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/127735
1996 Honda CRs designed to make the latest generation CRs better than ever. But while fine-tuning was the theme for the three "big bikes" - the CRl2S, 250 and 500 - mini pilots will rejoice at the sight of not one, but two new CR8Os. Complimenting the standard version is a big-whee1ed version which Honda dubs the CR80 Expert. That said, let's start with the smallest bike first.... CIllO (Left) The 1996 Honda CR12S, like all the new CRs, festure the semecolor scheme as the rectory race teem bikes - red, white and bleck. (Below) Refinements to both the engine and suspension components . highlight the '96 CR2SO. hen Team Honda/l-800-Collect/Fox rolled to the starting line at the season-opening Orlando Supercross, Honda fans in the stands gasped and pointed at their red, white and black race bikes. 0, they didn't look like the red, purple and white production CRs that were available to the general public, and soon, aftermarket plastic, graphic and sellt cover companies were £looded with requests for replica accessories. As they say, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Good news, Jeremy McGrath wannabes and Doug Henry look-alikes - you won't have to work so hard to imitate your idols in 1996! Yes, the 1996 CR MX bike lineup features the same red, white and black color scheme as this year's factory team machines: black radiator shrouds, white side panels, red fenders, red fork guards, a white front number plate, a black airbox, and trick red and black seat cover. But as always, there's more than meets the eye. Along with the obvious cosmetic changes come a handful of refinements W 40 (Below left) No surprises here: The mighty CRSOO is relatively unchanged, except for the swap from Showa to Kayabe suspension components. (Below right) Perhaps the biggest news from Honda is the - finally - totally reworked CR80, and Joining It Is the CR80 Expert (shown), Honda's version of KawaSaki'S Big Wheel KX80. Though the CR80 has boasted one of the strongest engines in the class, Red Riders have been a rarity at the races in recent years. Why? In all honesty, the Honda mini bike had undergone only minor changes since 1987, and was outdated in comparison to the green, white and yellow competition. For '96, an all-new chassis surrounds a refined version of the CRBO powerplant. Greater rigidity was the theme when designing the new frame, and almost every section of the new frame has been beefed up in comparison to its predecessor. Honda claims a 40 percent increase in frame rigidity. A stronger and longer extruded aluminum box-section sWingarm is mated to the new frame, replacing the old steel unit. In addition, two aluminum triple clamps now grace the front of the frame, whereas one aluminum and one steel piece were used in the pa t. The new triple clamps are nearly one inch wider, and hold a pair of beefy for an 80 - 37mm inverted Showa forks. Of course, the legs are fully adjustable (compression and rebound damping).