VOL. 51 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 28, 2014
The easy-to-ride
Honda has a
torquey motor
that launches
you out of
the turns with
authority.
P55
COUNTDOWN
3RD PLACE
HONDA CRF250R
A
n improved motor and better handling and suspension carried the
Honda past the Suzuki in our 2014
Shootout, but like we said, not by much.
The battle between the Honda and Suzuki was probably the closest between any
two of these five bikes, but we gave the
Honda the nod over the Suzuki this year,
mainly because of its slightly improved
motor and handling.
The more powerful Honda (compared
to the previous model) doesn't really feel
any faster than the Suzuki, but delivers its
power in a smoother and more manageable manner, albeit not by much. Plus,
it also hits a little harder off the bottom,
which our testers liked very much. We
just wish the Honda used the same coupler system as the Suzuki and Kawasaki.
As good as Honda's own HRC PGM-FI
Setting Tool might be, it's not nearly as
convenient as the plug-and-go couplers
that you can easily store in your toolbox.
Luckily, the CR's motor is so good and
versatile you won't feel the need to bust
out the power programmer very often
anyway.
The Honda also handles well and is
very stable. It turns with precision and the
suspension is very plush. The CRF250F
was a favorite among our testers on those
late afternoon practice days at Glen Hel-
en. The bike just seems to work better as
the tracks get rougher.
The Honda is the lightest bike of the
group and it feels that way. With its wellconfigured CG and slim layout, the Honda is probably the most agile of the five
bikes.
The dual muffler system might have
a lot to do with that. Even though we're
not big fans of the two-muffler design,
we can deal with the bulky side panels
and their vulnerability a little easier, if that
means a better-handling – not to mention
quieter – bike. And it is the quietest bike
of the five to the ear, whether you're on
or off the bike.
Comfort is another Honda strongpoint.
Ergos are very neutral, the bike feels
pleasantly narrow from back to front, and
the handlebars complement the CR's
overall seating position. The seat, however, is really soft. Maybe too soft for some.
Our test bike was finicky when it came
to firing it up. We wouldn't call it a hard
starter but - compared to the other four
bikes - it probably was the most reluctant
overall.
In the big picture, the Honda is a very
good all-around bike, but it needs a little
more power overall to get back to the top
step of the Cycle News 250F MX Shootout podium where it last was in 2012.
