I have a ‘24 crf250r with stock suspension. I overall love the bike and have been pleasantly surprised with the suspension. I’m 6’2 180 lbs and the fork is actually pretty good after putting a stiffer rear spring on the bike. Still, as always, a stock bike could do with valving.
The bike has a little bit of oversteer, particularly in mid corner transitioning to exit. I’ve heard these bikes really like a 23.5 offset. I’m curious if anyone who has done suspension and clamps on these bikes can tell me what made a bigger difference. Assume the cost the same for simplicity sake.
Also, if anyone has the ‘25 with the 23.5 offset, please let me know how you’re getting along with it. I plan to buy a ‘26 250WE, so I’d like to know if the part has the same effect on that bike.
I always recommend proper springs and valving first before any chassis mods. Some people are ok with the stock offset (22), but most people really like the longer offsets, 23, 23.5, or 24 on that chassis. In general, the faster you are, and the faster the track, the longer the offset. Most pro national riders were running 24 mm on that chassis outdoors.
The 2025 has a 0.2 degree more slack head angle, which will help vs the 24 chassis, so it's not in as much need of a longer offset. That said, we have riders on both stock and 23/23.5/24 on the 2025 bike and happy with it. It really comes down to testing and sorting out what's right for you, which is one big reason our Pro clamps have adjustable offset.
Regardless, getting your suspension properly set up first is most important.
Thanks Billy. I guess my only real complaints with the bike are front end feel and mid corner oversteer. From what I hear, the clamps help that more than suspension. I’ve no other complaints about the suspension. I’m a little leery of a revalve because I’ve had bad result when I haven’t been able to give good instructions.
I guess I should add the stipulation that the re-valve/re-spring needs to be done correctly for you. It's very possible to have it done poorly or incorrectly for your weight/skill/riding style, which wouldn't be good!
If you're happy with the suspension now, are you happy but don't know what you're missing from a good re-valve/re-spring? Or are you happy and there's not much to be gained from a proper re-valve/re-spring? Understanding that will be key to determining your upgrade priorities, but that may be hard to understand! I'd start by talking to a reputable tuner to get their opinion of how far off the stock spring rates and valving is from their recommended setting. If you're pretty close already, then clamps may be a better upgrade.
I can see where a bit of a soft setting (180 lb on a crf250 would have it soft) would create oversteer. The front is too much into mid stroke. get it valved and sprung....
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Interested to see if anyone is running the ride 23.5s from their old bike on the 25.
I too am contemplating a 25/26.
Damn 22 had everything on it I’m glad most things transfer over.
I commented on this on other threads. I have a 23 Honda 250 R. We never got along from day one, I pretty much parked it and rode other bikes I have.
I gave up trying to sell it, it’s hard to sell a used bike even for cheap. I figured if I’m stuck with it I’d make it better. A few weeks back I got with Billy at Luxon, he sent me a 23.5 clamp and bar mounts. I also got with RaceTech swapped front and rear springs again, lost a lot of weight. Left valving stock.
I’ve only had it to the track once but clamp made a big difference. I need to spend some more time to dial clickers in. It took a bunch of twitch out and corner exit much more planted. I had previously moved the pegs back and down a tick which seems to have taken some weight off the front end. I’m of the opinion one of the problems with 22-24 Hondas is too much weight in the front end. Clamps help with that too.
I’m not going to say it’s end all fix all for my Honda but it seems to have went a long ways to improve handling. I can’t compare to a 25 but I’m old and slow, doubt I could live on the difference if any.
I’m old too……with flashes of brilliance!
I can tell you that when I dialed in the suspension and moved the pegs back it felt good. The clamps made it fantastic….as a matter of fact the last time I rode the bike I had that with fresh rubber (a 110 tire) and the bike was fantastic. I beleive it closes the gap.
If I had it to do all over again and know what I know now. I’d never took my 23 Honda to the track till I swapped triple clamp and springs for my weight.
Same for foot peg brackets which moved pegs back and down a tick. Seems like it balanced the bike a better. I’m of the opinion when I was 241 pounds my weight and my Honda did not get along and not just in the spring dept. After I got off my beer and fried chicken diet, lost 40 pounds it seems push in corners improved. Yeah my rider position might have been wrong, old and slow whatever. If I had to guess the front end weight was changed on the 25 Honda compared to 22-24.
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