CBR250R inches closer to Aussie debut

Honda’s CBR250R represents one of the biggest bike launches for the Japanese company in 2011, as it sets out to dislodge Kawasaki’s Ninja 250 from its pedestal as Australia’s No 1 selling 250cc road bike.

That’s a major reason why Honda first began its marketing campaign for the CBR250R well before last Christmas, in an attempt to put the brakes on denizens who were thinking about buying the Kawasaki.

And we can now confirm the new LAMS-approved motorcycle will be priced from $5490 when it goes on sale in late March.

That price will be for the standard machine, and the combined ABS-equipped model will retail for just $5990 when it arrives around mid-April – with Honda’s intelligence suggesting the ABS model will eventually become the more popular of the two.

Honda is also doing a special deal for early adopters of the new 250cc sports bike, offering a free first service to those who purchase the machine before May 31, 2011.

The CBR250R’s price undercuts two of its direct rivals in the shape of the Kawasaki Ninja 250R ($7499) and Hyosung GT250R ($5990), while the Daelim VJF250 is $4990.

We've already ridden Honda's all-new entry-level sports bike at the world launch in Thailand, and it's certainly a well-rounded machine, powered by a 249cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine with a 10,500rpm redline and capable chassis. The Australian media launch was held in Sydney on Tuesday, March 15.

The fuel-injected four-valve engine has a DOHC cylinder head and though peak torque is not given, we know from experience that it's got plenty of mumbo. A six-speed manual transmission gets the engine's power to the ground, via chain drive.

Weighing 161kg, the 2011 Honda CBR250R features 37mm front forks, and a Pro-Link five-way preload adjustable rear shock. The stoppers comprise single disc brakes front and rear with Nissan calipers, measuring 296mm fore and 220mm aft. The wheels are 17-inch five-spoke items shod with a 110/70-17 front and 140/70-17 rear.

Other vital statistics include a 780mm seat height, 145mm of ground clearance and a 13-litre fuel tank. For more details on the new model check the Honda CBR250R launch review.

There are three colour schemes available: 'Asteroid' black metallic, red/silver, and pearl blue tri-colour.

Honda has developed a 31-piece accessory catalogue for the CBR250R, which includes everything from cowls to luggage options, panels, bar ends, stickers and tank pads. Prices range from $18 to $270.

Click on the following link to download the full accessory list.

Aftermarket specialist Moriwaki has also developed some bits to rattle a few more performance cages, and includes a full titanium exhaust system ($1700), a full stainless system ($1300), and a stainless slip-on ($899). There are also rear sets available for $899. See the last image for a Moriwaki-prepped CBR250R which made an appearance at the international launch in Thailand.

Check out www.cbr250r.com.au for details of the bike's launch, and remember that people can register to ride the CBR250R at three ‘try it’ days being held along the east coast in April. After that, we'll be sampling the CBR250R for the first time on Aussie soil.