2023 Honda CRF250R Dyno Test

Honda’s CRF250R boasts some of the best low-end to midrange power in the class, but signs off before its five main competitors.

--

In recent years, some manufacturers have followed in the footsteps of KTM by giving their respective 250 four-stroke motocross bikes engines that pump out impressive peak horsepower numbers at high rpm. Honda joined in on this trend in 2018, but the rev-happy red rider lacked bottom-end grunt, which the Japanese manufacturer attempted to remedy in 2019 and 2020.

That changed in 2022 when Honda introduced a new platform that placed the meat of the CRF250R’s power from low-end to midrange. It made 1.4 hp less at peak than the 2021 model, but test riders didn’t mind as the new power delivery was much more usable. With no mechanical changes over last year, dyno results for the 2023 machine were unsurprisingly similar.

When run on our in-house Dynojet 250i rear-wheel dynamometer, we documented 37.8 hp and 18.0 lb.-ft. of torque from its rear wheel. The CRF250R produces more peak hp than the Suzuki RM-Z250, but less than the others. To learn more about how it stacks up against the competition on the dyno and track, check out our 2023 250F Motocross Shootout.

“The CRF250R engine feels very similar to that of the Suzuki RM-Z250 in that it’s easy to use and clean running, but differs in that it’s actually pretty fast,” test rider Casey Casper said. “Its crisp feeling makes the already-light Honda feel even lighter. Also, gearing is unique on the little red rider; I found myself using second to fifth while other bikes were often first to fourth.”

Full story here: https://www.dirtrider.com/tests/honda-crf250r-dyno-test-2023/

Video By: Bert Beltran

Read more from Dirt Rider: https://www.dirtrider.com/