KIWI RIDER MAY 2018 VOL.2 | Page 49

if you’re the type of rider who loves to rev the engine, swing off the clutch lever and dance on the gear lever, then this little Honda could very well be the perfect machine for you. And, happily, the clutch and gearbox are sweet. The twin exhausts now run full length down each side of the bike and it’s a cool looking set-up. One header has a ‘bomb canister’ and the other doesn’t... indicating that the tune is different for each side. While it’s a less cluttered design than the previous exhaust, it must contribute weight to what is already the heaviest bike in the class, so I have to question the logic of Honda’s twin exhaust system in weight terms. CHASSIS While I think there is a slight question-mark over the new engine’s bottom-end power, the chassis is truly a thing of beauty. The CRF250R looks small and compact, and everything is beautifully finished. Despite the small looks, it still feels roomy for tall riders, but not too big for short riders 49