Motorcycle specifications HondaCRF 250 Rally 2017 City beetle

do you remember the real "old-fashioned" trail bikes... You know, those virile, rustic baroudeurs, mounted on spoked rims and long-travel suspension. They weren't afraid to take on steep trails. And how easy it was when they paraded around town on smooth asphalt. But then, these old buggers took the easy way out and became dashing, sometimes overpowered, asphalt-dedicated bourgeois. Their suspensions are still high, but all the better to look down from above and dominate the narrowed wheels, more suited to long sprints.

at the 2016 OSAKA Motor Show (Japan), the winged brand presented a prototype inspired by Dakar machines. The Honda CRF 250 Rally concept. The proto' has since crossed the ocean and been awarded a precious grey card, an indispensable title to be able to invest our markets and roads (dunes?). Powered by a 250 mill from the road range, and built on a chassis from the off-road range, we don't really know which of these genes has gained the upper hand. All the more so since its name and looks seriously cast doubt. So the question is: For which playground is this two-wheeler intended? According to Honda, it simply offers a "vast field of opportunities". Not much of a clue, is it? Mind you, there's the word "fields" in that statement, so maybe...

because that's exactly what it's designed to do, cater to your every whim. Its off-road chassis gives it real off-road capabilities. So sidewalks and urban obstacles are a breeze. Its bow is inspired by Dakar machines, made to travel far and long. So there's no need to worry about the inconvenience of air currents on country roads. After all, it's designed to protect against sandstorms. Its mechanical base is none other than that of the CRF250L, a featherweight in fact (157 kilos all up! ). As a result, it offers unrivalled agility, handy for getting through traffic jams between cars, which are nothing compared to trees and roots. What's more, it has ABS... And what about its 250 cm3 engine? On a long black ribbon, is it enough? Our roads are still limited to 90km/h, but if you run out of steam on a fast road, there's nothing to stop you from cutting across the road - you might even get there faster! In case you get lost, its 10-liter fuel tank and record range will help you find your way. With a fuel consumption of 3 liters per 100 km, your rural escapade will even be economical. In conclusion, remember that if you don't know what to do with it, it can do it all. If, however, you're convinced that your happiness lies between the dunes, opt for its big sister, the CRF450 Rally, dedicated to exercise and derived from the Dakar machines developed by HRC.

the front-end design, inherited from these sand machines, clearly has a grain. And it appears to be Germanic. It would seem that the overhanging shadow of the GS1200's European success is worrying the Japanese. Eager to bring their trails back into the light. The side covers, usually bearing the grid numbers of cross-country machines, here carry any object of your choice. In fact, under the skirt hides a small, two-compartment pocket that can hold a phone, tie, compass, water bottle and even a snack for your country rides. This confirms that its use is intended to be wise, in the absence of the whoops of the mx terrain, less conciliatory with Caesar salads (whoops are sequences of repeated bumps, very constraining for riders, and salads). the finish shines through with its plastic fittings, and dazzles with the use of LEDs for the lights.