Honda's New Xr250r Emerges

HONDA'S NEW XR250R EMERGES

HONDA HAS RELEASED an all-new XR250R that appears ready to challenge Kawasaki’s KLX250 for class honors.

In fact, XR specs suggest Honda may have used the KLX250 as a benchmark. A new frame for the 250R, along with fresh plastic, seat and gas tank, should give a thinner profile than that of the old XR, a profile much like the KLX’s. Claimed dry weight for the new XR drops almost 10 pounds to 228, which also mimics the Kawasaki, as does the new Honda’s 36.6-inch seat height.

While the Kawasaki powerplant is liquid-cooled, the XR’s Single remains sans radiator. Honda’s 249cc engine has been revised and converted to a dry-sump system; the company's claimed 30horsepower output is unchanged, but there’s a slight increase in torque.

At current exchange rates, the Japanese-market bike would cost $5200, $200 more than the KLX250. An American Honda spokesman would not say if or when the bike will be sold here. He also declined to discuss possible larger-displacement variants, including the longrumored XR400R.

Jimmy Lewis