2012 Honda CRF250L: A Dual Sport CBR250R!
 

Honda is taking the liquid cooled, fuel injected engine from the new CBR250R street bike, and putting it in a dual sport motorcycle. :) Here are links to threads describing this new dual sport motorcycle.

http://blog.motorcycle.com/2012/04/1...pecs-released/
http://blog.motorcycle.com/2012/04/1...north-america/

The fuel injected, CRF250L will replace the carbureted CRF230L. This bike is a little heavy, but I love the concept of a fuel injected, water cooled, single cylinder, dual sport bike from Honda! Here comes some competition for the Yamaha WR250R. :D I hope Honda keeps the price reasonable. ;)

Spud :)

Here are some photographs of the CRF250L. :D

http://blog.motorcycle.com/wp-conten...-crf250l-1.jpg

http://blog.motorcycle.com/wp-conten...-6-500x350.jpg

http://blog.motorcycle.com/wp-conten...-crf250l-5.jpg

Spud :)

I love it!

Finally!

I found some more photographs of this new motorcycle. :)

http://blog.motorcycle.com/wp-conten...crf250l-24.jpg

http://blog.motorcycle.com/wp-conten...crf250l-10.jpg

http://blog.motorcycle.com/wp-conten...crf250l-19.jpg

Spud :)

If Honda can keep the price of this dual sport bike close to the price of the CBR250R, I think it will have a big winner! :D

Spud :)

Looks like a good competitor for my KLX but the EFI is a very nice benefit. I like it! :P

Here's a nice video showing some of the features of the new bike. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQNKbs3V9sE

Spud :)

Here's another video. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1fwAYmhYPU

Spud :)

Here's another video I enjoyed watching. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT8hNIOaAOU

This bike gets 104 mpg traveling at a steady 36 mph. :) The engine produces 23 hp, which is less than the WR250R; however, we can hope the price tag will be substantially lower. ;) Can we expect this bike will arrive in North America this year? :D

Spud :)

Hmm that may (MAY) make me buy a new bike this year if they hit the US.
I was interested in the WR250r but it is too frigging tall for commuting. if the CRF250L is a little shorter than I am in. (with my injuries I have a hard time on tall bikes anymore. Sitting in traffic forget about it. but the XL is nice in that regard.)

Stock it looks like it is about 1" shorter. then with a little messing around I could get it another 1" so may be doable. (as long as they come here.)

A little less power than the KLX, but I'm still a big believer in the advantages of fuel injection. :P

Weight seems similar. The Honda also has a higher tech chassis. In the looks department they both are great but the Honda looks a little more modern.

Both have great instrumentation which I like. Both should have coolant temp gauges though. :roll:

For me the difference would be the FI. 8)

Before buying the KLX I had considered the WR but declined because it was over $1,500 MORE money for just a bit more performance. It also has an aluminum frame but the weight was almost the same as my bike.

The Yamaha engine though outperforms my KLX. In modified form my KLX makes just about as much as a stock WR.

That looks like a terrific successor to the XL lineage.

The CRF250L has a saddle height of 34.4 inches, which I think is just about perfect! :) The bike is a little heavy with a 314-pound curb weight. However, I'm sure one could drop some weight from the bike, and gain some power from the engine with an aftermarket muffler. ;)

I believe this bike is scheduled to arrive in Canada this summer, so I suspect it will arrive in the United States at the same time. I sure hope so! :D

Spud :)

In stock form the CRF250L makes more power than the stock KLX250S. I'm sure one could increase the power of the Honda similar to the way he increases the power of the KLX250S. ;)

I don't know about your KLX250S, but the Honda has an "idiot light" for the engine temperature. Nevertheless, one can easily add a TTO Temperature Gauge to the coolant line for $35. ;)

Spud :)

It would be nice if Honda made a package deal of a CRF250L and a CBR250R. 8)

I love the entire concept of a high-tech, liquid cooled, single cylinder, fuel injected engine! I would love to have a matching pair of the CBR250R and the CRF250L! :D Since these bikes are manufactured in India and Thailand, the price of spare parts, as well as the price of the bikes, is very low. :D I certainly hope Honda prices the CRF250L around $4,000, the same as the CBR250R!

Spud :)

I would be all over the bike at $4K

Fuel injection is the bee's knees! :D No carburetor to clean or rejet with fuel injection! Don't worry about altitude changes! The bike starts easily at any temperature, and any altitude; just turn the key and ride without a warmup period. :D Engine performance and fuel economy are maximized with fuel injection. This bike gets 104 mpg when riding at a stead 36 mph! Therefore, the stock, 2-gallon fuel tank has a range over 200 miles! :D

Spud :)

Me too! I couldn't resist at that price. ;)

Spud :D

I wonder how well it would do on the street in a 'race' with a CBR250. It could be a guy wouldn't even 'need' both.

After riding Roger's FI KX450F against my 'old school' YZ400F the FI has it ALL OVER the carburetor, and my YZ has an excellent carburetor. A flat side pumper carb with cold air induction hot start and electronic control integrated with the electronic ignition.

I'd $hitcan it in a moment for FI though. :P

Of course, the CBR250R has much better wind protection. Therefore, top speed should be higher with the CBR250R, and touring would be far more comfortable. ;)

Imagine the convenience and cost effectiveness of having a sport/touring bike and a dual sport bike with the same, economical, water cooled, fuel injected, high-tech, single cylinder engine! :D

Spud :)

It sounds like a near-perfect 1/4 litre adventure bike. If I was in the market for a new bike, I'd jump on it.

The European KLX is fuel injected. Choosing between an EFI KLX vs an EFI CRF would be harder but against a carburetor its hands down, all else being equal.

I wonder how well the engines have been holding up in the CBRs... :?:

i like my cheap and efficent zong but that does sound like a good upgrade. especially with the poor quality of gas i keep seeing the fuel injection would probably earn its keep in mileage increase.

I like the EFI for it's self adjusting nature.

On a given ride out West we may change altitude by many thousands of feet, and 40+ degrees of temprature. A carb can't do a darn thing about it but EFI you'll always be right on the money.

As a bonus you can screw with the pipe and/or air filter and it adjusts itself. At the worst you reprogram it a bit with a software change and your laptop.

The engine in the new CRF250L/CBR250R is very high tech. Honda applied for 9 new patents on this engine. :D Check out the quote from the following link.

http://motorcycles.about.com/od/hond...-Tech-Dive.htm

"The CBR250R is powered by a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled 249cc engine that boasts 9 unique patents. The fuel-injected mill features a so-called "offset cylinder" whose centerline is moved 4mm towards the exhaust side of the engine. The purpose of un-aligning the cylinder from the crankshaft is to reduce the resistance between the piston and the cylinder during the power stroke. On the outside of the cylinder sleeves, a spiny texture helps dissipate heat and aid cooling, while keeping inner cylinder wall distortion to a minimum. The cylinders are centrifugally cast for thin, uniform wall thickness, and a striated piston skirt retains engine oil for better lubrication. An Idle Air Control Valve aids smooth throttle response and minimizes torque reaction.
A dual overhead cam valvetrain design was chosen for greater combustion efficiency and in order to reduce the weight of reciprocating portion of the valves. While a DOHC setup is not unusual in a motorcycle, the CBR250R features the world's first patented application of roller rocker arms used in combination with DOHC valves. The arrangement's lightweight components enable lower overall friction levels. Within the valvetrain assembly-- which is operated by a "Silent Type" cam chain-- an O2 sensor and air injector work together along with an exhaust catalyzer for reduced emissions. Charging efficiency is enhanced by the straight path from air cleaner to exhaust pipe, and valve shape is also optimized for intake and exhaust flow. Finally, a primary balancer reduces engine vibration."

Spud :)

Here are some photographs I found regarding the technology in the CRF250L/CRB250R engine. :)

http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/q...alancer_lr.jpg

http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/r...Pathway_lr.jpg

http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/u...ylinder_lr.jpg

http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/s...-Sensor_lr.jpg

http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/w...er-Head_lr.jpg

http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/v...nkshaft_lr.jpg

http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/y...-Sleeve_lr.jpg

http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/x...ht-Port_lr.jpg

http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/0...ker-arm_lr.jpg

http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/2...n-Skirt_lr.jpg

Finally some creative thinking and innovation for small displacement engines! :D

Spud :)

That offset cylinder makes such sense amazing it took 100 years to patent it. I wonder how much it helps? Seems like it would decrease friction.

And I fell in love all over again... That bike is sweet! 8)

I bet that O2 sensor isn't cheap. I wonder how long an O2 sensor lasts on a dual sport?

I'm going to ask the local Honda dealer if he knows when this bike is coming to the United States. ;)

As with all Honda dirt bikes, the frame and suspension are excellent. Here's the information I garnered from the Honda World website.

http://world.honda.com/news/2012/212...del/index.html

"The newly-designed frame makes use of a steel twin-tube design to offer a nimble ride while ensuring both agility and stability, and the oval cross-sectional shape of the main pipe helps boost rigidity while enabling a slim vehicle body. The inverted front suspension employs a Separate Function Front Fork having an inner tube diameter of 43 mm and a cushion stroke of 250 mm in a design that secures both light weight and high rigidity to deliver excellent operability and high driving stability. The aluminum monoblock cast swing arm yields high strength and proper rigidity balance and is paired with a Pro-Link rear suspension having 240 mm of axle travel providing the rider with impressive agility and high road-holding capability from urban riding to off road."

http://bikeadvice.s3.amazonaws.com/w...04/26-Copy.jpg

Spud :)

The parts for this engine are surprisingly inexpensive! Honda is aiming hard for the Third World marketplace with the CRF250L, and the CBR250R. We in North America also get to benefit from the low pricing. :D The O2 sensor, part #11 in the diagram below, sells for $62.28.

http://cdn.cheapcycleparts.com/image.../KYJ4E0200.png

http://www.cheapcycleparts.com/model...-cylinder-head

Spud :)

That's fair. Knowing Honda, I was concerned that it would eclipse $100.00.

I know what you mean! :P Check out the prices for the other parts at the website I referenced. ;) Honda manufactures the CRF250L in Thailand. This bike, and the CBR250R are aimed squarely at the Third World marketplace; that's why the MSRPs are so reasonable. The prices for parts are similarly reasonable. :D Honda is definitely taking a step in the right direction with this motorcycle. ;)

Spud :)

Just compairing the weight & seat hight with my
05 XR250 Tornado..

It has the about the same seat hight
Tornado is 880mm / 34.7" ---- CRF 34.4"
But its a bit heavyer than the Tornado..
Tornado is 234kgs / 295.4lbs ---- CRF 314lbs

May be a bike worth looking at... wonder how
highly stressed the motor is.. HP output.

PS....
Honda Brazil have played with the XR250 Tornado
and come up with the XRE300 , 6mm bigger bore &
fuel injection for another 3hp :roll: but the torgue might
be the real benifit..
And some of the shittyest styleing to plage the motorcycle world..
Open the link below... to be shocked.... It's A ugly bugger
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J9bnnRgW4f...-xre-300+1.jpg

I hope so. From the bit of reading I've done on some of the four stroke forums, the CRF230 was not taken seriously, since it isn't "Japanese". We're not so quick to discriminate in this shop, but I am curious about the quality of workmanship.

Honda is claiming 23 hp for the fuel injected, water cooled, CRF250L. That's the same hp figure quoted for your carbureted, air cooled, XR250 Tornado, Pete. :? I've got to believe one can get some more power out of the CRF250L with a free flowing exhaust, et cetera. ;)

Spud :)

I wonder if the injector would be capable of supporting an open exhaust? Doc figures that the computer would be able to compensate for changes, but perhaps the injector just won't flow that much. I know that you can tweak the pulse width, but that's only if you find software and a cable. Who knows what sort of ALDL port this bike will have.

As you said, we know better, Weld. ;) I'm confident Honda will get it right! It is well Honda has had practice manufacturing this engine for the CBR250R before it introduced the CRF250L. ;)

The Honda Pro-Link suspensions are well developed, and very good. I don't see how Honda will allow the CRF250L to get screwed up. The Chinese have really taken a large share of the Third World marketplace from the Japanese. Honda is finally getting serious about the huge world marketplace for 250cc engines. :D

Spud :)

I think there will be huge aftermarket support for this bike. ;) However, I'm content with the 23 ponies in the stock configuration. :D I even like the 2.0-gallon fuel tank if the bike will deliver 104 mpg, as promised!

Spud :D