Do not adjust your computer screen, this not a revised version of the VFR1200F, nor is it the V4 adventure bike we expect Honda to debut next week, it’s not even the bastard love child from a CBR and a Cylon, it is in fact the brand new 2011 Honda CBR250R. A 250cc motorcycle for the rest of us, Honda hopes to snag new riders by offering a more practical street bike in the Japanese, European, Australian, and yes, even American markets later this spring.
Raising the bar a bit, the CBR250R comes with optional C-ABS brakes, which will like be mandatory in the European Union, if the EU Commission has anything to say about it. With performance figures coming in at 26hp and 17 lbs•ft of torque, the fuel-injected Honda CBR250R isn’t going to blow anyone out of the water, but that’s sort the point behind the quarter-liter bike, which should be more than capable of scooting around a young rider on city streets and back-road routes.
Other spec’s include a 3.4 gallon fuel tank and a curb weight of 359lbs (368lbs with ABS). The 1.4 gallons fuel deficiet likely helps the CBR come in 15lbs lighter than the Kawasaki Ninja 250R (the bike to beat in entry-level market segment), but with the fuel-injection it’s hard to say which bike has the range advantage. Braking comes from the Honda engineered combined anti-lock braking system, which stops a single 296mm disc up-front and 220mm disc in back. Suspension comes in the form of two right-side up 37mm front forks, with a Pro-Link shock in the rear, which has five adjustable pre-load settings.
Wheel’s will come in at 17″, with the rear tire being a 140/70-17, 10mm wider than the Ninja 250R’s. With Honda hoping to take the 250R head-on, it will be interesting to see how it prices the CBR250R against the Ninja’s $4,000 price tag. In a market segment dominated by second-hand motorcycles, Honda will have to price itself aggressively if it wants to compete for the wallets of young and new riders, which may be hard to do with things like anti-lock brakes coming on the feature-set.
2011 Honda CBR250R / CBR250R ABS Technical Specifications:
Engine:
Engine Type: 249.4cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
Bore and Stroke: 76mm x 55mm
Compression ratio: 10.7:1
Valve Train: DOHC; four valves per cylinder
Induction: PGM-FI, 38mm throttle body
Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance
Transmission: Six-speed
Suspension:
Front: 37mm fork
Rear: Pro-Link single shock with five positions of spring preload adjustability
Brakes:
Front: Single 296mm disc
Rear: Single 220mm disc
Optional ABS
Tires:
Front: 110/70-17 radial
Rear: 140/70-17 radial
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 53.9 inches
Rake (Caster Angle): 25.0°
Trail: 95mm (3.74 inches)
Seat Height: 30.9 inches
Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gallons
Colors: Metallic Black, Red/Silver
Curb Weight*: 359 pounds / 368 pounds (ABS)
*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride.
Source: Honda America
bet it’s down on Hp compare to the EX250 though a little up on torque. That it’s almost as ugly as the VFR1200 is no surprise.
wow that is cheap, in australia the ninja costs nearly $9k!! even though our dollar is currently within a cent of parity with the US$!!!
Another chance for Honda to shine and yet another case of them to shitting the bed. They replace the cool old CBR250RR with this POS? I’m embarrassed for Honda.
It’s underpowered to be a truly CBR R (maybe an F). A VTR250 should beat it.
It should be more like a Hornet, not like a CB250 or CBF250 with fairing.
eeewww.
Kawasaki has nothing to worry about. Fer gods sake Honda how much blandness is it possible for you to inject into your motorcycle lineup. Must you cover EVERY motorcycle with non threatening curvy layers? It’s like a NY fashion agency got a hold of a motorcycle company. blechhh..
I for one love it! I just wish it had been around when I had to purchase my CBR125′s…
This is much sexier than the old CBR250rr
Anyone know what helmet that is he is wearing?
I dig it. Doesn’t need the fancy brakes, but! FUEL INJECTION! Is this the only fuel injected single other than Aprilia scooters and KTM’s?
I have to wonder if Honda really makes much profit from these bike or if they are merely break even bikes or even loss leaders just to get riders to the brand to trade up later.
Honda doesn’t make its money on mark-up with bikes like the CBR250R, they make it on quantity sold, so it’s not surprising they’ll try and bring it to as many markets as possible.
2011 Honda CBR250R – We Shall Call It…Mini-Me – http://bit.ly/978WVm #motorcycle
Yes, yes, yes. Low price, low fuel consumption, high style and content. Now can we have the VTR250 and the CB1100?
This will take some sales from Kawasaki’s 250 ninja, but will need to be within a similar price range for the numbers to be big. However, I expect it’ll be more expensive. Honda’s naked VTR250 is 10 years old and around the same price as the ninja.
Interesting thing: 4 stroke single cylinder 250cc = Moto3 specs
Stop playing around and bring the Moriwaki with lights so everyone can enjoy it… This is strictly an entry level bike and will appeal to very few, if any, seasoned riders in the U.S. It’s boring and it doesn’t deserve to wear the CBR badge.
uh, the Ninjette can be purchased with FI last I checked. We currently have the 09′ sweet little thing…can’t say what it looks like from a distance tho’ all I ever see is the tach and the road. 8^)
WANT!
The Ninja 250R 3rd gen is carb’d, as is the American 4th gen.
Keith, the Ninja 250 is still carbureted in the US. So, if you’re here, then it cannot be purchased with FI.
To me the proportions look all wrong. Also, I find a 250cc four stroke just too underpowered for sporting street use. Maybe useful in countries that issue license based on displacement, otherwise its not for me.
FYI its not the only FI’d single – Yamaha’s 250cc roadgoing bikes (WR250R and WR250X) are FI as are almost all modern motocross bikes. Most euro off roaders are FI as well (Gasgas, ‘berg, husqvarna, bmw, etc). The BMW F650 single has been FI for almost a decade as well.
359lbs is 100lbs too much for a 250cc thumper as well.
It sounds to me that people want a 300-400cc small bike with a little more power than this (like a new incarnation of the old CB350)
I wish so much that someone would make the 400cc triple cafe racer that was on Kneeslider (I think it was a Chinese design… Vento).
I like it but would much prefer a naked bike and belt drive. It is about time someone has fuel injection and ABS options on entry/commuter bikes. ABS is great for new riders if you don’t want to go down like I did. The muffler is kinda gaudy looking to…
After searching online and looking hard at the CBR250RR that some consider “outdated looking” i have to say:
This CBR250R IS a DOWNGRADE from the Old RR…ABS,EFI and what not accounted for.
The RR looks like a condensed FireBlade 900-929-954, GullWing Aluminium Swing Arm, Twin Spars Frame, Dual Front Discs and all!!
Shame on u Hon-duh!
The was also an old ‘R’ that was a poor cousin of the old RR.
My first bike was a Honda CB50 (the big Honda scooters would fly by me and I’d be luck to hit 60mph lol). I would have loved to have something like this.
That being said Honda’s design language across the board has become dull. Take a look at their car divisions. The company is becoming less cutting edge and more blunt edge.
When everything is said and done its nice to have another choice and hopefully KTM is listening and brings a 250cc Duke across the pond.
The CBR250R will be assembled in Thailand, just like Ninja250. That’s why Honda will make money out of each one (not including the fact that they will also assemble this CBR in India also!!!). They are not Japanese-assembled bike.
The price in Thailand for CBR250R will be quite a bit lower than Ninja250… I say by about 20-30% (from the info I read earlier).
Ninja has more power, looks more resolved, and doesn’t pretend to be what it isn’t. Don’t forget that CBR250 with an R or RR has always been quick and hi-strung 4-cylinders little bastard. This single 250 isn’t that type of bike. I had hope for at least 2 cylinders engine. But to keep the cost low, they have decided to go the cheaper way with less part to deal with.
Let me correct what I said a bit… With the look like this, Honda should have changed the name and leave the CBR name for more sport bike. It’s clearly a VFR derivative but a single cylinder with a CBR name…. talk about identity crisis.
It should still be a good beginner bike and I am still glad they come out with one for Thai market, where all we got for the past 9 years was CBR150….a Thai-market only bike.
That said, I will now go see if I can afford the Ninja250….
Odd to be obsessing over the name. As a newcomer planning to enter motorcycling next year and precisely the kind of customer these bikes are geared towards, I personally don’t care. It’s got fuel injection. It has ABS. And if the rest of the bits are as spec as the Kawi is, I’m sold. Power deficiency? I don’t really care either since after some years of experience I’ll move up to a proper supersport with more power than is necessary on regular roads. If until then I don’t have to fuss over the choke, and not worry as much about the possibility of hitting asphalt every time I brake, I’m good with this.
I just pre-ordered mine, and no, it isn’t my first bike, but all of my bikes are Honda’s brand loyalty is important to some people, and I can already tell you that once I get my hands on this thing nobody will recognize it, fairings are coming off, pipe is getting swapped for a yoshi, even if i have to get my torch and welder out, new headlight is going on it. I plan to make it look like a new kid sibling of the Honda Hawk. I just hope Honda thinks about it and releases a naked version from the factory.
These little things are perfect for getting to and from campus in a busy down town area, and a real blast when taken into twisties in the mountains, and being FI is great since I routinely change at least 1k feet in elevation during a single day. All you need to have a good time motoring is 2 wheels and a motor, and if the ABS makes you feel safer and more confident on the roads then more power to you. I think Honda did a good job with this bike even if its not as powerful or efficient as its 250cc cousins.
I wish you all Clear Skies, Full Tanks and Empty Roads!
Pong: I too was looking forward for at least 2 Cylinders…but Honda being Honda, well…u know.
NewPrimus: U said it urself, a newcomer… Honda’s Past is meaningless to u. Kinda of why would a borned blind person would care what’s the color of the sky. No point in knowing…right ?
I do apreciate how they went the xtra mile with EFI and made ABS Optional. Great advances on the 250 Arena on the U.S anyways.
Ty: I love ur ending.
*****A Dream Come True!…..Only $3999 for the 2011 Honda CBR250R*****
HONDA, ‘leads the way’, once again with the amazing new 2011 Honda CBR250R! An affordable, smart, capable and fun way to enjoy life on two wheels’. Your choice, sparkling black or at no additional cost a very handsome red/silver color combination. The digital/analog instrument panel includes a clock and there is underseat storage beneath its pasenger seat. Bursting with sophistication, refinement and cutting edge technology, the new Honda CBR250R is sure to please beginning and experienced riders alike. The Honda CBR250R will provide precision and accuracy in steering and braking thanks to its radial ply tires and anti-lock brakes, very economical operation thanks to its 6 speed transmission, fuel injection and liquid cooled single cylinder engine and great looks with its full fairing, ultra-glossy red/black color combination and glittering silver color mag wheels. The optional combined ABS feature adds a third piston to the front brake caliper so that when the rear brake is applied modulated/proportional braking from the front brake comes into play(even if the lever is not pulled) adding immeasureably to rider control and confidence. The year 2011 will be remembered for an over-achiever the excellent Honda CBR250R….its inaugural year will become a collectors item!. Thank you HONDA for bringing to market an incredible motorcycle the 2011 CBR250R at a surprisingly low price of only $3999….this is within reach of every motorcycle enthusiast!
Errol M Dickson u sound like Honda Rep. i love Honda but i am upset, i wanted to buy it, but i have to think again. i am from India and i don’t want to buy this bike and tomorrow Bajaj or TVS releasing a bike with more power and some guy beating me. because Bajaj and TVS will be cheaper. i don’t understand y Honda thinks people want a 250cc with no power.. hmm if i want mileage, i would buy a 150cc and if i want power i would think of 250 but this is not having enough power, why would i buy one.