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/127790
(Above left) The swingarm Is now tapered to allow for greater ground clearance. (Above) The new CR250 hal! a narrow and nearly seamless tank/seat Junction. (Left) The 1997 CR125 shares the same maptype ignition system as the 250, and features larger 46mm Kayaba forks. The '97 CRSO, CRSO Expert and CR500 (not shown) are Identical to I.ast year's. (Below) A single-unit radiator increases capacity by 150 percent. rebound and spring preload adjustability. Good news: Honda didn't change the motor... much. The 249cc, liquid-cooled motor does have a new £lat-top piston, slighter different port timing, new highlift reeds (10mm to 12mm) and a new pipe and silencer, though. But, for the most part, it's the same basic engine as '96. The CR features a 38.3mrn power jetcontrolled, flat-slide Keihin carburetor. Information is fed from the CDr ignition and the engine's rpm to a solenoid (mounted on the side of the carb's float bowl), which in turn, automatically adjusts, or opens, the carburetor's new power jet. The system is designed to produce a more linear throttle response at low rpm, thus improving traction out of the corners. This all happens below 8000 rpm. The CR also features a rather hightech map-type digital ignition. A small computer in the COl, an eight-bit processor, reads wheel-acceleration rate, compares it to the rpm of the engine, and makes timing adjustments accordingly. Honda claims that the rider will notice better throttle response, but more importantly, better hookup out of the turns. Other changes include a new, stronger steel water-pump gear, new brake rotors, a new rear axle that features integrated collars for easier maintenance, and new handlebars. Honda tested the same handlebars that McGrath uses but found that those bars probably wouldn't fit the general public, since McGrath has an extreme forward riding style. Instead, the production CR250 comes with the same handlebars found on Steve Lamson's 125cc outdoor National bike. The '97 Honda CR125 doesn't get the aluminum frame, but did take on some significant changes. As it did last year, it features a map-type digital ignition, and a few things to increase durability, such as a thicker third gear, and a new steel water pump gear and kick shaft collar. Honda also changed the final' drive ratio, going from a 13/51 sprocket combination to a 12/49 blend. The 125 also gets a brand-new fork. It now features a larger 46mm (up from 43mm) Kayaba inverted fork and, with it, a larger-capacity cartridge, from 28mm to 32mm. To give the 125 a roomier feel like the 250, the footpegs have been lowered 5mm and the handlebar is positioned slightly higher and wider. However, the wheelbase has been shortened by 3mm. And the other three bikes in the CR lineup, the CR80, 80 Expert and 5OO? They are unchanged for '97, except for graphics. As for cost of the new CRs, well, you might want to be sitting down for this. The CR250, aluminum frame, power jet carb and map-type ignition and all, has only increased $200 over last year's model! The MSRP of the '97 CR250 will be $5699, which is incredible when you consider all the changes. The CR125 will. cost $4799; the 500 $5499, the 80 Expert $3149 and the 80 $3049. As mentioned, the CR250 should be available by mid-September and the rest just before the 250. l'N