Honda CRF250R 2013 — Specifications

What sets a good 250 motocross bike apart from a machine capable of turning you into a real rider? The 2013 Honda CRF250R attempts to answer that question with a recipe the Japanese manufacturer has been refining year after year. This single-cylinder 4-stroke, displacing 249 cc with a compression ratio of 13.2:1, produces 43 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 28.4 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm. Figures that put it neck and neck with the Yamaha YZ250F, its historic rival, in a segment where every tenth of a horsepower matters. Priced at 7,890 euros, it remains in line with the average market price for competition-oriented 250cc four-strokes.

For this 2013 version, Honda reworked the fuel injection maps to beef up low- and mid-range response. The system runs without a battery, a feature riders appreciate for the weight savings and mechanical simplicity. The single-cylinder, with its 76.8 mm bore and 53.8 mm stroke, inherits valve springs developed using MotoGP technology. The 5-speed gearbox had its internal geometry revised starting in 2012, with the shaft center distance increased from 51.5 to 55 mm for improved reliability. The whole package weighs in at 103 kg wet, a contained weight that contributes to the Honda CRF250R's natural agility. For those wondering whether the CRF250R is a 2-stroke, the answer is clear: it is indeed a four-stroke, and the difference with the CRF250F lies primarily in the R's purely competition-focused purpose, whereas the F targets a more versatile trail use.

The twin-spar aluminum frame, referred to as fifth generation, borrows from the CRF 450 R platform adapted to the constraints of the 250. Honda increased lateral and torsional rigidity while extending the swingarm by 29 mm. The wheelbase, stretched to 1,488 mm, promotes straight-line stability and corner-exit traction. The reduced rake angle makes the front end sharper in direction changes. On the suspension side, the 48 mm Showa inverted fork offers 16 positions of adjustment in both rebound and compression. The Pro-Link Showa rear shock separates compression damping into low-speed and high-speed settings, a refinement typically found on more expensive machines. The 323 mm ground clearance and the seat height perched at 950 mm serve as a reminder that this machine is intended for experienced riders, not beginners looking for a first bike. Braking relies on a dual disc setup at the front with two-piston calipers and a single disc at the rear.

The new silencer, larger in volume, meets noise regulations while saving 850 grams over the previous dual-exhaust system. The 5.68-liter fuel tank, downsized thanks to optimized fuel consumption, is sufficient for motocross sessions without running dry mid-scrub. A clever detail: the injection and ignition can be reprogrammed via a simple connector linked to a computer, without removing the tank. Riders looking to squeeze every gram of performance out of the Honda CRF250R 2023, 2024, or 2025 will find this philosophy of extensive customization pushed even further on the recent versions.

Against the competition, this 2013 CRF250R plays the card of technical rigor and lightness rather than brute power. In terms of top speed, 250 motocross bikes hover around 120 km/h, with the Honda CRF250R falling within that range at the same level as the Yamaha YZ250F, while a KTM 250 SX two-stroke climbs noticeably higher. Its true playground remains the technical track, where chassis finesse and engine progressiveness make the difference. A machine built for the demanding rider who prefers surgical precision over unbridled horsepower.