Mid-class sports motorcycle Honda CBR 250 The Honda CBR 250 motorcycle is a middle-class sports motorcycle that combines the advantages of Supersport class bikes and economical models with a moderate appetite. Unlike most of its classmates, Honda has an exceptionally bright, outstanding appearance. To an important extent, this is facilitated by the bright color schemes developed by designers specifically for this model.
The model was first introduced to the markets of Thailand and India in 2011. In Europe, North America and Russia, the model began to be sold in 2013. The appearance of a sports Honda with a 250 cc engine was a response to the Kawasaki Ninja 250R motorcycle, which is wildly popular in the budget motorcycle market.
However, the CBR 250 should not be confused with the similarly named CBR 250 RR, which was sold exclusively in Japan from 1986 to 1996 and had a sophisticated 4-cylinder engine.
In December 2014, Honda presented the successor to the CBR 250 model. It became the Honda CBR 300R. This development was a response to the new Kawasaki Ninja 300 model.
Honda motorcycle parts
Features of Honda CBR250RR
The CBR250RR acted as the little sister to Honda's line of sports motorcycles.
The second reincarnation was released in 2011 . However, the last “R” disappeared from the name, and the developers themselves announced that this was a model for beginners. It will be offered only in the domestic market, or in Asian countries, if there is demand. However, interest exceeded all expectations, and for 7 years it was offered to beginners all over the world.
The third reincarnation appeared in 2022 . This is already a full-fledged sports bike, no name changes, no newbies. This is a Honda cbr250rr, but taking into account all the requirements for a modern sports bike.
More on reincarnation below.
Owner Feedback
Over the entire period of production of the Honda CBR 250 sportbike, more than one thousand motorcycles rolled off the assembly line. It is characteristic that there were practically no negative reviews on the build quality from buyers. The Honda CBR 250, reviews of which were overwhelmingly positive, is one of the most popular models of the second half of the last century.
Owners of a sportbike primarily note its high speed characteristics. It is not for nothing that Honda engineers considered it necessary to limit the speed of the car by partially blocking the fuel supply. Otherwise, the motorcycle easily gained speed over 200 kilometers per hour. And this was a direct violation of the law on restrictive measures that apply to sports bikes with an engine capacity of up to 250 cubic centimeters.
Many owners expressed their positive opinion regarding the efficiency of the engine. With impressive dynamics, unprecedented throttle response and high speeds, the four-cylinder engine consumed a little more than four liters of fuel for every hundred kilometers. The gas tank, with a capacity of only 13 liters, allowed it to travel about four hundred kilometers without refueling, which is a kind of record for a sportbike.
Specifications
The developers made the timing drive using gears, having previously tested this solution on a babyblade. The power plant has no other unusual or new solutions.
Engine – right side view.
Engine – left view.
The motorcycle received a 4-stroke engine with 4 in-line cylinders, which gave:
- working volume - 249 cm3;
- power - 45 (40) hp;
- number of valves - 16;
- cylinders - 4;
- cooling - liquid;
- fuel supply - carburetor;
- ignition - transistor;
- start - electric starter;
- fuel tank - 13 l.
According to new Japanese laws that came into force in 1994, the bike's power was reduced to 40 horsepower . The multi-cylinder solution, despite its small volume and budget option, provided one tangible advantage - a minimum of vibrations, and therefore more comfortable movement.
Transmission and clutch
Torque from the engine to the rear wheel is transmitted by a classic chain drive.
The motorcycle was equipped with a 6-speed gearbox. It did not cause any problems, the gears were engaged clearly, the pedal travel was within normal limits.
She had neither positive nor negative reviews.
- Multi-disc clutch , oil bath, power transmission by cable.
- The main drive is standard, chain.
Brakes
Brakes didn’t say anything new in motorcycle technology either. Conventional, rigidly mounted discs with hydraulic drive were used.
Front brakes.
Rear brakes.
Front: brakes:
- number of disks - 2;
- diameter - 275 mm;
- support - 2-piston.
Rear brakes:
- number of disks - 1;
- diameter - 220 mm;
- support - 1-piston.
In order not to raise the price of the budget model, no options were offered.
conclusions
Currently, the Honda CRF 250 in flagship versions is one of the leaders among the huge variety of enduro-cross motorcycles.
The sensitive reaction of the motorcycle to the movements of the gas/brake handles can cause problems for an inexperienced user at first. But at the same time, both types of bikes imply that a person who already understands a lot about motorcycles will sit behind the wheel.
For enduro lovers, the Honda CRF 250 will be a real gift , allowing you to climb where even an SUV gets stuck without any problems or questions.
Various additional equipment is available for bikes of this series, for example, protection of the exhaust manifold and engine.
Driving performance,
The maximum speed of the model declared by the developers was 185 km/h . Users have noticed that such speed is achieved without difficulty, there is a reserve of power. If you remove the silencers, you can push it to more than 200 km/h .
Acceleration to hundreds
Acceleration to 100 km/h is not typical for sports - 5 seconds .
Fuel consumption
But fuel consumption was beyond praise - the extra-urban cycle required no more than 2.5 liters. per 100 km .
City, according to user estimates, was 4.5-5 liters .
Dimensions and weight
Best of all, the budget was reflected in the external characteristics. The weight of the model is comparable to other Chinese:
- dry is 142–143 kg;
- curb weight - 158 kg.
Dimensions:
- in length - 1975 mm:
- width - 675 mm;
- height - 1081 mm;
- ground clearance - 131 mm;
- wheelbase - 1344 mm.
It is interesting that according to some publications, the height of the saddle was 1081 mm , which was equal to the height of the mirrors. If you look at the Japanese specification, it was more modest, only 775 mm .
For whom is it intended?
According to users, a motorcycle is more suitable as a vehicle for everyday use.
The mere fact that the bike officially remained on the Japanese market and was not supplied to other countries except Australia, where a small part went, means that it will be small for a tall and broad-shouldered biker .
Only people of short stature will feel comfortable in the saddle of this model.
Update
The production of the Honda CBR 250 motorcycle continued until 1996, after which the production of the popular bike was transferred to small-scale assembly mode, and in 1999 the conveyor was stopped. The CBR 250 was replaced by other models. However, two years later, the Honda CBR 250 began to be produced in Thailand, with a single-cylinder injection engine. In principle, it was a different version of the motorcycle. The new Honda CBR 250, the characteristics of which differed significantly from the parameters of the previous model, was forced to again win its place in the market. And I must say that the updated sportsbike did not need much time for this; the demand for an economical motorcycle was high.
Flaws
- Sensitivity to non-original spare parts.
- Poor selection of gear ratios.
- The speedometer/tachometer cables often break. Users have noticed that if they rebuild the front fork, the problem is solved.
and dignity
- The presence of a kick starter foot.
- Dynamics.
- Excellent handling/maneuverability.
- Reliability.
- Ideally calculated suspension stiffness.
- No vibrations.
- Convenient for row spacing.
Modifications-reincarnations
In the 90s, the developers did not make any modifications. This was motivated by the fact that the bike had taken its intended place in the lineup, occupied the desired market segment, and therefore there was no interest in changing any parameters.
2011 and Honda CBR250R
The CBR250R model, which appeared in 2011, was originally intended for Asian countries, but was officially supplied to many other countries around the world.
However, the great response from users, especially those new to motorcycling, forced the developers to reconsider plans for the archived model. In 2011, a new reincarnation appears - Honda CBR250R .
The motorcycle received a single-cylinder engine, a diagonal steel frame and an injector. The body kit became more urban (although the motorcycle did not change class), and the stock brakes received combi-brakes and ABS.
It is cheaper, often purchased by beginners, and is popular all over the world.
2017
This year, an updated version of the Honda CBR250RR bike appeared, which was positioned as a budget sports motorcycle.
The next reincarnation appeared in 2022. According to the developers, it was supposed to replace the previous one in Asian markets. (For other countries, a more powerful one was supplied - CBR300R ).
The third reincarnation again gets a steel frame. This time the engine already has 2 boilers , the injector remains, but undergoes changes (installation of an electronic throttle). The number of horses drops to 38 , respectively, the maximum speed to 165 km/h . Among the features, we can note the updated suspension - upside-down fork and Pro-link with step adjustment (front and rear, respectively), stock combi-brakes and the optional installation of ABS.
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Honda CBR250R: Roadster, 2011, 249.4 cc, 26.2 hp, 165 kg.
Honda CBR250R: Roadster, 2011, 249.4 cc, 26.2 hp, 165 kg.
At the same time, the “chekushka” supplemented the “bottom” range of Honda roadsters - the company’s second Main Breadbasket in the old-world markets, and - most importantly - headed the extensive family of “utilities” in the Asian markets.
Just don’t mock the letters R in the name, deciphering them in a new way! Indeed, this combination of power and weight is more consistent with the good old Jawa 350 or a large-wheeled utilitarian scooter; for example, Honda's SH300. But the SH300 in Europe is offered for 4,500 euros, and the new CBR250R will cost half a thousand less than the “luxury string bag” - and this is already the territory of more modest devices. Let's say the Aprilia Sportcity 300, which weighs almost the same but has 22.4 horsepower.
And the approach to design here is similar to Sportcity: behind the cladding a la sport is a simple, but without primitive, “filling”. Moreover, unlike some competitors, it is entirely and completely modern in design. The frame is open tubular, but its shape hints that the development was carried out in an era when strength and rigidity can be calculated, and not estimated by eye. The suspensions are the simplest, but the Japanese considered it inappropriate to abandon the “progressive” rear (previously they easily did this for liter roadsters, but here they decided that comfort was more important). And the brakes may not be the most “advanced,” but they do have ABS, albeit optional.
The engine was developed in a similar vein. With a wet (and not dry, like enduro engines, and not semi-dry, like the CRF or the same SH300) crankcase, four-valve and two-shaft. But - with roller pushers to reduce losses, and the twisting of the channels, although purely “civilian”, still implies a certain potential for forcing. This is also indicated by the throttle diameter: 38 mm (for the 27-horsepower and 280 cc SH300 - 34). And the low end is well supported by a long, tapered intake pipe, most of which extends deep into the airbox. One more point: the main crankshaft supports are on liners, and the toe support, located in the cover, as well as the balancer shaft and pump supports, are on ball bearings. I see this scheme as optimal in terms of “survivability-repairability” ratio.
The latter is also useful in affluent Europe, the USA and Japan, where a motorcycle is intended to become both an alternative to a scooter - which means it can often be started “cold” - and a simulator for beginners, regularly changing their not very competent and thrifty owners. And this is especially true in the main Asian markets, where the CBR250R will be “premium” by local standards, but still a workhorse, mercilessly driven by its not the most technically competent owners. And all these above-mentioned comrades will appreciate... no, not the style, but the ego-flattering external resemblance to “full-size” Honda motorcycles. And the design is not extravagant (no need to scare the average person!), but modern in every detail, from the wheels to the dashboard. Not a single hello from the time when the most decrepit of the current second-hand stores were the new items of the season.
And that there will be one version, without any “nudity” or “intersection” there, is both logical (it looks richer and hides the cheap “filling”) and technologically. And the chosen production location (like that of the Main Competitor - Thailand plus assembly for local markets in India and, possibly, Brazil) is both budgetary and logistical.
Competitors
None of the competitors that are usually mentioned when talking about the cbr250rr are distinguished by any special technological innovations. All have a common class, a common engine size and differ in small details.
These include the remaining representatives of the big Japanese four. This:
- Kawasaki, model ZXR 250;
- Suzuki, model GSX-R 250;
- Yamaha, model FZR 250.
It is worth noting that among users in Europe and America, models from 500 cc and above are of great interest, so the presence of only Japanese representatives on the list is not unexpected.
