New Honda CBR250R: how fast?

At first glance, Honda’s new £3688 CBR250RR is a lot of bike for its price. Which might sound a little odd from the standpoint of being ‘just’ a single-cylinder bike with power output capped to just 26bhp.

But a comparison with the competition speaks volumes: Kawasaki’s Ninja 250R costs £861 more at £4549, and Hyosung’s capable GT250R is £3799. And Yamaha’s big-selling YZF125R is now an eye-watering £4249. From that perspective, the CBR250R is definitely on the money.

In next week’s MCN, chief road tester Trevor Franklin test rides the new 250 and, in the short distance available, discovers the 250 manages an indicated 150kph, or 93.2mph in old money.

This wasn’t flat out, though. Flapping waterproof jacket, headwind and slight uphill gradient killed any hope of broaching the ton.

And the reluctance of Franklin’s ample stomach to mould to the shape of the tank meant getting fully prone wasn’t possible.

Read the full test and Franklin’s verdict on the new CBR in next week’s MCN, out Wednesday, March 23.

SPECIFICATIONS
Honda CBR250R
Price: £3688
Claimed power 26bhp
Kerb weight: 161kg
ENGINE: Liquid-cooled 4v Dohc 4-stroke single-cylinder. 249.6cc (76 x 55mm). Fuel injection. Six-speed gearbox. Chain final drive.
CHASSIS: Steel dual beam frame, steel swingarm. Suspension: 37mm non-adjustable telescopic forks. Single rear shock, adjustable for preload only.