2011 Honda CBR. In all its 26 horsepower glory!!! (price released = $3999)
10-27-10, 07:26 AM
#1
2011 Honda CBR. In all its 26 horsepower glory!!! (price released = $3999)
For those who want a reliable beginner motorcycle. 
Weighing just 162kg/359lbs, making 26bhp and available with optional ABS, this is the 2011 Honda CBR250R entry-level sportsbike. And, miracle of miracles, it looks like Honda heard the cry for more desirable small-capacity motorcycles, it’s coming to the United States! We’ll keep updating this article throughout the morning.
Power comes from a 249cc single-cylinder, DOHC engine that’s equipped with a balancer shaft to smooth out vibrations. That 26bhp arrives at 8,500rpm and maximum torque of 17lb/ft is at 7,000rpm, likely indicating a flexible, easy-to-use engine. The gearbox is a six speed.
The CBR250R is a little less powerful than the two-cylinder Kawasaki Ninja 250, which makes 32bhp, but the Kawasaki actually makes a hair less torque at 16lb/ft and is slightly heavier at 169kg/373lbs. That means the Honda is slightly behind on power-to-weight with a .160:1 (bhp:kg) ratio to the Ninja 250’s .189:1 and slightly ahead on torque-to-weight with the Honda making .105:1 (lb/ft:kg), while the Kawasaki only manages .094:1. Expect Honda to try and rival the littlest Ninja’s $3,999 starting price, although no official price for the CBR has yet been announced.
The tiny Honda’s seat height is just 30.8 inches which should combine with that curb weight to make it super friendly for learners and the height-challenged. Fuel economy is listed at 63.4mpg (US gallons) in Europe, but hasn’t been run through the official cycle in the US yet. Equipped with a 3.4-gallon fuel tank, that should give it a maximum range of 218 miles at highway speeds.
The tri-color paint scheme you see above and in the gallery below won’t be coming to the US. Instead, we’re getting red or black options.
Weighing just 162kg/359lbs, making 26bhp and available with optional ABS, this is the 2011 Honda CBR250R entry-level sportsbike. And, miracle of miracles, it looks like Honda heard the cry for more desirable small-capacity motorcycles, it’s coming to the United States! We’ll keep updating this article throughout the morning.
Power comes from a 249cc single-cylinder, DOHC engine that’s equipped with a balancer shaft to smooth out vibrations. That 26bhp arrives at 8,500rpm and maximum torque of 17lb/ft is at 7,000rpm, likely indicating a flexible, easy-to-use engine. The gearbox is a six speed.
The CBR250R is a little less powerful than the two-cylinder Kawasaki Ninja 250, which makes 32bhp, but the Kawasaki actually makes a hair less torque at 16lb/ft and is slightly heavier at 169kg/373lbs. That means the Honda is slightly behind on power-to-weight with a .160:1 (bhp:kg) ratio to the Ninja 250’s .189:1 and slightly ahead on torque-to-weight with the Honda making .105:1 (lb/ft:kg), while the Kawasaki only manages .094:1. Expect Honda to try and rival the littlest Ninja’s $3,999 starting price, although no official price for the CBR has yet been announced.
The tiny Honda’s seat height is just 30.8 inches which should combine with that curb weight to make it super friendly for learners and the height-challenged. Fuel economy is listed at 63.4mpg (US gallons) in Europe, but hasn’t been run through the official cycle in the US yet. Equipped with a 3.4-gallon fuel tank, that should give it a maximum range of 218 miles at highway speeds.
The tri-color paint scheme you see above and in the gallery below won’t be coming to the US. Instead, we’re getting red or black options.
10-27-10, 07:33 AM
#2
Pole Position
Join Date: Nov 2007
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I LOVE it!!!! Always tempted to get the Ninja, this just DESTROYS it!!!! 
Just watched Top Gear where Cruise says he has Steve McQueen's 1934 Indian I think
... very cool
10-27-10, 09:37 AM
#5
Pole Position
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It's good to see Honda getting back into the entry-level sportbike segment. It's been what, 20 years or so since the VTR-250? Since it's refresh a few years ago, the baby Ninja has been selling as fast as dealers could get them in stock. Now it'll have some serious competition from something other than the cheapie Korean brands. Big thumbs-up to Honda.
But they really need to bring over that red, white and blue livery!
But they really need to bring over that red, white and blue livery!
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10-27-10, 12:02 PM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
I'd like to see more of those types of bikes here in the US, but I think the pricing would keep them from selling well.
I think bikes like these exist mainly due to the tiered motorcycle licensing they have in Europe (maybe Asia too?). I don't think a new rider can simply walk into a dealer and purchase a liter bike - have to get experience on the lower power bikes first.
http://www.timberwoof.com/motorcycle/faq/europe.html
Honda has some really cool bikes we don't see here - I dig the retro CB1100R:
I think bikes like these exist mainly due to the tiered motorcycle licensing they have in Europe (maybe Asia too?). I don't think a new rider can simply walk into a dealer and purchase a liter bike - have to get experience on the lower power bikes first.
http://www.timberwoof.com/motorcycle/faq/europe.html
Honda has some really cool bikes we don't see here - I dig the retro CB1100R:
10-27-10, 04:27 PM
#9
Pole Position
wow they finally made a competitor to the Ninja....damn, i wish the weight was down lower though..
10-27-10, 05:36 PM
#11
Lexus Champion
for less than $4000 you can pick up a nice used GSXR750....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuk...Q5fmotorcycles
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuk...Q5fmotorcycles
