Riding The 2018 Honda CRF250R

Primary use: Motocross
Main Mods: None
Moment of Glory: Clearing a difficult, rutted jump at Cahuilla Creek MX from the inside line out of the corner
Forgettable Experience: Almost having my hand come off the bar at speed
Hours: 20.6
Aftermath: Two Twin Air air filters, two oil changes using Pro Honda 10w-30 oil, and one oil filter change

After the 2018 250F MX Shootout, I was excited to put more time on the all-new Honda CRF250R as it not only won the shootout but also finished in the top three in my personal rankings. In the month of December, I rode the Honda at Cahuilla Creek MX multiple times and once at Milestone MX Park when we compared the bike to its older brother, the CRF450R. Before riding it after the shootout, I changed the oil, oil filter, and installed a new pre-oiled Twin Air air filter. Maintaining the CRF250R is a snap, especially now with the engine and transmission oil being combined into one. Changing the oil filter was very simple as well, and the sight glass on the right side of the engine is a convenient, quick way to ensure the oil level is sufficient.

When we rode the bike at Milestone, it felt a bit like déjà vu as we tested there the second day of the shootout. The CRF250R excelled on the tighter, turn-filled track due to how well it corners, especially on flat ground. That day the only thing I desired more of from the bike was a bit more bottom-end power to help accelerate out of corners better. I also was able to ride the CRF450R back to back with the CRF250R that day, and it was easy to tell how incredible both red machines are.

During my first visit to Cahuilla Creek in the month of December, which happened to be Christmas Eve, I had the pleasure of parking next to Dean Wilson’s father, Andy. Andy was super friendly and spun laps on his Honda CR500. Seeing the 2018 Honda CRF250R sitting next to his CR500 in the pits was pretty cool to say the least! As far as lap times go, according to my LitPro device, I threw down my fastest time in my first session of the day with a 2:13.82. Later on, as the track dried out in the afternoon with less than optimal traction conditions, I was amazed at how well the CRF250R hooked up on the flat ground corners. The bike is so easy to throw around and put where you want. Also, it corners on a dime even when the track has gone away. I left the track after spinning a total of 32 laps and built up a great appetite for Christmas dinner in the process.

After spending a few days in Arizona after Christmas, I returned to Cahuilla on New Year’s Eve and put in several motos with the CRF250R. The track was watered more than it was on Christmas Eve, which made for some fun and challenging ruts both in the corners and on the jump faces. There was one jump in particular I was able to clear from the inside line, but I had to nail the inside corner perfectly, carry my speed through some acceleration chop, and seat-bounce the rutted jump face in third gear wide open. I managed to clear it by giving it all the CRF250R had in third gear. Needless to say, it felt awesome to downside it! I completed my day of riding after spinning 39 laps and my fastest lap time was 2:16.34.