2009 Honda CRF250R

Introduction

Honda’s CRF250R is further refined for 2009, with improvements coming directly from its bigger brother - the 450R. To allow its commanding presence to continue in both the Motocross and Supercross arenas, the CRF250R welcomes an even smoother power delivery from its updated and advanced 249cc Unicam engine. The whole engine itself is lighter and more compact and has a newly designed cylinder head for improved power delivery – especially in the low to mid power range.

Gearbox modifications will provide smoother changes with less clutch action needed, while suspension and steering damper settings have been altered as well. Updates to the brake disc covers and the design of the front and rear discs reduce weight further, all contributing to the ’09 model being 100g lighter than its predecessor.

The styling is edgy with more compact lines to reduce weight wherever possible along with ‘works’ style handlebars with longer grips for slip-free operation. To complement the increased performance and styling, in comes a new limited-edition black version with black seat, rims, engine cover and front mudguard. The black shroud also features a unique flame graphic.

Key Features

• Lighter and more compact engine
• New, more aggressive styling
• Weight reductions throughout
• New limited edition black colour variation includes black seat, rims, engine cover, disc cover and front fender. Black shroud features unique flame graphic
• Front wheel distance collar diameter has been changed from 25mm to 28 mm and stiffness improved
• New gear technology achieves smoother and easier gear shifts with less clutch action needed
• Shift “rocker” arm diameter has been increased from 16 to 18.5mm to facilitate smoother transmission
• Drum stop arm, drum stop arm spring and shift cam have all been revised to optimise movement of fluid inside shift drum, giving smoother acceleration
• Suspension settings have been changed to improve initial function and controllability
• Front fork inner cartridge is coated with molybdenum for a smoother surface, reducing friction of piston and inner cartridge and improving functionality
• New, steering damper settings conceived alongside suspension setting changes for optimal control and traction. Steering damper fluid is also optimised for most effective operation
• New Works-type handlebar design features longer grips and deep pre-cut wire grooves

Engine

• Powerful 249cm³ liquid-cooled 4-stroke 4-valve Unicam engine is designed to produce optimal, easy-to-control power across a wide rpm range
• Unicam valve train provides both the light weight of a compact single-cam drive and an optimum combustion chamber shape for maximum power at all engine speeds
• Unicam valve train features a single carburized camshaft directly actuating two 31mm titanium intake valves. The camshaft’s centre exhaust lobe actuates two 26mm steel exhaust valves via a low-friction forked roller rocker arm
• Lightweight and compact internal auto decompressor and handlebar-mounted hot-start system provide superb operation, hot or cold
• Lightweight titanium intake valves permit use of smaller valve springs, reducing overall engine height
• Lightweight counter-balancer shaft and drive gears
• Clutch features judder spring for smoother engagement
• ACG cover, clutch cover and cylinder-head cover made of magnesium for reduced engine weight
• Forged slipper piston and rings are lighter than conventional designs, revving quickly while maintaining excellent cylinder sealing, high 13.0:1 compression ratio and high-rpm power
• Lightweight NiCaSil cylinder lining ensures cooler and quieter operation for extended engine life
• 40mm Keihin FCR carburettor features four rollers on flat slide, resulting in very light throttle effort, smooth operation, crisp throttle response and excellent rideability
• Carburettor features a Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) that helps maintain linear throttle response throughout the rev range and smooth power response
• Twin-sump lubrication system separates oil supply to crankshaft, piston and valve train from clutch and transmission. This ensures a steady supply of cool oil to the clutch, eliminates clutch and transmission material contamination of the engine oil, and reduces the amount of circulating oil, which permits the use of a smaller oil pump
• Dual-muffler exhaust system centralises mass and reduces turning inertia to improve the CRF250R’s lightweight feel
• Dual-muffler exhaust system also increases low-rpm torque
• Exhaust system uses a lightweight stainless exhaust header and repackable aluminium silencers
• Gear-driven balancer reduces vibration while also driving the water pump
• Rugged eight-plate clutch provides ample surface area to handle the engine’s massive torque, while carefully matched clutch springs provide a light feel at the lever
• Durable five-speed close-ratio transmission

Chassis

• Fourth-generation twin-spar aluminium frame is based on Honda’s CR series of champions. Forged aluminium steering head and tapered down-tube section are designed to optimise frame rigidity. Tall swingarm pivot plates and thin frame spars create a narrow overall frame cross-section that enables superior manoeuvrability and maximises rider comfort
• Dual-axis, double-taper swingarm design integrates a large cast aluminium cross-member
• Front and rear wheels feature lightweight HRC Works type aluminium spoke nipples for reduced unsprung weight
• Rear axle diameter of 25mm and large-diameter bearings provide significant rigidity to withstand variable and punishing track conditions
• Lightweight, 47mm Showa inverted twin-chamber cartridge-type fork with new separator, Kashima-coated cartridge cylinder and new settings. Fork offers 315mm of travel and 16-step rebound and compression damping adjustability
• Large 50mm-diameter rear damper piston performs consistently under demanding riding conditions
• Link-type front brake master cylinder and lightweight brake rotor combine to provide strong braking control
• Compact dual-piston front brake calliper, anodised aluminium brake pistons and lightweight front brake rotor minimise unsprung weight for improved turning and manoeuvring
• HRC Works-type rear brake system integrates the rear master cylinder and fluid reservoir, eliminating conventional external reservoir and hose
• 240mm front and rear disc brake rotors
• Front fork triple-clamps feature 22mm offset for superb cornering

Additional Features

• Lightweight, compact Honda Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD) developed by Team Honda for improved cornering ability and reduced rider fatigue
• Excellent airflow in the mid and upper rpm ranges due to frame design
• Rider ergonomics are optimised by adapting handlebar, seat and footpeg height to place the rider’s legs at the narrowest cross-section of the frame for maximum comfort and best handling feel
• New design front disc brake cover helps protect rotor and calliper from damage
• Removable rear sub-frame allows easy maintenance
• Washable, two-stage foam air filter offers optimal engine protection and easy maintenance
• Stainless steel clutch cable for maximum durability
• Wide, cleated stainless steel footpegs are selfcleaning, corrosion-resistant, provide excellent grip and fold away for extra ground clearance

Colours

• Black
• Extreme Red (with white number plate and side covers)

Availability & Model Changes For 2009

• Availability: Now
• Changes for 2009: New colour and minor changes

Technical Specification

Engine

• Type - Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 4-valve SOHC single
• Displacement - 249.4cm3
• Bore x Stroke - 78 x 52.2mm
• Compression Ratio - 13.0 : 1
• Max. Power Output - 32kW/11,000min-1 (95/1/EC)
• Max. Torque - 29.3Nm/8,500min-1 (95/1/EC)

Fuel System

• Carburetion - 40mm Keihin FCR flat slide carburettor with throttle position sensor (TPS)
• Fuel Tank Capacity - 7.4 litres

Electrical System

• Ignition System - Computer-controlled digital capacitor discharge with electronic advance
• Starter - Primary kick

Drivetrain

• Transmission - 5-speed
• Primary Reduction - 3.166 (57/18)
• Gear Ratios - 1; 2.142 (30/14), 2; 1.750 (28/16), 3; 1.450 (29/20), 4; 1.227 (27/22), 5; 1.041 (25/24)
• Final Reduction - 3.923 (51/13)
• Final Drive - #520 roller chain

Frame

• Type - Semi-double cradle; aluminium twin-spar

Chassis

• Dimensions (LxWxH) - 2,170 x 827 x 1,277mm
• Wheelbase - 1,477mm
• Caster Angle - 27° 50'
• Trail - 125mm
• Seat Height - 965mm
• Ground Clearance - 362mm
• Kerb Weight - 101.1kg

Suspension

• Type - Front; 47mm inverted Showa leading-axle twin-chamber cartridge-type telescopic fork with 16-step adjustable compression and rebound damping; 315mm axle travel
• Rear; Pro-Link with single Showa damper, adjustable low-speed (13-step) & high-speed (3.5-turn) compression and 17-step rebound damping; 314mm axle travel

Wheels

• Type - Front; Aluminium rim/wire spoke
• Rear; Aluminium rim/wire spoke
• Rim Size - Front; 21 x 1.60
• Rear; 19 x 1.85
• Tyre Size - Front; 80/100–21 51M
• Rear; 100/90–19 57M

Brakes

• Type - Front; 240mm x 3mm hydraulic disc with dual-piston calliper and sintered metal pads
• Rear; 240mm x 4mm hydraulic disc with single-piston calliper and sintered metal pads

All specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice.