Upgrade to enjoy this feature!
Vital MX fantasy is free to play, but Premium users receive great benefits. Premium benefits include:
- View and download rider stats
- Pick trends
- Create a private league
- And more!
Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
To break it in, I went for a 20 minutes cruise. Front end felt super low. Sag was too low, plus I moved the forks down in about 2mm. Did another 20 minute moto, rode a bit harder but no full throttle. Got the sag to exactly 105. Went out and rode for 20 minute at a medium pace, then did another 20 pretty much full throttle.
I am coming from a 2021 Yamaha 250F with Enzo Suspension. Let’s break down the cornering first. At turn it, the Honda is better, I could cut down to inside with more confidence. The more major difference, though was at the apex. The bike is so much easier to turn here. The thing just complies so well and stays leaned in with traction. The Yamaha wanted to sit up a bit more. Because of this, I could stand through corner much easier, even in deep ruts in 180 degree turns I have no business standing through as a casual 34 year old vet rider.
Suspension. Let’s be honest, KYB is the best, but the Showa stuff is good. I felt like it was sprung perfectly for me at 165 pounds. I have not raced in a while, but I would probably be at the back of the pack at a local B race. Unlike Dylan F, I could not hit that uphill quad, and coming up short on it felt totally fine. I like how the forks stayed up in the stroke. It felt balanced once I dropped the forks and set the sag. The action is a bit harsher, but I am comparing that to an Enzo revalve, and the suspension is still new.
Motor. I prefer the motor on the Honda. That does not mean it is faster. Off the crack of the throttle, it does not have as much as the Yamaha. I prefer this though, rolling on earlier in corner is much easier because of this. Combined with the chassis, I hit my corners much better on the Honda. After that first crack of the throttle, I do think the Honda motor is better. The power is broader and, while I only revved it out a few times, it definitely revs much farther than the Yamaha. If you want a 250F that has the hit of a 450, this might not be the bike for you. However, I think this is the perfect 250F motor.
Fit and finish. I love everything about the bike so far. Only thing I miss is the slightly wider foot pegs on the Yamaha. I put ODI grips on, which used to work well on my Yamaha, but felt a bit hard on the Honda. I will throw on some Renthal grips. I love the bar bend and overall ergonomics. I felt right at home after 15 years on Yamahas.
Overall, I am very happy with the bike, I consider it a substantial upgrade, for me, over the Yamaha. It’s just more fun to ride. Maybe if I was racing or was faster I would miss that grunt right off the throttle. But, for me, I ride this bike better and feel like my technique and style is much better. As many have noted, it’s just a really fun bike.
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
I have a 250 YZF 2021 with Nihilo airbox and GET ECU, this thing is a beast down low and mid but it seems the honda turns much better and easier at turn in/rolling through the corner which is the part i lack skills the most i feel to get faster (i'm a medium B guy)
What about the compliance of the chassis/frame on the rough stuff ? Stability of the bike on ruts/rough stuff at the end of the day ? because the yami is really good at this compared to my previous ktm/husqvarna 2019.
Thanks
Turn in / compliance are strongly related. The track was not very rough, but there were four sections the Honda stood out to me in this regard.
1. The downhill section / turn before the finish line, fast, off camber, breaking bumps. I always struggled with this corner on the Yamaha, I could not come in very fast. I didn't get any deflection off camber, on the front break, coming into the turn with breaking bumps. I kept waiting for the front end to dance a bit, but it never did, and I was able to flow through the corner really well. I used to have to really get on the gas to clear the jump after, but this time I was carrying so much speed I was starting to over jump it.
2. There is that super gnarly off camber right hand turn all the way on the other side of the track. There was some choppy stuff on the entrance, and I always felt like I was on ice here on the Yamaha. The Honda felt so planted and again I kept waiting for the front end to give out a bit, but it never did.
3. The fastest section before Henry hill. I was worried the bike would get twitchy here. It's 4th wide open, with some chop. Bike stayed planted, no shaking.
4. The biggest downhill, before I got my Yamaha done by Enzo, the suspension would always beat me up here. It was much better after, but the Honda, stock, is on the same level. I think it's sprung pretty stiff, which is what I prefer.
Stability / predictability wise, it's a toss up. The front end would not really knife, but felt less connected for a quick second. I am not sure if this is because I was confident and pushing the bike harder at lean in, though. I think the Yamaha just gives you a more consistent front end feel, although it's not as good. The Honda feels much better and precise, but maybe once every 2-3 laps you get a slight dancing feeling. It was not even at a certain part of the track, of where I would expect it (see above), but I think I would just randomly get over-confident in the front end and push it too far. I never had this problem on the Yamaha, probably because I knew the limitations of it, and maybe it has a more progressive loss of traction? I think with time I will get used to where I can trust the Honda and exactly how far I can push it. This honestly might have just been a first day on the bike thing. But my main worry about the Honda was losing that stability feeling the Yamaha has, and I certainly don't feel like it's so much less stability that I will miss the Yamaha.
It almost sounds like the Honda is a good mix of the power curve of the KTM and Yamaha. It doesn't probably beat either one at their strengths but it falls somewhere in between and is more versatile. And that probably appeals to a wide range of riders (along with the great cornering and ergos.) I've left Yamaha too many times, only to go back. So I know where I need to be. But it does sound like the Honda is going to be a bike that just does everything well and will appeal to people. The Yam and KTM seem to appeal more to a specific type of rider.
Honda does not offer a 30-day warranty as KTM do, last year I also bought a brand new KTM with a transmission issue, they paid for everything. I am not lucky with my brand new bike lol
http://www.vitalmx.com/videos/features/Race-Spec-2022-Honda-CRF250R,201…
Keefer said the front is a bit harsh, 2 clicks softer and 2mm down. Also he said the Yosh system is a great pairing, adds mid and top without losing bottom.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocky-mountain-atv-mc-keefer-test…
By any chance, any one know where can i find one for a good price in Europe ?
thx
Do you have the same problem than 450 with the air filter?
Pit Row
Post a reply to: 2022 CRF250R