Honda CBR250R (2011)
 | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Also called | MC41 |
| Assembly | Thailand and India |
| Class | Sport bike |
| Engine | 249.5 cc (15.23 cu in) single cylinder four-stroke, 4 valves, liquid cooled, counterbalanced, PGM-FI |
| Bore / stroke | 76.0 mm × 55.0 mm (2.99 in × 2.17 in) |
| Compression ratio | 10.7:1 |
| Top speed |
87 mph (140 km/h)[1] 91.2 mph (146.8 km/h)[2][3] |
| Power |
23.7 hp (17.7 kW) @ 9,900 rpm[1] 21.9 hp (16.3 kW) @ 8,500 rpm[2] |
| Torque |
12.7 lb·ft (17.2 N·m) @ 7,400 rpm[1] 14.65 lb·ft (19.86 N·m) @ 6,750 rpm[2] |
| Ignition type | CDI |
| Transmission | Wet multiplate clutch, constant mesh 6-speed, chain drive |
| Frame type | Steel twin spar diamond, engine stressed |
| Suspension |
Front: Non-adjustable 37 mm telescopic fork Rear: Pro-link swingarm, single shock with 5-way preload adjustment |
| Brakes | Single hydraulic disc front and rear. Optional combined brakes with ABS |
| Tires |
Front: 110/70-17M/C Rear: 140/70-17M/C |
| Rake, trail | 25°, 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Wheelbase | 1,370 mm (54 in) |
| Dimensions |
L: 2,035 mm (80.1 in) W: 720 mm (28 in) H: 1,125 mm (44.3 in) |
| Seat height | 780 mm (31 in) |
| Weight |
153 kg (337 lb) (non-ABS)[1] (dry) 161 kg (355 lb) (non-ABS), 165 kg (364 lb) (ABS) (claimed) 166 kg (366 lb) (ABS)[2] (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 13 l (2.9 imp gal; 3.4 US gal) |
| Fuel consumption |
4.1 L/100 km (69 mpg-imp; 57 mpg-US)[1] 4.16 L/100 km (67.9 mpg-imp; 56.5 mpg-US)[2] |
| Turning radius | 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) |
The Honda CBR250R (model Honda MC41) is a single cylinder sport bike made by Honda. It was primarily intended for the Thai and Indian markets, but is sold worldwide, including in developed countries in Europe, North America and elsewhere.[4] For the 2015 model year, Honda has announced a larger displacement successor, the CBR300R, to keep pace with similar machines from Kawasaki.
Regional markets
In developing countries where typical motorcycles are 125–150 cc (7.6–9.2 cu in) displacement, the larger 249.5 cc (15.23 cu in) CBR250R is at the higher end of the sport bike range,[5] looking similar to much more powerful sporting machines with its full fairing in Honda's new layered style that was introduced on the 2008 CBR1000RR Fireblade and 2010 VFR1200F.[4][6] In wealthier industrialized countries, the CBR250R enters at the opposite end of the market, as a budget priced beginner or utility bike, practical and fuel efficient, but with limited sporting pretensions.[1][4][5][7]
In the US, the new CBR250R is the first major competition the Kawasaki Ninja 250R has faced since the early 1990s.[8] The CBR250R has optional mechanical combined anti-lock brakes, which is unusual at its price.[1]
Design
The CBR250R closely follows the style of the VFR1200F, notable for its Y-shaped headlight and prominent middle cowl, which creates a layered look.[5] This new direction in Honda design debuted at Intermot in 2008 with the V4 Concept Model,[9] and the 2008 CBR1000RR Fireblade.[4]
Motorcycle Consumer News design columnist Glynn Kerr observed that new direction in bike design fits the pattern of motorcycle trends imitating, but lagging behind, car styling, in that motorcycles are shifting away from sharp, "lithe", dart-like shapes of the 2010s toward a heavier, "chunky" style with a higher, blunter nose, and, in cars, a "high waisted" middle with short windows and thicker pillars.[10] Kerr cites the Chrysler 300 as the best example, as well as smaller cars like the Audi A3 and Suzuki Swift, commenting that, "aggression now comes from appearing strong and assertive, rather than light and dart-like... the arrow has been replaced by the hammer."[10]
In motorcycles this translates into a heavy front, reverse rake angle headlight, and the use of little or no color on the rear half of the bike to spotlight the front one-fourth of the bike.[10] In this aspect, Kerr also sees influence from the 1994 Morbidelli V8, the 1991 Yamaha TDM850, and Honda's DN-01 of 2005.[10] On the 2008 CBR1000RR, Kerr thought the dominant vertical line produced an awkward, top heavy look that played against traditional race replica styling of body lines sloping downwards towards the front. The 2010 VFR1200F was visually more successful because the new style better suited the greater proportions of a touring motorcycle, and in spite of Honda's third iteration of the style being a much smaller bike, nonetheless Kerr said, "the latest CBR250R carries the look even better than its big brother."[10] The Ottawa Citizen's review by David Booth said the CBR250R looked better than the VFR1200F as well, commenting that, "Where the various bulges of the big VFR are a little too Jessica Rabbit-like over-the-top, the little CBR250R styling is far more subtle and really looks the classier of the two."[11]
Critical reception
Reviews of the CBR250R generally rate its performance in comparison to its main competitor, which in the US and Canada is the Kawasaki Ninja 250R.[2][8][11][12] The Hyosung GT250, rebadged as the ATK GT250 for 2011, is also a potential competitor in those markets, although it fares poorly in comparison.[2] In India, the Ninja 250R and Hero Honda Karizma R are the leading competition.[5] Though lower in peak power and with a slower top speed than the Ninja 250, the CBR was lauded for having more torque available at lower engine speeds, meaning that it was easier to accelerate from low speed and pulling away required less noise and drama, since the Ninja had to be revved to 9,000 rpm and above to make use of its greater power.[12] This made the CBR250R more pleasant and forgiving to ride than the sportier, but more challenging, Ninja.[2][12] Complaints from The Economic Times of Mumbai included a tendency to stand up if the rider makes a sloppy mid-corner correction, and brakes and suspension not up to the standards of a track bike.[5] The Indian reviewer also perceived the 161 kg (355 lb) wet weight as "not so light", while American journalists considered it a featherweight, "incredibly agile, flickable ... almost too light," at 16.5 lb (7.5 kg) lighter than the Ninja 250R.[2] The Ninja 250R's brakes had a better, more linear feel with stronger initial bite and could stop from 60 to 0 mph (97 to 0 km/h) in 121.5 ft (37.0 m), while the CBR250R, with a stopping distance of 123.4 ft (37.6 m), was lauded for its combined anti-lock brake option, a boon to beginners in spite of the slightly shorter braking distance achievable on the Ninja 250R by a skilled sport rider.[2] Kevin Ash, at 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), found the dimensions comfortable for someone of his height, while David Booth cautioned it could be cramped for taller riders.[4][11]
In one head to head comparison, MotorcycleUSA judged the Ninja 250R to be the better bike due to its superior speed and handling.[13] The testers at Motorcycle Consumer News found the CBR250R to be the better choice, given the needs of its presumed prospective buyers in the US, beginners and those looking for a practical motorcycle for long commutes, though "if sheer performance is all you're after" without regard for fuel efficiency, then the Ninja 250R might be preferable.[2]
Production
The production model was unveiled in the Thailand International Motor Expo 2010 on November 27, 2010,[14] Hong Kong's Central District on November 28, 2010,[15] and EICMA 2010[16]
Global models of the CBR250R were produced by Thai Honda Manufacturing in Thailand,[17] with sales beginning in November 2010, followed by spring 2011 in Japan. Indian and South America models were produced by HMSI in India beginning in the spring of 2011.[5]
Successor
In October 2013 the longer-stroke Honda CBR300R was announced at the China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition in Chongqing, with engine displacement increased from 249.6 to 286 cc (15.23 to 17.45 cu in) in response to the Kawasaki Ninja 300.[18] Honda said the new model has increased horsepower, from 26 to 30.5 bhp (19.4 to 22.7 kW), and greater torque, from 17 to 20 lb·ft (23 to 27 N·m).[19]
In February, 2014, Honda announced that production had been pushed back to late 2014.[20]
Notes
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Burns, John (March 2011), "Kawasaki Ninja 250R vs. Honda CBR250R - Comparison Test; Small but meaty: Can Honda’s new Single outrun America’s biggest-selling sportbike?", Cycle World, retrieved 2011-03-17
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Rousseau, Scott (April 2011), "250cc Sportbikes Compared; Honda's CBR250R vs. Kawasaki's Ninja 250R vs ATK's GT250R", Motorcycle Consumer News (Irvine, California: Aviation News Corp), vol. 42 no. 4, pp. 12–23, ISSN 1073-9408
- ↑ "Performance Index - Winter ‘11/’12 Edition" (PDF), Motorcycle Consumer News (Bowtie Magazines), January 2012, retrieved May 2, 2012
- 1 2 3 4 5 Ash, Kevin (2011), "Honda CBR250R review", Ash on Bikes, retrieved 2011-03-17
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sharma, Sopan (11 November 2010), "Bike Review: Honda CBR250R", The Economic Times, OCLC 61311680, retrieved 2011-03-19
- ↑ Large displacement sport bikes of 1,000 cc (61 cu in) and above, like the Yamaha YZF-R1 and Suzuki Hayabusa, were introduced in India and other developing countries in minuscule numbers, around 2008, aimed only at very wealthy buyers. See "Suzuki smiles after selling 100 units of Rs 12.5 lakh bikes", The Economic Times, 10 July 2009, OCLC 61311680, retrieved 2011-03-17 and Marmar, Shubhabrata (April 19 – May 2, 2008), "Open Season", Outlook Profit (Outlook Publishing), vol. 1 no. 5, pp. 72–73, retrieved 2011-05-15
- ↑ Uhlarik, Michael (9 January 2011), "Found: the missing link", Hell for Leather, retrieved 2011-03-17
- 1 2 Blain, Loz (31 January 2011), "2011 Honda CBR250R: The Babyblade is back!", Gizmag, retrieved 2011-03-17
- ↑ Honda (7 October 2008), Honda Exhibits World Premiere V4 Concept Model, Signifying a New Era at the International Motorcycle Show held in Cologne, Germany (press release), retrieved 2011-03-19
- 1 2 3 4 5 Kerr, Glynn (March 2011), "Design; Watch the Waistline", Motorcycle Consumer News (Irvine, California: Aviation News Corp), vol. 42 no. 3, pp. 38–39, ISSN 1073-9408
- 1 2 3 Booth, David (31 December 2010), "Honda's CBR250R best choice of bike for beginning riders", The Ottawa Citizen (Ottawa, Ontario), p. H.7
- 1 2 3 Carruthers, Paul (20 December 2010), "First Ride: Honda CBR250R; The Right Stuff", Cycle News, retrieved 2011-03-19
- ↑ Atlas, Steve (4 February 2011), "Honda CBR250R vs Kawasaki Ninja 250R", MotorcycleUSA, retrieved 2011-03-20
- ↑ CBR250R Exhibited at Thailand International Motor Expo 2010
- ↑ CBR250R Exhibited at Hong Kong Motorcycle Show
- ↑ CBR250R Displayed at EICMA 2010
- ↑ Honda to Produce New Road Sports Model CBR250R in Asia ~ A strategic global model for export from Thailand and India ~
- ↑ Conner, Blake (October 23, 2013), "2014 Honda CBR300R – First Look; Upping the ante on one of Honda’s best-selling streetbikes", Cycle World
- ↑ Siler, Wes (November 4, 2013), "2013 EICMA: 2014 Honda CBR300R — Official Specs Released", RideApart
- ↑ Honda CBR300R production delayed, Visordown, 12 February 2014
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