Hobbies Cars & Motorcycles Photo Gallery: 2011 Honda CBR250R Share PINTEREST Email Print Cars & Motorcycles Motorcycles Buying & Selling Motorcycle History Restoration & Repairs Cars Used Cars SUVs Trucks ATVs & Off Road Public Transportation by Basem Wasef Basem Wasef is the author of "Legendary Motorcycles" and "Legendary Race Cars." His work has appeared in Autoblog, Men's Journal, Robb Report, and Wired. Updated January 13, 2020 01 of 41 Pipeless Side An action shot of the Honda CBR250R, revealing the side without the exhaust can. Photo © Basem Wasef Honda's all-new sporty beginner bike takes on Kawasaki's Ninja 250R The all-new 2011 Honda CBR250R is a sporty beginner bike that features: A liquid-cooled, fuel-injected DOHC 249cc single-cylinder engineA six-speed transmissionA seat height of 30.9 inchesSingle 296mm front and 220mm rear disc brakes, with available ABSFuel capacity: 3.4 gallonsColors: Metallic black, Red/silverCurb weight: 359 lbs, 368 lbs (with ABS)Available accessories include a seat cowl and carbon fiber tank pad The 2011 Honda CBR250R is priced at $3,999, and $4,499 with ABS. The bike hits showrooms in Spring, 2011. 02 of 41 Familiar Mug The CBR250R is like a junior version of Honda's brawnier VFR1200F. Photo © Basem Wasef 03 of 41 Rear 3/4 The CBR250R's rear tire is a 17-inch, 140mm thick radial, which measures 10mm thicker than the Kawasaki Ninja 250R's. Photo © Basem Wasef 04 of 41 Action An action shot of the 2011 Honda CBR250R. Photo © Basem Wasef 05 of 41 Cockpit The 2011 Honda CBR250R's cockpit view. Photo © Basem Wasef 06 of 41 249cc Single The 2011 Honda CBR250R's single-cylinder, 249cc liquid cooled engine. Photo © Basem Wasef 07 of 41 Saddle A picture of the 2011 Honda CBR250R's saddle; the passenger portion can be replaced with a cowl for a sportier look. Photo © Basem Wasef 08 of 41 Action The CBR250R's light weight and nimble handling make it at home on canyon roads. Photo © MP 09 of 41 VFR-Like The CBR250R looks positively CBR-like, especially in red and silver. Photo © Honda 10 of 41 Black This view of the CBR250R in black reveals the heat-shield covered pipe. Photo © Honda 11 of 41 Big Pipe The CBR250R's rather considerably-sized pipe can be seen in this shot. Photo © Honda 12 of 41 Black, Pipeless Side The CBR250R, looking rather dark on the side without a pipe. Photo © Honda 13 of 41 Exhaust A picture of the 2011 Honda CBR250R's exhaust can, which routes from the bike's single-cylinder engine. Photo © Basem Wasef 14 of 41 Front Brake The Honda CBR250R's front brakes are single-disc 296mm units; note the slotted sensors on this ABS-equipped test bike. Photo © Basem Wasef 15 of 41 Analog and Digital Instruments The Honda CBR250R's instrumentation combines analog and digital components, just like a grown-up sportbike. Photo © Basem Wasef 16 of 41 Fairing The CBR250R's fairing is flanked by pod-mounted side view mirrors. Photo © Basem Wasef 17 of 41 Poised The CBR250R parked by the side of a canyon road in Malibu, California. Photo © Basem Wasef 18 of 41 Left Grip A picture of the CBR250R's left grip, with high-beam, turn signal, and horn buttons. Photo © Basem Wasef 19 of 41 Right Grip The 2011 Honda CBR250R's right grip houses the starter button and kill switch. Photo © Basem Wasef 20 of 41 Ergonomics The Honda CBR250R's ergonomics, revealed here in a diagram. Photo © Honda 21 of 41 Action The $3,999 Honda CBR250R challenges the Kawasaki Ninja 250R in the hotly contested beginner bike arena. Photo © Honda 22 of 41 Posture Riding the CBR250R involves a slightly forward tilted posture. Photo © Basem Wasef 23 of 41 Combined ABS The CBR250R's combined ABS system uses wheel speed sensors to trigger the anti-lock function, which is only linked rear-to-front-- ie, activating the front lever will only trigger the front brake, but the rear pedal activates both front and rear brakes. Photo © Honda 24 of 41 Pro-Link Suspension "Pro-Link" refers to Honda's rear shock arrangement, which progressive shock characteristics (ie, gradual increases and decreases in shock length), with a shorter shock stroke where the rear axle doesn't move. Photo © Honda 25 of 41 Diamond-Configuration Frame The CBR250R's frame is a diamond-configured, twin-spar tubular steel frame with truss structures, optimizing the relationship between size and strength. Photo © Honda 26 of 41 Primary Balancer A primary balancer is used to reduce engine vibration, and it's placed close to the crankshaft in order to pass between the two crank weights, keeping the engine compact and mass-centralized. Photo © Honda 27 of 41 Air Injector Pathway A view of the Air Injector pathway, which injects air into the exhaust gases for more complete combustion, and therefore cleaner emissions. Photo © Honda 28 of 41 Offset Cylinder By offsetting the cylinder centerline 4mm towards the exhaust side of the engine, lateral resistance generated between the piston and cylinder during the power stroke is reduced. Photo © Honda 29 of 41 Catalyzer Within the CBR250R's exhaust pipe lies a catalyzer, for emissions control. Photo © Honda 30 of 41 Air Intake/Oxygen Sensor The engine's oxygen sensor is combined with the built-in air injection (AI) system for reduced emissions; a catalyzer within the exhaust pipe offers another layer of emissions control. Photo © Honda 31 of 41 Low-Friction Valvetrain Within the CBR250R's valvetrain, a roller rocker arm helps achieve low friction levels thanks to its light weight due to the choice of a shim design, and lower valve spring loads. Photo © Honda 32 of 41 "New-Generation" Crankshaft The CBR250R's low-weight crankshaft features a half-split, press-fit metal bearing for the crank journal for the first time in a Honda single-cylinder engine. Optimum crank shape was determined by computer analysis for optimum strength and rigidity. Photo © Honda 33 of 41 Engine to Frame Relationship The relationship and positioning between engine and frame was key to achieving several goals: a compact engine, a short 53.9 inch wheelbase and optimized front/rear weight distribution enable agile handling, solid tracking, and responsive steering. Photo © Honda 34 of 41 Spiny Cylinder Sleeve This so-called "spiny cylinder sleeve" features small bumps on the outer portion of the sleeve, which aid cooling performance and keep distortion of the cylinder's inner shape to a minimum. Centrifugal casting enables thin, uniform wall thickness. Photo © Honda 35 of 41 18 Frame-Related Patents The CBR250R's stiff and lightweight frame is no accident; it took 18 patents to optimize the structure and enhance details like reduced fuel sloshing and easy parts replacement. Photo © Honda 36 of 41 Straight Port The CBR250R's dual overhead camshaft layout offered more freedom for valve angle, port shape, and combustion chamber shape; the straight pathway from air cleaner to exhaust pipe boosts low through high rpm power, and enhances charging efficiency. Photo © Honda 37 of 41 Roller Rocker Arm The Honda CBR250R's roller rocker arm is the world's first patented application, and enables a low-friction valvetrain with a smaller cylinder head and an ultra-compact roller rocker arm. Photo © Honda 38 of 41 Powerplant and Exhaust The Honda CBR250R's powerplant and exhaust system. Photo © Honda 39 of 41 Valve Shapes The CBR250R's valve stems are a thin 4.5 mm in order to keep from impeding intake and exhaust flow, but the diameters are large; combined with a wide opening angle and high-lift cams, intake and exhaust efficiency is improved. Photo © Honda 40 of 41 Striated Piston The Honda CBR250R's piston has light striations in order to retain engine oil for better lubrication, lower the tension of the piston rings, and apply a smooth, shot-peen-hardened finish to the piston pin. Photo © Honda 41 of 41 "Silent Type" Cam Chain The Honda CBR250R's engine valves are driven by a "silent type" cam chain. This type of chain is also called "Hy-Vo," referring to its high velocity and involute tooth arrangement. Photo © Honda Continue Reading