We are a bit late bringing you our first ride report on Honda’s all-new 2004 CRF250R. For this, we apologize. We are still planning a 2004 250cc four-stroke shoot-out, however, and we should have more details on all of the bikes, and our conclusion about the best 250cc four-stroke bike on the planet in a few weeks time.
The Honda CRF250R was the last of the new four-stroke 250cc motocross machines we had a chance to ride this year, when Honda brought the bike to Lake Elsinore Motocross Park. My son Evan and I spun some laps on the bike for no more than a couple of hours. Nevertheless, we had some strong first impressions.
Honda has had one of the best handling 125cc two-stroke motocross machines for the past couple of years, based on a third generation aluminum frame. The 2004 CRF250R features a fourth generation aluminum frame from Honda, and the bike is extremely light feeling and slim. The seat height is about average for the class, and the ergonomics felt good for both Evan (only 5’4″) and myself (5’10”). Due to our brief period on the bike, we ran the same sag in the back, despite a very significant weight difference (Evan is quite lighter than I am, of course).
The CRF250R started easily enough for us during our brief ride. We had a chance to start the bike several times, both while hot and cold. It seems that Honda, like the rest of the manufacturers, has pretty much solved the starting problems experienced by four-strokes a few years ago.
Not surprisingly, the CRF250R was ergonomically comfortable for both Evan and I, and the usual Honda attention to detail was evident. Like every other bike in their motocross line-up for 2004, this bike has black anodized aluminum Renthal handlebars, stock. They are the Ricky Carmichael bend, and they are a neutral, comfortable bend.
Featuring a Unicam engine, like its big brother the CRF450R, and the same, works-style honed fork legs, the CRF250R is a very refined machine. This is clear after just a few laps on the bike.
The power is smooth off the bottom and builds into a very healthy mid-range. The bike also revs out fairly well on top. The motor feels very competitive with other 250 four-strokes we have ridden, but we did not have another bike available for a back-to-back comparison. The power band is wide, and the motor is smooth, and user-friendly.
Like its 125cc two-stroke sibling, the CRF250R really shines in the chassis department. Comfortable ergonomics, coupled with a slim, nimble chassis, make the CRF250R a bike you can go fast on almost immediately. It seems to combine good, straight-line stability with solid cornering skills (it was another dry, dusty day at Elsinore, so our cornering conclusions will have to wait for a test on different track conditions).
Evan and I both raved about the suspension. Both the forks and the shock (the fork, in particular) felt outstanding. Extremely plush. The forks on the CRF250R have a feeling that is so smooth that you have to conclude there is very little stiction, particularly, compared to the competition. Again, Evan and I rode the bike without changing suspension settings, and we both were impressed with the suspension despite our weight differences.
Neither the transmission nor the brakes presented any problems for either tester, although we really didn’t have enough time on the CRF250R to draw any conclusions here.
The 2004 CRF250R is a very solid package. This much is clear after just a couple of hours in the saddle. We will let you know how it stacks up against the competition a bit later.
In the meantime, the 2004 Honda CRF250R has become available at U.S. dealers at an MSRP of $5,799.
Visit Honda’s web site for further details and specifications.
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