WORDS: LIAM CALLEY
M
y first impression when I swung my leg
over the 2020 250R was just how
comfortable I felt straight off the bat
without even making any changes to the bike.
In terms of the bodywork it felt not too slim or
wide between the legs, so Honda seems to have
hit the sweet spot between the two. Out on the
track I was able to grip tight onto the bike
because of that, giving big confidence all the
way around the track.
The stock Renthal Fat Bars are nice and offer
great comfort, control and a natural riding position.
These are such a good bar choice by Honda –
certainly better than other brands.
The biggest thing that stood out for me after
cutting a few laps was that the power was super
mellow right throughout the rev range, something
that I wasn’t overly a fan of. It just felt like I didn’t
have the power there when I needed it.
One cool feature the 250R does have is the ability
to switch between three different maps which are
standard, smooth and aggressive. This is done
simply with the push of a button, and I was able to
switch the map on the side of the track and then
go out. Unlike Jock, I felt each of the modes
offered a quite different feel in terms of the engine
characters. I was particularly keen on the aggressive
map, where it would rev out a lot quicker and pull
a bit harder, which gave the bike a more playful
nature and gave a lighter feel to the bike.
KIWI RIDER 51