View source for Honda CBR250


{{Infobox Motorcycle
|name             = CBR250
|image            = [[Image:JoshHarrisCBR2.jpg|250px|CBR250RR MC22]]<br> CBR250RR with aftermarket paint job shown above
|aka              = 
|manufacturer     = [[Honda]]
|parent_company   = 
|production       = 1986-1996
|predecessor      = 
|successor        = 
|class            = 
|engine           = 250&nbsp;cc 4-stroke [[inline 4]]
|top_speed        = 180 - {{auto kmh|200}}
|power            = 30-34 kW
|torque           = 
|transmission     = 6-speed
|suspension       = 
|brakes           = 
|tires            = 
|rake_trail       = 
|wheelbase        = 
|length           = 
|width            = 
|height           = 
|seat_height      = 
|dry_weight       = {{auto kg|142}}
|wet_weight       = <br>{{auto kg|157}}
|fuel_capacity    = 
|oil_capacity     = 
|fuel_consumption = 
|turning_radius   = 
|climbing_ability = 
|related          = 
|similar          = [[Kawasaki Ninja ZX-2R / ZXR250|Kawasaki Ninja ZXR250]], [[Suzuki GSX-R250]], [[Yamaha Motor Company Ltd.|Yamaha FZR250]], [[Hyosung GT250]]
}}
The '''Honda CBR250''' series of bikes was produced between [[1986]] and [[1996]]. It was a lightweight 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, and 6-gear sportbike capable of revving up to 19,000 [[Revolutions per minute|rpm]]. The earlier models (1986-1993) produced 45 ps (34 kW), from then on, the power output was reduced to 40 ps (30 kW) in 1994 after a change in [[Japanese law]].

==Model history==
The chronology of the models is as follows:
{|class="wikitable"
!Years!! Model !! Description
|-
|1986 || CBR250FG and CBR250FG-YA (MC14). || Twin front disks, single front [[headlight]], bikini fairings.
|-
|[[1987]] || CBR250R(H) (MC17). || Twin disks, still single head light, full fairings.
|-
|[[1988]] || CBR250R(J) (MC19). || Single larger front disk, smaller chain, twin head lights, [[fuel pump]].
|-
|[[1989]] || CBR250R(K) (MC19). || Essentially identical to the R(J), except now had a speed limiter which was set at 185 km/h.
|-
|[[1990]]-[[1991]] || CBR250RR(L) (MC22). || A completely new redesigned bike that features a new cast/pressed aluminium frame that gives a more aggressive riding position, gull shaped swing arm that was adopted from the [[NSR250]], higher rising tail, six spoke cast aluminium wheels and dual front Ø276 mm floating disk brakes. These changes resulted in a dry weight of 142 kg.
The only feature that was adopted from the previous model CBR250s was the original MC14E engine. This too was slightly modified with a crankshaft that featured Ø27.5 mm small-end journals, up Ø0.5 mm from the previous Ø27 mm journals. The engine also uses a completely new set of VP carburetors that feature smaller throats reduced from Ø32 mm to Ø30.5 mm. These carburetors are now fed by a vacuum operated pump for fuel delivery.

|-
|[[1992]]-[[1993]] || CBR250RR(N) (MC22). || Essentially the same as the RR(L) except for new paint jobs.
|-
|[[1994]]-1996 || CBR250RR(R) (MC22). || Still very similar to the RR(L/N) but now restricted to producing 40 ps (30 kW) due to changes in Japanese law. The restrictions are in the cylinder head, head gasket and ignition unit, and all need to be replaced if 45 ps (34 kW) is desired.
|-
|[[1997]]-[[1999]] || CBR250RR(RII) (MC22). || These are identical to the RR(R), and are leftover bikes that were built in the 1994 to 1996 era, but sold in 1997 and 1998.
|}

Despite Honda claims of the MC19 engine revving to 18,500 in the users manual, the reality is that the ignition cuts out at around 17,230 rpm, and the ignition map is retarded around the powerful revs (14,000 to 16,000 rpm) to limit the [[horsepower]] to Japanese law. These bikes were only ever sold new in [[Japan]], and later the CBR250RR was sold new in [[Australia]]. They however can be found in almost any country of the world, and in a number is the most powerful [[Four-stroke cycle|4-stroke]] bike a learner is allowed to ride, and hence their popularity. The CBR250RR has six gears, and revs just under 9,000 rpm at 100km/h. Despite the high revs, the bike requires little maintenance, and should easily last 100,000 km with regular oil changes (over 1/2 a billion revolutions). The engine is somewhat unusual in that it uses gear driven cams, further reducing maintenance requirements.

The models most commonly grey-imported into Australia were the MC22 and MC19 models. The earlier MC14 and MC17 are quite rare. During the mid 90's there was a collapse in the Japanese 250cc bike market due to a sudden change in licensing regulations allowing riders on the previous 250cc license class to ride bigger bikes. The excess new bikes (MC22 CBR250RR (R) and (R-II) models) were shipped to Australia by Honda MPE where they were sold as part of the company's official lineup. <ref>[http://www.overclockers.com.au/mc/forums/showthread.php?t=10245] Requires forum registration</ref> This has proven quite useful to owners of grey-market imported CBR250RR's seeking spare parts.

==Specifications==

All specifications are manufacturer claimed except as stated.
<div align="center">
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size: 90%;"
|-
! Model
! MC14
! MC17
! MC19
! colspan="2" | MC22
|-
! Year
| width="150" | 1986<br>CBR250FG and FG-YA
| width="150" | 1987<br>CBR250R (H)
| width="150" | 1988-1989<br>CBR250R (J) and (K)
| width="150" | 1990-1993<br>CBR250RR (N) and (L)
| width="150" | 1994-1999<br>CBR250RR (R) and (R-II)
|-
! Engine type
| colspan="5" | MC14e - 4 Stroke - 16 valve - Liquid Cooled - Inline Four 
|-
! Displacement

| colspan="5" | {{convert|249|cc|cuin|abbr=on}}

|-
! Bore/stroke
| colspan="5" | 48.5 mm x 33.8 mm 
|-
! Power
| {{convert|45|hp|kW|abbr=on}} @ 14,500&nbsp;rpm
| colspan="3" | {{convert|45|hp|kW|abbr=on}} @ 15,000&nbsp;rpm
| {{convert|40|hp|kW|abbr=on}} @ 14,500&nbsp;rpm
|-
! Maximum torque
|
|
| 2.6kg-m @ 10,500 rpm
| 21.5 Nm @ 12,000&nbsp;rpm
| 23.5 Nm @ 11,500&nbsp;rpm

|-
! Compression ratio
|
|
| 11.0:1
| colspan="2" | 11.5:1
|-
! Carburetion
|
|
| VG05
| colspan="2" | VP 20
|-
! Transmission
|
|
| colspan="3" | 6-speed
|-
! Final drive
|
|
| colspan="3" | 0-ring Chain
|-
! Rake/trail
|
|
|
| colspan="2" | Rake & Trail Angles: 24 / 89 mm
|-
! Front Tire Size
|
|
| 100/80-17
| colspan="2" | 110/70-17
|-
! Rear Tire Size
|
|
| 140/70-17
| colspan="2" | 140/60-17
|-
! Wheelbase
|
|
| 1365 mm
| colspan="2" | 1345 mm
|-
! Front Brake Type
| colspan="2" | Dual disc 2-piston calipers
| Single disc
| colspan="2" | Dual 275 mm discs with 2-piston calipers
|-
! Rear Brake Type
| colspan="3" | Single disc 1-piston caliper
| colspan="2" | 220 mm disc with 1-piston caliper
|-
! Fuel Tank Capacity
| colspan="2" | 14L
| colspan="3" | 13L
|-
! Seat Height
| 
|
|
| 725mm
| 735mm
|-
! Dry Weight
|
|
|
| {{auto kg|142}} <ref>[http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/motor/CBR250RR/19900300/index.html] Honda Japan's official CBR250RR Fact book in Japanese </ref>
| {{auto kg|143}}
|-
! Wet Weight
|
|
|
| {{auto kg|157}}
| {{auto kg|158}}
|-
! Fuel Economy
| 16-20km/L*
|
|
| 2.5L/100km [http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/motor/CBR250RR/19900300/index.html Honda Figure] 3.9-5.0 L/100km*
|
|-
! Top speed
| 175kmh flat 190kmh downhill*
|
| colspan="2"| 190-200kmh
| 165kmh<ref>http://www.dropbears.com/m/models/roadtests/cbr250rr.htm</ref>
|-
! Headlights
| colspan="2" | Single front Headlight
| colspan="3" | Dual front Headlights
|-
! Market Availability
| colspan="4" | Japanese Domestic Market
| Australia 
|}*User experience
Note: Many sources incorrectly list the Dry weight of the CBR250RR as being ~157kg. This is the wet weight.  
</div>

==Sources==
*Official english Honda Service Manual for CBR250 series<BR>
*http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyclespecshandbook/honda/1991-honda-CBR250RR.htm<BR>
*http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyclespecshandbook/honda/1998-honda-CBR250RR.htm<BR>
*[http://www.cbr250.com/cbr250/tuning/Maintaince%20Guide.doc Maintenance guide by DOS-boy] contains many specifications and official photos
{{Reflist}}
{{Unicode|}}

==Similar machines==
All four of the major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers produced a high-revving, 4-cylinder, 4-stroke motorcycle capable of producing up to 45 hp (34 kW). They are the Honda CBR250, Kawasaki [[Kawasaki Ninja ZX-2R / ZXR250|ZXR250]], Suzuki [[Suzuki GSX-R250|GSX-R250]] and the [[Yamaha Motor Company Ltd.|Yamaha]] FZR250. With limited exceptions, these bikes were generally only officially available in Japan. 
However they (particularly the CBR250 and ZXR250) were available in the rest of the world as grey market imports.
[[Category:Honda motorcycles|CBR250]]