The 2017 Honda CBR250RR - Almost
Honda has started the pre-marketing of its forthcoming CBR250RR sportsbike with two videos that give a peek at the motorcycle and reveal the sound of its revvy parallel-twin engine. The movies also give final confirmation of the name, with a close-up of the CBR250RR badge.Initially, the new Honda CBR250RR will focus particularly on countries in Southeast Asia, where it’s also being manufactured. In those markets, 250 to 300cc sportsbikes are hot property, with the Yamaha YZF-R25, YZF-R3 and the Kawasaki Ninja 250 and Ninja 300 – which are also parallel twin motorcycles – setting the standard. In comparison, Honda’s current single-cylinder 250 and 300cc motorcycles are losing the spec-sheet battle.
The Honda CBR250RR is based on last year’s Light Weight Super Sports concept. While the Ohlins rear shock, Akrapovic end can and skimpy pedal brake discs are missing from the production CBR250RR, its overall appearance will be largely unaltered. The headlights have already been revealed in the form of a patent, showing they’re mostly hidden in dummy air intakes below eyebrow-like LED running lights.
As with the Kawasaki and Yamaha rivals, and like the existing CBR250R, the Honda CBR250RR is expected to gain capacity by the time it will be launched in Thailand. In Thailand the Kawasaki currently only sells the Ninja 300 while Yamaha only sells the 321cc YZF-R3. It’s thought Honda will try to get an edge by upping the new CBR twin’s capacity to around 350cc (the current ASEAN maximum capacity for small bikes).
While the Honda CBR250RR will be built to a cost, it is set to feature the sort of switchable riding modes that are currently found only on larger, more expensive motorcycles.Tag: Honda CBR250RR 2017 Parallel-Twin Small-Capacity-Bike Sportbike ABS ASEAN Performance
