2019 HONDAS GAIN TRACTION
Honda Motorcycles has announced its 2020 dirt lineup and there are plenty of changes to savour,
with the CRF250R scoring many of the goodies.
In fact, both the CRF250R and 250RX gain an upgraded chassis base, revised Showa suspension
settings and in the engine department both bikes receive a bump in peak power and torque.
CRF250R & RX
The CRF250’s frame and swingarm are
identical to the 2019 CRF450R, which
means the chassis is both lighter but –
more significantly – has the same ‘tuned
rigidity’ balance. Combined with new
compression damping settings for both
front and rear Showa suspension, Honda
claims the result is improved stability, feel
and accuracy while tracking through fast,
bumpy turns.
Engine changes ranging from revised cam
profiles and optimised exhaust ports bring
increases of 4% and 8% to peak power and
torque respectively over last year’s model,
while at the same time improving the all-
important low to midrange torque.
The CRF250R also gets new fuel injection
maps as well as a revised second gear ratio
to better make use of the engine’s added
flexibility and reduce the drop in rpm in
the change to third gear.
90 KIWI RIDER
Somewhat crucially, both the CRF250R
and CRF250RX both feature launch control
and three rider modes as part of their
electronics packages.
The Engine Mode Select Button (EMSB)
alters the engine’s characteristics and
three maps are available to suit riding
conditions or rider preference: Mode 1
(Standard), Mode 2 (Smooth) and Mode 3
(Aggressive). The LED also displays Mode
selected.
Launch control, as is the case with the
CRF450 range, is activated by pulling in the
clutch and pushing the start button on the
right. The LED will blink once for Level 1
selection. Push the Start button again, for
0.5s or longer, and the LED will blink twice
for Level 2. Repeat the process and the
LED will blink 3 times, indicating that Level
3 has been chosen.