News 28 Jul 2016

Sharp new 2017 model CBR250RR unveiled by Honda

No confirmation of a 300cc version for Australian market yet.

Source: Supplied.

Source: Supplied.

Honda has presented an all-new CBR250RR this week in Indonesia with the new machine featuring a host of differences over the model that we know as the CBR300R in Australia.

More than a styling exercise, the CBR250RR is equipped with a new generation 250cc, liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder engine that will now put it on par with the best machines in the 300 class.

The engine features the water pump in the cylinder head – like the RC213V MotoGP bike – with the narrow parallel-twin featuring a downdraft air intake with the air filter sitting above the engine.

This in turn has allowed engineers to position the fuel low to drop the centre of gravity. Fuelling is taken care of by a fly-by-wire throttle that has allowed the adoption of riding modes with both an ABS and non-ABS equipped model produced.

The frame is a steel trellis unit and the swingarm is a gravity die-cast aluminium unit. Suspension at the rear is Honda’s Pro-Link system with both ends handled by Showa components.

LED is used in all lighting systems and with a 790mm seat height and 14.5 litre fuel tank, the CBR250RR should weigh as much, if not less, than the current model.

At present, it has not been confirmed if Honda Australia will import the 250RR or a 300cc version, to replace the current CBR300.

“As we get more information on this model’s development we will certainly be looking to see if it is viable for the Australian market,” said Honda Australia’s Glyn Griffiths.

Racing-wise in Australia, Kawasaki’s Ninja 300 and the recently-released Yamaha YZF-R3 have been the favoured Production class models, with each also benefiting from their own single-make race series.

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