2022 Honda CRF250RX Ride Review: Do it All CRF!

Got a chance to ride a 2022 Honda CRF250RX today at Grear MX thanks to my buddy Rob from Honda Marysville Powersports! Coming off my '22 CRF250R a few things stand out on the RX:
1. Smoother power (engine mapping) on the RX with a less urgent response to throttle inputs in Maps 1&2. Map 3 on the RX feels similar to Map 1 on the R with quicker RPM build up and more urgent response the throttle inputs. RX maps 1&2 build engine RPM's a little more slowly and find traction. The CRF250RX engine makes power over a broad RPM range with excellent rideability and the extra low to mid power of the updated '22 CRF250RX engine is noticeable and welcomed. The only real criticism of this engine for an off road bike is the moto gearbox. The RX would offer more off road versatility with a 6-speed gearbox or at least a wide ratio 5-speed.
2. The '22 CRF250RX suspension has an off road setting with 1-step softer springs front and rear (RX Forks are 4.6 N/mm vs 4.8 N/mm on the R and RX rear spring is 48 N/mm vs 50 N/mm on the R). The RX suspension feels more compliant with a little more fore/aft chassis movement under braking and acceleration but still had good hold up and chassis control. I prefer the RX suspension for my style of GNCC off road riding and light Vet moto (like Grear MX today) over R suspension setting.
3. The RX handling and cornering was similar to the R with a little less of the R's playfulness and agile feel. The soft carcass Dunlop AT81 tires along with the softer suspension setting combine to give the RX a slightly more compliant ride overall compared to the R and contribute to the slightly less agile feel of the RX vs the R.
The Honda "just feels right" ergos of the seat to handlebar to footpeg relationship are identical to the R but the bigger (muffin top) RX fuel tank gives the RX a wider feel in the radiator shroud area. The RX comes with an o-ring chain, hand guards, and a kickstand all of which are useful additions to an off road focused machine. The brakes are identical to the R and work great, especially the front brake.
The RX takes the good base R model and dials in a more off road focused suspension setting along with smoother engine mapping and adds some useful off road features like an 18" rear wheel, hand guards, and a kickstand...now if only we could get a 6-speed transmission!
Here is my initial ride review of my buddy Steve's brand new '22 CRF250RX: • 2022 Honda CRF250RX Fi...
Here is my initial review of my 2022 Honda CRF250R: • 2022 Honda CRF250R Fir...

[@olivierraynal8181]

All your videos are of very good quality 👏 Honest reviews, professional work! 👌 For my 40th birthay, i'm going to buy the 2023 CRF250RX (Redmoto version, i'am french). I can't wait! It will replace my 2015 Redmoto CRF250R. Keep it up, i subcribe! 🙂

[@mxengineer1]

Thank you! The all new '22 CRF250R/RX is a very fun bike and can be made better for off road use with the Redmoto parts. Ride Red!

[@tieoneon1614]

Dropping that dual exhaust and the weight down to 238lb wet, plus the map switch w/ soft for slow riding I really think this is the best 4t woods bike right now. Happy with my bike, almost bought a '21 WR250F but I would have been pissed seeing Honda come out with this a few months after LOL. I think a front sprocket would be easy enough to swap to deal with the 5 speed trans.

[@Argentbuilds]

Picking one up Saturday can't wait, first 3 hour b class GNCC in February

[@mxengineer1]

Enjoy your new CRF250RX and good luck at your GNCC race...you have some time to dial in your new bike!

[@Hotgarbage100]

Excellent video thanks!!! I have to wait until Tuesday to pick mine up. The Credit Union was closed (S.O.B.)!!!

[@mxengineer1]

Thank you! Enjoy your new bike!

[@KosmicHRTRacingTeam]

Dang. All your buddies have the most desirable, newest bikes!!

[@mxengineer1]

I am lucky to have friends that buy cool bikes!;)

[@anthonylvillella7220]

Hey mate great video!!, this rx model could it do motorcross track days comfortably with the softer setup?

[@mxengineer1]

That depends on the rider skill, speed, and weight. The owner of the '22 CRF250RX in the video is probably a slow B/fast C moto rider and 175 lbs and stiffened up the compression 3~4 clicks FR/RR and slowed down the rebound 2 clicks and he was very happy with the suspension at this track (Vet friendly Grear MX). My 170 lb A-rider speed son would think the RX suspension is way too soft for his speed (he hits the bumps and jumps way faster). If you are a fast moto rider the RX suspension is going to be too soft. If you are just out enjoying moto practice days and riding at Vet speed or C-ride speed you can probably just dial in some stiffer compression settings and the RX works great.

[@stevenburton7922]

Good dialogue and review...Thanks for posting! How do you think it wood do for a 6 foot 210 pound guy. I will be doing single track with long climbs to some track time to. I'm a former A rider with no interest in going at desert racer speeds. Just a trail rider at this point in my life. Is there a headlight kit available for these. I might do some sanctioned trail rides where lights are required. Thanks...Steve from Ohio.

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks! I am 6'2" 190 lbs and the 22 CRF250RX works fine for me! I enjoy woods/trail riding and riding moto (slow Vet speed) on practice days and the RX works great for me. Being a former A rider you most likely will find the suspension soft but going up to the the R spring rates and turning in the clickers may be enough (or just slow down on the big jumps on the track!). I am not aware of headlight options for the RX but Redmoto USA seems to offer some nice off road parts for the 22 CRF250R/RX models.... www.redmotousa.com/

[@stevenburton7922]

@@mxengineer1 Thank you for the feedback!

[@samuelhoffman6804]

Dang where's this track I ride a crf2022rx and the mapping is great and if u really want to rip keep it in the first setting for me power 2 is pretty peppy and 3 you really have to get on it but it's really smooth love the video

[@mxengineer1]

The track is Grear MX in Zanesville, Ohio....great place to ride!

[@johnegbo285]

I ride a 22 rx and it’s a fun bike. The suspension sucks on this bike ! Power is ok with the 3rd map but will still need a ecu tune. Bike is great in corners and high speed stability.

[@mxengineer1]

Suspension can be very rider and terrain specific. For my style of riding (off road and light moto) the RX setting was better than the R setting. I like the EFI mapping on the R better - more lively than the off road/smoother RX mapping.

[@jongib6096]

Great bike, pretty bike, but it’s missing that six speed wr transmission imo

[@mxengineer1]

Yes I wish Honda would step up and pick a 6-speed into the 250/450RX models or at least a wide ratio 5-speed like Yamaha does on the YZ250X and YZ450FX models.

[@whiskeytango854]

I’m really stuck between this new RX and a YZ250FX. I’m a east coast woods rider, would you suggest one over the other? How would you compare them?

[@mxengineer1]

YZ250FX has 6-speed, tunable engine mapping with free phone app, and the best off the showroom floor suspension (KYB) that works for a wide range of riders. The CRF250RX will feel a little lighter in motion, more lively cornering and overall chassis feel (more reactive). I give the edge to the YZ250FX for suspension and engine low to mid power feel (though I ride a '22 YZ250F and have not ridden a 22 YZ250FX). You will not go wrong with either red or blue (and red can include Gas Gas too)

[@Gseyer1]

I’m in your boat now on both bikes? Witch one did you end up with?

[@Gseyer1]

Great video!! I’m interested in getting a dirt bike mostly trail riding.. is this the one? Don’t want to get something smaller and then want more!!!

[@mxengineer1]

Really depends on you! I like to think of Power/Weight/Handling.....350's have been my favorite overall balance of these in a 4-stroke. If agility, lightweight, and handling are most important to you the 250F size works great. If effortless acceleration in any gear or engine RPM is important then 450F's are really good. What are your preferences?

[@Gseyer1]

@@mxengineer1 I’m looking for something that rides good in the woods!! But want to get on track and hit some table tops!! Live pretty close to both!! Don’t want nothing bigger then 250. When younger rode kx125 like early 90’s lol

[@Gseyer1]

Kinda looking at the CRF250RX or YZ250fx. I’ve looked at so many lmao

[@mxengineer1]

@@Gseyer1 Thats more info to work with! My favorite off the showroom floor 250F is currently the 22 YZ250F - the partial throttle torque response and mini 450 power is so easy to ride and the KYB suspension works great for a wide range of rider weight/skills and track conditions. The YZ250FX adds a kick stand and more cushy 18" rear tire, o-ring chain that lasts a long time, and a 6-speed transmission that covers woods and fire roads and works fine on the MX track

[@mxengineer1]

@@Gseyer1 bLUcRU for the win!

[@juliagagnon6043]

I have a crf150f and im debating on the 250f or rx i dont know what to do. One thing that i would like to know is if the rx will need to be rebuilt a lot? thanks

[@mxengineer1]

There '22 CRF250R/RX are full on 100% focused high performance race bikes and the engines are race focused requiring much more maintenance and shorter rebuild intervals. I seem to recall the '22 CRF250R/RX owners manual suggest new piston/rings every 10~12 hours for racing. Most slow/vet/easy riding CRF250R/RX owners could realistically get 50~75 hours out of a top end with 3~5 hour oil change intervals and fresh air cleaners though I have no hands on experience with CRF250R/RX models with 50~75 hours. CRF250F - that bike will last a long time!!!

[@juliagagnon6043]

@@mxengineer1 Well i guesse if i want power, the rx is the way to go if you want realiablity, 250f is the way to go. My riding is some long straight aways, grassy/little bit of gravel trails(witch are a fait pace) and would like to go on a unused track my friend has. I was expecting the rx to go 300hrs. What bike would you recomend me doing? I am 5'10 165 pounds.

[@mxengineer1]

@@juliagagnon6043 The CRF250RX is reliable - just makes more power and is stressed more to the engine requires more frequent rebuilds. There are many reports online of KTM/Husky 300 2-strokes owners getting 150 hours before a top end replacement. Ask yourself how many hours are you really going to be riding per year and balance that with the power you want. Perhaps a Honda XR650L would provide the power and long term reliability you desire but at a higher weight.

[@juliagagnon6043]

@@mxengineer1 Im not sure im 13 and that seems like a BIG bike, 300 pounds geeze. But i have only strated riding last year but i feel like there just inst any torque on my 150f so i saw the rx and really wanted it but then i saw on how much it takes to rebuilt a engine.... and its a lot. Is it dificult to rebuild a engine? Hoe do you know it needs a rebuild? Whats the most i can get out of the rx? And what bike would you recomend? Thanks

[@nathanthomas7475]

I’m 6’3 190lbs I need a beginner bike I’m on the fence I want a bike for trail riding but if I take it to a track it won’t have any issues I don’t know which one to get between Yamaha and Honda and which model so many to choose from

[@mxengineer1]

'22 CRF250RX or '22 YZ250FX: will not go wrong with either bike. The FX does offer a 6-speed transmission which gives you a nice 6th gear for higher speed open trails. I think the FX has a small edge due to 6-speed and KYB suspension that is universally regarded as some of the best off the showroom suspension available. The KTM/Gas Gas 250XCF/EX are also very good versatile off road bikes and may be an option. Local dealer support could also play a role in the decision. Enjoy you new bike!

[@nathanthomas7475]

@@mxengineer1 thank you!

[@Nicko_92]

Can't wait for the 2025 crf250rx to be available

[@mxengineer1]

I am excited to try the 2025 CRF250R/RX and especially the 25 CRF250R Works Edition!

[@randytidwell5836]

at the beginning you said you had a 250r did you let it go?

[@mxengineer1]

Yes I sold it to a buddy of mine.

[@randytidwell5836]

@@mxengineer1 did something happen to make you not like it or just time for something else.

[@mxengineer1]

@@randytidwell5836 No issues - I just like trying new bikes!

[@mrfishamerican8169]

What’s the top speed

[@mxengineer1]

I did not check but my guess would be with the stock gearing perhaps 65~70mph

[@Turtlefarm]

The R and the Rx have the exact same power and mapping! The only difference is a bigger fuel tank and a softer suspension as well as a kickstand. The R is not faster .

[@mxengineer1]

My Honda buddies told me the mapping is different on the RX version - smoother response with the RX Map 3 (aggressive) being similar to the R map 1 (base). I assume peak power is different. I've ridden the R/RX back to back and can notice a difference in throttle response in the different maps between the bikes. I really like the RX suspension setting and wish it came on the R.