Honda CBR250

CBR250

CBR250RR with aftermarket paint job shown above
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1986-1996
Engine	250 cc 4-stroke inline 4
Top speed	180 - Template:Auto kmh
Power	30-34 kW
Transmission	6-speed
Weight	142 kg (313 lb) (dry), 157 kg (346 lb) (wet)

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 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:

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 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. 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.

Model	MC14	MC17	MC19	MC22
Year	1986 CBR250FG and FG-YA	1987 CBR250R (H)	1988-1989 CBR250R (J) and (K)	1990-1993 CBR250RR (N) and (L)	1994-1999 CBR250RR (R) and (R-II)
Engine type	MC14e - 4 Stroke - 16 valve - Liquid Cooled - Inline Four
Displacement	249 cc (15.2 cu in)
Bore/stroke	48.5 mm x 33.8 mm
Power	Template:Convert/hp @ 14,500 rpm	Template:Convert/hp @ 15,000 rpm			Template:Convert/hp @ 14,500 rpm
Maximum torque			2.6kg-m @ 10,500 rpm	21.5 Nm @ 12,000 rpm	23.5 Nm @ 11,500 rpm
Compression ratio			11.0:1	11.5:1
Carburetion			VG05	VP 20
Transmission			6-speed
Final drive			0-ring Chain
Rake/trail				Rake & Trail Angles: 24 / 89 mm
Front Tire Size			100/80-17	110/70-17
Rear Tire Size			140/70-17	140/60-17
Wheelbase			1365 mm	1345 mm
Front Brake Type	Dual disc 2-piston calipers		Single disc	Dual 275 mm discs with 2-piston calipers
Rear Brake Type	Single disc 1-piston caliper			220 mm disc with 1-piston caliper
Fuel Tank Capacity	14L		13L
Seat Height				725mm	735mm
Dry Weight				142 kg (313 lb)	143 kg (315 lb)
Wet Weight				157 kg (346 lb)	158 kg (348 lb)
Fuel Economy	16-20km/L*			2.5L/100km Honda Figure 3.9-5.0 L/100km*
Top speed	175kmh flat 190kmh downhill*		190-200kmh		165kmh
Headlights	Single front Headlight		Dual front Headlights
Market Availability	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.

Sources

• Official english Honda Service Manual for CBR250 series
  
• http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyclespecshandbook/honda/1991-honda-CBR250RR.htm
  
• http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyclespecshandbook/honda/1998-honda-CBR250RR.htm
  
• Maintenance guide by DOS-boy contains many specifications and official photos

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 ZXR250, Suzuki GSX-R250 and the 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.