VOL. 51 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 28, 2014
P37
>>QUICK REVIEW
2014 HONDA CRF250R
STANDOUT FEATURES
•Twin-muffler exhaust system
•Honda Progressive Steering Damper
(HPSD)
•Twin-Spar aluminum frame
•Renthal aluminum crossbar
handlebars
WEIGHT (full fuel): 235 lbs.
MSRP: $7599
WHAT'S NEW
•Twin-muffler exhaust system
•New high-compression piston
•Updated cylinder head and porting
•Beefed up transmission
•Lighter radiator
•Increased fuel capacity
•Dual-stage fuel injection timing
•Updated frame
•Updated fork
•New swingarm
•New rear shock
•New suspension linkages
•Updated bodywork
The 2014 Honda CRF250R took on a
fair amount of changes and you'll notice the difference on the track.
For one, the motor feels a bit more
aggressive and snappier and revs out
a little longer than before. We like
that. Last year's Honda, as good as
it was, had a very linear powerband –
almost electric-like – but the new CR
has a meatier feel. We wouldn't say
the bike has tons more power than
last year's, but it does respond better
and quicker. It also has a wide power
delivery, making the bike easy to ride
and easy to keep in the correct gear
at all times.
The CR's five-speed gearbox is
mated well to the Honda's power delivery and clicking through the gears
couldn't be much easier. We also liked
the Honda's fairly light-pull clutch that
offered good feel and engagement.
Overall, the Honda has a very
good motor. It might not be the most
powerful in its class, but what it might
lack in the roost department is made
up in the ease-of-use department.
The CR's mapping can be adjusted
via Honda's HRC PGM-FI program
tuner that you use in conjunction with
your laptop computer and must be
purchased separately.
Although the chassis didn't change
much, Honda did try to better centralize and lower its CG – here's where
the dual-muffler system come into
play. The design, which Honda really believes in, allows for a more
compact and tucked in design over
most single-muffler systems that tend
to hang out further off the back of
