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/127141
Honda's CR500, 250 -and 125 will highlight th e company's motocross lineup for 1989, with most a ttention focusing . on the CR5 00 and 12S. The radically changed 1988 CR2S0 takes on moderate refin emen ts for '89, whi le the new CR80 sees littl e changes. Last year, H onda started the lo wboy ex haust pipe trend, resulting in a slimmer mid-section and ma ss lowering and centralization of weight on th e h igh ly popular 1988 CR2S0R. H o n da has added these same featu res to the '89 CRl2S and SO , O as well as th e Delta-sha ped Pro Li nk rear suspension design used on ly on last year's CR2S0 model. All CRs have redesigned and q uieter silencers to meet '89 FIM noise req uirements. The biggest change to the '89 H on da lin eup is th e H RC worksdeveloped inver ted front suspension system found o n the new CR2S0 and SOO. T he 4Sm m Showa forks provid e improved stiffness a nd rigidity, ana . elimi na tes protru sions below th e axle. New cyli nder porting and th e ne w, dow-ro ute d expa nsio n chamber on the CRSOO are also design ed to gi ve smoother , more tra ct able p ower delivery. A new kick starter design has been developed to help improve starting ease. . The low exhaust makes' the midsection slimmer and lo wers the ' center of gravity in th e new, more rigid frame. The SOO also has a new fuel tank wi th increased capaci ty and body design. H onda didn 't give the CRI25 th e inverted Showa forks but stuck wi th the 43mm cartridge units fo und on last year 's model. The CRI25 does, however, feature a low er center of gravi ty a nd cen tralized weight due to the n ew rou ting of th e low exhaust , wh ich is matched to a redesigned co m bus tio n cham be r. New transmission ra tios are matched to th e new power spread, and th e piston, connecting rod, crankshaft and transmission parts have been . strengthened. Seat height has been low ered by 12mm, . fuel capacity increased and a new lightweight die-cast rear hub is used. Honda redesigned the airbox, making it much larger to improve breathing while allowing easier access to th e filter. Other than th e inverted fork , th e the CR2S0 received only minor refinements. T he cyli nder has new port designs and HPP (Hon da Power Port) ex ha us t va lves, a n d a n improved silencer. It has the new di ecast rear hub, impro ved rear brak e a nd 12mm lower seat height. The small-bore CR80 is relatively u nchanged except for new colors and grap hics. Reta il prices have tak en a big jump, prim ar ily d ue to th e dollar / yen exchange, and begin at $1998 for , the CRaO up $400 from last year. The CRI25 jumps $700 to $3298, wh ile th e CR250 and 500 increase by $900 to $3998 and $4098, respectively. Many H onda riders will al so be eligible for a n ew CR Suepo rt Program for 1989, wh ich wil l be a va i la b le th rough p a rticipating local dealers. T he program , in general, will provide parts, technical • assistance, and co ntingencies . for riders participating in Supercros s, National MX and many major amateur even ts. CR Support amateurs , can receive up to a $500 gift certificate for wins at the Amateur/Youth National Championships, while pros winning a 2SOcc Supercross can be eligi b le for a $SOOO cash award. A first in a 12Scc supercross event pays $2SOO, th e same amount paid for a National moto win. . Ii ~ e -Uniteo States Grand Prix I. • 00 00 O"l ..-I ., NY American Airlines c<") . ..-I S ANCT ION ED , :l .,........,. MIA SANCT IONED II w l .ITlJ)J)4df/ July 23-24 The UnadiUa Valley Sports Center, Inc. New Berlin, New York t/ HONDA Share the excitement as the wo rld's best riders compete on American soil in this 10th annual classic at the best circuit in North America. Special Air Travel Package available with AMERICAN AIRLINES the "O fficial Airlines" for the Unadilla Grand Prix. Call toll-free in the U.S. 1-800-433-1790. Ask for STAR Record S#66595: • • Airli ne 01the 1988 250ccUnitedStates Grand Prix Register at the circuit lor achance to win a1988 HONDA XR·25Il."courtesy 01 American HONDA. Ticket Prices - $27.00 for afull weekend of racing. Tickets available at Gate only. No Sell Outs. Sunday only - $23.00 (No advance sale on Sunday tickets) Children 12 and under - FREE if accompanied by an adult - ~ For motel information, call 1-607-334-3238. For ticket information, contact Una-dilla Valley Sports Center P.O. Box 5119 Edmeston, New York 13335 Phone: 1-607-965-8784 Camping - per night per person - $8.00 Free Parking Sunday Practice Saturday Afternoon Racing Sunday, rain or shine Gates open 3 p.m. - Friday, July 22nd. Note . . . Special Camping and Spectator Rules in Effect. No Alcohol ic Beverages Allowed On Grounds. No Glass Containers, Fireworks, Scaffolding or Off-Road Veh icles. " $4 DISCOUNT COUPONS . available at participating HONDA dealers, while supplies last Spor1lI.. """d, At. 9 - l ake George. Box 747 G lens Falls. NY12801 . SIIW SportShop.Iou:. JY 535West Main 51. W atertown. NY 13601 315-188-SS01 Ahl porl/lIhKJ. Inc. m HerbI MOlar Company Inc. . 157 Trumansburg Rd 5 nnaca. NY 14850 RO 4. RI. 30 6225 E. Ta" Rd Amsterdam. NY 12010 North Syracuse. NY 13212 315-4 891 58- 4 Chenango Outdoor 60 1·213-2230 5L 8-M2-8812 Sunrise Handa 1 57Ea Sun st rise Hwy. Freeport NY 11520 ILL.Ay lne en. . ttowlnfs Cycle Shop 509North51.. B 550 ox Middletown. NY 1 0940 W. Side Drive. PO Box C Ballston l ake. NY 12019 516-5464552 914-342·305 1 51 8-399-4210 Honda Cycle& Puwer Equill. 01 Newburgh 28 W ind ~o r Highway Newburgh. NY12550 The Motareycle Mill 165 Washington Ave Belleville. NJ 07109 Chenango Impot1 MDhln. Inc . 1410 Champlin Ave Utica. NY 13502 315-133-1511 Dutchess Recrellion" "ehicill. Inc . At. 55· 121 Freedom Pin. Po ughkeepsie. NY 12603 518-792-4655 201-151-454 5 60 1-334-5362 2000 Lake Sf Elmira. NY 14903 Cycl.W orld RI.57. BOll 286 Phoenix. NY131 35 31~33SS SheriClJrJ Honda 935Sherdan Dr. i Tonawanda. NY 14150 116-814-6006 Er st Hondi n Hamburg. NY 14075 5. 4923 CampRd 914-454-2810 601 ·]34·2254 716-648-3600 t. t.l Hondl W orld 2995 W Henriette Rd Rochester. NY 14 623 Hollink Hondi 386 S Unio St. n spencerport NY 14559 116-424·4130 116-631 -3926 ECP Handl Binqnamtcn NY 13!;K)5 601 · 1100 ·122 Freehold. NJ 07728 201-462-4881 60 1·541·9332 E. Syracuse. NY13057 315-431-2338 Fnedom Cycla.Inc 252 Broadway HondJ 01 tonlllld lockponHondl 222-226 Pt. WatsonSI Long Branch. NJ01140 201 -222 -2262 Conlaad. NY 13045 601·156-6S18 6115 Robinson Rd Lockport NY 14094 V ertued Power Equipment Inc. 1 50Cenlral Ave. Ihon NY 13357 11 ~5-9311 315-894 ·4000 At 9 5 Freehold 5HP . Equipment D istribut rs. Inc.. o Roule 12. Ro 3 ad Norwich. NY 13815 914 -562·3400 E Inc. CP, 8eM," MDhlr !I ta Route 1f28. Sox HOC Fly C reek. NY 13337 FrnhDNt Hundl ' Spart·MII1l1 SuzukI. lnt. 222 Bridge St 1249 Front 5t 17