: Single 240mm disc
Rear Brakes: 110mm drum

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Length x Width x Height: 2102 x 852 x 1151mm
Wheelbase: 1366mm

Seat Height: 827mm
Ground Clearance: 237mm
Claimed Wet Weight: 139kg
Fuel Capacity: 12 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $5798 ride away (varies by state)
Colours: Fighting Red