Honda engineers worked meticulously on the CBR's ergonomic triangle as well. At 6-foot-3, I take the honors of currently being the tallest rider to take reigns of the CBR250R, and I will say that - to my surprise - the bike was extremely comfortable, and not once on our 100-mile-plus ride did I feel cramped or unpleasant.
And despite riding for more than 105 miles, the CBR250R's 3.4-gallon tank was still half full upon our arrival back at Honda headquarters in Torrance, CA. As such, riders should easily be able to hit the 200-plus-mile mark without needing to stop for gas.
In addition to the optional ABS and linked brake system that make this bike safer, weight is cut to a minimum (the CBR is 20 pounds lighter than the Ninja) and clutch disengagement was made simple. When leaving from a dead stop, the clutch is extremely easy to disengage and very little throttle is needed to get the bike rolling - which limits the chances of stalling the bike. All of these features highlight Honda's emphasis on building a bike that is perfect for entry-level riders. The result of the clean-sheet design is a comfortable, easy-to-ride bike that is fun for riders of every skill level.
Be sure and stay tuned for the promising comparison test between the Honda CBR250R and its obvious rival, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R.
| HONDA CBR250R |
| MSRP: $3999 / $4499 with ABS |
| ENGINE |
| Type |
Liquid-cooled single-cylinder DOHC four-stroke, 4 valves/cyl. |
| Displacement |
249cc |
| Bore x stroke |
76.0 x 55.0mm |
| Compression ratio |
10.7:1 |
| Induction |
Programmed fuel injection system (PGM-FI), 38mm throttle body |
| CHASSIS |
| Front tire |
110/70-17 radial |
| Rear tire |
140/70-17 radial |
| Rake/trail |
25 degrees/3.7 in. (95 mm) |
| Wheelbase |
53.94 in. (1370mm) |
| Seat height |
30.5 in. (775mm) |
| Fuel capacity |
3.4 gal. (13L) |
| Claimed wet weight |
359 lb. (161kg) / 366 lb. (165kg) with ABS |