Honda CR250R Off-Road Bike Build

Get Our Favorite Parts for the 2004 Honda CR250R Here!
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An iconic two stroke, the CR250R is well known and well loved. Though production ended in 2007, riders and enthusiasts like us are still picking up used models and fixing them to suit our varying needs. That was the story for our used 2004 CR250R. The full-fledged MX bike was on sale for a screaming deal, so we pounced on it and got straight to work. Wanting to do something a little different, though, we got to work on turning the already set up MX bike into an aggressive, off-road riding, trail-railing beast. It was a tough build to tackle, but, in the end, we're impressed with how well this bike went from track to trail.
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[@rmatvmc]

What do you guys think? Is there anything you think we should've added to this bike?

[@claywatkins2003]

Rocky Mountain ATV MC Throw a pipe guard on there a p3 carbon pipe guard would look sick!

[@eli6330]

Let us choose the sponsors on attack graphics

[@csmddesigns]

G2 throttle tamer with the biggest cam. I did away with my flywheel weight after fitting one.

[@LukasMxMTb]

Make it a 125 woods build I have been wanting to see a really cool 125 build for the woods

[@01AceAlpha]

Needs a cup holder.

[@caseysniper308]

Nice bike, Honda is missing out on a huge market for 2 strokes, I ride an 05 I built.

[@crackerjack8115]

Yeah wish they stayed on board. Yamaha still kickin em out n makin that doe

[@JasonStaleyFitness]

I would've been fine with the bike from the beginning

[@rmatvmc]

It ran! So, yeah we agree. For getting into an older bike it was in good shape already. We wanted to get it setup and working right for the offload and trail scene. - Wes

[@sexyworm1000]

@@rmatvmc just trail ride er stock its not that bad compared to a new bike however lectron carb for sure

[@cesarleon8851]

Love everything about this bike you guys did a nice job!

[@paulmorris8061]

Great build. Been wanting to do a similar build. Love those old CR’s

[@jonelleman7150]

That bike turned out perfect that is everything you would want in a single track bike. Awesome job guys looks beautiful

[@rmatvmc]

Thanks, Jon! We were pretty happy with how it turned out!

[@kc117mx]

I did all of those things on my 2002 CR250R including the Lectron carb - which may have been the best mod - but I took it to the next level with a wide ratio gearbox, I had Eric Gorr do a 265cc kit on it, and I powder coated the frame and swingarm black. I'm running an Ohlins front steering damper, the magura hydraulic clutch, and the Galfer 270mm oversized front rotor. To round it out, I swapped my forks and shock with the 2010 Showa SSS fork clone, and a shock from a 2012 CR450. Great bike. I like it so much that I sold my WR450 and I ride the CR all the time.

[@rmatvmc]

Dang, you're all in on that thing! Sounds amazing! - Chase

[@brokebikemtb4448]

Great job guys....this is a great bike...you guys nailed it

[@johnkaunzner4326]

Nailed it the bike is perfect looks sick

[@cbr600rrturbo]

Classic bike & black looks sick

[@captainronify]

Looks amazing with the matte finish 👍🏻

[@corytryon6374]

That bike is 💯🔥. Just like my 02 CR 250. 👊🏻 Thanks for another great video 👍🏻 Keep up the good work 👊🏻

[@jasonmuller6914]

Cory Tryon my 02 as well!

[@rmatvmc]

Thanks! It was a tough decision between the black or red color scheme. In the end we are stoked with how it turned out! Thanks for watching - Wes

[@RTOutdoors]

Better than 69% of the other bikes out there. 🦅

[@cameronboswell7888]

Really great well rounded build video! Definitely up there with all the other media channels! (I.E. Racer X etc.) Thematic at first then in depth with technical information and minimal background music. Must have a great editing team there in Utah. P.S. graduating art school in about a year and really want to move to an area with great riding :D

[@rmatvmc]

Thanks for the positive feedback. Utah is a rad place for riding. Plenty of different terrains and conditions to suite just about any riders needs. We love it! - Wes

[@motocrosspk]

_Thanks for brining it back to Life_

[@justinpeterson8754]

Beautiful!

[@wyatteveritt778]

Bike looks sick

[@chrisvozza6530]

Nice bike! Sounds amazing also 👌

[@rmatvmc]

Such a unique sound! Love this thing! - Wes

[@Valentineracing]

Love it!!

[@fricot_21]

WHAT A GORGEOUS BIKE!!! I don't think there is anything I would have done differently or added, just executed to my liking lol

[@rmatvmc]

WOW! Nail on the head. Right on! Thanks for watching - Wes

[@apuzer7159]

I love my cr250 it is my pride and joy

[@ryandevall-Alberta]

👍🏻👍🏻🍻 great build! Im looking at buying one and building an enduro bike for single track here in Alberta and BC. Great ideas. Might go with the smart carb over the lectron.

[@TWITCH772]

yo rocky mountain bring a 2001 cr250 aftermarket brake pedal to market. it literally is non existent

[@thabibikas]

we need it

[@llecki]

I have 02 cr250r and i built it for desert and single track. I love it. its green sticker in cali 😁

[@rmatvmc]

Nice! Would love to see a picture of it. Tag us on IG/ FB if you have one. Thanks for watching -Wes

[@llecki]

@@rmatvmc what is the official Instagram name and FB so I can tag my bike? thanks

[@dpracing2528]

Tooooop...i love the honda cr 250r..

[@SurRon_OffRoad]

i love the enduro look

[@greglewis4954]

I have an 04 with an eerily similar setup....Tusk wheels, VF3, Gnarly, IMS, etc. I have Flexx bars on mine and would highly recommend them for a woods setup.

[@rmatvmc]

Sounds like a killer set up. Thanks for the input!

[@sambolt9026]

I want it, my first mx bike was an 03 Cr250r :)

[@flipped68]

I’m motivated to find a cr250 and build it. COVID has inflated the price of used bikes tremendously.

[@toddgardner3088]

I added an RG3 upper and lower triple clamp, and a new rubber chain / swingarm protector... as well as new shock linkage.

[@jessederossett1484]

That's awesome I'm trying to do the same thing with my 96

[@Masterakos991]

Perfect...!

[@crackerjack8115]

Looks damn good

[@LarryParkerWilliams]

Love the off-road cross overs!

[@rmatvmc]

Obviously we do too! Anything you would've added or changed? Thanks for watching! - Wes

[@LarryParkerWilliams]

No way man! You’re killing it!

[@rmatvmc]

@@LarryParkerWilliams Thanks! Stay tuned for the next one! - Wes

[@hoppiemacv8604]

Very nice CR250 Build! But I would have put a little narrower Handle Bar on her for Trail Riding. And that's it! Ride Red!

[@craigheath9186]

I have a CR 250 R 2001 with a blown motor. She kinda got pushed into a back corner of the Garage as i started riding KTM’s for Enduro cross.... would love to dust her off and turn it into woods weapon! Hydraulic clutch was a wise add!

[@whosethis2206]

Nice bike

[@adamdyment9732]

Off topic, but any chance of a tusk enduro line luggage? Soft bags for dual sport bikes would be great for guys on a budget.

[@itsjustweezer4054]

Definitely dude, i'm gonna order me sum right now haha

[@mikepowell3335]

I had an '03 set up just about like this one, except for a 38mm Keihin AS (off a 2000 CR250), '07 CRF250 swingarm, linkage and shock, shortened TC silencer (almost as quiet), and re-done suspension. Really loved that bike and rode the crap out of it for several years. But, after doing more technical, side-hill boonie-bashing stuff, I finally gave in to a new, modern bike. Electric start, 50 more cc and six speed make a HUGE difference. Can't add that to the Honda or I'd still have mine.

[@jasonmuller6914]

mike powell I love the Keihin on mine. Pwk38as all the way for me over the lectron. Our bikes just love it! Mines an 02.

[@rmatvmc]

It sounds like you had the right setup! Sounds like a sweet setup. Sorry that you caved for a newer bike ha ha. They might just be too good now days! Honda just needs to get back into the 2T game! - Wes

[@brandonfreeman4281]

NICE Bike I did a similar build. If you go with RaceTech re valved suspension It will make the bike handle much better and give it that comfort with much improved traction.

[@rmatvmc]

Sweet! What year is your CR? Race Tech does good work no doubt! At the moment we have been really happy with our freshened up stock components for our conditions. Thanks for the tip though! - Wes

[@brandonfreeman4281]

@@rmatvmc My CR is a 2004 as well. I also kept the Mikuni CARB and did the KTM Carb Grahm Jarvis mods. That is a cheap way to get some of the tuning headache out of the way. I am sure the Lectron is the fix all solution.

[@df3333]

I wouldn't change a thing that bike looks sick and I would love to own it

[@GeorgeLoch]

Nice build

[@rmatvmc]

Thanks!

[@jojoflyingducthman6624]

Gagah.....very cool....

[@vladko117]

i want this bike man ))

[@michaelharding9818]

with the polisport reflex plastic kit what graphics would I order? Do you have the year range of newer style CRFs that would fit?

[@marchanselman]

Thank you! It's great to see some of these older Japanese 2 strokes getting some trail time. I have an '06 RM250 (which I highly recommend) that I did a very similar build with. It's nice to know you don't have to spend 9K+ on an orange bike!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rmatvmc]

Thanks for the reply! We agree and love making older bikes relevant and reliable again. The RM 250 is a sweet bike and something that has been on our build list for a while. We'll see if we can get our hands on one. Stay tuned! - Wes

[@ericc90]

Love the build and wouldn't change a thing. Nicely done 👍👍Curious to know what gearing you guys went with for off road. And I wish polysport would make this plastic kit for the 00-01 cr250 gen.

[@csmddesigns]

Hey buddy I posted a video on a 00-01 polisport restyle, check it out. I'd recommend a front 12T and a 50T rear. You will have to flip the front sprocket for case clearance for the chain. Works really well for single trail

[@jasonmuller6914]

I run a 50 tooth, but could go to a 51 on my 02 cr250. I also have an oversized fatty rear, 120/90r18 I think. And a 90/90 in the front.

[@skipperay]

Bill would probably mount up to a bnew 2t Husqy

[@benlundgren3760]

Hell yes

[@nathanosborne6995]

Payson is looking perfect right now...

[@rmatvmc]

Not as perfect as it was a year ago. We are all still grieving over the fire. :( - Wes

[@voxpopuli905]

I kinda like the restyle kit too. I’d take it either way. I just really really liked the looks of Ricky Carmichael’s factory cr250 with that 2004 styling, the number plate and front fender were slightly diff than the 03. In 2004 the showroom bike had the same lines as Ricky’s factory bike, and I think the forks were valved a little better. And that’s how I kept my bike for the longest time, very minimal stickers, only from products I actually applied to and he bike. No crazy graphics kit, I never cared for that. However I did black it all out except the fender n number plate, so the whole back end was black in the same way pro circuit did their bikes no matter what brand. And I kept minimal decals then too and it still looked sick. Later on I acquired my buddies 2003 yz250 and went though that tip to tip and it was awesome a/f but it never ever felt as good as the Honda no matter what I did. Great motor if I cd only stuff it into the Honda frame it wd beat ktm no prob

[@crashnburn3980]

I need that team to come rebuild my bike lol

[@voxpopuli905]

I guess I like that. I had one. But I would have gone with a full Varner top end job with a Vertext piston and a PWK 38, not a lectron. And I def would have gotten the SST PIPE. The SST does everything the gnarly pipe does and also revs up top, where I spent most of my time anyways on that bike. But yes that showa suspension was really good back then.

[@RGEnduro]

Vox Populi sst? That’s a throwback!

[@josephforcino6399]

I just picked up a 2002 so I'll be ordering parts. Not sure about a restyle kit or keep the original woody wood pecker graphics kit .

[@playaa_from_the_himalaya]

A great build ! Don’t forget to protect the front brake rotors for this amazing trail bike 🙌🏾🛡

[@rmatvmc]

No doubt! Especially when riding off road and trails. Thanks for watching - Wes

[@madinpunam4063]

pls bro make a video on xr 190l rear drum break to disc break conversion n accessories for it.

[@jasongrant6224]

Hello, I would like to know the part number you used for the kick stand. I looked up the trail tech one and it don’t show up for the Cr. Thanks.

[@truckstreestoys]

Those tusk pegs are great until they hit a pebble and snap off.

[@GNX157]

Does the 2002 CR250 also have air boot/airbox sealing issues?

[@GNX157]

7:45 The wear pattern on the front rotor looks like it is taking advantage of the bigger diameter, but on the rear it looks like the pads are still riding on just the inner part of the rotor. Did you leave out a caliper holder made to work with the bigger diameter rotor?

[@TheMatthewKline]

Looks awesome, what was the total cost of the upgrades? Feel like it's 2-3x what I paid for my 93' CR250

[@MorrisOutdoors98]

Front rotor guards the only thing id add

[@motabandito]

What was the total bill on the build? Doing the same thing to my 99 250r

[@brokebikemtb4448]

You can expect to spend 3-4 thousand dollars this bike has about 5 into it

[@brokebikemtb4448]

6 k

[@shaggy8226]

Is ur bike good for enduro riding?

[@shchannel8847]

Kereeeeen

[@voxpopuli905]

Oh I also would have skipped that reworks fender kit. The original stylings of that bike were fine just the way they were, like the black tho

[@rmatvmc]

Don't get me wrongI love the look of a stock and clean looking CR, but we couldn't help ourselves with the new restyle kit from Polisport. The new CRF's look so fresh and making this bike look a little more like those can't be a bad thing. - Wes

[@brandonnoel9099]

I would have made it white because black scratches show but really looks good👍👌

[@rmatvmc]

#worthit Lol! Thanks for watching - Wes

[@hewy686]

I put the 3.1 gal ims fuel tank on my bike and my restyle shrouds can’t quite reach/line up to the top holes of the tank to bolt the shrouds on. Any suggestions from anyone on why or how?

[@C0RDDD]

What front and rear sprockets u have.. How much tooth?

[@johnyup4958]

What was the size of the sprocket you used for this build ?

[@jaredzielinski682]

How was this bike compared to the 04 yz250 you rebuilt as far as performance?

[@rmatvmc]

Thanks for the comment. As far as comparing this setup to the 2004 YZ250 I would say that it's somewhat similar. An older 250 two stroke that is setup with pretty much every "off-road" accessory that is available for the bike. Both bikes were built to be ridden aggressively in any and all off-road conditions. I would have to say that the biggest difference between the bikes is the Rekluse auto clutch and how it really changes the power delivery and characteristics of the CR engine. It smooths the entire bottom end of this bike out drastically which depending on the rider can be a good thing or a bad thing. I really love the YZ engine as an all arounder in all conditions, but the Rekluse really makes this bike stand out in the super gnarly and technical stuff. We are tossing around the idea of doing a VS video between the two bikes. If it ends up happening what are some specific areas/ categories that you would like to see in the video? - Wes

[@tsviatkomangov26]

Do a vs with the Yamaha YZ 250 off-road

[@shotajima3376]

Does the combination of the IMS big tank and Polysport Restyle Kit require processing? Thanks!

[@rmatvmc]

The IMS over-sized tank and the Polisport restyle kit did work together. This bike also has radiator guards, radiator braces and over-sized radiators so between all that it did take some time to get everything to work but it was possible without modifications.

[@fabiancarvajal6718]

Do a kx please

[@trevormckay5287]

Would’ve been a great bike, but you added a rekluse

[@crackerjack8115]

Right!

[@schecterman5466]

They ruined it with the restyle kit

[@bradcameron1376]

I just built an 03 only thing I did differently is 39 mm pwk, pro circuit SS exhaust flange ,boyesen Rad valve, ride engineering 20mm offset triple clamps. I would love to try a Lectron and compare You built a very capable trail / hare scramble weapon. 👍👍

[@250race]

I like the hydraulic clutch

[@rmatvmc]

They're the best! One of my top upgrades if you have a bike that didn't come with one. -Charles

[@josephpittala9146]

I like the builds, but how about pricing your parts? Give a total cost.

[@JoshSmith-vj3yb]

I'd love to see red plastics with a flat black sticker kit. Regardless badass bike 👍

[@50STUNT]

That is the bike I ride after a 2016 ktm and 2017 honda 450. The bike cost less than what I lost riding the ktm and honda for a year, and I can go just as fast. Its fun smoking riders on brand new bikes on an old 2 stoke also!!

[@davidguptil4695]

Me too . i love smokin new bikes on my 01

[@rmatvmc]

Way more smiles per dollar! I am totally with ya! - Wes

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

These types of projects are a labor of love. In the end, you've spent about the same as a new YZ250X and still don't have a bike as good.

[@timfoster1599]

Sad thing about it... It's a bike bike that cost a fortune and is still a bike with a motocross trans an 18" tire and a big fuel tank!

[@stephanemichaud2190]

How did you get the magura clutch and the radiuce cx to work together I was told by rekluse that it could not work

[@rmatvmc]

We haven't had problems running both. We have an install video of the Magura clutch on this bike if you want to check that out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaq3o6WfjruHqrM

[@jakemoffatt2432]

I noticed you don't offer the tusk brake pedal on your website for a 2004 cr 250. Will you be offering them in the future since you got one on this project bike?

[@rmatvmc]

Hey Jake, Thanks for watching. You are correct and yes, the Tusk Brake Pedal will be live on the site within a week or two. Stay tuned - Wes

[@rmatvmc]

The brake pedal is now on the site! www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/tusk-aluminum-brake-pedal-p

[@jakemoffatt2432]

Alright that's cool, Do you think Rocky Mountain will ever offer the Tusk clutch and ignition covers for the Honda CR ?

[@rmatvmc]

@@jakemoffatt2432 That's a good point. I'm not sure on that one. I'll look into it! - Wes

[@blanchard899]

What do you guys use for fuel and oil mix ratio? I’m fouling plugs

[@ckh420]

50:1 running Avgas 100oct

[@michealsharpe9257]

Good way to advertise all them parts you guys sell . Nice bike too but most of that stuff is not needed to enjoy that bike and what it can do off road if that’s were you wanna take it

[@cummingspower4794]

Looking to upgrade the plastics on a 2002 kx 250 where can i find something like that?

[@rmatvmc]

We don't sell any restyle kits for that bike but there are a lot of forums out there talking about plastic conversions on KX's and the modifications you have to do. I would check some of those forums out, Thumpertalk had some good information on it.

[@kierenpitkin9070]

I've got a 2001 cr80r freshly rebuilt has a good spark plug and air filter and curby and will start cold and will only just start hot after at least 20 kicks and dont know why and want to find out why because I ride enduro and deep skechie Bush

[@rmatvmc]

Thanks for the comment. What all do you have done to your CR80? With some help from the aftermarket parts world they can be made to become good bikes for off road. It sounds to me like you could be running a little rich but it's hard to say. How far away from stock jetting are you? What does your spark plug tip look like? Have you seen our Carburetors 101 video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpWQZZaZgNeYqKc It should give you a good start. - Wes

[@bpowa]

I would have like to see more details into making the suspension work better for trail riding instead of all the bling. But, I do understand this video's purpose was to sell product.

[@teranhughes77]

Exactly! The mx gearing is close ratio, not offroad specific and the shocks and struts are setup for bigger hits on a generally groomed track, not securing traction on smaller but constant and higher frequency chatter (rocks and ruts) --The most relevant issues overlooked on this otherwise sexy build. Graphics and "bling" are not particularly relevant for off road riding.

[@C0RDDD]

What sprockets front and rear did u recommend for extream enduro

[@rmatvmc]

It depends on the bike, but on this CR250, it would be good to gear down 3 or 4 teeth. So one tooth smaller on the front, or add 3-4 teeth on the back. Keep in mind that if you add teeth, you'll probably need a longer chain (like 4 extra links in this case). -Charles

[@randyosborne6381]

I wish they made this stuff for my 01 😕

[@steveshot81]

How much did this build cost?

[@berube361]

Damn I could really use a lectron for my 1986 Honda cr500 restoration. The oem carbs were never great but definetly out of the budget unfortunatly. A new set of gold excels and stainless spokes would really round out the bike as well, it's basically finished otherwise. Long live 2 strokes!

[@keithlawton89]

What's a ROM estimate Id need to budget for this? I want to rebuild my 2001

[@rmatvmc]

Depending on how deep you go with the build and what all your bike needs, you can count on spending 3k+ to completely go through the bike and up to 6k depending on the accessories that you choose to add.

[@duvalmedina3960]

Have you dyno the bike to se how much more power and torque compared to stock

[@rmatvmc]

We have not. If we had access to a dyno, that would be super cool to see!

[@Davidkxf]

I had and loved my 2004

[@sethnoeske5455]

I've been looking into a bike for a while, I am a hard core mountain bike and love to trail ride, and want to try with a motor. Anyone have a good suggestion for a first bike? Or where/how to buy?

[@jacobmiller6664]

I was the same. I rode my mountain bike 3 or 4 times a week before I got my first dirtbike, and I havent taken it out since! So be warned, it's hard to go back to pedalling after twisting a throttle. I bought a cr250r, the bike in the video, as my first bike cuz it was cheap. 800 bucks. It's not a great starter bike, it is incredibly fast and powerful, and designed for full bore motocross racing. But since I was so comfortable being offroad on 2 wheels, I only had to worry about learning the bike, not how to position my body on dirt/sand/rocks/steep hills. I would look on craigslist for a cheap 125cc 2 stroke or a 250cc 4 stroke, and expect to beat it up and drop it while you figure stuff out. Make sure you get a light bike, its gonna feel like a tank compared to a bicycle, so I'd avoid bikes like a drz400 or crf250L simply because they are heavy for their displacement (if you want a dual sport a drz is great, but a dedicated trail bike it isnt as great) good luck and have fun!

[@sethnoeske5455]

@@jacobmiller6664 thanks

[@jeremyregner9744]

Couldn't have gone wrong with a lowering link

[@sattargujjar8486]

Beautiful 🇵🇰

[@xur_x3352]

I prefer the one in the beginning

[@bps.1]

the v force reeds are not the best after a few rides with v force reeds they stay open and never close completely and it over fuels the motor and does not have tat crisp thottle ,i know i use to own the v force ,i got tired of that issue so i changed it to the boyseen reeds with a torque plate and man what a difference thottle is crisp and runs better than ever

[@tep7]

👌👌👌