Testing the 2025 Honda CRF250R

[@JimG1964]

Dude you guys have the best analysis of a bike. Nobody else goes into the detail and covers the things that I'm curious about like engine braking, power delivery, and chassis feel. You guys could do a killer shootout by contrasting the bikes with all the details you provide here. Cover off all the details you do here for each bike and it would be the best shootout hands down. I read other reviews and they just bring in riders who comment randomly on their opinions of the bikes. Which bike is best really depends what you like as a rider so providing good detail on the characteristics of each bike is the most important imho.

[@quadcityracing]

Back to back rides with last years bike is a truth teller.

[@sambuvca22]

It looks really good. Brings back memories of of the 88 / 89

[@mikedamisch]

1) What happened to that haircut, I miss surfstyle Lindsay 😂 2) Always the best bike reviews, tanks!

[@anthonycavalliotis8736]

He took my advice and got rid of the girl hairstyle.

[@Drew833Brady]

Will the 2023 crf450r forks and shock be able to be swapped onto the new 2025 crf250r?

[@Papparratzi]

Old dual sport former MX racer. Why am I here? I don’t know🤪 but I can tell you I enjoyed the breakdown. Sounds like Jett and Hunter will have no issues with the 25.

[@_.momjeans_9219]

Great review side note it’s crazy to see how good Michael’s technique is compared to the loads of privateers out there

[@MichaelLindsay]

Appreciate that. If I'm not fast, hopefully, I can look fast hahaha!

[@Patrick-il3cc]

Great video! Question: do you know if the new radiator shrouds and side panels will fit the outgoing bike? Thanks ML!

[@vitalmx]

Side-panel won't, as the mounting is ever so slightly different on the subframe. Not sure on radiator shroud, they might.

[@markwgundert4251]

It's always baffled me as to why it takes Honda so long to address known flaws. Also, Honda knows how to build reliable and powerful engines....it's almost like they are purposely leaving power on the table for some reason 🤔

[@mouthofpower8492]

It shouldn’t. They ruined their best, race winning bike in 1996… the Japanese are in their own world

[@markwgundert4251]

@@mouthofpower8492 I had a 1996 CR250R, the best bike of the time for sure!

[@yukonjon5964]

well maybe they watched what has happened this past 6 years in the 250 power department... first no one wanted their boggy top-end only Honda, then Kawi went to finger follower valve train to match KTM peak power, but it was too boggy and did not sell well. then Yamaha kept upping their top end power every few years at the expense of its great low-end and most complained. i'm guessing the reason Honda is focusing on a lower RPM, lower HP platform, is because they know most people prefer corner exit torque over a dyno chart with bragging rights. plus reliability can go down when you raise peak RPM.

[@quadcityracing]

Honda has kept with a design that is like a scalpel in the hands of a pro. Not necessarily for the 2pm weekend warriors.

[@markwgundert4251]

@@quadcityracing That's a horrible business plan. 99% sales are by weekend warriors...most pros don't even pay for their bikes :)

[@parkerzentner6191]

Do a review on the 250 WE. Is it in the works?!

[@vitalmx]

We get to ride it in about two months. - ML

[@jameswampler3135]

I'd definitely get one of these but I want smartphone connectivity so I can dial back the engine braking

[@JimG1964]

Same was sounding really good until he mentioned the heavy engine braking. I'm leaning to KTM for the ability to tune out engine braking to some extent.

[@ShelbyPaget]

The bike looks sooo planted and almost looks like it is moving like a 450 haha flowin man!

[@USMC-1911]

I heard the crank and airbox gave it a lot more mid and usable high a lot smoother.

[@eatnpooter1634]

how much hp gain with an ecu and a pipe with the crf250r?

[@44sammy4]

I love it

[@manfredbuzek1922]

Hy Lindsay, You dont touch the rebound clickers front and rear?

[@vitalmx]

Depends on setup. The latest YZ450F I went with some pretty large rebound changes. The new KX250 as well.

[@manfredbuzek1922]

@@vitalmx i mein at the Crf 250 2025?

[@vitalmx]

@@manfredbuzek1922 Didn''t feel a need on this bike for the track we tested on this day. Depends on conditions and track.

[@manfredbuzek1922]

@@vitalmx thanks

[@joshbluver1020]

Is this kinda bike used in the street? Or open roads? What about highways? Or is this only for off roading?

[@vitalmx]

Only for off roading.

[@bittabike]

I am choosing literally right now. Should i get the base model, or works edition?? I am going to put a deposit down on either tomorrow, I just dont want to look like an absolute sweat, but maybe it's worth going with the works edition? I'm not sure. I would love people opinion!

[@jpesicka492]

Next year will have more power and be more well received. Still a good bike though.

[@44sammy4]

it looks like a bloodred cr from 88

[@craigf7188]

88 colours with 90 silhouette

[@44sammy4]

@@craigf7188 not wrong mate

[@fabianhochheim]

Is the fork to soft?

[@saramittoyohann8205]

Please How are the suspension for a 130lbs rider ?

[@shanemoto97]

Would it be beneficial to just throw a 110 tire on the stock rim?

[@vitalmx]

Yes, but it won't work as well as a 110 on a 2.15 rim.

[@AQbumpin]

@@vitalmxwhy is that exactly and how much of a difference for an average rider? I know it’s because of tire profile being more rounded on a narrower rim, but can’t find a more detailed answer to the affect - thanks!

[@vitalmx]

@@AQbumpin A 110/90 on a thinner rim will be very "round". It'll have more knob area on the sideprofile than usual, and it would want to feel like it grabs the inside of the rut easier and stand the bike up. But when upright, it won't have the full contact patch a 110/90 is meant to have on a 2.15. A 110 on this bike stock is still better than a 100 though.

[@AQbumpin]

@@vitalmxokay thanks for the response appreciate it! Keep up the good work 🤙🏻

I know it’s super early, but any idea if the previous generation forks and triple clamps will fit on the new model?

[@vitalmx]

Yes, previous triple clamps and forks will fit. The shock won't though.

[@usafwx01]

Worth moving from my 24 YZ250F? Miss my red bikes (hated 23).

[@JPN421]

I rode one coming from a 24 yz liked it a lot better. Overall better handling (more planted feel) and much better breaking. Off the bottom it’s more linear than the 24 stock but doesn’t pull as hard on top

[@usafwx01]

@@JPN421 yep I picked mine up about a month ago, love it, my 24 YZ was a great bike but this bike is better.

[@SimenSR]

Do you know if the rear shock is simular to the 24 dimension/bolt points? I have Cone Valve on my bike now that i would like to move over on the new one

[@vitalmx]

Bolt position is the same but shock body is different on the reservoir. They said 24 and prior bodies won’t fit because they’ll hit the airbox during the shocks movement.

[@justinspurgeon9816]

Watch keffers breakdown of the bike rear shock is incompatible he says or it may of been racer x magazine with mosman

[@YannickMayer91]

Can you adjust the mapping with an app?

[@vitalmx]

No.

[@simplelifeofkirk5232]

Sweet bike.

[@racingfortheson]

Can you stiffen up 2024?

[@vitalmx]

Get your welder out and copy HRC hahaha.

[@racingfortheson]

@@vitalmx 🤣

[@rockstargrader]

I love black wheels

[@311hitwall]

Why the expensive gas tank though?

[@brandonfoley8070]

So basically what Yamaha did a year or 2 ago with a new chassis and plastic but basically the same motor

[@rideracelive105]

Does the WE come with a 2.15 rim?

[@vitalmx]

We're not sure yet, waiting to get confirmation on rear rim size for that model.

[@amikhael5135]

which one handle better and has a better engine : yz250f 24 or this CRF ?

[@vitalmx]

Honda handles better, Yamaha has slightly better engine.

[@LeeTillbury]

​@@vitalmxSlightly better?!😂😂😂

[@vitalmx]

@@LeeTillbury Yes, the '24 YZ250F mapping isn't as good as the '23 model and the airbox change made it run not quite as strong off the bottom. Overall, it's better than the Honda but not massively.

[@amikhael5135]

Corner better ? Better stability? Both? ​@@vitalmx

[@usafwx01]

@@amikhael5135also curious @vitalmx

[@jasontoland8059]

What’s the horsepower?

[@sdb92]

Great detailed review, bud. Yep, HONDA definitely played with tire selection to kinda compensate for the extra 5 pounds this bike carries now…

[@justinweatherly6520]

Michael, if you were buying a bike tomorrow would you picky the Honda over the Yamaha ???

[@vitalmx]

Oooo, quite possibly. I think the chassis is better on the Honda but the Yamaha motor is a little better.

[@ClarkStar866]

will outgoing wheels carry over?

[@vitalmx]

Yes, but front spacers might be a little different.

[@HaydenCarmichael]

Is there any plans of making a 250 works edition review when they become available?

[@vitalmx]

Yes, it's supposed to be available in August.

[@racecastle]

Braaaaaapppp

[@samdorken5639]

Hey let’s showcase a new bike on a perfect track

[@vitalmx]

Sadly, yes. It's the OEM's event, we don't get to pick the track we first ride the bike.

[@guywhitecotton1376]

How many motos before it blows

[@Markjacobs4477]

Still the slowest motor in 250 class

[@Smokebag]

That would be Suzuki

[@MX-CO]

Still faster than 95% of local riders can use all of

[@MultiKtm300]

I put it in 2nd behind the Yamaha and only because it has slightly less bottom end. I can’t speak for the 2025 motors yet.

[@vitalmx]

Stronger than the Suzuki, close to the Yamaha now.

[@jasontoland8059]

Ktm, Honda, or Yamaha?

[@chuckchambers9565]

So tired of black wheels !

[@willfranklin9244]

What other wheels would looks better?

[@Stinky_sack]

​@willfranklin9244 none. Black wheels for life. I'm gonna be really disappointed if they go back to silver wheels. When I got a 08 kx250f with black wheels I was sooo pumped

[@jameswampler3135]

I hate silver wheels.....so black is the only other logical choice

[@yukonjon5964]

@@willfranklin9244 gold rims on the Honda all the way. blue seat. long live the 80's!

[@willfranklin9244]

@@yukonjon5964 oh true those retro colours 👌👌