We all have our basic survival needs: food, water and shelter. While we certainly won't underestimate the importance of survival, most of us seek to live fully rather than merely exist. But the list of things we require to have a rich, fulfilling life is subject to debate. Most dirt riders are convinced that at least one motorcycle is worthy of making this list. The two exotic CRF150R-based, handwrought minicycles featured here, however, are more likely part of a much longer and probably more frivolous "want" list. Honda's CRF150R is a brilliant small motorcycle in standard trim, and few riders can justify tossing so much of the basic bike aside to build a special. In BBR's case, the stock frame and radiator hit the spare parts pile. The elemental strength, natural lightness and intrinsic luster of aluminum has always attracted gearheads of all stripes. And the light-alloy chassis kit that BBR used to build this bike is no less than a rolling work of art. But this is performance art made to get dirty and be enjoyed.
As you would expect from a company famed for stuffing monster two-stroke 500cc engines into 250cc frames, Service Honda discards (or, rather, sells through its parts department) the entire engine, carburetor, ignition and exhaust system of the 150R and shoehorns in a complete Honda CRF250R powerplant. For the number crunchers among you: For about 10 more pounds than stock, the CRF250 Junior-R gains more than 10 horsepower-better than a 30 percent jump in power. It's sort of like two-wheeled primal-scream therapy. We spent time on both bikes during the same testing session, so here's a look at what the bikes are and what they do well.
A phone call will get you one of these babies as a complete bike, or you can order the $3299 frame kit and assemble it yourself. The cash gets you the aluminum perimeter frame welded up from machined-billet parts, such as the steering head tube, swingarm pivot spars and extruded tubing. The kit comes with all the necessary parts, including a new plastic tank and two Fluidyne radiators. With just the frame kit installed, the BBR is right in the same price neighborhood as the Service Honda. But BBR (www.bbrmotorsports.com; 888.668.6227) is the maker of all things eye candy, and its customers crave bikes with a custom, not-off-the-rack look, so the test bike was a rolling catalog, with bling at credit-card-melting levels. The result is a bike that stops pit-strolling gearheads in their tracks. We thought we stumbled on an outdoor worship meeting, but the people on their knees were merely angling for a better look at this diminutive race weapon.
The BB in BBR stands for Brown Brothers, and you should know that the bros love little four-strokes. Not simply making them, but riding them. A good portion of BBR's R&D time is spent making little bikes work for adults. As a result, the suspension on this alloy 150R is too stiff for most real mini pilots. If you are actually one of the kids Honda designed this bike for, you'll most likely be happiest with spring rates somewhere near what the Honda comes with. For those in a second or permanent childhood, rejoice. BBR can make a small bike handle pretty well under a big rider-even one who likes to jump.
Service Honda 250 Junior-...
Service Honda 250 Junior-R
For an adult, the BBR bike offers compliant suspension and a solid chassis feel-with much less of the squirminess a small bike has with a heavy rider aboard. The smallish (compared with a big bike's) fork has some flex and twist your big bike doesn't have, but if you can ride any small bike fast, it will be this one. Will you see a $3300 improvement in lap times? No. Owning this bike is like having a supermodel girlfriend: so hot to look at that you forget about the expense.
Opinions
The BBR aluminum-frame CRF150R handled awesomely! I would have liked a bit more power, but it was still really good. It settled down in ruts well, and the cornering was better than a stock bike's. The front suspension was a little too soft, but it handled well overall just because it was so stable.Kyle Engle/5'2"/110 lb/Expert
Gared SteinkeKids of all sizes...
Gared SteinkeKids of all sizes liked riding this bike, yet none understood the term "second mortgage."
You don't really notice that the stock CRF150R frame does anything odd until you ride with the aluminum frame. It feels more solid and precise than the steel one. The perimeter frame and hand-built radiators look awesome. The frame has little detail machining, and everything on the bike makes it look like a works bike. I liked the position of the bar with the Tag triple clamps. The tank feels a little wider, but that didn't bother me at all. For my weight, the adult-spec suspension was pretty stiff. That might have affected the feel, but the BBR didn't feel different enough to justify the cost to me. Still, it looks so cool I would get the kit if I had the extra money.