Contents:
1 Introduction
2 Model overview
3 Key features
4 Technical specifications
1. Introduction
The essence of what makes a true dual-purpose motorcycle has long been in Honda’s DNA. In the late 1970s the XL250S was launched, a bike providing genuine on-road usability with excellent off-road performance. The entire XL range that followed became legendary, and proved that bolting an economical and easy-to-use single-cylinder four-stroke engine into a competent chassis, created a bike that was useful, versatile and, as riders the world over found, fun.
Exhaustive discussions within Honda R&D took place about the creation of a brand new dual-purpose machine. The company’s long history – in off-road competition and dual-purpose machinery – was a useful touchstone when development of the bike first began, and inspired the team that worked on it from the outset.
Looking to the needs of customers came first. While some riders insist upon competition-level off-road performance, many others value ease of use, practicality and convenience. For weekday, urban use they wanted a tough, practical bike with cutting-edge off-road style. But, come the weekend, it needed to provide a ticket to ride, wherever they wanted to go, on or off-road.
Honda’s new dual-purpose platform was always viewed by its development engineers with global perspective, as a bike for the whole world. It not only needed a powerful and frugal engine, its chassis also had to have a broad and capable range. The bike was to be affordable, offering high quality and outstanding value for money, with low overall running costs a priority.
Perhaps most important, and a driving force for the engineers working exhaustively to deliver such a multi-faceted motorcycle, was to produce something that could connect many people to Honda, and help them realise their dreams in a way that only a motorcycle can.
The CRF250L is that motorcycle.
2. Model Overview
The CRF250L is a dual-purpose motorcycle. Its dimensions, ergonomics, low weight, long-travel 43mm Showa USD forks and Pro-link rear suspension make it equally at home on city streets or country trails. The single-cylinder engine provides useful power and torque across a wide rev range, with excellent fuel economy. The crisp styling takes cues from the legendary CRF competition range, and, as expected from Honda,both build quality and engineering standard is high.
The key phrase used throughout CRF250L development was: “…to make ‘On’ (daily life) more convenient and ‘Off’ (weekends) more enjoyable!”
3. Key Features
3.1 Engine
The CRF250L’s lightweight and compact liquid-cooled single-cylinder 249cc DOHC engine produces smooth and consistent torque at low rpm, aiding rear wheel traction and rider feel. Equally, the short stroke (76x55mm) engine’s high rpm performance is excellent; throughout its rev range and provides well-balanced and very usable power delivery.
To create a tractable engine across such a broad rev range, much research and development effort went into the intake and exhaust system. The ideal internal dimensions were found for the throttle body and exhaust pipe, both in terms of diameter and length. A new design of viscous air filter and large 5.7L air box has been employed to maximize airflow.
The CRF250L engine team came up with a new and extremely compact roller/rocker arm design for the low-friction valve train. This in turn allowed the use of a smaller cylinder head. An iridium spark plug, along with precise metering of fuel from the PGM-FI injection system, further enhances combustion efficiency and improves environmental credentials.
Reducing internal frictional losses, the CRF250L engine uses an offset cylinderwhile the piston itself incorporates a special surface material, plus a molybdenum coating. The oil pump features an internal relief structure that prevents aeration of relieved oil.
A first for Honda in a single-cylinder off-road engine is the crank journal. It employs a half-split, press-fit metal bearing while the crank bearing uses a cast-iron bush. The net result of this new design reduces weight and makes for a smoother engine; it strengthens the rigidity of the case housing and minimizes the internal diameter change due to thermal expansion. A primary balance shaft further reduces vibration. The new six-speed gearbox and clutch were designed in conjunction and strengthened to cope with the extra stress riding off-road can produce.
The cooling system uses a 10.7 kW heat-release radiator, sited on the left of the bike, protected with a polypropylene grill baffled to improve airflow. A thin guide-ring cooling fan is used to maintain even temperatures at low speeds, either in congested traffic or tricky off-road situations.
To deal with Euro III emissions regulations an O2 Lambda sensor works in conjunction with a secondary air injection system. The catalyzer is sited inside the tapered exhaust muffler.
3.2 Chassis
With the versatility demanded of the CRF250L from the outset, a brand new frame evolved to house the new engine. Constructed from steel, the twin oval-section main spars and semi-double cradle provide the strength needed for off-road riding. The slim, round-section steel bolt-on sub-frame supports two adults plus a 5kg load. Guards are situated above the rider’s foot pegs to protect the frame from boot scuffs.
A wheelbase of 1,445mm is matched to a 27.6°’ rake with 113mm trail, giving excellent stability and agility.
The 43mm Showa inverted fork is incredibly rigid, with performance perfectly honed throughout its 250mm stroke for use over a wide range of terrain and speeds. Pro-Link rear suspension features a 240mm axle stroke; the Showa shock absorber is a single tube design with 40mm diameter cylinder. The tapered aluminium swingarm incorporates a monoblock casting; a method that allows for production of intricate shapes. It provides the correct rigidity balance while ensuring strength, and reducing un-sprung mass. Extruded aluminium is used for the chain adjustment collar.
The front brake uses a single 256mm disc gripped by a two-piston caliper, the rear, a 220mm disc with single-piston caliper. Braking has been tuned to offer excellent feel with a high level of controllability. The lightweight discs feature a wave design – taken directly from the CRF250R/CRF450R – with exceptional self-cleaning abilities in adverse conditions.
Lightweight aluminium rims further reduce un-sprung mass. The directly attached spoke pattern layout is taken from the CRF250R/CRF450R and benefits from extreme rigidity. Block pattern enduro-style tyres (front: 3.00-21 51P, rear: 120/80-18 62P) provide traction in a wide range of riding situations. The 21 inch front wheel and 18 inch rear increase stability on rough terrain and allow the fitment of more off-road specific tyres if required.
3.3 Equipment/Styling
The CRF250L’s digital instrument cluster contains a fuel meter, with built-in clock and twin trip functions. The headlight visor provides visual CRF-inspired styling, protects the instruments and houses an H4 60W/55 bulb.
Overall styling of the CRF250L owes much to the elements of the competition CRF-R range, incorporating principles of mass centralization and triangular proportion. Ergonomic considerations were also a key factor, as the bike is required to perform, handle well, and be comfortable in a wide variety of conditions. The braced handlebar provides an upright and relaxed riding position, with plenty of leverage for bike control, and a 45° turning angle either side give a tight turning circle which is useful for dealing with urban traffic or tight trails.
The slim fuel tank holds 7.7L, and combined with the comfortable, flat seat offers maximum control and choice of riding position. A compact, lockable toolbox is sited at the base of the rear fender.
4. Technical Specifications
CRF250L - Specification |
|
Engine |
|
Engine Type |
liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC single cylinder |
Engine Displacement |
250cc |
Compression Ratio |
10.7 |
Max. Power Output |
17.0/8500 kW/rpm (95/1/EC) |
Max. Torque |
22.0/7000 Nm/min (95/1/EC) |
Fuel consumption |
32.1km/L (90.4mpg)* (WMTC mode、Class3-1) Honda in-house measurement |
Oil capacity |
1.8L |
Ignition |
Full-transistor battery ignition |
Ignition timing |
10° (idling) |
Rev limit |
10500 (rpm) |
Starter |
Self-starter |
Carburation |
Programmed fuel injection system (PGM-FI) |
Idle speed |
1450±100 (rpm) |
Bore & Stroke |
76.0×55.0 mm |
Battery Capacity |
12V 6Ah (10HR) |
ACG Output |
0.34 kW/5,000 rpm |
Spark plug type |
SIMR8A9 (NGK) |
Throttle bore |
36mm |
|
|
Transmission |
|
|
|
Clutch |
Wet multiplate with coil springs |
Final Drive |
Chain |
Primary reduction |
2.807 |
Gear ratios |
2.857 |
Gearbox / transmission type |
Constant mesh 6-speed return |
|
|
Chassis |
|
|
|
Frame type |
Semi-double cradle |
Caster Angle |
27.6° |
Trail |
113mm |
Turning radius |
2.3m |
|
|
Dimensions and Weight |
|
|
|
Kerb Weight |
144kg |
Maximum allowable weight/load carrying |
159kg |
Fuel Capacity |
7.7L |
Length x Width x Height |
2.195×0.815×1.195 m |
Wheelbase |
1.445m |
Seat Height |
0.875m |
Ground Clearance |
0.255m |
Wheels, Suspension and Brakes |
|
|
|
Brakes Front |
Hydraulic disk (256-mm brake disc/2-piston caliper) |
Wheels Front |
Wire Spoke (Rim size : 21 X 1.60) |
Tyres Front |
3.00-21 51P |
Brakes Rear |
Hydraulic disk (220-mm brake disc/1-piston caliper) |
Wheels Rear |
Wire Spoke (Rim size : 18 X 2.15) |
Tyres Rear |
120/80-18 62P |
Suspension Front |
Telescopic (Inverted) 43mm diameter slide pipe |
Front wheel travel |
250mm |
Suspension Rear |
Swing arm (Pro-link suspension system) 40mm diameter cylinder |
Rear wheel travel |
240mm |
|
|
All specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice.
*Please note that the figures provided are results obtained by Honda under standardised testing conditions prescribed by WMTC. Tests are conducted on a rolling road using a standard version of the vehicle with only one rider and no additional optional equipment. Actual fuel consumption may vary depending on how you ride, how you maintain your vehicle, weather, road conditions, tyre pressure, installation of accessories, cargo, rider and passenger weight, and other factors.