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Driving report Honda CRF 250/450 R

The revision of the Honda four-stroke crosser

Thanks to the quiet silencers on the new Honda crossers, tables and washboards are quiet. That leaves something of the earlier four-stroke power?

W.What matters is what comes out at the back, said the weighty former Chancellor. And that’s not much with the two new Honda crossers. With huge silencers, they should meet future noise regulations. The exhaust gases whisper into the open through a finger-thick tube. In general, engines that are so damped look very clogged. Not only because the acoustic background is missing, but because the damping eats up the spontaneity, the aggressiveness.

This is not the case with the CRF 450 R. The CRF is still not particularly easy to turn and powerful at the top, but strong in the middle and, thanks to the gentle use of power, always easy to control. The minimal drag torque of the motor on the brake is also very pleasant. The chassis is well balanced with a taut tail and a rather soft fork. The CRF is neutral in handling, although not as razor-sharp as some of its competitors.

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Honda CRF 250 R (left) and Honda CRF 450 R.

The steering damper now has less of an effect on the steering behavior in the open position. But the biggest difference to the previous model remains the lawnmower-like crackling sound. With the 250cc, the quiet exhaust has a much stronger effect on the power output in the upper speed range. It’s a shame, because the CRF has never been top of the class in terms of top power. The 250, on the other hand, works quite powerfully in the lower and middle speed range. The chassis appears to be comfortably tuned, but is clearly too soft for fast drivers.

Closing the compression stage completely at the front and rear is of course at best a compromise. Otherwise, the CRF convinces with playful but not nervous handling and perfect ergonomics, apart from small things like the relatively narrow footrests.

That is new

• Larger silencers for CRF 250/450
• Steering damper with increased volume and a wider adjustment range
• Changed mapping for both models
• New throttle body for CRF 450
• New adjustment of the rear suspension with modified leverage for CRF 450

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