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Constant improvement is the minimum standard in the highly competitive motocross segment. With the CRF250R due for an upgrade for 2022, Honda focused on adding power, increasing durability and making the bike lighter, all while retaining the superior handling that red riders have grown to expect from previous generations of Honda’s small-bore motocrosser.
Power is king in the 250 class, and it’s no secret that Yamaha has dominated this category since the release of its reverse cylinder engine design in 2013. Observe the holeshot at any pro national and you’re almost guaranteed to see a Star Racing Yamaha leading the field into the first turn. In an effort to keep up with bLU cRU, Honda needed to hit back.
The 249 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, double-overhead camshaft four-valve engine has seen a slew of improvements to help boost performance. Through modification to the air intake, revisions to valve timing and a straightened exhaust port, the CRF250R achieved a 20 percent increase of power at 6,500 rpm while retaining the distinctive top-end power that we have come to expect from the CRF.
Honda also realized that in conjunction with the added performance, the 250R's durability also needed attention, specifically issues with the clutch and oil system. To address this for 2022, revisions were made to the camshaft’s oil supply, increasing flow by 80 percent at higher engine speeds. The clutch assembly was also redesigned through an upgrade to nine discs instead of eight, helping to increase the amount of disc friction and lowering the load on individual discs. Additionally, Honda says the clutch basket is more rigid, an additional friction spring reduces spring load, and lubrication is optimized to reduce wear. The result of these updates has improved clutch endurance by a claimed 21 percent, Honda says.
Inside the five-speed gearbox, Honda utilized one shift fork (rather than two on the previous model), lightened the shift drum and improved rigidity in the countershaft. The outcome is a transmission that has better shift feel for the rider, according to Honda, as well as better utilization of power in the middle-to-low rpm range through changes in the gear ratios.
Over the years, Honda’s CRF has garnered the reputation of having a quick turning and nimble, yet stable chassis. Mindful of the CRF250R’s newly developed power, the intention with the 2022 model was to retain the positive characteristics that the CRF chassis is known for, unaffected by the redesigned motor. The new frame is said to be 1.5 pounds lighter with a reduction in lateral rigidity for enhanced handling feel when cornering.
The Showa 49 mm coil-spring fork is mostly unchanged, although it is now mounted to redesigned triple clamps that provide increased flex for better handling feel, traction and bump-impact performance. The Showa shock absorber is mated to Honda’s Pro-Link suspension system, featuring an updated shock spring that is claimed to be 0.24 pounds lighter than its predecessor.
Honda has a pattern of transferring the previous year's 450 design features to their 250 model and the ‘22 is no exception. The new CRF250R sees a narrower cross section, flatter seat and increased airflow to the radiators, all of which are concepts that have now trickled down from the 450R. Pricing has been set at $8,099 with one, very red, color option.
At Ironman Raceway in Indiana this past weekend, Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence on a CRF250R finished 1-1 and regained the points lead in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. The revised CRF250R, now coming to dealers across the country, should give a lot of amateur motocrossers a better chance of getting ahead of the blue-clad competition.
| 2022 Honda CRF250R | |
|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) | $8,099 |
| Engine | 249.43 cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve single |
|
Transmission, final drive |
Five-speed, chain |
| Claimed horsepower | N/A |
| Claimed torque | N/A |
| Frame | Twin-spar aluminum |
| Front suspension | Showa 49 mm inverted fork, fully adjustable; 12.2 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | Showa shock, fully adjustable; 12.3 inches of travel |
| Front brake | Single two-piston caliper, 260 mm disc |
| Rear brake | Single one-piston caliper, 240 mm disc |
| Rake, trail | 27.3 degrees, 4.5 inches |
| Wheelbase | 58.1 inches |
| Seat height | 37.8 inches |
| Fuel capacity | 1.7 gallons |
| Tires | Pirelli Scorpion MX32 80/100-21 front, 100/90-19 rear |
| Claimed weight | 229 pounds (wet) |
| Available | Now |
| More info | powersports.honda.com |
