Playing dirty: New Honda CRF250RX and CRF250R unveiled

Honda have revamped their popular mid-sized off-roaders with new frames, updated engines and overhauled suspension.

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If you’re a bit of an off-road hero then the CRF450s might be more your thing but for most of us, the smaller CRF250 models are more than enough to get our kicks. The CRF250RX can do excellent double duty as a trail bike but also an enduro competition machine.

Powering both the CRF250RX enduro bike and CRF250R motocross bike is a revised 249cc engine, which Honda say is more efficient than before. There’s a larger airbox, revised valve timings, new exhaust port, revised fuel injector angles and a lighter single-sided exhaust.

There’s also a new clutch, with a lighter feel, as well as revised gear ratios and a dedicated fuel map (which is more suited to enduro) for the RX. The result is a claimed 10% improvement in power at the top-end and 15% more torque through the midrange, although Honda don’t supply figures for either.

The engine sits inside a new frame that’s been taken from the MXGP championship-winning CRF450R, which is stiffer than the old one as well as lighter.

Overall, the bikes have dropped 3kg each, bringing weight down to just 108kg for the RX and 104kg for the R. Both have also had their Showa suspension revalved for improved cornering stability.

On top of the new frame is whole new set of plastics that’s been redesigned to ensure the maximum amount of air possible gets to the radiators. Both retain the fancy electronics including riding modes and launch control. The CRF250RX and 250R are available to order now, priced at £8319 and £7799 respectively.