Motorcycle specifications HondaCRF 250 R 2019 At the cutting edge of MX

In 2018, the CRF 250 R had taken a major step forward by inheriting the "Absolute Holeshot" philosophy of the 2017 CRF 450 R. Thanks to a 7egeneration frame, revised geometry and suspension, but also an all-new dual ACT engine, the CRF250R did more than demonstrate its potential in the hands of official Honda riders.

in MX2, resting on your laurels isn't an option, and staying on top is harder every year. That's why for 2019, barely a year after a complete redesign, the CRF 250 R is already receiving several upgrades to both engine and chassis, further improving its efficiency, rider comfort and braking qualities.

the CRF 250 R's torque curve gets a serious boost at low revs, while the rider nowgimes, while the rider now benefits from a three-mode start assist system directly inherited from HRC. A new front brake caliper, new Renthal Fatbar adjustable handlebars and black DID rims complete the list of upgrades for 2019.

key features:

at this stage of development, the objective for the CRF 250 R was to optimize these low-end torque values so as to save time when exiting slow corners. This was achieved by reworking the intake line, from throttle body to exhaust.

reliability has been further improved, while a 3-mode Launch Control system, directly inspired by the one used by HRC, has been introduced. directly inspired by the one used by HRC, has been installed to help the rider - whether a beginner or an expert - to extract himself instantly from the starting grid.

the Showa frame and suspension remain unchanged, but a new front brake caliper enhances performance, while Renthal Fatbars handlebars are now standard equipment. The DID wheels also feature a new black finish.

in detail, the Honda CRF 250 R :

engine

the most important thing for the engine designers in charge of developing the 2019 CRF 250 R was to maintain its impressive power output.was to maintain the engine's impressive power output at high revs, while at the same time optimizing torque at low revs, so that the bike emerges even better from tight corners.

this objective was achieved at the cost of a number of evolutions, starting with a slightlydiameter (-2 mm to 44 mm) to accelerate the gas flow at low revs. The intake and exhaust ducts have been redesigned, while the closing profile of the exhaust cam has been reduced by 2° to improve torque. The right-side exhaust silencer is also 50 mm shorter, ensuring that power is maintained at high revs. Finally, a slight reduction in alternator power further reduces engine inertia.

the fundamental bore and stroke dimensions remain fixed at 79 x 50.9 mm, with a cylinder offset of 4.5 mm to reduce friction. The volumetric ratio is also unchanged at 13.9 to 1. The valves, whose springs have an oval cross-section, are made of titanium, ø 33 mm on the intake and ø 26 mm on the exhaust, with lifts of 10.5 mm on the intake and 9.5 mm on the exhaust. The angle between the valves remains fixed at 20.5°.

in terms of power delivery, the intake valves benefit from 2 vertical symmetrical ducts which are now shorter to improve responsiveness at high revs.

the piston, which receives reinforcement in the form of a partition, converts the pressure resulting from combustion of the mixture into pure power even more efficiently. On this 2019 model, a five-nozzle oil nozzle replaces the previous 4-nozzle model to optimize piston cooling. Ignition maps have also been reworked.

the oil pump reduces friction and pumping losses at high engine speeds by evacuating air and oil from the crankcase and maintaining negative pressure. The engine oil, with a total volume of 1300 cm3, also lubricates the clutch and gearbox.

the primary pinion (which drives the oil pump), filter and oil lines are located on the right-hand side of the engine, making the lubrication circuit shorter and more direct. Distribution lubrication now passes through the cylinder head to the inside of the intake and exhaust camshafts, directly lubricating the contact surface between the rocker arm and the valve stem.

as for the transmission, the 5-speed gearbox produces a final drive ratio of 13 x 48.

the contact-breaker and EMSB (Engine Mode Select Button) map selector are integrated into a small comodo on the left of the handlebars.

new for 2019, the HRC-developed "Launch Control" start-assist system allows riders to choose from three start modes.
- Mode 3 / 8,250 rpm, particularly suitable for beginners and/or muddy conditions
- Mode 2 / 8,500 rpm, for advanced riders and dry conditions
- Mode 1 / 9,500 rpm, for expert riders and dry terrain

activating the Launch Control system is simple: just activate the clutch and press the starter button. An LED will flash once to indicate that mode 1 is active. If the starter button is pressed a second time for 0.5 seconds or more, the LED will flash twice to indicate that mode 2 is engaged. Press again and the LED will indicate that mode 3 has been selected.

at the same time, the EMSB (Engine Mode Select Button) map selector lets you adjust engine characteristics. 3 mappings are available to suit rider preferences and riding conditions: Mode 1 (Standard), Mode 2 (Gentle) and Mode 3 (Aggressive). The same LED also informs the rider of the selected mode. Modes 2 and 3 can be set using the HRC program and tool available in the Honda network.

cycle part

like the engine, the chassis of the 2019 CRF250R has also been improved, particularly in terms of braking system performance.as on the 2019 CRF 450 R, the caliper is of a new, lighter type, with ø 27 and 30 mm pistons compared with 2 x 27 mm in the past. This evolution, combined with the adoption of a new low-expansion hose, improves braking feel and maintains power at a constant level.
The new caliper acts on a ø 260 mm petal disc, complemented at the rear by a ø 240 mm disc with single-piston caliper.

renthal Fatbar handlebars help reduce steering weight, while increasing rider comfort thanks to their flexibility. The fork crown is designed so that the handlebar mounts can be moved 26 mm forwards or backwards. When the mounts are rotated 180°, the handlebars have an additional 10 mm of latitude, bringing to 4 the number of positions available to the rider.

caster angle and drag are set at 27.5°/116 mm, while the wheelbase is 1,486 mm. Kerb weight is 107.8 kg.

the Showa inverted fork ø 49 mm with springs is simply a version of the Showa factory kit supplied to official Japanese MX Championship teams. The main rebound cartridge is 25 mm in diameter, the stem ø 14 mm, while the secondary cartridge for managing compression is a 39 mm model. The Showa rear shock absorber is fully adjustable.

the DID aluminum rims (21 x 1.6 at the front and 19 x 1.85 at the rear) are now black anodized. Both are fitted with Dunlop GEOMAX MX3S80/100-21 and 100/90-19 tires.

the new CRF 250R is fitted with a 6.3-liter titanium fuel tank whose shape, together with that of the trim elements, allows thethe narrowness of the front end and the shape of the front fender direct air more efficiently to the radiator.

the trim is integrated directly into the plastic components, ensuring high resistance to friction.

finally, the engine cowling and fork protectors have been redesigned, the former to facilitate engine cooling, the latter to reduce potential damage in the event of impact.

News and media credits: Honda