First ride: Honda CBR250R

You could be forgiven for thinking Honda's new CBR250R had assumed the mantle of Big Red's sporting flagship, such has been the seemingly never-ending torrent of pre-launch hype surrounding the marque's latest entry-level offering.

Perhaps that's a product of the fact Honda's model range hasn't had a whole lot going on of late – at least, not since the introduction of the VFR1200 – or perhaps it's indicative of more frugal post-GFC focus, with a shift in emphasis towards keener pricing and value-for-money motoring.

While the reality probably involves a bit of both, you can't deny Honda's latest is certainly grabbing its fair share of the limelight – and a closer look at the numbers reveals why.

For a marque that's traditionally placed itself toward the upper end of the Jap-bike price scale, Honda has released the CBR250R in Australia with some super-sharp pricing (see PRICE AND EQUIPMENT, below). The fact the bike is produced in Honda's Thai manufacturing facility is undoubtedly a big factor here, as is the powering Aussie dollar.

Honda has said it's aiming for a production tally of 60,000 CBR250Rs to be built in 2011, those bikes to be distributed to no less than 22 countries around the world.

The pre-launch marketing campaign has obviously had the desired effect, because despite only going on sale in Australia in late March, some 135 examples were spoken for in 2011's first-quarter sales figures, according to data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). That year-to-date figure is some way off the Kawasaki Ninja 250R's 354 units, and seven units behind Yamaha's newcomer, the YZF-R15, but make no mistake – the latest CBR is set to rattle some cages...

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
The CBR250R sees a 249cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder powerplant slipped into a steel diamond frame, while the fuel-injected engine puts its power down to the ground via a six-speed gearbox and chain final drive.

A non-adjustable 37mm front fork is complemented by a Pro-Link monoshock at the rear, the latter with five-way preload adjustment. For braking, a single disc at each end is gripped by a Nissin caliper (twin-piston at the front, single-piston at the rear), and in a first for the 250cc entry-level market, Honda's Combined ABS is available as an option ($500).

The fully-faired bike comes with an analogue tacho and digital speedo, the latter part of an LCD display also featuring a clock, fuel gauge, trip meter, odometer and engine temperature readout.

The model is available in Asteroid Black Metallic or Red/Silver (ABS and non-ABS versions) and Pearl Blue Tri-Colour (non-ABS only). Warranty is 24 months, unlimited kilometres.

The standard model's pricing has been set at $5490 (plus on-road costs), while the ABS-equipped version goes for $500 more. The model's release has sparked an all-out price war in the Australian entry-level motorcycle market, with Kawasaki quick to slash $1500 from the price of its top-selling Kawasaki Ninja 250R (now $5999 plus on-road costs), and Daelim knocking $500 off its VJF250 (now $4500 plus on-road costs).

ON THE ROAD
After months of pre-launch PR spin, it was almost a relief to finally be throwing a leg over Honda's CBR250R – and well away from the bright lights of motoring expos and press launches.

Yes, it's an entry-level machine, but for that very reason this bike fulfils an incredibly important role. Provide novices with a user-friendly, reliable and fun platform on which they can hone their skills, and chances are they'll be on their way to a rewarding life-long pursuit. Give them a cumbersome, unwieldy machine with which they can scare the living daylights out of themselves, and they're on a fast track back to tin tops – or a hospital.

Thankfully, in the CBR250R Honda's produced a superb learner mount, and one that should prove tempting for city commuters, too. And don't for a second think that just because it's produced outside of Japan, and for a bargain price, that this bike is somehow sub-standard. It's got a build quality eminently worthy of the Honda badge, and it's packed with plenty of features.

For me, at 188cm tall, the first surprise was its size. Sure, it's not a big bike by any stretch, but the ergonomics will happily accommodate a broad range of rider heights. The seat is on the firmer side, but I wouldn't have any qualms in setting off on a longer day ride on this bike. The ride position is fairly upright, with just a slight forward lean, and there's a surprising amount of legroom.

Thumb the starter and the little single whirs into life. The large muffler may take its styling cues from the latest brace of sports rockets, but the tiny outlet tells the story – you won't be bothering the neighbours with this one. Pull in the feather-light clutch, snick first gear, ease the clutch out and you're away.

With a 780mm seat height and a wet weight of just 161kg, this is one light and manageable package. The seat height actually feels lower than 780mm because it's such a skinny little thing (i.e. the bike's width doesn't excessively splay your legs) , and what little weight there is melts away once you're rolling down the road.

The handling is all about building confidence. The steering is neutral, and while it happily flicks through a chicane with the slightest nudge of the 'bars, it's far from flighty.

I found the bike was a delight around town, although you will notice the width of those mirrors in tighter traffic situations. It's no drama to fold them in to slip through really small gaps, and in such situations the generous steering lock is a big benefit.

The engine is a hearty little performer, which is to say that although it won't exactly rip your arms from their sockets, it will provide entirely satisfactory, learner-friendly performance. Honda doesn't quote power and torque figures for the CBR250R, but there's enough go to beat the tin tops away from a red light, and it'll take highway speeds in its stride.

In fact, it's downright sprightly up to 100km/h, and 120km/h isn't far behind. At 100km/h in sixth it's pulling 6000rpm, and redline is marked at 10,500rpm. To be fair, there's nothing to be gained by caning it; keeping it between 7000rpm and 9000rpm was the order of the day for faster progress, or 5000rpm to 6000rpm if cruising. It's all over by 135km/h (or so I'm told!).

Tackling the tight and windy road over Mount Macedon to Melbourne's northwest, the CBR250R proved it had the substance to match the style. The suspension is basic and a little harsh over bigger impacts, but it does a perfectly adequate job. I had no complaints about the IRC tyres, and the ample ground clearance added up to a fun and entertaining package through the twisties.

Likewise, the brakes are well suited to the bike's intended market. This test bike's front stopper felt a little spongy at the lever but it afforded good, progressive power, with a decent level of feel. The back brake holds up its end of the bargain and it's good to see a Combined ABS option (a $500 option). It only has to save you once, as they say.

The CBR250R returned an impressive average fuel economy of 29.2km/lt during the course of its stay at the Bikesales Network, and with a 13lt tank that equates to a safe range of around 350km –brilliant.

In the 'odds and ends' department, the instrumentation is clear and easy to read. You get a decent pair of pillion grabrails and some nicely made pillion footpegs (although it's far from an ideal two-up machine). There's no centrestand, which will make chain adjustment and maintenance that little bit harder, and the sidestand could be a bit longer and with a slightly bigger footprint – you don't need much of a camber to produce a precarious angle of lean. Oh, the fuel filler pops right out (I've always found hinged filler caps to be far more practical).

Those minor foibles aside, Honda can be rightfully proud of its pint-sized newcomer.

It's well made, it has a great price, and it strikes a perfect balance between outright fun and entry-level reserve. It may only have one cylinder, compared to the parallel-twin of Kawasaki's Ninja 250R or the V-twin of Hyosung's GT250R, but it's a zesty little performer in its own right, and with its Fireblade looks I'm sure it's destined to send the next generation of Aussie bikers on its way in fine style.

Visit the Honda CBR250R in Bike Showroom.

SPECS: 2011 HONDA CBR250R

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Steel diamond
Front suspension: 37mm fork, 130mm travel
Rear suspension: Pro-Link with five-way preload adjustment, 120mm travel
Front brakes: 296mm disc with Nissin twin-piston radial caliper, (optional Combined ABS)
Rear brakes: 220mm disc, with Nissin single-piston caliper (optional Combined ABS)
Wheels: Five-spoke cast aluminium
Tyres: IRC, front 110/70-17, rear 140/70-17

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: N/A
Claimed maximum torque: N/A

OTHER STUFF
Price: $5490 ($5990 with ABS) – manufacturer's price before dealer and statutory costs
Colours: Asteroid Black Metallic or Red/Silver (both STD and ABS models), or Pearl Blue Tri-colour (STD model only)
Bike supplied by: Honda Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres

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