Honda Bikes: Honda CBR250R Bikes

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The HONDA CBR250R (model Honda MC41) is a single cylinder one of the sport bike made by Honda. It was primarily intended for The Thai and Indian markets, but it is sold worldwide, including the development countries in Europe, North America and all over the world.

Regional markets

In developing countries where typical motorcycles are 125–150 cc displacement, the larger 249.5 cc CBR250R is at the higher end of the sport bike range, looking similar to much more powerful sporting machines with its full fairing in Honda's new layered style that was introduced on the 2008 CBR1000RR Fireblade and 2010 VFR1200F. In better industrialized countries, the CBR250R enters at the opposite end of the market, as a budget priced beginner or utility bike, practical and fuel efficient, but with limited sporting pretensions.

Design

The CBR250R closely follows the style of the VFR1200F, notable for its Y-shaped headlight & prominent middle cowl, which creates a layered look which attraction to the heart of young stars. This new direction in Honda design debuted at Intermoted in 2008 with the V4 Concept Model and the 2008 CBR1000RR Fireblade. Motorcycle Consumer News design columnist Glynn Kerr observed that new direction in the bike designs fits the pattern of motorcycle trends imitating but lagging behind, car styling, in that motorcycles are shifting away from sharp, "lithe", dart-like shapes of the 2010s toward a heavier, "chunky" style with a higher, blunter in car nose and a "high waisted" middle with short windows and thicker pillars. Kerr cites the Chrysler 300 as the best example, as well as smaller cars like the Suzuki Swift and Audi A3, commenting that, “aggression now comes from appearing strong and assertive, rather than light and dart-like....... the arrow has been replaced by the hammer.”

In motorcycles this translates into heavy front, reverse rake angle headlight and the use of little or no color on the rear half of the bike to spotlight the wonderful front one-fourth of the bike. In this aspect, Kerr also sees influence from the 1991 Yamaha TDM850 and Honda's DN-01 of 2005. On the 2008 CBR1000RR Kerr thought the dominant vertical line produced an awkward, top heavy look that played against traditional race replica styling of body lines sloping downwards towards in the front. The 2010 VFR1200F was visually more successful because the updated style better suited the greater proportions of a touring motorcycle and in spite of Honda's third iteration of the style being a much smaller bike nonetheless Kerr said, "the latest CBR250R carries the look even better than its big brother." The Ottawa Citizen's review by David Booth said the CBR250R looked better than the VFR1200F as well commented that, “Where the various bulges of the big VFR are a little too Jessica Rabbit-like over-the-top, the little CBR250R styling is far more subtle and really looks the classier of the two.”

Critical reception

Reviews of the CBR250R generally rate its performance in comparison to its main competitor which in the United States and Canada is the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. The Hyosung GT250 and rebadged as the ATK GT250 for 2011, is also a potential competitor in those markets, although it fares poorly in comparison. In India the Ninja 250R and Hero Honda Karizma R are the leading competition.Though lower in peak power and with a slower top speed than the Ninja 250, the CBR was lauded for having more than torque available at lower engine speeds, meaning that it was easier to accelerate from low speed & pulling away required less noise and drama, since the Ninja had to be revved to 9,000 rpm and above to make use of its greater power. This made the CBR250R more pleasant and forgiving to ride than the sportier but more challenging, Ninja.Complaints from The Economic Times of Mumbai included a tendency to stand up if the rider makes a sloppy mid-corner correction, and brakes and suspension not up to the standards of a track bike. The Indian reviewer also perceived the 161 kg (355 lb.) wet weight as "not so light", while American journalists considered it a featherweight, "incredibly agile, flickable ... almost too light," at 16.5 lb. (7.5 kg) lighter than the Ninja 250R. The Ninja 250R's brakes had a better and more linear feel with stronger initial bite and could stop from 60 to 0 mph (97 to 0 km/h) in 121.5 ft. (37.0 m), while the CBR250R, with a stopping distance of 123.4 ft. (37.6 m), was lauded for its combined anti-lock brake option, a boon to beginners in spite of the slightly shorter braking distance achievable on the Ninja 250R by a skilled sport rider. Kevin Ash, at 6 ft. 3 in (1.91 m), was found the dimensions comfortable for someone of his height, while David Booth cautioned it could be cramped for taller riders.

In one head to head comparison, Motorcycle USA owners judged the Ninja 250R to be the better bike due to its superior speed and easy to handling. The testers at Motorcycle Consumer News was found the CBR250R to be the better choice, given the needs of its presumed prospective buyers in the US, beginners and those looking for a practical motorcycle for long commutes state that, though "if sheer performance is all you're after" without regard for fuel efficiency, then the Ninja 250R might be preferable.

Production

The production of the model was unveiled in the Thailand International Motor Expo 2010 on the November 27, 2010, Hong Kong's Central District on the November 28, 2010 and EICMA 2010 Global models of the CBR250R were produced by Thai Honda Manufacturing in the Thailand with sales beginning in the November 2010 followed by spring 2011 in Japan. Indian and South America models were produced by HMSI in India beginning in the spring of 2011.

Specifications

Oil/air cooled, 249cc, Single, DOHC

Power: 25.97 HP (19.1 kW) @ 8500 rpm

Torque: 23 Nm (2.35 kg-m) @ 7000 rpm

Final drive: Chain

Curb weight: 161 kg

Category: Supersport

Tags: All-rounder, Supersport

Engine and transmission

Engine	1 cylinder. 4-stroke. single
Displacement	249 cc (15.21 cubic inches)
Bore × stroke	76 mm × 55 mm ( oversquare - shortstroke)
Cooling system	Oil or air cooled
Power	25.97 HP (19.1 kW ) @ 8500 rpm
Torque	23 Nm (2.35 kg-m) @ 7000 rpm
Throttle	Cable operated
Valves. Valves train Valves per cylinder	DOHC, variable 4
Fuel & ignition Sparks per cylinder Fuel supply system Ignition type	1 Fuel injection Digital CDI
Compression	10.7:1
Engine mounting	Transverse
Lubrication system	Wet sump
Gear box	Manual 6-speed
Clutch	Wet. Multiple discs and cable operated
Final drive	Chain
Starter	Electric start

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Dimensions

Length Width Height	2035 mm 720mm 1125 mm
Wheel base	1370 mm
Trail	95 mm
Ground clearance	145 mm
Seat height	780 mm
Curb Weight	161 kg

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Chassis and suspension

Frame type	Stell.Double cradle frame
Suspension Fork angle Brakes	Cartridge – upside – down 25 degree Twin Disk.296 mm
Suspension Brakes	Momo shock. Swingarm Disk. 220 mm