Motorcycle specifications HondaCRF 250 R 2022 In the cleats of Tim Gajser

at Honda, the 250 CRF is quick to evolve once the 450 has set the ball rolling. The big cross was a pleasure to ride in 2021, so now it's the turn of the 2? to get an update. While its chassis had not evolved for 2021, the 250 model year 2022 is equipped with the same platform as the CRF 450 R 2021, the same one which, after intense development by HRC, enabled Tim Gajser to win 2 consecutive MXGP World Championships.

alongside a more powerful engine, 3 kg have been saved in overall weight, geometry has been modified and suspension optimized to create a package that's even easier to ride quickly through the laps.

thanks to thinner main beams, the frame is 700 grams lighter than the previous version, while the redesigned rear loop saves a further 320 grams. Chassis dynamics are also new: while torsional rigidity has been maintained, lateral rigidity has been reduced by 20% to increase cornering speed, traction and steering precision. The aluminum swingarm's stiffness characteristics have been adapted to the frame, and the area around its axis has been optimized by the placement of the casting ribs.

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. For smoother cornering, the hydraulic control valves have been changed, the travel increased by 5 mm (to 310 mm), while the upper and lower tees feature increased flexibility, synonymous with sharper, more agile reactions in corners and over bumps.

with the same objective of liveliness and agility in corners and over bumps, the Showa rear shock benefits from enlarged valves, while its spring uses lighter steel, saving 120g. The gear ratio of the Pro-Link system is also new.

the seat is now shorter, lighter and 10 mm lower at the rear, making it easier for the rider to move around, and easier to remove. Maintenance is also easier, since the trim elements are fixed by only 4 screws on each side (instead of 6). All in all, the new CRF 250 R 2022 is 70 mm narrower (by 50 mm on the left and 20 mm on the exhaust side), the plastics thinner and the fuel tank cover removed.

caster angle and drag are tighter at 27.2° and 115 mm (vs. 27.4° and 116 mm), while the wheelbase is shorter at 1,477 mm (vs. 1,486 mm). Ground clearance has increased by 6 mm to 333 mm, the top tee is now 927 mm from the ground (+ 5.1 mm) and the dry weight is 104 kg, 3 kg lighter than the previous model.

designed using CFD (Computational Flow Dynamics) for maximum efficiency of airflow to the radiators, the scoops are now made from a single piece of plastic, as opposed to two previously, and include a lower vent. Radiator grilles are also optimized for air circulation. Finally, the titanium fuel tank, with a capacity of 6.3 litres, has been redesigned.

the Renthal Fatbar handlebar, fitted as standard, contributes to riding comfort thanks to its flexibility. The upper fork crown is designed to allow the 26 mm handlebar mounts to be moved forwards or backwards. When the mounts are rotated by 180°, the handlebar has an additional 10 mm of latitude, bringing to 4 the number of positions available to the rider.

as for braking, the front brake caliper uses two pistons, ø 27 and 30 mm, combined with a low-expansion hose to improve braking feel and maintain power at a constant level. This caliper acts on a ø 260 mm petal disc. At the rear, the ø 240 mm disc is slowed by a single-piston caliper.

the aluminum DID rims (1.60 x 21 at the front and 2.15 x 19 at the rear) are black anodized and fitted with PIRELLI MX32 MIDSOFT rubber, 80/100-21 at the front and 100/90-19 at the rear.

new 100% red graphics complete the lines of the CRF 250 R 2022.

engine

the CRF 250 R's 249.4 ^cm3 twin-shaft single-cylinder engine has always been recognized as one of the easiest to operate on the market. The 2020 version had already benefited from a major upgrade of its maximum power and mid-range torque values. For 2022, the engine designers have concentrated on optimizing power and torque from mid-range, while preserving the gains of the 2020 model.

perceptible earlier in the rev range, power is delivered smoothly and linearly, while torque starts at much lower revs. Overall, up to 10% more power and 15% more torque are available across the rev range, an undeniable advantage when jumping from one corner to the next without changing gear.

all in all, the result is a more powerful engine that offers even more efficient handling, making the most of the bike's agile qualities. It's the sum of all these advances - large and small - that have led to this performance increase.

combustion stability at low revs and the flow of gases in and out of the combustion chamber have been at the heart of engine designers' efforts. First of all, the intake ducts have been reworked and fed by an airbox whose capacity has been increased by 78% to 4.1 liters. The injector angle is now fixed at 60° (instead of 30°), while the exhaust ducts have been straightened. As a result, intake efficiency has been improved, as has airflow temperature. The air filter is also easier to access.

a host of detail improvements have also been made to the cylinder head and valve train. The intake camshaft drive pinion is now press-fitted, saving weight and improving timing precision. Intake valves use double springs (previously single) for better control at very high engine speeds. On the lubrication side, the oil circuit to the camshaft bearings and the camshaft supports have been modified to reduce friction.

timing has been optimized for greater efficiency and higher performance at high revs, thanks in particular to a realignment of the rocker pin position and a more refined design of the connecting rod and piston. 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 are titanium, ø 33 mm on the intake side and ø 26 mm on the exhaust side

the dual exhaust system has been replaced by a single manifold and silencer assembly, resulting in a weight reduction of 1.7 kg compared with the previous model. The manifold is also more direct to facilitate gas evacuation, with a design and dimensions that improve combustion stability.

in response to the temperature rise generated by this increase in performance, the radiator mounting angle and the number of beams have been adjusted accordingly using a fluid analysis method. The result is a 2% increase in heat exchange surface and a 6% rise in dissipation. The new scoop design also contributes to the +5% increase in airflow.

other improvements in the 2022 model year relate to durability. The water pump drive pinion is thicker to better withstand the stresses imposed by engine oil temperature, while oil pressure in the cylinder head has been modified. A new 5-nozzle oil nozzle helps maintain piston temperature at optimum levels, while contributing to ignition timing stability. The gearing common to the oil pump and primary drive is located on the left-hand side of the engine, while the filter and main oil inlet are on the right-hand side. This means the oil path around the engine is shorter and more direct, especially as the oil also lubricates the clutch and transmission, with a total capacity of 1.35 liters.

special attention has also been paid to the transmission. To improve endurance, gear engagement and lever feel, the clutch gains an additional disc (9 instead of 8), spreading the load applied to the friction material. Lubrication has been improved, the friction material optimized, the central part of the bell reinforced... All in all, performance is superior, with a 4% reduction in lever effort and a 21% increase in endurance.

to complete these evolutions and maximize steering efficiency at all engine speeds, the 5-speed gearbox has been strengthened, without adding extra weight. The gears themselves have been modified, with gears 1 and 3 longer, while the other gears are shorter.

the new selection uses just one fork instead of two to shift from^2ndto^3rd, with two guide grooves instead of three on the drum, which is also 17% lighter. This translates into improved feel when shifting between these 2 critical gears.

finally, an engaged-gear sensor enables the use of three specific ignition maps.

electronics

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 conditions.

Activating the Launch Control system is simple: just activate the clutch and press the starter button on the right-hand side. An LED flashes 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 is used to 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.

controls and displays (ignition switch, injection warning light, EMSB map selector control and LED indicators) are all positioned on the left-hand side of the handlebars.

News and media credits: Honda