Anyone who’s ever raced in the Lites class knows that your bike better be perfect if you expect to win. With a 450, all that power can help you erase a mistake, but on a 250 if you give an inch the rest of the pack is going to use you for traction.
That’s why the new 2013 CRF250R doesn’t give an inch. We took the 2012 Lites East AND West SX champion and gave it an even sharper edge. Updates include a larger high speed compression adjuster on the shock for improved low-speed damping, along with a stiffer fork spring up front and more high-speed compression damping adjustability in the rear. New Dunlop MX51 tires improve drive feeling and save weight, and new disc covers channel some of the 450’s style into the 250 class.
Of course we’ve kept the features that put the CRF250R on the top podium box all across the country: its twin-spar aluminum frame, Unicam engine with fuel injection (new ECU settings this year for better low- and mid-rpm performance), and the exclusive Honda Progressive Steering Damper. All-in-all, it’s the most dialed-in 250 we’ve ever produced, Which means it’s way more dialed than anything else on the track.
Honda’s engineers focused their efforts around the CRF250R’s engine and suspension performance. The engine’s response at low and mid-rpm has been boosted thanks to recalibration of the fuel injection, while the rear shock has been revised with new internals and damping rates. The front fork has a new, stiffer spring with damping to match. Taking advantage of the suspension’s upgraded performance are new Dunlop tyres; offering improved traction the rear also saves weight.
Light Makes Might.
Compact and batteryless, the CRF250R’s Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system optimizes performance, and improves fuel efficiency.
Totally D
New front and rear suspension internals, stiffer fork springs, and revised high-speed compression adjustments in the rear help the CRF250R hook up and handle better than ever.
The Power to Win.
Honda’s Unicam engine is the benchmark in the four-stroke MX class. New settings for the electronic fuel injection (EFI) give you improved performance in the low- and mid- ranges this year.
The Honda Difference.
Developed by our factory racing team, the Honda Progressive Steering Damper is lightweight, compact and enhances cornering ability while reducing rider fatigue.
Honda CRF250R Features and Benefits
*New cylinder head and 46mm throttle body produce a broadened powerband featuring more low-end and midrange torque.
*Revised engine tuning produces added response and midrange power.
*Updated suspension settings front and rear for improved tracking and more precise handling.
*New footpegs are wider and longer for more support, and are now silver color.
*New front axle collars add rigidity to the front end, increasing steering precision.
Engine/Drivetrain
*Liquid-cooled four-valve Unicam® 249cc engine.
ialed.*Engine is designed for improved power delivery from a compact package that lowers the center of gravity and enhances mass centralization for improved handling.
*Forged slipper-piston material permits a thinner crown. Low-friction surface treatment ensures high-rev potential.
*Programmed Fuel Injection PGM-FI system utilizes a 46mm throttle body with 12-hole injector fed by lightweight 50-psi pump to ensure optimum fuel atomization and precisely targeted fuel charge. System also improves fuel consumption.
*PGM-FI system monitors throttle position, intake air and coolant temperatures and manifold pressure to accurately map fuel charge and ignition spark, significantly improving partial-throttle response and helping to ensure excellent rideability.
*Two crankshaft position sensors quickly determine crank position to provide quick starts, hot or cold.
*Kashima coating applied to the clutch basket and clutch center improves clutch life and feel.
The CRF250R's 249cc, liquid-cooled four-valve Unicam engine has always impressed riders of all abilities with its broad spread of useable power, everywhere in the rev-range, plus a pin-sharp and instant throttle response. Bore and stroke remains 76.8mm x 53.8mm, with compression ratio at 13.2:1; the 30.5mm titanium inlet valves and 25mm steel exhaust valves are unchanged.
For improved drive and traction out of corners revised mapping of the PGM-FI fuel injection has boosted low/mid-range torque and power, and also allows the engine to make a little more power at peak rpm. To meet FIM noise regulations the rear exhaust muffler also features a new 'Triangle Punch' design on the internal baffle. A Honda patent, the pattern is highly efficient at passing exhaust gas to the glass wool wrapping, and at high rpm reduces noise output by 2dB with no loss of performance.
Chassis/Suspensio
*Revised fork valving offers improved balance and bottoming resistance.
*Revised shock valving helps deliver optimum chassis balance and improved suspension action.
*Honda Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD)-equipped Twin-Spar Aluminum Frame with forged-aluminum steering head.
*HPSD features a compact damper attached to the lower triple clamp and the steering head to allow more aggressive steering characteristics and assist straight-line handling. Damping action smoothly progresses as handlebar deflection increases, which produces very natural steering characteristics and feel.
*Pro-Link Rear Suspension features exclusive Showa integrated-reservoir shock absorber with all-new damping.
*Brake system integrates the rear master cylinder and fluid reservoir, eliminating the separate reservoir and hose.
*Link-type front-brake master cylinder and a lightweight brake rotor provide strong braking.
The CRF250R's steering geometry, aluminium twin-beam frame and swingarm are unchanged, but the Showa 48mm inverted cartridge forks feature new springs with a stiffer (from 4.4 to 4.6 Kg/cm) rate, for more precise handling through extra-rough sections of track. The forks' internal sub-piston diameter has increased from 35mm to 37mm, for improved low speed damping. Both rebound and compression damping can be adjusted through 16 positions.
A redesigned internal damper adjuster bolt (up 2mm in diameter to 11.5mm), guide and coil spring improves the Showa rear shock's high-speed control and bump absorption. Damping rates are firmer to suit. The Pro-Link rear suspension has 12.3in travel, plus spring preload adjustment and 17-position rebound adjustment. Compression damping is separated into 13-position (low-speed) and 3.5 turns (high speed).
The Dunlop MX51 Geomax 81/100-21 front tyre features a subtle tread pattern change that helps traction and aids rider confidence. The 100/90-19 MX51 tyre saves 400g of all-important unsprung weight from the rear wheel, using a lighter inner structure, with no loss of rigidity or grip. Protecting the front 240mm wave pattern disc and two-piston brake caliper is a new, two-piece cover identical to that fitted to the 2013 CRF450R; the rear 240mm wave-pattern disc and single-piston caliper also gets a CRF450R-spec cover.