The bike might look the part, but the bigger
story is how it performs on the track. After our first
ride, it proved that it performs as well as it looks.
Right away, you can feel how much sharper
and more responsive the throttle connection
is. The Works Edition ECU tuning in standard
engine mode gives the bike a more aggressive
personality than the standard model. Power
QUICKSPIN I Honda CRF250R Works Edition
P104
You'll pay $2300
more for the Honda
CRF250RWE (Works
Edition) than for the
standard model,
but you'll feel the
difference—for
the better.
PHOTOS:
JESSE ZIEGLER
delivery feels cleaner overall, and the engine
revs noticeably faster. Compared to the stock
bike, the WE engine pulls harder through the
midrange and holds revs longer at the top. Even
though the Works Edition model gained a few
pounds, the freer-revving engine makes it feel
lighter and more agile.
All three engine maps feel more refined than
the standard's three modes. However, the ag-
gressive setting stands out, especially on faster
sections
of the tracks, where you especially
need it on a 250F.
As with the standard model, the Honda also
provides three modes of Honda Selectable
Torque Control (HSTC), often referred to as trac-
tion control, which can be turned on or off. There
are
three modes of HRC Launch Control, as well.
Suspension performance is another major
highlight. Even though the standard CRF250R's
suspension is improved over the previous
generation, the WE takes things a whole step
further. Immediately, you notice how the fork
You were
planning to
swap out the
exhaust anyway,
right? Honda
did it for you
with the WE,
fitting it with
a Yoshimura
system like
what the factory
team uses.
