The 250RX has all the
latest technology found
on the motocross R
model, but with a few
changes of specific parts
and additions for general
offroad suitability
onda has a long tradition, that it’s rightly
proud of, for producing offroad four-
strokes that punch well above their
weights. Without going way back into Honda
history, the XR range, kicking off in the late 70s,
gave the brand quite remarkable success. I
remember briefly riding an XR500A model as a
16-year-old scruffy youth and being somewhat
impressed (and completely terrified...) by the
huge power. Later I had an XR200 as a farm
bike which was fantastic compared to anything
else I’d ridden at that time. Ten years later I still
had Honda XRs as farm bikes, but also raced
them for Blue Wing Honda. The company then
updated to CR-F based four-strokes which
also found a home with me as farm bikes and
race machines. As a one-off model I raced and
owned the brilliant, heavy, but sadly short-lived,
alloy framed and liquid cooled XR650R. So, it’s
fair to say I have a little history with Honda four-
strokes, so was genuinely interested, and more
than a little excited, to be testing the all-new
CRF250RX machine.
The 250RX has all the latest technology found
on the motocross R model, but with a few
changes of specific parts and additions for
general offroad suitability. There’s a larger 8.5
litre fuel tank, an eighteen-inch rear wheel, a
decent side-stand and cross-country tailored
suspension valving. Also, the engine power
delivery is altered to suit the requirements of
the much more varied riding terrain that will
be encountered away from the motocross
track. Features shared with the R model are
the chassis, brakes, DOHC engine, five-speed
gearbox, electric-start and full twin exhaust
system. The suspension components are
largely the same too.
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