Cw First Ride 2014 Honda Crf250r

CW FIRST RIDE 2014 HONDA CRF250R

Aggression meets refinement

Jimmy Lewis

COMPETITION IN THE four-stroke 250CC motocross class is fierce. To stay competitive, bikes must be made better each year. Honda knows this well, as proven by the all-new 2014 CRF250R that has been brought in line with last year's CRF450R in many ways.

Having the 250 and 450 share parts was a main focus for Honda and includes most of the main frame, subframe, gas tank, airbox, throttle body, and plastics. The frame's cradle is unique to the 250, tuned for the proper amount of flex on the lighter, less powerful bike. Another big difference: The 250R uses Showa suspension and it has a spring (not an air-spring) fork.

The geometry of the new 250 is identical to last year, but the chassis carries more of its weight in a lower, more centralized location. Twin mufflers help while also keeping the sound level down without restricting engine performance. Fuel capacity is up from 1.5 to 1.66 gallons, while claimed wet weight has increased to 231 pounds (a gain of 4 pounds).

THE CRF2SOR FEELS ULTRARESPONSIVE AND CRISP, AIDED BY AN EXCELLENT TRANSMISSION AND FIVE WELLCHOSEN RATIOS.

IGNITION

FIRST RIDE

A revised cylinder head, a higher compression ratio, and new piston provide more aggressive power delivery. A single 12-hole injector sits at a new angle and shoots a dual-timing charge of fuel: A quick initial burst is shot at the intake valves early in the timing cycle (mostly at lower to midrange rpm), which is said to cool the back of the valve before the rest of the fuel is injected. Although the word "dual" might indicate there is more than one injector, there is not. All the fuel comes from the same injector in a 46mm throttle body. Honda's PGMFI system is tunable through the HRC tuning tool, one of the more advanced tuning options available for standard OEM systems.

Despite being a little tough to start, the 2014 Honda CRF250R feels ultra-responsive and crisp, aided by an excellent transmission and five well-chosen ratios. It's noticeably perkier than last year's model and requires less clutch work.

This is a bike that likes to follow the front end into the turns yet isn't averse to letting the back step out and slide under control. And although the handling is better, the chassis is more sensitive to setup; ideal clicker settings can make a big difference.

Although Honda's all-new 2014 CRF25oRhas turned up the aggression, it's as well packaged as ever. Is it enough to stay competitive? If you are coming off a bike that is just a year old, you'll be impressed. If it's any older, you'll be blown away. ETR SPECS

2014 HONDA

CRF250R

PRICE: $7,599

ENGINE: sohc, four valve, four-stroke single

DISPLACEMENT: 249cc

SEAT HEIGHT: 37.4 in.

FUEL CAPACITY: 166 gal.

CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: 231 lbs.