Joaquim Rodrigues'
Amsoil Factory Connection
Honda CRF25OR
(Josh Grant suspension)
Joaquim Rodrigues' CRF250R is one fast dirt bike. From the second you swing a leg over the red machine, you notice how unbelievably quick and powerful it is, while at the same time remarkably easy to ride and friendly. In order to meet the rigorous, high-speed needs of Rodrigues, the mechanics at Team Amsoil worked hard to create a complete package complementary to his unique, revved-out riding style. The end result is a Honda that is simply amazing to ride, with a motor and handling that would make your jaw drop.
It's no secret that the Factory Connection bikes are fast, and it seems one of the FC riders is always in the hunt for a holeshot. The very first thing I did on Rodrigues' bike was practice some starts. I did five starts and was blown away by strong and consistent power. Down low the bike has almost no pull. This bike is all about high revs and hard-hitting power. Although there is no bottom-end, I love how the bike just hits and revs to the moon. It is really fun to ride since it actually made me feel fast. The Factory Connection Showa Works suspension is a bit stiff for me, but overall I like the way it works. -Corey Neuer
Have you seen these bikes in the front at the first turn lately? Don't be surprised! Aside from great gate timing, all it takes is some really fancy footwork banging gears at the peak of the power. I don't think there is anything in the class much faster. Its motor has the most midrange power of any bike this size I've ridden. It isn't overly smooth on the bottom or the top-the bottom lacks and the top surges with power-but if you ride this thing from the mid to the top, it is serious. How much mid? When the motor came on the pipe, I used the clutch to smooth the transition. It was better for me to keep the revs up and stay on top of this. -Jimmy Lewis
The FC bike was exactly what I expected from a top pro's racebike: well-refined, with an extremely fast engine that likes to be revved. The engine doesn't pull as well off the bottom as I would like, but I know I don't ride the bike the way most (or probably any) National-level pros do. The suspension (which was straight off Josh Grant's Southwick racebike) works well for me even at my relatively slower speeds. It is especially good at braking. -Sean Finley
The motor feels strong right from the bottom (though Editor Lewis says what I call bottom-end power is what he calls midrange!) through an unreal mid-rev peak. On top of that, it never falls flat when pulling through to the rev-limiter. The brakes are insane without any fade, and they always stay strong. I don't think there are words for the suspension and handling. The plush initial feel keeps the tires on the ground, especially into turns. My only complaint is that it got a bit soft deep in the stroke. -Ryan Orr
When I first hopped on Joaquim Rodrigues' CRF250R, I had to double-check that it was in fact a 250. Heading down E-Town's start straight, I was caught off-guard by the bike's incredible power. It increases steadily from a strong pull into a monstrous, revved-out explosion on top. Once you get to the top of the revs, the engine still pulls like crazy! I felt I didn't even touch the rev-limiter, and there was still a lot of meat above the point at which I was riding the track. The engine has an outdoorsy feel, with a long pull that seems suited to high-speed tracks. Rodrigues definitely knows how to charge into sections with a lot of speed, which is apparent in the momentum-favoring engine curve.