News 8 Nov 2016

Bike: 2017 Honda CRF250L and CRF250 RALLY

Honda's new single-cylinder entry-level trail and adventure bikes.

Updated for the first time since 2012, Honda’s CRF250L is a 250cc dual-purpose machine that covers many bases: it slips easily through congested city streets thanks to lightweight and slim proportions matched with superb manoeuvrability, while its suspension, ground reach and seat height deliver a fun and comfortable ride on rough tarmac and bush trails.

For 2017 the CRF250L has been revised with the styling cues taken directly from Honda’s CRF250R and CRF450R MX machines. The CRF250L’s tough steel frame and long travel Showa suspension remain unchanged. A digital dash has extra readings while ABS is fitted as standard, with the option of disengaging it for the rear brake.

The new digital dash features a speedo, tacho plus fuel gauge and clock. Much more compact than the previous design, the rear light, indicators and numberplate bracket tuck neatly out of harm’s way. The 7.8L fuel tank delivers class-leading range with fuel consumption from the engine of 33.3km/L (WMTC mode) over 250km possible.

The CRF250L’s frame is constructed from steel, with twin oval-section main spars and a semi-double cradle. A wheelbase of 1445mm is matched to a 27.6° rake with 113mm trail and ground clearance of 255mm. Seat height is 875mm with wet weight of 146kg. A 43mm Showa inverted fork has 250mm of stroke: light weight and rigid, one side houses the spring while the other provides damping control.

Source: Supplied.

A 17mm front wheel spindle (2mm larger in diameter) improves rigidity and handling feel. Pro-Link rear suspension features a 240mm axle stroke and the Showa shock absorber is a single tube design with 40mm diameter cylinder. The tapered aluminium swingarm incorporates a monoblock casting that provides the correct rigidity balance and reduces un-sprung mass. Extruded aluminium is used for the chain adjustment collar.

Up front, a 256mm floating wave-style disc is worked by a two-piston caliper. Two-channel ABS is fitted as standard and gives the rider the option to switch it off for the rear caliper. Aluminium rims (21-inch front, 18-inch rear) wear block pattern tyres (front: 3.00-21 51P, rear: 120/80-18M/C 62P). A small detail – but a useful one off-road – is that the gear lever now features a folding tip.

The CRF250L’s 249cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder DOHC engine has more bottom-end torque and high rpm power, with a linear delivery. Peak power of 18.2kW is delivered @ 8500rpm with peak torque of 22.6Nm arriving @ 6750rpm. Revised PGM-FI feeds fuel/air mixture through a 38mm throttle body (up from 36mm) and draws air from the airbox via a direct connecting tube.

The muffler has a diameter of 115mm, houses the catalyser and uses two chambers: it’s 450g lighter than the previous design and a larger bore downpipe helps the engine breathe and make more power. The engine uses a compact roller/rocker arm valve train and cylinder head, with bore and stroke of 76 x 55mm. An offset cylinder reduces frictional losses while the piston itself incorporates a special surface material, plus a molybdenum coating.

The oil pump features an internal relief structure that prevents aeration of relieved oil. The crank journal employs a half-split, press-fit metal bearing while the crank bearing uses a cast-iron bush, reducing weight, smoothing the engine and strengthening the rigidity of the case housing, minimising the internal diameter change due to thermal expansion.

A primary balance shaft further reduces vibration and the six-speed gearbox and clutch are manufactured to cope with the extra stress of riding off-road. The 10.7kW heat-release radiator features a thin guide-ring cooling fan to maintain even temperatures at low speeds.

The CRF250 Rally uses the CRF250L as its base, and adds a wide range of changes with styling inspiration taken from the HRC CRF450 Rally race machine. At the front, the ‘floating’ screen, fairing and radiator shrouds provide wind protection, with the rest of the machine showing off minimal MX style. The asymmetric headlights are LED, as are the indicators.

The CRF250 Rally is designed to cover distance and its styling reflects this. Derived from the parts used by the CRF450 Rally, the ‘floating’ screen, upper/lower fairing and side shrouds effectively shield the rider to offer excellent defence against the elements. Handguards offer further protection, both for the hands and the brake and clutch levers.

From the machine’s mid-section back, the style is MX-sharp, with side panels and a seat/tank interface that help the rider move freely. A skidplate protects the machine’s underside and the gear lever features a folding tip. Seat height is 895mm, 20mm taller than the CRF250L.

The headlight is a compact, asymmetric, dual LED unit while the rear light, LED indicators and numberplate bracket tuck discreetly away. Cohesively laid-out, the digital dash features a speedo, tacho plus fuel gauge and clock. The 10.1L (including 1.6L reserve) fuel tank delivers a range of over 320km thanks to fuel consumption of 33.3km/l (WMTC mode). The flat filler cap is hinged for convenience.

Source: Supplied.

The CRF250 Rally’s frame is constructed from steel, with twin oval-section main spars and a semi-double cradle. A wheelbase of 1455mm is matched to a 28.1° rake with 114mm trail and ground clearance of 270mm (15mm more than the CRF250L). Wet weight is 157kg. A new 43mm Showa inverted fork shares the same 250mm stroke as its sibling, but with 50mm extra overall length.

Light weight and rigid, one side houses the spring while the other provides damping control. Both spring rate and damping have been optimised to suit the CRF250 Rally’s adventurous long-distance aspirations. A 17mm front wheel spindle (2mm larger in diameter) improves strength and handling feel.

Pro-Link rear suspension features a 265mm axle stroke, 25mm more than the CRF250L plus a leverage ratio revised for ride comfort. The Showa shock absorber is a single tube design with 40mm diameter cylinder. The tapered aluminium swingarm incorporates a monoblock casting that provides the correct rigidity balance and reduces un-sprung mass. Extruded aluminium is used for the chain adjustment collar.

For extra braking power a 296mm floating wave-style disc is worked by a two-piston caliper. Two-channel ABS is fitted as standard and gives the rider the option to switch it off for the rear caliper. Stylish black Alumite aluminium rims (21-inch front/18 rear) are fitted and wear block pattern enduro-style tyres (front: 3.00-21 51P, rear: 120/80-18M/C 62P).

Both the CRF250L and the CRF250 Rally will be available in Australia with or without ABS and will make for a great pair of machines for the weekend trailrider or aspiring adventure rider. For more details on these bikes head to www.hondamotorcycles.com.au.

Recent