Honda CRM 250 motorcycle review: features, specifications and reviews

The Honda CRM 250 motorcycle is considered one of the most successful models with a small engine volume. Sports enduro with a rigid and stable running gear is a "relative" of cross-country motorcycles. From them, he inherited the engine with good traction, even at low speeds. CRM 250 is suitable for both cross-country sports and civilian use on regular highways and roads.

Motorcycle History

To produce 250 "Honda" started back in 1989, so this bike can safely be called a motorcycle with a history. Until the 1990s, the model with the nomenclature CRM250R was produced. This sample was characterized by a conventional telescopic fork and a figure of 37 horsepower.

Over the next two years, from 1191 to 1993, the Honda CRM 250 introduced a new engine management system. The programmed fuel injection system provided good fuel economy at maximum engine power. The maximum torque with a torque of 36 nM increased to 40 horsepower. The fork of the inverted type added stability models, and the shock absorber - smoothing the bumps of the road.

From 1994 to 1996, the advanced enduro model was on sale, which could boast of a new improved engine. He was more sensitive to control and better pulled on the bottoms, and the torque was under 40 nM. The capacity of the fuel tank also increased.

The last series was produced in 1997-1999. The engine became two-stroke, more economical and environmentally friendly. Its emissions into the atmosphere were halved compared to previous versions. Changes also underwent the appearance: the power of the headlamp was increased, and the design was improved.

In 1999, the latest Honda 250 model was released. Despite this, the motorcycle is still insanely popular in Russia. With proper handling and timely repair, it is not inferior to modern models in technical and external characteristics.

Honda CRM 250: specifications

"Honda 250" is classed as an enduro. Motorcycles that are part of this concept, conduct their pedigree from sports bikes , which once took part in the so-called "six-days". These competitions were a real challenge for the participants. Enduro is not advised to buy novice motorcyclists. Management of them is quite difficult, and the risk increases several times.

The characteristics of the Honda CRM 250 are among the best in its class. The engine, though consists of one cylinder, but two-stroke. Liquid cooling provides long trips without overheating the motor. The speed that enduro can develop reaches 150 km / h. Of course, keeping her on the track is always quite difficult. But with sharp starts and braking Honda CRM 250 R shows itself from the best side. Disc brakes with 1 and 2-disc calipers allow you to brake in no time. Suspension and undercarriage is stiff, so the motorcycle retains its properties even after many hours of shaking in rough terrain.

Increased since 1994, the volume of the gas tank is 11 liters. The motorcycle can be called very light: its weight without cargo and passengers is 125 kg. The 5-speed transmission facilitates the control, and the engine's 249 cubic centimeters and torque up to 40 nM allows to compete with more serious "two-wheeled horses".

The advantages of a motorcycle

Despite the wide popularity, in addition to the undoubted advantages, the Honda has a number of shortcomings. Before buying it is better to study them thoroughly, having weighed all the pros and cons. The advantages of enduro include:

• Low weight;
• Excellent traction at the bottom;
• Rigid suspension;
• A design that is easy to repair.

Minuses

But the disadvantages of the bike traditionally include the following indicators:

• The two-stroke engine has a small resource;
• The motor overheats when driving long;
• Rare details;
• Small fuel tank.

Of course, everyone decides for himself whether such shortcomings are comparable with the merits or not.

Honda CRM 250 parts

Before buying a used motorcycle you need to know how much the spare parts are on it and whether it is so easy to find. Despite the prevalence of the Honda brand, it's far from certain that the replacement elements will be easy to find. The fact is that motorcycles from the last century are encountered on the roads less and less often, which means that the search for necessary details is hampered. How is it with the Honda CRM 250 AR? Spare parts for this bike is not so easy to find.

The problem is that this motorcycle was focused mainly on the domestic market of Japan and was not intended for export. Accordingly, not many copies of the legendary "Honda" are traveling along the roads of Russia. But this problem can be solved by ordering spare parts on foreign websites. There they are sold in a large number and varied condition, you only need to stock up time and patience and choose a trusted seller. More often replacements at Honda 250 require consumables: spark plugs, bearings, oils. Slightly less often the ignition key and carburetor fail. Honda CRM 250 has a resilient plastic and parts that do not often need to be replaced.

Price range

At a price with Honda CRM few can compare. Its cost in Russia starts from 30,000 rubles. The upper bar fluctuates around two hundred thousand. What is discussed such a big difference between the numbers? First of all, of course, from the state of bikes. If you bought yourself an enduro for 50 thousand rubles, be prepared for the fact that you will have to invest twice as much in it. Motorcycles are often sold for a penny to those who are tired of messing with them. Old vehicles sometimes turn into a real "black hole" for money and require more and more new investments.

In order not to get into trouble and not to lower all funds for repairs, be careful when buying. It will be best if you have the opportunity to inspect and test the motorcycle. If in your city they are not on sale, buy only from trusted people, and pre-ask them to write down and send you a video with an inspection of the bike "live". No sane person will sell a good bike for a song. Here, everyone needs to decide what is more to their liking: invest their money and time in the "killed" sample or buy a motorcycle ready for long-distance trips. Whatever it was, the Honda CRM 250R remains one of the most budgetary vehicles on two wheels.

Main competitors

The main rivals of Honda are traditionally considered to be "fellow countrymen" made in Japan:

• Kawasaki KDX 250;
• Suzuki RMX 250.

Although all Japanese motorcycles are real high-end bikes that are reliable and durable, Kawasaki is slightly inferior to Honda. The fact is that the main advantage of "Honda" is precisely in good traction at the bottom. "Kawasaki" is deprived of this feature, because of which the motorcycle at a speed of less than 90 km / h is going badly and sluggishly. In addition, the number of horsepower is less - only 30. Otherwise, the enduro from Japan is similar in many respects: both love the crossed terrain, are simple in repair and reliable.

As for the Suzuki brand, here it goes ahead in a competitive race. The amount of horsepower (51 hp) and lighter weight (105 kg) makes this bike quick, easy to drive and more resource-efficient than Honda's. But the cost of such an enduro of a well-known firm will be much more expensive.

Customer Reviews

While reading reviews on the Honda CRM 250 on the Internet, basically you come across a positive experience. Many people speak warmly of the first two-wheeled transport and remember it with anguish, even switching to bigger cubages. Most praise the easy kick kick starter. Although this bike is not intended for cross-country races, nevertheless, it overcomes light obstacles in the form of logs or swamps at a time.

Cheerful "Honda" on the impression of those who were lucky enough to ride it, absolutely not designed for a long quiet ride on the highway. Her style is a fast, dynamic ride with a sharp start and slowdown. In such conditions, a powerful two-stroke engine Honda reveals itself to 100%. Separately, motorcyclists note easy access to the spark plugs. To replace them, you do not need to remove the tank and seat. Behind this lies another great advantage of the Japanese bike: it is easy to repair. Everyone who has a remote understanding of the structure of a motorcycle will easily find all the details and joints. Therefore, repairing the Honda CRM 250 is a pleasure.

Those who bought the "two-wheeled horse" are praised and the rigid chassis that perfectly tolerates the hardships of the road, both along a smooth road and cross-country. While most other motorcycles in the frost are dying or not starting, Honda starts the engine with a half-turn of the ignition key. The secret lies in the name of the model: the designation AR is translated as "free radicals".

Perhaps the only drawback of this model, according to motorists, is the engine overheating. When working at high speeds in mud or at high speed, the motor of a motorcycle often overheats. To eliminate this problem, experienced drivers recommend installing an electric fan behind the left enduro radiator.

Results

Motorcycles of "Honda" brand are reliable companions on roads and highways. How do you determine which brand of 250-cc engines to choose? If you are a lover of a quiet ride and with disapproval look at motorcyclists darting along the road back and forth, you better postpone the purchase of the Honda CRM 250. For an inexperienced beginner, this enduro also does not fit as the first vehicle. But if you like drive, adventure, obedient and powerful mototechnics, then Honda CRM is exactly what you need!