News – A CBR250R previewed in Milan! – A CBR250R previewed in Milan!

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A CBR250R previewed in Milan !

News - A CBR250R previewed in Milan! - A CBR250R previewed in Milan!

As we know, Honda has decided to strike hard at the International Motorcycle Show which kicks off next Tuesday in Milan. Even before the official raising of the curtain, the world number one unveils its first novelty for 2011: a CBR250R !

A CBR250R previewed in Milan !

The Italian exhibition EICMA (for Esposizione Internazionale del Ciclo e Motociclo e Accessori) will open its doors to professionals on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 10 a.m. sharp. Journalists – including two special envoys from Site! – participants in this press day will then rush directly to the Honda stand, to attend the official presentation of the long-awaited 2011 novelties.

Availability and price

  • During 1st quarter 2011 (February / March)

  • Less than € 4,200 (Honda France forecast)

"Long awaited" because the world number one was virtually absent from the Intermot show in Cologne: it had only presented a few new colors of models otherwise unchanged from those of 2010 (read). In Milan, however, Honda will indeed be present…

Thus, six days before the start of hostilities, the Tokyo giant drops its first bomb: a brand new CBR250R !

We remember the launch, three years ago in Paris, of a certain Ninja 250 R and the more than mixed reaction of the public … A sports car powered by a 250 cc 4-stroke twin: who the Greens were looking for he to fool? In the end, the daring bet was not won … in France at least, because in Asia, the little Kawa ‘are very successful. !

In 2011, therefore, Honda will offer a CBR with the same displacement. "This model is intended primarily for Asia indeed", says Sebastien Pernel, press manager at Honda France,"but it offers an interesting alternative in Europe: it is an affordable sports car in terms of price, maintenance, fuel consumption and insurance…"

Compete against the Ninja 250R

Although the price of this future mini-Fireblade is still unknown, its simple mechanics and its manufacture in Thailand give hope "an attractive positioning", admits – under torture – Honda staff.

On the maintenance side, it is certain that the "brand new"engine should not require special attention! Faced with Kawa and its inline twin, Honda has opted for a single cylinder, liquid cooled, PGM-FI electronic injection, 4-valve cylinder head and double overhead camshaft.

Thus, the new CBR250R will develop a little more than 25 hp (18.7 kW at 800 rpm), against 33 hp at 10,500 rpm for the Kawasaki … and 45 hp for the CBR250R from 1986 and its incredible 4-cylinder 4-stroke reserved for the Japanese market !

But "it is the torque developed from the lowest revs that defines the character of this engine", ensures the manufacturer. Thus, its 22.9 Nm of torque and its full weight limited to 162 kg – against 22 Nm and 169 kg for the Ninja – would translate, still according to the Japanese,"by quick starts and immediate resumes, synonymous with obvious pleasure when confronting traffic or going for a ride".

Gasoline consumption promises to be minimal: "3.7 l / 100km"According to the meticulous calculations of Honda engineers. This is enough to authorize, with its 13-liter tank, a range of 350 km (351.351 exactly according to our own calculations …).

As a bonus, we must admit that the face of this Honda 2011 is rather successful. Front optics and fairing in particular evoke the style of the classy VFR1200. The CBR "two-and-a-half" thus gives a certain blow of old to the 125 – of 2010 but more of 2011? – which is more inspired by the 600 !

The double-beam steel frame, the 37mm telescopic fork and the Pro-link rear suspension – with tie-rods therefore – should give the CBR perfectly acceptable handling. The tires of reasonable size (110 / 70-17 at the front and 140 / 70-17 at the rear) will help to make the whole thing very agile..

Mono of 25 hp, 22 Nm and 162 kg

Braking is entrusted at the front to a 296 mm disc (+20 compared to the 125) and its double piston caliper, and a second 220 mm disc at the rear accompanied by a single piston caliper. ABS does not seem to be planned, but knowing Honda’s affection for this system, we can easily imagine the arrival of this option in a few months….

Naturally, Honda wanted this motorcycle to be both "versatile, comfortable and easy". In addition to the featherweight, we remember that the high saddle of 784 mm should allow the vast majority of bikers – and female bikers – to put both feet on the ground.

The full fairing is supposed to reduce "considerably wind pressure"even protect the pilot from the rain – we doubt it, but we will wait for a real test to decide … On the practical side, finally, the fully digital instrumentation promises to deliver"all the information the pilot may need: speed, rpm, engine temperature, fuel level, time and mileage".

End of the day, the rear buckle would be an excellent place for the passenger thanks to its passenger handles, but also to a few things: "the storage space is capable of accommodating the driver’s manual, the tool kit in addition to a U-lock and a garment against the rain for example"… Better than a big one ?! We can’t wait to check it out. Stay tuned !

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