Honda CBR250R

It’s powered by a fuel-injected 249.4cc single-cylinder engine with double overhead cams actuating four valves. A gear-driven counterbalancer should keep it smooth up to its 10,500-rpm redline. Peak power of 26 horses is said to come in at just 8500 rpm, with 17 ft-lb of torque arriving at 7000 rpm. This indicates a relatively broad and torquey powerband. For comparison, Kawasaki’s Ninja 250, which has had this class virtually to itself, makes its torque and horsepower peaks at 9500 and 10,250 revs, respectively.


“I'm quite interested in Honda's attempt to snatch away market share from Kawasaki's venerable Ninja 250R,” Pete observes. “The CBR250R is powered by a Single, and so should produce a neat Thumper-style exhaust note and should also make good, grunty low-end power, all while looking like a larger, more upscale Honda sportbike.”

The new CBR is clearly targeted at the Ninjette – Honda has set its MSRP at an identical $3999. Honda one-ups the Kawi by offering ABS, a $500 option, and standard fuel injection.

We’ve already had the chance to spin some early miles on the littlest CBR, and we found there’s lots to like.