Honda CRF250R 2015 — Specifications

What sets a good 250 motocross bike apart from a machine capable of gaining you positions in a race? Sometimes, it's the details. And on the 2015 vintage of the Honda CRF250R, those details add up to the point of transforming an already competitive bike into a noticeably sharper tool. Honda hasn't revolutionized its formula, but has refined it with watchmaker precision. The result deserves a closer look, especially when you consider the level of competition in MX2.

Under the skid plate, the 249 cc 4-stroke single-cylinder retains its Unicam four-valve architecture, a technical choice Honda has defended for years against the dual overhead cams of the Yamaha YZ250F. With 38 horsepower delivered at 8,500 rpm and 47.70 Nm of torque from just 6,500 rpm, the engine isn't chasing raw power. It banks on usability. The real novelty is the arrival of the EMSB mapping selector, accessible directly from the handlebar. Three modes: the first offers a balanced response for standard conditions, the second softens the power delivery on slippery or muddy terrain, and the third unleashes a more aggressive hit for powering out of deep sand. For those wondering what the difference is between the Honda CRF250R and CRF250F, it lies precisely here: the R is a competition machine designed for the track, not a versatile trail bike. This electronic management, adjustable while riding, eliminates pit stops to fiddle with mixture screws. A real time-saver in racing.

The aluminum twin-spar frame, inherited from the sixth generation, remains the backbone of the package. Honda hasn't touched it, and that's a deliberate choice: the frame had already proven its worth in both Supercross and motocross. It's on the suspension side that the brand focused its efforts. The 48 mm Showa inverted fork adopts a triple air chamber technology that separates compression and rebound functions between the two fork legs. In practical terms, the front end gains precision through successive whoops and stability under braking. All while shedding 1.3 kg compared to the previous model. When you know the Honda CRF250R tips the scales at 104.8 kg wet, every gram saved is felt during weight transfers. The rear Pro-Link Showa shock also benefits from a lighter spring, with separate low-speed and high-speed compression adjustments. The 312 mm of rear wheel travel absorbs the hardest landings without flinching.

The braking also steps up a level with a 260 mm front petal disc, up from 240 mm previously. Paired with a dual-piston caliper, it delivers a more immediate bite and better modulation—two qualities that matter when you need to dive inside a corner behind a tight pack. The rear retains a 240 mm disc with a single-piston caliper, sufficient for setting the bike into ruts. The 950 mm seat height and the overall bodywork ergonomics have been designed to let the rider move freely. The scoops, side panels, and seat form a smooth assembly that never hinders movement, whether in attack position or weighting the rear.

At €8,199, the 2015 Honda CRF250R sits in the upper-mid range of the segment against the YZ250F and the KTM 250 SX-F. Its main asset remains this ability to adapt to the rider rather than the other way around, thanks to the engine maps and finely adjustable suspension. Reviews of the 2015 Honda CRF250R converge on this point: it's a bike that rewards setup work. It's aimed above all at club-level riders and regular competitors who want a reliable and upgradeable platform. Beginners may find its temperament a bit demanding. But for those who know how to exploit it, this CRF 250 remains a safe bet on French tracks and international circuits alike.