All Tests – Honda CBR250R Test: a real little sports car! – Between a VFR1200 and a CBR125R

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Honda CBR250R test: a real little sportswoman !

All Tests - Honda CBR250R Test: a real little sports car! - Between a VFR1200 and a CBR125R

It was a short ride in the all-new Honda CBR250R, but it allowed us to see in this mini Fireblade a real sporty potential. Fast, rigorous and stable, it will allow novices to have fun ! Contact.

Between a VFR1200 and a CBR125R

In its burgundy red color not imported in France, we would swear a VFR250, both its multi-layer fairing devoid of any screws – on its sides anyway – and its V-shaped optics recall the prestigious elements of the VFR1200 !

However, the similarity between the two models increases when riding the CBR250R: located at 780 mm in height, the saddle allows the majority of bikers to put their feet on the ground while the handlebars and the footrests induce a position of completely comfortable ride.

The instrumentation of the small CBR is also reminiscent of that of the large VFR: the large analog tachometer (to make CBR600F owners jealous, read our) occupies most of the dashboard while a digital screen – OK, there are two on the VFR – delivers all the essential information: speed, mileage trips, engine temperature, fuel level and time.

Of course, for € 3,990 including VAT, you shouldn’t expect to be offered an on-board computer indicating secondary data such as instantaneous or average consumption, distance traveled on reserve or other average speed: after all, the VFR1200 "Made in Japan" which costs almost four times as much do not provide them either !

If we willingly do without the gear indicator – yes, the VFR has it – we regret the absence of warning on the CBR250R brought to evolve in the traffic of cities and suburbs. Likewise, the lack of space under the saddle may disappoint heavy riders: like the 600F, the 250R only accommodates, alongside the tool kit and the user manual, a Honda U lock and a little rain pants.

Honda insists that the latter is indeed part of the CBR family: according to the Tokyo giant, "the CBR250R combines the virtues of a 250 cc with the qualities specific to CBRs: performance, impeccable dynamic behavior and unique ease of use"… and lack of storage !

Given the proposed price, we must admit that the quality of finish is good: certainly, we can see under the coverings clamps placed a little quickly and some imperfect welds, but overall the work of the Thais is quite satisfactory.

Also flattering, the template allows large carcasses to find their place on this bike, not so "small" after all! Only the activation of the starter and then the engine – quarter-turn with the automatic choke – breaks the atmosphere a little..

The low, short pot, similar to all those in the CBR family, and the little air box lack the intoxicating sound of big cubes. Even for a Honda, the "two-fifty" is played rather discreet and we regret the good old days of 2-stroke !

On the other hand, we appreciate the comfort of the controls, both on the feet and on the hands. Only the rear brake pedal is factory set a little high and will require a little adjustment before setting off. For the rest, it’s flawless.

From the first meters, this feeling of ease is confirmed: the first gear of the gearbox is short and the engine relatively flexible since it accepts towing from 2000 rpm: no need to make the clutch slip when start !

At the same time, we note a slight inertia in the steering: beware, the CBR250R is not a Golding, far from it, but compared directly to a CBR125R, the big sister is more like an average displacement than a 125.

Logical after all, since the CBR250R weighs 161 kg all full and 165 kg in the C-ABS version that we are testing but which will not be imported into France. "For us, price positioning in this segment is very important, which is why we are limiting ourselves to the standard version, for the moment in any case.", explains Sebastien Pernel, press manager at Honda Moto France..

Well balanced on its two 17-inch wheels, strong also of its 25 ° of caster angle and 1369 mm of wheelbase, the new Honda nonetheless demonstrates good agility and allows to circulate without any difficulty in Andalusian traffic. which, at the stroke of 12:30, becomes seriously denser.

We quickly realize that bikers – little horse on practical aspects – will find this mount devilishly effective and pleasant to drive in the city. But on the road, what about ?

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