1988 Honda CR250R Blood Red Rocket

[@rv6205]

Take me back to 1988,,back when everything was cool.....A cr250,...80s metal,...and your buddies riding in the woods, what more do you need !!!!!

[@BobbyBoca]

WoW that would be nice ! Miss those days ...

[@TN_HondaDad]

Seeing an 88, takes me back to 8th/9th grade watching Rick Johnson, Wardy, Lechien, Tichenor and the gang at the Pontiac Silverdome when the track went up into stands. :-} Still to this day, can hear, feel and smell the race!

[@Citadin]

I like the clean looks on those 80s CRs, minimal sticker crap and beautiful curves. Wish they could go back to that.

[@taylorjones8674]

Started watching this channel just a few days ago and I’m hooked! Love these classic bikes! Back when they were raw and nasty

[@billyblack8687]

BLOOD RED THAT ALL RED 88 IS MY FAVORITE YEAR EVER WHEN I WAS A KID I BAUGHT MY FIRST NEW DIRTBIKE 1988 CR 80 LOVE THE ALL RED ❣

[@77Vibes]

Thats how you airrate the grass folks. Much love. Many memories right there.

[@Patrick_B687-3]

Damnit Shane, I was gonna say that. 😅

[@Citadin]

@@Patrick_B687-3 I was gonna say I was gonna say that.

[@Davido50]

True!!!

[@williamfoltynewicz9780]

THE 96 WAS THE BEST OF UM ALL CIRCA STEEL FRAMES THEN CAME MY 2001, PRICELESS!

[@davidhitchcock2674]

Absolutely correct

[@markwinchester3005]

Riding a like-new '88 CR250R in 30degrees Connecticut as the snow starts to fall. One of life's brief golden memories.

[@annlefrancois5960]

Had one of these and I have had a lot of dirt bikes probably one of the best stock motors Honda ever made. Fast as hell.

[@deborahchesser7375]

Ann LeFrancois yep 88’-89’ were kick ass years for Honda

[@EarthSurferUSA]

It was a little soft on the bottom, but sure made up for it in the mid-range and up. I had this bike for 5 years, (and ported it too a bit). I have the 2019 YZ250 2-stroke now, with a similar powercurve, and I think my 88 CR was the fastest of all my 250cc MX bikes I have had too. I would also say, the suspension was probably the worst.

[@jkirk7811]

This is why I love this channel. my 1st 250 was a 88 cr250 at the age of 13. fun bike

[@davidhilton5414]

I remember here in Palmdale Ca, at LACR 1990, our hometown heros Mike Kiedrowski and Eddie Hicks would battle all the time. Mike was on the 125 and Eddie was in that 250. Some epic racing!! And those bikes are still amazing!!

[@ichabad]

my god that is a beautiful, i hope to have my 88 cr 250 back to the condition one day

[@Davido50]

Restore it ! All parts avail. Try motosport.com & rocky mountain atv cycle! Pro-X Piston kit rocks.

[@BikerBenny]

Oh MAN that was a beautiful INTRO! 😃😃

[@travismaniagigglebush247]

Was born in 88 and I now own a 250 88 so awesome

[@EarthSurferUSA]

A beautiful bike man. Thanks for keeping it in circulation.

[@andrewoof4649]

For having a 88 cr250r in my shed. I can say. For being 14 these bikes are hella quick

[@jessejarzabski5076]

absolutely stunning... im in the middle of my 89 cr250 restoring project with the signature blood red hues that honda only did for 88 and 89 but in my opinion these bikes and bold colors and styling to me are the best looking mx bikes ever conceived of in a way which makes the newest designs a lackluster proposition when it comes to cosmetic beauty.....im 34 born in 85 so i may have a subconscious bias that puts the pre modern bikes up on a my subjective pedestal.......but the more people that agree with me the more my belief is reinforced as an objective opinion rather than an ignorant infatuation.....but not to get off on a tangent ......even tony blazier who has the "motocross vault" channel concluded that the 89 was number 1 on his list as far as most attractive honda ever made......and with the 88 version practicallt the same ....the term that comes to mind the most is......they sure dont make them like they used too!!! at least in the "good looks" department!!!!..........keep up your guys spirited passion and downright determination to make the nemm a tangible reality for years to come and is a beacon of hope for the future generations to know where they came from...and where they are going......you guys are awesome and if i ever get out of this hot humid florida weather......the nemm Will be one of my first places i check out if i ever make it up that way of the country.....

[@onlygazza]

I had one it was the first with the low slung exhaust and lower tank, lovely to ride 👌

[@CraigArndt]

She's definitely a Rippa!!! great video.

[@jdub976]

I had an 88 cr 125. That thing flexed bounced and kicked me all over the track. I miss every second of it.

[@andrewkubiak2062]

Over a ten thousand dollar bike!! I want it!!!

[@Davido50]

Was that what it sold for? Price of a new '21 Yamaha YZ250 2 smoker. Nah I gotta go with '21. I wanna help the kaplan boys tho too. Donation?

[@ryanwarram884]

I miss my 87'....it would run through 91,92,93...cr/yz/kx&rm's...I promise it was HONDA'S PINNACLE & still a beast of technology!! #BESTOFBEST!

[@tylersgarage3553]

Absolute work of art!!!! Stunning piece!!!

[@johnchopp3278]

My 89was a rippa too. Had a hard time keeping the front end down in any gear. Wish i still had it. And a few others. Kaplan does Top shelf work. Wish you's(lol) was closer to Detroit.

[@codymiller1105]

That bike is absolutely stunning man! Amazing work on this bike it was done with love. I don’t know if you seen it but a KZbinr bought an 88 or 89 brand new Honda CR500 the bike was never taken out of the crate they come shipped in they opened up the crate and had to put a few things together however they come in a crate it was beautiful talk about a time capsule you can’t find a newer old bike than that I would love to buy this bike in the video but could never afford it I love what you guys do and put love into your work your bikes are amazing I think I would rather have one of these older CR’S than just about any new two stroke

[@officialmysteriousrider6327]

Defiantly a rocket even the little cr80 red rocket lived upto its name you can't beat a twostroke nice bike kap

[@joeyl1742]

That thing looks fun. The front wheel looks like it picked up with ease.

[@jasonstepler4613]

That’s a gorgeous bike!!!❤️❤️ Amazing work guys!!

[@williamanderson7294]

Man Kaplan u make that look fun as heck

[@daviddougher8637]

My dad bought me a 1988 honda cr80r barely used in 1989 and that bike was hands down the fastest mini i have ever been on //it would keep up to my friends 1986 yamaha yz125

[@Davido50]

Certified rippa! I miss this one. I wanted it ..but caught video too late:(

[@tommybritton9273]

I had the 1988 cr 125 blood red 👍one of my favorite bikes

[@scootinthru]

Kaplan America approved - that says it all now doesn't it?

[@mikestowe6136]

love the red n white and never get sick of the white lettered hoosiers

[@johnthorne1875]

Honda is probably one of the most durable machines made I've owned a lot of them besides my 84 kx125

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I put lighter oil and stiffer springs in the forks to make them much better on small and big hits. But it made the rebound too fast. On a long faced jump, the forks would rebound on the lip of the jump and sent my front end high. I corrected that bike "attitude" by pulling in the clutch in the air, and hitting the rear brake to straighten out the bike. Over 40 foot blind double,--I stalled it in the air when I hit the brake. I landed OK and bump started in on the landing, but what a contrast in sound, from BRaaaaap riiiip, to the clam wind blowing though your helmet. It was kinda relaxing. Maybe that is why I did not panic and crash. :)

[@jaysongraft3627]

That is a awesome bike. Ken is a awesome rider! 😎👊

[@AcousticNRG]

what a stunning bike man

[@JamesBrown-lf4dl]

I have one in my backyard that belonged to Jim "the animal" Fishback. He's an old speedway racer from So Cal.

[@Davido50]

Sell it to Kaplan boys in Connecticut!

[@ontheedge33371]

I had an 89 CR125R was an awesome bike ..

[@joshvickers3825]

Beautiful! Runs like a 500👍

[@Citadin]

but feels like a 125, it's like the Muhammad Ali of dirt bikes.

[@virginiemartinez3054]

Good Morning, waaw😍😍😍Mr Kaplan and time is number one 👍thanks for the work, machine is super clean 😍love you, continue ❤️kiss to the French, sorry mi language 🇨🇵

[@KaplanCycles]

Thank you, much love and respect

[@BikerBenny]

That patch of grass acrossed from the museum you might as well write it off as a dirt bike demo runway. Yer gonna be and have been roosting that area year round haha 😁

[@michaeljkasnter]

Looks like a Truck and Tractor Pull just left town!!!

[@attilalako8090]

where do you get all the red plastics from?

[@codymiller1105]

Beautiful bike sounds healthy!! I’ve always ridden Honda’s my first bike was an XR400 wish I had never sold it. My dream bike is a CR500 and next the KX500 I always like the trail style looking bikes but nothing beats the sound of a nice 2 stroke I’m trying to find a descent CR500 not to pricey even if it needs work I don’t mind buying a KX500

[@andy5786]

1988 Cr honda mx bike lovely Kaplan America awesome guys 🇬🇧🇺🇲👍

[@Robert-oq3ul]

Love the Honda's

[@greglewellen4510]

Do you know what side plate back ground decal? I have a 88 I’m restoring can’t locate these decals

[@danstevens2204]

Beautiful bike 👍

[@mysterycomment1553]

Awesome bike. What size and type of Hoosier do you run on these Honda’s usually. Thanks.

[@Davido50]

Stock replacement!

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

Kaplan king !!! Love this one - certified rippA”

[@mihaimike2500]

The perfect bike to have fun 😎

[@garyjordan3771]

One good looking bike!

[@anthonygonzalez367]

I have the same motorcycle and I love, good video.

[@johnnyem-grafix4024]

Lol - that was great - if you don’t win you messed up- soo true !! It’s the Indian behind the arrow- oh no - another Elsinore, Dude - you guys live the life 🙏🇺🇸💪🏻 Kaplan America. I’m comin for my bike and some autographs

[@benwalter6564]

i remember being used to the track and going onto gravel hitting powerband bike just lifted right up i slammed the back break scared the hell out of me

[@jasonshellop4840]

Awesome bike

[@derrickzenner9300]

That thing is awesome

[@markkus1134]

Awesome bike where can I get frame paint for my 2003 XR400??

[@edwardharvey1954]

Great bike. Can I ask what your using to shine up your gas tanks? Thanks

[@dealershipfixit]

Rockin! Looks good brotha

[@andrewkubiak2062]

Dude wow

[@Brian-xb6bx]

It has 89 shroud graphics on it. Since the fork guards are off should have put tube caps on.

[@Canuck96Myster]

When you start 15 20 min on the new top end, does that mean the bottom end hasn't been touched?

[@KaplanCycles]

Usually we say everything we do

[@russellprout7002]

You're killing me.

[@joshholloway8358]

Any guides on how to install a hpp power valves ? There’s no videos anywhere.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

You can figure it out on the cylinder only first. When you have it right, you should be able to actuate it open and closed before you put the cylinder on the cases and hook up the actuator linkage arm. You will know when you have it right. For a modification, (I had this bike and did a bit of engine work to it.), with the power valves out, I put a small radius on the top edge of the port valve guides actually if I remember right,.), but not so much that the valved did not cover the radius. Get it close. The exhaust gases flow around a radius better then a sharp corner, and i got a bit more top end power/rev with out hurting the lower rpm power, (which is not really strong on this bike, so I geared lower too.)

[@chrislore2681]

Just got one to restore.....

[@travismaniagigglebush247]

It's epic my 88 was made on 77 87 but IS a 1988 ....I love this 28500 dragon

[@backwheelbandits2.0]

Absolute beuty👊😎

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

Just a heads up- you are missing the red fork boots.

[@derrickzenner9300]

I would have to get the proper radiator shroud graphics too. They should say CR250 instead of Honda. Awesome though.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

We used to take them off for a bit better air flow to the radiators, and because they look better with out them. :) Dust would also get trapped inside of them, but they did offer a bit of "rock ding" protection.

[@michaelsmyth5658]

Dream bike i love the plastic's

[@jaxxrocket1530]

Dang man..... MM!! Hands down my favorite year of Honda for looks.... 3:11 👍

[@jessejarzabski5076]

I don't know why the magazines of this era were down on this 88 , saying they smoothed the power so broad over the whole range that people were saying it felt , "slow from the seat of the pants" but every single 88 cr250 video I watch on KZbin demonstrates the exact opposite, even for talented amateurs, can still wax modern bikes w this machine and even though in 88 they also said these showa cartridge forks were not set up good from factory but everyone I talk to and read about had no issues with them.....I know the 88 cr250 hill climber u guys were ripping ( Paul pinncinalles) had motor work done, but that thing revved to the moon like a 125 and pulled like a freight train.......no other motor could touch this back then......so I dunno what they were smoking back then, cuz this thing is a beast from the east

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I had this bike and raced it in Motocross, (won a couple on it at Red Bud). The forks were damped stiff and did not handle the choppy stuff well, (wheel danced off the ground). If you did not go stiffer on the fork springs, ti would also head shake pretty easily, like getting off the gas and braking going down a light bumpy hill into a corner. From steering stop to steering stop, I have had my bars violently shake in that kind of situation with the stock springs. I agree that the engine was under rated. it was soft down low and in the lower mid range. Then it would pick up into a pretty good ripping top end, (much like my stock 2019 YZ250 actually). I used the stock pipe and did just a touch of porting, and it became a great bike for starts. I also liked to lower the gearing by one tooth up front, (a pretty big jump really), and I think it was the fastest accelerating bike I have had, stock or modified, (out of 5 different 250MX bikes). I also jetted it very well, and that always helps a lot in amateur racing with the 2-stroke using a carb. It really was a fast motor. You are right. But it is a "higher rpm engine" than most of the day. I think the mags expected more mid range as the 85-87 were favorite engines if I remember.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

This bike, because of the first "low boy pipe", which allowed the gas tank to drop,---did feel about 10lbs lighter than the 86 YZ250 it replaced for me.

[@JayLuke1234]

GORGEOUS!

[@johnnie_eins]

Castor 927 Mix 1:25 ???✌🏻🔥

[@EarthSurferUSA]

32:1 with a 250 MX bike is best, and a well jetted carburetor is worth about 2hp, (good gain).

[@billyblack8687]

KAPLAN CYCLES REALLY DOSE BIKES RIGHT❗THAT'S JUST A FYI FOR ANY BUYERS OUT THERE IF I HAD THE $$$ I WOULD BE ALL OVER THAT THING❗

[@cassarj76]

Braaap !! Sounds so cool 😎 ✊

[@lar017]

I love how he always says this is as best as the 250two-stroke ever got regardless of what year bike he’s talking about 🙃

[@FrostiTheRoadman]

Perfect sales man ;)

[@voxpopuli905]

That bike is sick! I would definitely ride that. I might invest in modern forks and rear shock, but otherwise that bike is awesome and it’s from Hondas best era. The TRX250R set the standard for race quads and to this day has not been outdone . They had a great CR250 at that time and the only chassis that was better was 2002-2006. I know McGrath loved his 96 but I don’t think it was radically different than this one

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I had this bike back then,---and I would invest in a shock and fork also, (forks for sure). Suspension was not very good, and it held the bike back IMO. Stiffer fork sprigs were needed, (helped a lot to reduce the crazy head shake that bike can do to you, from steering stop to steering stop.), and lighter compression dampening. The difference back then was the tracks we rode on. That era usually had softer suspension because the tracks were bumpier and the jumps not so big, (were just starting to get big then). I liked those tracks better myself.

[@andrewkubiak2062]

Man o man

[@jaxxrocket1530]

She's a real stunna ahhite!!!

[@minibikemadman]

Ah the days before power valves. My 88 trx 250r is on a stock cylinder but ported to hell on a 38mm pwk. 225psi and run her on 110. This is how a 2 stroke should sound.

[@minibikemadman]

@Mike Fernandez ah bunmer wonder why honda did not put it in the in TRX250r's or atc250r's. Maybe because of the balance shafts.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I think you should talk Honda into making (1000) 1985 CR250 works bikes with a mechanical power valve, (the electronic valve was for testing, but would have awesome adjustablility we can understand today). I bet they can sell them for 20 grand a piece to us who adored them while we are still alive and have money. :) Everything as close to Bob Hannah's bike as possible.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

And there is no "1986 production rule" in vet racing.

[@davidhitchcock2674]

As I watch this I know how lucky I am to have the same bike same pipe stock silencer full rebuild on motor as well not all that bling but is bad ass to ride

[@barryiwashita6352]

Did u say ten hours on bike ?.... do much parts replacement???

[@williamgoske1178]

Fresh

[@bobaboowee1972]

Very nice Kap! I have an 89 even cleaner if you are interested let me know.

[@KaplanCycles]

Yes call me! 860 916 9784

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Honda dropped the "Elsinore" name for their dirt bikes in 1982, and were just called "CR's" from then to the end.

[@apostolispapaeuaggelou5070]

Great bike

[@IAM_THAT_IAM888]

I had that very bike it was my first dirt bike , it threw me once the revs kicked in

[@hrchondahrc424]

👌

[@kurtgates4194]

No need to mow the grass, just rip it👍

[@benowen5792]

That’s nice

[@mikestowe6136]

i must be old school i think these bikes look wierd without fork boots

[@jamescameron7633]

Nice as sweet ride

[@MrBailey414]

Is this bike for sale?

[@bobbyblanco3451]

Thing rips

[@reedmike1012]

I need a cr125

[@team2sick850]

she's a rippa.... she's a rippa.... lol amen

[@MXRiderFiftyTwo]

230psi is good compression.. I was 13yrs old in 1988