After almost 20 years of being absent in the USA 250cc sportbike market, American Honda is coming back with the aggressively styled liquid-cooled CBR250R and CBR250R ABS. Although pricing hasn’t been released, there are plenty of details that may make Kawasaki — makers of the outstanding $3999 Ninja 250R — nervous about its USA sales (which have been tremendous).
The new CBR is clearly aimed at the smallest Ninja. The motor is a 249cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve dual-overhead-cam Single, smoothed out and sophisticated with fuel-injection and a counterbalancer. The frame appears to be tubular steel, and the bodywork — love it or hate it — seems heavily influenced by the controversial new VFR1200. Wheels are 17-inchers, shod with radial tires (the back tire, a 140/70-17, is 10mm wider than the Ninja’s), and braking is handled with a two-piston caliper and 296mm disc in front. ABS is available. Seat height is .4 inches higher than the Ninja’s at 30.9 inches, but the seat looks very narrow at the front, negating that difference. Curb weight is a claimed 359 pounds, 15 pounds lighter than the 250R (add 9 pounds for ABS). Tank size is smaller than the Ninja’s 4.8 gallons at 3.4 gallons of dino-milk, but I’m guessing the FI Single might best the parallel-twin Ninja on range thanks to better fuel economy.
The theme in the moto-press for 2011 will be how the two bikes compare. It looks like the Honda will be a more nimble performer (both bikes have monoshock suspension and 37mm forks) thanks to its lighter weight and shorter 53.9-inch wheelbase. However, the motor could fall short in performance — it’s not the zesty, big-power mill out of the CRF250R motocrosser, but an all-new unit with lower compression and longer stroke, probably tuned for torque and newbie-friendliness. If the Ninja puts around 26 horsepower on the ground, expect the CBR to do somewhat less — although it may best it on torque.
But the main issue will be price. Honda usually prices its products at a slight premium over the competition, which means the base model could be $4500 or more and the ABS-equipped version could be over $5000. But will the sporty styling and Honda nameplate be enough to lure customers away from Kawasaki’s best-selling sportbike? Whatever the results, 2011 will be doubly interesting to small-displacement sportbike fans.
Looks like it's back to the days of actively marketing reasonable 250's. I can't understand why they've been so slow on the uptake. It's an ugly little sucker though
When I were a lad you had the Z250, GSX250, the CB250 Honda Hawk. Looks like not much has changed at Honda
It's really all about standing around drinking Dave's beer.
2008 ZRX1200 Greeeeen Roadie
2016 KTM Superduke 1290 Oraaaaange
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Too many toys.......work is getting in the way!!!!
I am not sure how they can assume that the Honda will have better fuel consumption than the little Ninja?? After all, the twin will usually not be working as hard for any given road speed. The single would have to be geared taller as it won't rev as hard, thus it would most likely be well loaded at 100-110kph. It will be interesting to see it in reality.
I also think the twin cylinder would be a much nicer engine to live with day to day than a single. Even with a multitude of balance shafts they still vibrate enough to rattle your fillings out.
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me" Hunter S. Thompson.
There are really only two questions in life. 1.Which way do i go? 2.What is the lap record?
The old CBR250RR, has double the hp & doesnt require a keg of beer to make it look pretty in comparison to its successor, this is a let down for Honda enthusiasts.
Has honda done this purposefully as this is the R model and not RR? Therefore the successor to the old RR will be a better package?
Either way honda have given themselves the hard task in marketing it, perhaps Koichi KONDO was drunk when he signed off on it.
Seems a bit weird to come up with a 250 single for the usa market where they have no novice restrictions.. surely the only ppl that would consider it would be potential CBR 125 customers.. also 5K is a lot of $$ considering the retail for a ninja twofiddy is like 3.5K in the us? that would mean 10K+ or so here?? Almost the cost of a Ninja 650..
