2022 Honda CRF250R: 1-month Review...Still the best?

[@bcoffroadriding7001]

I am riding the same bike, absolutely love it, requires less set up work than any race bike I have owned in years! I can't wait to go riding again!! this bike is so fun to ride.

[@mxengineer1]

Ride Red!

[@josephelefante9617]

had my bike 3 weeks and have like 15 hours on it and love it

[@mxengineer1]

Good to hear your are enjoying your '22 CRF250R - what a fun to ride bike!

[@jongib6096]

Great bike, do you really think its better than the same year YZ250F?

[@mxengineer1]

I don't like saying one bike is better than the other. They all have different characteristics. Light weight, super agile, effortless cornering, solid low to mid engine response are best parts of the '22 CRF250R. Strong partial throttle torque response, quick low to mid engine power, excellent absorbing suspension that works for a wide range of riders are the strong traits of the 22 YZ250F. What is most important to you? One of my '22 YZ250F ride reviews (lots of details in the video description)... kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3KlhYeAmKpgbrM

[@davidleasterlingjr2038]

I love mine too. The top end is lovely as well

[@mxengineer1]

Super fun bike to ride and the engine is a gem!

[@bcoffroadriding7001]

Great review! Thanks for posting!

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks!

[@davidpalmer287]

Great video. Ive been debating on trading my 18 in for a 22. Just by watching your video i can see the improvements they have made in the low and mid range power.

[@mxengineer1]

The '22 engine is a gem!

[@raw2768]

Sooooooo torn between this bike, and the Yz250f.

[@mxengineer1]

Me too! If you like plush suspension and a mini 450 like powerband and unique layout (reverse head) go blue. If "Fun to Ride" is more important and you have access to a suspension tuner than can move some shims in a set of forks Ride Red. You won't go wrong with either bike. My buddy's son (JD) gets to ride both a '22 YZ250F and '22 CRF250R and after the suspension re-valve on his '22 CRF250R he prefers Red now.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH7WpZR_eNlqnrc

[@raw2768]

Both would be better than my ‘17 KTM 500. I’m looking for something I can use for racing. Both moto and off-road. I’m very back on a MX track, but fairly decent off-road. I raced my 500 in the 6hrs of Starvation ridge in the Ironman class and took 4th in class, just looking for something more versatile because my 500 is garbage on a track. I do really like the Yz250f, but I can’t stand the oversized tanks on them. The look of the Honda is 👌🏻. Just afraid it’d be too slow in sand. I’m in Arizona, so lots of sand washes here

[@mxengineer1]

@@raw2768 What about a KTM 350XCF or Husky FX350 (or equivalent Gas Gas)? Nice 6-speed so plenty of speed for open and way more power than a 250F and less inertia than a 500 so "feels" much lighter in motion than a 500. 350's are a great combination of power/weight/handling in a 4-stroke off road bike

[@bruce0711able]

You know... since I started watching a year or two ago you've gotten much faster and more consistent. Good for you sir

[@mxengineer1]

Thank you!

[@j-sammys5549]

Great video man. Im debating om this bike or the crf450r.

[@mxengineer1]

The 22 CRF450R is a very fast bike with a responsive and very strong pulling engine - especially in the mid range. '22 CRF250R feels 20 lbs lighter in motion - so lightweight feeling compared to the CRF450R. If you like effortless acceleration at any RPM or gear hard to beat a 450. If handling and agility are more important the '22 CRF250R is hard to beat. No wrong choice!

[@hugoross5749]

Pivotworks bearings, SKF Seals, Cometic Gaskets, NGK Sparkplug, Twin Air Filter, ASV Levers, Motionpro Aluminum Throttle tube plus throttle/clutch cables

[@15007172]

The clutch pull seems a little stiff, I only use my index finger.

[@mxengineer1]

A Works Connection clutch lever with the bearing pivot might reduce the clutch pull effort. Might be worth a try.

[@15007172]

@@mxengineer1 thanks, lubing the cable didn’t help enough. But, the bike is very good overall.

[@mxengineer1]

@@15007172 I have found that lubing the cable does little to improve the feel or reduce effort. I tend to just replace the cable with a new one every 10~12 hours if I feel the pull effort is getting too high.

[@hugoross5749]

standard triple clamps anodized silver

[@gioge2666]

é migliore della fe husqvarna?

[@erichildreth7562]

Great review! Not sure if you have ever used one of these before but a pivot works rear shock thrust bearing is a great addition! These really do work and they take that "binding" out of the rear spring when it is compressed. I use one on my YZ and it is great!!

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks Eric! I like the concept of the rear spring thrust bearing and may have to try one.

[@George-Compound-Tv]

What weight rider is the stock suspension set for on it 🤔

[@mxengineer1]

I have not seen that information written down officially by Honda though some magazine tests mention the target rider weight is around 165 lbs. The '22 CRF250R stock fork springs are 4.8 N/mm and the rear shock spring is 5.0 N/mm. From my own experience if you are a in the 160~185 lb range the stock 4.8 N/mm fork springs should work while the rear shock may need to go up to 5.2 N/mm. The forks need a re-valve while the shock seems workable with some clicker adjustments. Suspension is very rider dependent so take mine or any other recommendations with a more than a grain of salt!🙂

[@chickentuber]

Totally agree with the forks being firm. But how do you adjust the fork preload? Seems like something I might want to try. I also put .46 springs in with a 4.8 in rear, but haven't ridden it yet with the new setup. Riding mx this weekend to test it. Thanks for posting!

[@mxengineer1]

Let us know how it works with basically 22 CRF250RX springs.

[@chickentuber]

@@mxengineer1 Ok so after a day of mx on the 46 springs I can say they are very plush. (i actually have a 47 on one side and 45 on the other so I'm calling it 46) After the first few laps I added a couple of clicks of comp to firm it up but that also made it slightly harsh. Not bad but I think I'll try a 47 and see if that's the sweet spot. I did like the 4.8 rear spring btw. I'm 155lbs w/o gear.

[@1oliverjones]

how do u like it compared to the 350? I'm torn between the honda and ktm 350.

[@chickentuber]

@@1oliverjones They are two different animals. The crf is a spry wildcat and the 350 solid and does everything great. I have to ride the 250 harder but its so fun it just encourages you to send it. I can be lazier and cruise around on the 350 and clear anything. I love both of them and it's a tough call.

[@mxengineer1]

@@chickentuber chicken tuber sums it up great. For me the KTM/Husky 350 is still my favorite combination of power/weight/handling in a 4-stroke dirt bike while the '22 CRF250R sets the bar for "Fun to Ride" in a 4-stroke dirt bike.

[@camdencarleton6131]

What is the top speed so far ?

[@mxengineer1]

I have not tried to measure - it does top out fairly quickly so I would guess around 65mph (it has moto gearing)

[@sebyz765]

Sick Bike! Weird question, but do you ride with a knee brace/ recommend it or don't?

[@mxengineer1]

I ride with an old pair of Asterisk knee braces. I feel some kind of knee protection is a good idea (braces or knee pads)

[@sebyz765]

@@mxengineer1 I wanna be as safe as possible, but I don't want to be very uncomfortable, I wanna ride hours on end without getting ticked off with the feel of knee braces. Would you say they change your experience negatively?

[@mxengineer1]

@@sebyz765 Knee braces can change the feel of how you grip the bike and some riders do not like the more restricted movement with knee braces. I am used to knee braces so not an issue for me however some riders prefer simple knee pads.

[@sebyz765]

@@mxengineer1 Sounds good. I'll try and look for some slimmer design Knee braces, but thanks for the info!

[@hugoross5749]

awesome bike. A Vortex X10 Ignition is a serious performance part and would be great on this costs around $600.00 for exhaust I would get the Pro Circuit TI-6 system which will give it more top end than any other Yoshimura or FMF. a custom Rocket Exhaust would not be a bad idea either. have fun cheers

[@mxengineer1]

Yes what a great bike! I have not tried a Vortex ignition but everyone says it is a noticeable improvement to engine performance. The Yoshimura Works Edition exhaust on the '21/22 CRF450R WE is a work or art and simply looks so cool. I would get the Yosh system on looks alone though my guess is the Pro Circuit system would make more power.

[@thomastjg53]

Sweet Glad you really like your new bike. It will be very interesting to hear the difference between the too. Motor wise, and suspension wise too. R , versus the RX When you said your bud put lighter springs in and reduce the preload, did he put softer pressure springs, or is there a way to back off preload ? I know he put in softer main springs. But on my crf 450 I went from stock pressure springs to a lighter 1.6 ,and dropped the main to (47 was stock) to a 45 , and reduced the fork oil from 425 to 350 to get it to ride better.

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks for the info! My buddy with the '22 CRF250R did not change the pressure spring (which I would want to try). My other buddy just picked up his '22 CRF250RX this afternoon - hope to get a chance to ride it soon.

[@motomoto9436]

I've got this bike, already won a race I've been chasing for 2 years, do defo faster on this bike, my bikes only got 2.7 hours onit, rode it 3 times, and my contact points has way more wear than this bike, also fractured a vertebrae onit already but bikes amazing

[@dasnicenoob6140]

Wait a minute somethings not right here

[@motomoto9436]

@@dasnicenoob6140 like what?

[@dasnicenoob6140]

@@motomoto9436 the fact that you have ridden it 3 times but won a race and also broken a vertebrae on it, it sounded like you were joking for a minute

[@motomoto9436]

@@dasnicenoob6140 no joke, 19th September fractured vertebrae, back in hops Tuesday the 19th, caught up in first corner pile up race 1, won race 2, crashed hard race 3, at fat cats uk

[@dasnicenoob6140]

@@motomoto9436 damn