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
year. The rear sprocket on all the bikes has a new heat treatment to improve strength, and the plastic chain guide is reinforced by an aluminum guard. The airbox/filter assembly is unchanged except for the filter element being Oat on oneside LO prevent it from spinning, and the bolt holding the element into place has a lock washer. Footpegs on all the C;Rs are more compact with the pins and spring ucked away inside the mounts. Dunlop 490 (&.onl.) and.595 (rear) tires come stock Qn tbe CR125, while the250 and 500 come equipped , with M22 and M23 Bridgestones. The CR250RH has basically the same water-cooled motor despite having many internal refinements. The motor has more compression, and new port timing and shapes, with much emphasize on the intake ports. The int;lke ports are radically changed, enough to require new engine cases. Last year's CR250 had problems with broken rings at the exhaust port sideof the piston. To fix this problem, the exhaust bridge is now wider to prevent warping, and the piston rings are made out of harder material. The HPP power-valve on the 250 is slightly refined, making it less restrictive when the valve is completely open. On the '86 model, a part of th,e valve would hang out in the exhaust port when fully open, thus obstructingexhaust flow. Other motor changes include a stronger connecting rod and a new exhaust flange for a better fit between the exhaust pipe and cylinder. The cl utch on both the 250 and 500 has a new damper rubber, LO absorb clutch load better, and both models received the easy-access clutch cover. A new-shape gas tank holds 2.0 gallons, compared LO the '86 CR's, which held 1.8 gallons. Honda's main objective with the 1987 CR500RH was to make it easier to start and give it a smoother power delivery. To help make the big CR start easier, compression was reduced and the ignition timing was changed. To increase power and broaden the· power-band, the 500 received a 5.0mm longer connecting rod, but the SHake was 'kept the same. Honda managed this by raising the whole cylinder 5.0mm, which also lowers bottom end, or primary, compression. Honda claims the 500 has a smoother, more tractable powerband while producing 61 horsepower. Suspension and chassis changes are exactly the same as with the 250. The new gas tank on the 500, however, holds less than last year's CR 2.0 to 2.2 gallons. The CR80 is the least changed of all the·CRs. Honda claims the 80 has more power by changing porting specs, installing a new exhaust pipe and increasing the size of the intake reed valve. Compression ratio is slightly reduced and the radiators have a one-core design LO reduce weight. The clutch is beefed up by using thicker steel plates, adding more grooves in the friction plates, using stiffer springs and carrying 50cc more engine oil. Honda claims the 80 produces 23 horsepower. The chassis is where the 80 received mostof its changes. The Showa standard-damper forks have 35mm stanchion tubes instead of 33mm, and the legs are mounted 2.0mm wider (£rom leg to leg) triple clamps. Two tapered roller steering stem bearings are used instead of one. In the rear, the Pro: Link shock has damping changes as well as new linkage ratios to help reduce bottoming. Rear suspension travel is now 11.0 full inches. A stronger sidestand is used this year, and tires are IRCs. For 1987, Honda is now offering a wide-ratio transmission kit and AC ~ U") ....... .... Q) ..0 o .... u o Much effort went to make the 1987 CR500RH easier to start and produce a more tractable powerband. The water-cooled motor has less compression and different ignition timing. The new gas tank holds 0.2 gallon less. The 1987 CR80R H (above) is the least changed of the CRs. Some new features include different porting specs, a beefed up clutch and larger 35mm fork tubes. The XR600R (below) is only cosmetically changed __ generator lighting kit for the CR250 and 500; the optional kits also fit the 1986 models. Honda's lineup of 1987 enduro XR four-strokes feature no major changes other than styling. All the XRs, including the XR80, 100,200,250 and 600, now share the same color scheme. Like the 1986 XR250R, the 1987 XR600 and 200 come stock with a white-painted frame, white plastic fenders and side panels, a red gas tank, a blue seat and a gold-painted motor. The XR80 and 100 have blackpainted engines. Despite all the changes to the CR lineup and the basically unchanged XRs, Honda is maintaining midyear 1986 prices on all the 1987 XR and CR models. ..