DESPITE LAMs replacing the 250cc learner limit across most of Australia, two-fifties are still a very popular choice for new riders, and Honda’s new CBR250R will be a popular choice.

While there are increasing numbers of options available from lesser known manufacturers, if you wanted to buy new and you wanted a 250cc learner road bike with big brand kudos there has not been a lot of choice. Indeed, until Honda this year released its all new CBR250R, there was limited choice - mainly Kawasaki’s 250 Ninja, and the Kawasaki has been topping learner sales charts for some time now. No wonder Honda has decided to fill this gap in the market.

The 250 sport class for the road is important and it has been a bit neglected for some years now. The right bikes will get beginners in and enthusiastic and when they get to enjoy a quality experience on the right machine they will keep on riding, proving themselves and progressing to larger bikes. You can tell from the bike sales websites that grey imports have filled the void, but there are some risks in owning one of these including a lack of dealer back up, while 250cc dual purpose machines, custom mini choppers and big scooters don’t quite cut it if you want to cruise a freeway or really experience what a properly set up road bike can do carving though the curves. And if super sports bikes are going to be your thing the right 250 can also make stepping up to what are now very potent 600s and beyond a not so daunting and natural progression.

Modern machine
The CBR250R is a thoroughly modern road bike in all aspects. It has a purpose built single cylinder fuel injected engine with twin cams overhead pumping four valves, plus there is an effective counter balance shaft to smooth out the vibes associated with singles. The triangulated black frame discreetly hidden under a full fairing is a twin spar lattice in steel that grips the engine as a stressed member. The 37 mm front forks while simple and without adjustment are strong and compliant and hold the ubiquitous 17 inch sized wheel shod with a 110/70-17 radial that has a 296 mm single disc grabbed by a more than adequate twin pot caliper. At the rear a 17 inch wheel carries a 140/70-17 radial and has a 220 mm disc and single pot caliper.
A very comfortable bike, Honda maintains its reputation for getting real world ergonomics right for the majority of riders, and while the lean forward has a genuine sports feel it never became taxing after long spells on the slim, flat but comfortable seat pad. At 785mm the seat height was about perfect for my 175cm height, and taller riders may be surprised how roomy this Honda proves to be. Pillions will make it to the coffee shop or cinema, but not much further.

On the eye
Honda has chosen its own path styling wise with its recent flagship bikes the VFR1200 and the CBR1000RR. The CBR250 to my eye has nailed this new trend with the wide and high louvered side panels and the big three-part Y-shaped headlight. The neat low screen and fairing help to provide the little bike with excellent stability at speed. The bike comes in two colour schemes, a classic Honda red, white and blue while the other option, and my favourite is the black with silver rims. Some, and me included, could only find one bad note styling wise and that is the triangular muffler. If it were in stainless or some other rich material it would work better visually, and there are already aftermarket options, which will certainly up the noise ante. I found the standard muffler sounds fine if a little on the quiet but socially acceptable side.
The cockpit dash sits under a neat low screen and has a great sweeping dial for the tacho which made it easy to keep the revs dialled while the rest of the display, including the usual indicator lights and the big LCD for speed and fuel gauge (reliable and accurate), were generous, easy to read and had that great blue backlight colour for riding at night. Like any decent smaller bike the clutch and other controls were slick and light to pull, with plenty of feel. Even the mirrors are excellent.

Around town
The first thing I noticed on the first ride was how great the little engine is off the mark, with a genuine single cylinder surge of torque. I couldn’t wait to head home the long way around Newcastle’s beach roads where there are plenty of safe quick little curves. The bike became an instant pleasure. The engine revs well and handling was a snip. Tipping in, the bike would settle into a turn instantly. Your body can quickly shift into boy racer mode and hang off the side, and the light controls made finding the right gear and plenty of throttle easy to make a surging exit. A smart choice of tyre sizes contributed to that sometimes difficult to find but ideal handling package which delivers quick changes of direction, instant grip and confidence inspiring stability. The brakes were excellent.

Highway bound
Overall for getting round town it is hard to imagine this very well set-up CBR250R with its surprising mix of single cylinder torque and top end being outshone by many other bikes.
I had an opportunity to make a run from Newy to Sydney and back. It was a cold day and I did not want to be late for a work engagement. The CBR250R just hit the freeway, settled in and when you wanted to clear off from a B-double or some other annoying cars there was plenty there in the engine with a down change or two. The next surprise was just how good the fairing proved to be. On the way back after effortlessly carving through peak hour Sydney traffic (Market St was gridlocked!) it became windy and started to rain. No change of pace on the F3 with cars and trucks throwing spray and the wind gusting crossways. The CBR250R’s fairing kept me relatively dry and the bike was rock steady, I could feel movement from the tyres on some wet patches but the bike just carved ahead with no movement through the ’bars. This is a very safe and confidence inspiring bike for any rider.

Smart buying
While we all move on with our bikes it was great to get back in touch with a 250 like the CBR250R. It is a very smart design, it has a clever flexible engine, there is great fuel economy and it’s clean running to meet Euro standards (yes, I’m a greenie). What the $5,495 CBR250R (ABS version $500 extra) really is though is a fully up to date sports road bike with real character and which deserves to be taken up in large numbers for both starting and returning riders. I reckon the CBR250R will hold its value too, it is immaculately finished and, well, it is after all, a Honda.