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/127177
RACE OGBOOK similar to the '88 CR250, which makes servicing much easier. The redesigned airbox also allows more room for a larger shock reservoir. . Both the front and rear suspension are also similar to last year 's CR250. At the rear is the new Delta-shaped Pro Link rear suspension while up fron t Honda stuck with conventional Showa cartridge forks. Honda felt that the inverted forks, like those on the CR250 and 500, would make the cost of the CRI25 too high. The front end did get a beefier bottom triple clamp for increased rigidity, while the top clamp has the .ha nd lebar clamps 15mm further forward. Controls feature a new quicker turning throttle assembly. To further improve the riding position Honda lowered the rear subframe 12mm and made the seat 5mm taller in the center while lowering it 8mm at the rear. The Iootpegs are made wider for more secure foo ting. Let's go ride The first thing you notice when you ride the new CR is that it is fast. Very fast. There's a hint of low-end pull, but when the revs rise to the midrange the Honda hits and pulls hard. It's rea I easy to get the front end 0(( the ground when the traction is good. While the biggest surge of power is in the midrange, the motor keeps right on pulling all the way through the top end. The Honda can be revved to the sky without the power falling off. . Another thing you'll notice when the engine is spinning at those high ,rp'm s is the noise. Although the Silencer was redesigned to meet the FIM's new 100 decibel maximum, it is still too loud, louder than other 125s we've tested. Clicking up through the gears is generally simple and smooth. At times there is some hesitation when shifting at full p ower. Clutch action is smooth a nd the best of H onda 's full-size lineup with only a hint of grabbiness. At first the sus pension on our test unit was incredi bly harsh. We tried di ali ng i t in using the adjusters and it still felt harsh. It wasn't until after the second ride that thi n gs began to feel cus hy, alt hough it is sti ll a little on the harsh side for the average rider. Bo th the fro nt and rear suspension are a little sti ff over the small . bumps bu t soa k up the slammers with ease. The harder the CR is ridden, the better the suspension seems to work. The CR I25 is still a sharp handler. It turns quickly and precise ly a nd can ei ther rai l th e outside berms or cut inside quickly. Straight-li ne stability is good too with only a small amount of headshake. When the front end does shake around, it's usually only a minor annoyance and nothing to get alarmed about. Just as the Honda accelerates very quickly, it can stop very rapidly as ' well. The front brake is very strong and can easily be locked with just one finger. Although there isn't much lever movement it still has a progressive feel. The rear brake is also quite strong, but thanks to the newly-shaped pedal and different leverage ratio it also has a progressive feel without being too touchy. The riding position is comfortable and seems to put the rider into a Guy Cooper-like position - chest down and butt way back over the seat . All the controls can be easily reached and sliding forward on the gas tank for turns IS no problem. Basic maintenance is fairly simple. The new airbox makes getting at the air filter much simpler, and the new filter and cage design is much easier to align. lt sti ll 'takes two wrenches to loosen the rear axle for chain adjustment, bu t other than that taking up chain slack is simple. What we think There's no doubt that the CRI25 is fast. Its awesome midrange hit makes it seem almost more like a 250 than a 125, and there's still plenty of power all the way up through the top end. The only thing we didn 't care for was the Honda 's harsh suspension, but with a little fine tuning it could be made to work smoother. (it liilt ~.~..· W " Keeping your CR in top shape If there's one accessory to get for the CR125, or any of Honda's CR lineup for that matter, it 's H onda's Race Ready Main- It llidft'f get ilfYerlefi forb, but tile COIIYentiDlUI urtridge ""its on tile CIl2S worlr just fine. But that costs money, and at $3298 the Honda .is already the most expensive 125 on the market. Honda racers do have the opportunity to offset some of that cost with Honda's C R Support Program, which is offered through participating Honda dealers. Amateurs who do well at selected events can receive gift certificates which are redeemable for Honda parts, Hondaline clothing accessories and Pro-Honda oils and chemicals. Pro riders are eligible for up to $5000 cash for a Camel Supercross Series win and $2500 in outdoor National races. If you 're looking for power, and plenty of it, look no further than the H o nda CR125. • Honda CR125R Engine type • • • •• Uquid-cooled. two-stroke. single Bore x stroke •• • • 54 x 54.5mm Displacement • • • . • •• 124.8cc Compression ratio • • • • • • 8.9:1 Carburetor ••••• • 34mm Keihin Horsepower ••• • • • • •• •• NI A Torque • •' • •• • • • • • • • • • • NI A Starting system •• • Primary kick Ignition ••• • • • • • • • •• • • • COl Lubrication •• • • • • •• • • Premix Primary drive • • •• • Straight-cut gear Final drive •• • • • • • • #520 chain Frame ••••• Semi double cradle Rake ••• •• • • • • •••• • • • 26.5 Trail • •• • •• •• • • • • • • •• 4 .4 in . Front suspension ••.• • • Showa cartridge fork Fork tube diameter ••••• 46mm • -~. Front wheel travel • • • • • 12.0 in . Rear suspension ••••••• Showa single shock Rear wheel travel •• ••• 12.2 in . Front brakes •• •• •••• •• • Disc Rear brakes • •• • • • • • • • • • Disc Front t ire ••• • • • •• 80 /100-21 Dunlop K490 Rear t ire • •••••• • 100/100-18 . Dunlop K695 Claimed dry weight ••• • 193 Ibs Overall length • • •• ••• • 84.3 in. Overall width •••••• •• 32.9 in . Overall height. • •. •••• 49.2 in . Wheelbase ••.•• '••••• 57.3 in . Fuel capacity • •• • • • • • 2.0 gal . Ground clearance ••••• 14.0 in . Seat height ••••••• •• 37.2 in . Colors . • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • Red Reta il price ••• • •• • ••• $3298 tenance: The Winning Edge video. This 27-minute video features the championship-winning team of Honda factory rider Rick Johnson and his mechanic Brian Lunniss and gives useful tips on everything from basic maintenance to bik e setup. While the video is no substitute for thoroughly reading the owner's manual, the video can be used as an excellent supplement to the manual. Procedures that can be hard to understand in print become clearer when you can watch the ent ire service sequence, plus the video goes beyond the manual and gives several tips from Lunniss that you won 't find in an owner's manual. Don't be fooled into thinking The Winning Edge is a boring how-to video , because it 's not. Although it does explain how to properl y maintain a Honda there is also plenty of race footage of Jo hnso n from various supercross and outdoor National races to keep the program interesting. In fact the video begins with footage of Johnson riding, then the maintenance sequence begins with the proper way to wash the dirty machine. From there it details proper air filter, chain, wheel, brake, fork , control cable, muffler and rear suspension linkage maintenance. Rear suspension adjustment and carburetor tuning are also covered in good detail. Each section is broken up with some action footage of Jo hnson so that the viewer isn't bombarded with a constant stream of technical information. Incl uded with the video is an official Team Honda 35-page race log boo k, designed with the help of Honda's race team technicians. The book has sections for writing down your goals , race resu lts, maintena nce records and sched ule, aparts check list and a brief supension/ handling troubleshooting guide. ' Race Read y Ma in tenance: The Win ning Edge is availab le from your loca l H onda dealer at a suggested retail price of $49.95, or the race log book is also available separately for $5.95. . 15