VOL. 54 ISSUE 30 AUGUST 1, 2017 P51
Electric starting is standard.
L
ike the Honda CRF450R last year, the 2018 CRF250R
gets a ground-up overhaul. Some of the most notable
changes start with the engine. Honda has abandoned its
former Unicam valvetrain for a dual-overhead-cam configura-
tion with larger valves, and a finger rocker arm with Diamond
Like Coating (DLC), all designed to give the engine more high-
rpm power. It also has a new piston, twin exhaust ports, higher
compression ratio, and a more oversquare bore and stroke ar-
rangement. Just about everything in the engine, including the
clutch and transmission, has been changed to either increase
reliability or power, especially at high rpm.
In a somewhat surprising move, the new CRF250R gets
electric starting, just like its bigger brother. Providing juice is a
high-tech, super lightweight lithium-ion phosphate battery, just
like the ones the factory race bikes use.
Chassis is all-new, too. It has a new and lighter (by about a
pound) frame, shorter wheelbase, a lower center of gravity, a
new swingarm, a lighter subframe and coil-spring forks (bye-
bye air forks).
Underneath the plastic top cover is a titanium gas tank.
Claimed curb weight is up about seven pounds, mainly be-
cause of the electric starting and going back to spring forks.
MSRP has yet been announced, nor has availability.
CN
2018
HONDA
CRF250R
