Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126930
.... V ~ o ..... u o like all the 1987 Honda CRs. the CR250RH comes stock with a rear disc brake. Some other changes include new IJOrting and a high-rise seat. Honda CRs and XRs What's new, and not so new for 1987 By Kit Palmer After dominating the motocross scene In 1986, Honda is determined to maintain its racing stronghold for at leas't another year with a more-than:-just-refined lineup of 1987 CRs. Of all the new CRs the . • 125 IS the most changed. Even though the Honda CR· 125R was th e h orsepower k Ing 8 in the small-bore class in 1986, Honda has designed an all-new water-cooled motor for the 1987 125. The biggest engine changes include switching from a piston-port reed-valve to a case induction reed-valve; increasing displacement from 123cc to 124.&c; and lengthening piston stroke by 5.0mID.-That, combined with a fiveounce-heavier crank assembly to increase£lywheelef£ect,Hondaspokesman say give the new 125 increased power and a more tractable powerband. Other engine changes include a redesignedATACpower-valve.ltnow uses a drum-type valve instead of the butterfly valve system; the ATAC chamber has 45cc more exhaust volume, and the whole uVit is designed for easier maintenance. Attached to the n.ew ATAC is.,an all-ne~ exhanst pipe that carnes a redeSigned aluminum andeasier-to-rebuild muffler. To improve thebike's Iowercenterofgravity, rpemotor is now placed more forward and lower in the frame , putting 1.7 pounds more weight on the front wheel. The ignition is changed also. The CRI25 has a new coil to give a longer spark duration, and there is different ignition timing. .The transmission is basically all new and is designed for better durability. Almost all the transmission parts, such a shifting forks and gears, are beefed up. Every gear. has one tooth added, but the gear ratios are basically unchanged; there is a slightly taller overall ratio. The cluch assembly has a new easy access clutch cover. The clutch plates can be reached without having to remove the complete right-side clutch cover. TheCRI25'schassis features many changes, which are also found on the 250 and 500. The new 125 has made The 1987 XR250R features no changes. which includes the price tag. All the CRs and XRs are carrying midyear 1986 prices for 1987. the switch from a Kayaba fork to cartridge-type Showas. They are the exact same forks found on the CR250 and 500 models, except the 125 has slightly less wheel travel. The rear shock on the 125 is the only Kayaba suspension component found in any of the CRs. The Kayaba shock has a piggyback reservoir (as do the Showas), is hard-anodized coat'ed to improve oil lifespan, and is slightly larger in size. The spring rate and damping characteristics are sli~tly stiffer than the' CR125. Honda.says the shock is more ~nsi Live tosquared-off and smaller bumps. The Pro-Link linkage system .is unchanged. All the CRs come with a completely new swingarm. It is designed to be lighter than before without sacrificing rigidity. The end portion of the swingarm and axle is two inches narrower, which reduces the chance of the swingarm hanging up when the bike is leaned over in rutted . tunis. The frame geometry is unchanged on all the bikes. Other chassis changes include a rear disc brake, replacing the drum setup, which is also found on the CR250s and 500s. The new rear disc brake has a single-piston caliper, while the front disc brake stays the same with a twin-piston caliper; the front caliper is ~lightly lighter this