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/128127
Honda CRI50R USTPRICE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE TYPE BORE x STROKE COMPRESSION RATIO CARBURETION IGNmON TRANSMISSION STARTING SYSTEM FUEL CAPACITY WHEELBASE RAKEITRAIL SEAT HEIGHT FRONT TIRE REAR TIRE FRONT SUSPENSION FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL REAR SUSPENSION REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL FRONT BRAKE REAR BRAKE ANAL DRIVE CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT $5899 249cc Uquid-cooled, single-cylinder two-stroke, RC valve 66.4 x 72mm 8.5:1 38mm Mikuni TMX flat-slide Solid-state DC COl Five-s ed Kick 2.0 allons 58.7 inches 26.73°/106.7mm 37.08 inches 80/100-21 110/90-19 47mm inverted Showa 12.4 inches Full ad'ustable Showa shock 12.6 inches Single 240mm disc wi twin- iston cali er Sin Ie 240mm disc Chain 213 pounds Kawasaki 1CX150 $5799 249cc Uquid-cooled, singlec linder two-stroke 66.4 x 72.0mm 10.5:1 (low speed), 8.9: 1 (hi h sed) 38mm Keihin Power Jet The PodiunJ Honda a solid and sound motocrosser. (Ricky Carmichael should be pleased.) The Yamaha gets a close (and we mean close) second. Most of us agreed that the YZ has the best motor of the group but just didn't quite have It really didn't take us long to narrow it down to the three bikes that would make our annual Cycle News 250cc Shootout Podium, but deciding on the order was tough. In fact, we're still arguing, but the majority of our test riders chose the Honda as their favorite of the five, thus making it our official shootout winner. The general feeling is that the Honda isn't necessarily head-andshoulders above the rest in anyone category, but it is the best overall package. The bike does everything well and doesn't have any glaring flaws. Everyone agreed that the CR has an outstanding, user-friendly motor, handles well and has muchimproved suspension, making' the that confidence-inspiring feeling in the handling department that the Honda boasts. Not everyone agreed with that, but that just goes to show you how evenly matched the Honda and Yamaha are. Rounding out the Cycle News Shootout Podium is the Suzuki, a bike that most of us agreed was the most fun to ride, thanks to its lightweight feeling, its quick handling, its hardhitting motor and its plush suspension. Unfortunately, a lot of our testers felt the RM lacked some oomph off the bottom, which was enough to give the Honda and Yamaha the edge over the yellow machine, plus our faster-than-average testers KTM 150 SX Suzuki IMI50 YamahaYll50 N/A $5899 249cc Uquid-cooled, single-cylinder two-stroke, iston reed 66.4 x 72.0mm 9.0/10.4:1 $5899 249cc Uquid-cooled, single-cylinder two-stroke, reed valve 66.4 x 72mm 9.0/10.6-1 38mm Keihin PWK 38 AG 38mm Keihin 'wI TPS Kokusan di ital 2K-1 Five-s eed Kick 2.0 allons 58.3 inches 26'so/112mm 36.4 inches 80/100-21 110/90·19 48mm WP inverted forks 11.6 inches Full ad'ustable WP shock 12.6 inches Single 260mm disc wi COl Five-s d Kick 2.1 allons 57.9 inches $5948 249cc Uquid-cooled, singlec linder two-stroke 66.4 x 72mm twin- iston caH er Sin Ie 220mm disc 38.0 inches 80/100-21 110/90-19 47mm inverted Showa forks 12.2 inches Full ad'ustable Showa 12.6 inches Single 250mm disc wi twin- iston caliper Sin Ie 240mm disc Chain 212 pounds felt that stiffer springs were in order. mainly in an effort to make the motor Our not-so-fast guys, however, said to leave well enough alone. more user-friendly and the suspension more compliant. Otherwise, the KTM is right there. That leaves the Kawasaki and There are other things to take into KTM. But don't think for a moment that these aren't very capable motor- consideration, such as contingencies, that don't show up on the cycles, because we're just not saying that. The Kawasaki is very competi- track. All will be offering some sort of contingency program for 2002, so this is something certainly worth tive, but it slipped off the podium this year because of its need of a smoother, broader powerband and an checking into. Suzuki's program is particularly interesting in that it includes free enrollment in a Tony D. overall freshening-up (the Kawasaki just looks and feels dated). The KTM, on the other hand, is cutting-edge all MX School, as well as offering a Good Scholar Program. eN the way, but needs some polishing, The Cycle News . . !d// 1:«ll.1/d lii\,," III rh,)!J/\ ff()nd,l. h.1U·t/ ..... J/\I·. hTI\!. SU7uk-i dnd t'dI71d/l,j Ie}! IJ/(widin.(] k."t unil> ,Uhf "'U/JJ!\)I! ,J! Illi.. . ::-!lr)(I!r1ul: .l/()q It)! ,.. . u/lply- inn ntl/) . . lind ,Jlurninurn hdlhlidJ,lI .... to! !f1l ' . . . l' bil\"{,'::"> ('olllrilJufiIl9 !ufJF;t''/flL,,: '-1!hf /':iStl/lc for fl/iJ/'idifl.cJ nil! ..... 1: nuflJl)CI ..... (""lui/l/'t'I.!: dlld flunJ!)(,tp/d/C h']()(fJ/llllfld<.;, Tlldn!f .... ,I/>(J In Cih'n ffdt'll R,h"('ILlli dlld /\'/1;", R,lCC1Cd.1/ ['('ilL/C.", dnd 1(1 ('/lI'i,,, .'.!Jlt'fl/\·d ,l/Id ......;pud cue I e n H,lf!C!"'; II)f _ _:IS le-I {).JJ ,II)! 111(' the lJ/(1 ifJpul. • OCTOBER 24, 2001 23