CR250R - Which year would you call the motor the most "Tame"?

04

Had a mint 87 model that was great and would consider very tame. Also had a mint 2002 model that was even more tame. Very mellow...slow mellow

My '95 CR250 is a rocketship. I wouldn't consider it much for trail riding but then again it's always been on the track instead of the trails.

I agree with newmann. 02 was slow! Lots of potential though.

'00 CR250 was very mellow and "electric" feeling. Decent torque and centered powerband. The chassis isn't as nimble as the last generation aluminum frame though. I like that motor alot and did mx/woods riding on it. I never gelled with the last gen case reed motor and I'd rather be born without a face than to run the Mikuni carbs that came stock on the bike after '00.

The 1988 was tame and very smooth, almost boring. Find some info in the back issues and you can see what Honda did making the bike tamer

The 87 was one of The Great MX to Enduro conversions.

A fantastic engine for Off Road, with great handling and suspension.

I've a mate with a couple of them, and a few 500s. One of the 250s has 50mm Showa conventionals and an Ohlins shock, the other with just superbly set up / modified, and pristine original suspension. Both, I love to ride whenever I get the chance. A brand new version of an 87, with just some modern updates, would go head to head with any modern 250 (well, any sized) Enduro bike.

Here's an easily found picture of an 87 set up for Off Road:

01 usable power that I wouldn't call tame.....04 just tame but less usable as a trail bike. Speaking stock of course.

1985. 84 screamed and 86 was great. 85 blah

While the 02 CR250 was considered tame I don't think it would be a good trail bike nor suit your or your dads needs it was sort off the bottom but once you got the engine singing on top it was fast as hell! The reason I said it wouldn't be good for what you're looking for is because of the soft bottom in power if he's somewhat of a beginner Rider he would have a hard time working with such a soft power delivery because you have actually have to ride that bike and work it hard along with the clutch when you get in tight sections and slow-speed areas being pretty experienced myself I know I can make it work but it would be very demanding on the trails however I had a 2002 and I loved that bike I regret selling it every single day I had it dialed in with the right amount of stuff like a FMF SST pipe and silencer Boyesen pro series Reeds and some other intake stuff in the carburetor and perfect jetting and that bike ripped it was light and fast as long as you rode it like a big 125.
God I loved that bike! The only bike I ever bought brand new 😖