P80
2020 250cc FOUR-STROKE MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT
SHOOTOUT
a comfortable cockpit that nearly all
our testers mentioned. "The Honda
was the most comfortable bike in the
lineup," said one intermediate tester.
"The shrouds being thin allowed you
to get your leg out easily."
The power department is where the
CRF continues to struggle. Despite
Honda's efforts to build better bottom-
end muscle on the 2020, the CRF
still hides most of its ponies on the
top-end. Unless you're skilled enough
to ride it up there, it feels like it lacks
power against the rest of the field.
"The power was not as strong as
the other 250Fs," our vet expert tes-
ter said. "The smooth power delivery
makes it easier to ride, but I wish
the bike could have more pull, more
punch." Still, the improvement over
the 2019 is evident, as another tester
described. "Bottom-end power was
the most noticeable change on the
motor. It bites fast, slows on mid and
hits good on top. Holding each gear a
little longer works well."
The handlebar-mounted map select
button is a nice touch on the Honda,
even if the flashing-light design is
lacking in refinement. Just about all
our testers preferred the aggres-
sive first map on the Honda, which
seemed to provide the most punch.
But even there, the Honda lacks the
roll-on power of its competitors.
You might be able to liven up the
power on the Honda with aftermarket
exhaust, but plan to shell out twice as
much for the Honda's dual-exhaust.
That's not a 1-into-2 design—that's two
separate full systems running down
each side of the bike.
(Cha-ching.)
But the good news is you might not
feel the need to replace much else
on the CRF as fit and finish are top
notch. With features like the titanium
fuel tank, a tapered aluminum Renthal
Fatbar, powerful brakes and even its
revised footpegs, the Honda is a well-
finished machine.
While it feels light on the track, the
CRF250R is on the heavier side of
the spectrum on our scale, checking
in at 237 pounds, fueled up, ready
to ride. But on the price-tag side, it
remains one of the lightest. Despite
the number of upgrades made to the
2020, Honda managed to keep the
price point steady at $7999.
