Honda is introducing a Supermoto version of the CRF250L we recently tested. It is called the CRF250M, and will initially be available in Thailand. Differences from the dual sport include 17 inch wheels and revised suspension settings, as well as cosmetic differences. The frame and engine, as we understand it, are identical to the dual sport now sold in the United States.
Based on our impressions of the CRF250L, this new Supermoto should be a fun bike, and we certainly hope Honda brings it to the U.S. market next year. If it does, we would expect pricing to be in the ballpark with the dual sport version, which retails for $4,499.
BTW – the wheelie in the above pic is Photoshop. That should be all you need to know about this bike. Pass.
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Let’s see – a new 250cc Honda trail bike with low-spec components for around $5,000.00 or a gently-used KTM SMC or Husqy 610, both of which are monster Sumo’s? Not a hard choice to make.
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I like the idea, but my commute includes 26 miles of freeway each direction at 75-80mph. Would it really cost that much more to make this a 650?
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If Honda would build a 650cc version(xr650r hmmm?) of this bike with 55+ hp to haul my 6’2″ butt around I would be one of the first in line with my checkbook out.
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A look at the new models introduced by Honda since the recession points to their future strategy. All are small / middle displacement motorcycles designed for the global market. They range in price from $4K for a CBR250 to $7K for the NC700X. These are motorcycles that the average person can afford to buy. They are also motorcycles that will be produced in large numbers for the global market so the only additional cost to enter the US market is EPA certification. You can buy an Accord for the price of a Goldwing and a Civic for the price of a VFR1200. The number of people that are willing to pay as much for a motorcycle as a car are limited.
I visited my local Honda dealer last week hoping to look at a CRF250L in person. No luck, they have sold all of their initial allocation. The salesman said they expect another shipment in February but they are already sold. He was also excited about the new Honda 500’s and expect their first allocation to arrive the first week of March.
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How about 400 or 450 street legal variation to compete with the drz? Think we have enough 200cc and 600cc choices here in the states.
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Those may come as new riders progress. Let’s get them started first. Case in point, I know a fella at work, first time rider, who bought a CBR250R as his first bike. He took a rider training course and approached it very carefully. Loves his bike but at about a year now he’s starting to dream. Gosh, remember those days? He recently bought a well worn pit bike to mess around on and do a little off-roading. I of course fill him with all my old stories. He now has his eye on the upcoming CB500′s as a good next step. Didn’t most of us take steps before dropping into a full gallop? I say, let the hook get set first before throwing the whole tuna in their faces. Choices down in the lower cc bikes will only help.
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Honda got me hooked when I was 13 years old when I bought a my first bike a Honda XR75. I am 54 now and I have been buying and riding motorcycles ever since. I love that the smaller less expensive bikes are coming back. I am thinking about buying one of those new little Honda 500s. I think that they are heading in the right direction.
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re: “I am thinking about buying one of those new little Honda 500s.”
’nuff with the thinking, make with the buying.
but alas, 13 years into the 21st century and we have a ginormous, monolith of a company (plenny o’ resources then) still yet to figure the collective “foot shooting” (excuse the pun) they do to their own buzz and dealer network by delivering new models in apr/may instead of jan 1. bmw figured this though.
this is the age of microwave popcorn and fancy thinkin’ phones. NOBODY practices “delayed gratification” for ANYTHING. the definition’s unheard of. you won’t intercept sales and “muscle out” kawi 300′s and the like doing this (the natural endgame of racing to the bottom). in a market predominantly composed of abbreviated riding seasons, 3 and 4 months is a dealbreaker.
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USA is not their target market, they don’t sell much here. They might bring it here though.
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Motorcycle companies are trying to find their way into the future. The world (economy) has changed and like many other industries what they are doing is no longer working. Honda made the motorcycle industry what it is today by introducing affordable machines to entry level riders, many of whom were youth off road riders. Some remained cyclists while many have returned as mature (?! middle aged) re-entry riders. It’s not unlike most things; hook em when they are young and many will stay hooked.
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re: “hook em when they are young and many will stay hooked.”
works for dope dealers and big tobacco.
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whatever floats your boat
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It’s working far less for big tobacco because cigs cost $8/pack now. Sound familiar?
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It’s also the same drive train found in the CBR250.
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That looks like it is made in China. Could not be any uglier…
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it does…? it’s a dirt bike. not much to any ‘em really.
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I had so much fun on a bike I originally got for my wife, a Yamaha XT225, blasting around in the back roads. Ultimately though when it came to pass a car on a straight I was screwed. Now I have a ’97 Suzuki DR350 I’ve but 14k weekend fun miles on. Have owned many sport bikes and commute on a BMW 1200 GS but for fun you can’t beat a DP single. I think lots of people will love this new Honda.
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They should bring it to the states and offer it alternatively as a SM/DS package with both wheel/brake sets. That would be cool.
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62 years old and have been riding for 41, wrenching bikes for 38, and have ridden just about everything. Got an ’08 250 Ninja and have ridden 33,000 miles, mostly commuting, a few 1000 mile trips and have had a blast on that little bike. Burned up 6 rear and 3 front tires, 4 sets of front pads and front disc, 3 chains. Have checked the valves twice, never again. Fresh Spectro synthetic every 5000 mi. Up 2 teeth on the front sprocket and it will go 91 mph on the gps, 100 on the speedo. $70/yr. for insurance. Oh, and am 6’3″, 300 lbs, dressed to ride.
If you just want to have fun and are not trying to impress anyone, give a small bike a try.
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To all those who want a more specialized, larger displacement bike, recognize that if this and the other new small displacement bikes are as successful as the industry hopes they will be, they will bring in both the younger riders and revenue to justify building the next generation super bikes and whatever other premium products that the market emerges for.
These might not be for “us” (I’d love one but not for my only bike and I can only justify one) but they should be great for just about everyone else.
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That is an interesting graphic of the rider on the new 250. Maybe this is why it is being released in the Far East first. The dual sport may be a little tall for more traditionally sized Asians. The rider in the graphic must be 5 feet or under.
Just sayin
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After years of blasting around on liter bikes I recently downsized to just one bike. The bike I kept is my BMW XMoto. It is pure riding fun without the drama.
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Put the 500cc parallel twin in it.
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I don’t know about the larger size on something like this. My brother rides his CBR 125 (available everywhere EXCEPT the US) more than his Kawi 600. Says it’s a hoot. You get to ride the snot out of it, never get a ticket, and still get better mileage than the 600. Would I want to ride a 250 down to Deals Gap? No, but I bet it would go great through the twisty’s once you got there. Besides, to get new riders into the showroom, Honda is clearly winning with the 125/250/and soon to be 500′s, that look far more expensive than their price points.
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I almost bought a used Yamaha WR250X for the same price that the CRF250M will cost brand new. Perfect bike for me, just what I was waiting for. Hope it arrives in the Chicago area soon.
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Should have bought the WR. The CRF250L is about as potent as the KLX250. The WR is more money but well worth it for the components and performance you get. (aluminum frame, adjustable suspension and pulling power above 50mph)
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250 is nifty…
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in this form factor…? survey says…!!! (richard dawson voice) *DING* YES…!!!
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Great idea, wrong displacement. The CRF450 would be the perfect platform. Oh well, the 250 is already federalized…so why not take the easy route.
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and sell it for $9k?
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And you grow up you can get a KTM625SMC like mine.
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nice looking bike but,250cc is not enough for riding around on the mean streets.How about a 650 or 700 Honda?
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I couldn’t agree more. For over a decade, Honda has been poking a stick in the eye of its historically loyal customer base by virtue of the bikes it DOESN”T build. Started with the promise of a “Super Hawk” that most expected to be a more powerful version of the NT650 Hawk. Instead, we got a warmed over Ducati wannabe with junk components. Then they missed the boat again with the XR650R, which I and all my Honda friends just “knew” would be immediately followed up with a dualsport or SM version. We couldn’t wait. Eight years later, we’re still waiting. And I still can’t walk into a Honda showroom without bitching about it.
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The Superhawk is a great street bike, only a fork tune and front brake pads/lines from being excellent. I’ve had both the NT650 and the Superhawk (still have). The NT’s stock components were awful. It had a damper rod fork, weak front brake, mush for springs/damping and even worse tank range than the SH. Still fun as h-e-double-hockeysticks to ride though.
The market for the bike you’re wishing for is well served by KTM and too small for a bigger company like Honda to move on. If it were big enough, KTM dealers would be easier to find.
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I know. I’m whining, I apologize. It’s hard being a frustrated, old school, ’70′s era repli-racer who’s past his prime and painfully aware of it. I just wish a major maker would throw guys like me a crumb that we could relive our exaggerated past with. Last one to do that was Kawasaki’s ZRX12.
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I’m not sure we need something as big a 650 or 700 unless Honda can keep the weight down around that of a KTM690SMC. But I agree that a 250 with less than 20 HP is just too weak to be practical. The only thing that would get me into a dealer these days would be a fuel-injected 400-500cc supermoto with 40+HP. Suzuki is closest, I don’t know why they do not see fit to update the DRZ400SM with FI.
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believe it or not, carbs work really well
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For street use and emissions it’s all about FI.
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SXV450 60+ hp. SXV550 70+ hp.
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Those and the bike features in this article could not be more different in the category. This = fun transportation with SM styling. Those = race bikes with lights.
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Yea, even spanks the KTM690
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Honda used to push the envelope with there cr 250 elsinore, cr 250 lowboy, the goldwing, the cb 750. I am a dirt bike rider and they have nothing to offer on the cutting edge. My 2007 Aprilia rxv still has more technology than anything out there. It is sad that they can not take a chance and offer a street legal race bike instead of a slow heavy chuck of junk.
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Honda, always a day late.
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+1
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Honda is hitting a sweet spot with these models. It’s all about keeping costs low and affordable and sales are proving it. Sure, the seasoned rider may want something larger, with more power but that’s not what these bikes are aimed at.
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What a cool little bike, fun to play on and affordable..
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