Dirt Bikes

2025 Honda CRF250R Technical Information

Features and specifications of Big Red’s MY25 quarter-liter motocross bike.

June 27, 2024

The year 2025 is shaping up to be another big one for Honda. Instead of resting on its laurels, which would have been perfectly understandable given the brand’s recent racing success, the company forged ahead. Not only will the flagship 2025 Honda CRF450R motocrosser receive a generational update, so too will the CRF250R along with both RX cross-country models. And did I mention Honda will be releasing another all-new bike as well? The 2025 Honda CRF250RWE is a first for Big Red and follows in the CRF450RWE’s footsteps.

Read on to learn more about the 2025 Honda CRF250R, which is priced at an extremely competitive $8,299, and see how it compares to the rest of Honda’s competition-focused 250F catalog.

Related: 2023 Honda CRF250RX Review

All red and here early: the 2025 Honda CRF250R. Scroll through for more insight and information about Big Red’s heavily updated standard-model 250F motocrosser.Drew Ruiz

Refinement is the name of the game for the CRF250R powerplant. Similar to previous iterations at the outset, this fuel-injected liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke 249cc single-cylinder engine with four valves has a few tricks up its sleeves. Headliners include an optimized air intake and exhaust system, but don’t sleep on the revised ECU settings and updated crankshaft that features a more rigid design. Every piece of a 250F has to work in harmony for ultimate performance, and Honda continually improves year over year.Drew Ruiz

At the top, one can see the throttle cables attached to a 44mm throttle body. At the bottom, behind the rear brake pedal and tucked neatly out of harm's way, lies the oil window. The CRF250R’s oil filter is located under the water pump assembly. Bore and stroke remains 79.0 x 50.9mm, as does the 13.9:1 compression ratio. Titanium 33mm intake and 26mm exhaust valves return for 2025.Drew Ruiz

A completely redesigned airbox has a more direct pathway for airflow, and this large vent (found only on the left side) allows the CRF250R to breathe deep. Air filter visual checkups are easy; just use caution when washing your new bike. From this angle, one can also see the black textured side panel plastic and grippy red seat cover: Honda ergonomics continue to set the bar.Drew Ruiz

One 8mm bolt on the lower subframe rail removes the left side panel. A second 8mm bolt removes the black air filter structure cover. Once this cover is removed, mechanics have serviceable access to the air filter. The black cover provides width which mirrors the right side of the bike, locking the rider in place symmetrically.Drew Ruiz

Note the new ECU location for 2025 and beyond. Also visible is the air filter removal clip near the front of the cage. A Twin Air air filter will replace this green and black stock unit on the forthcoming CRF250RWE.Drew Ruiz

Here’s a great shot of the 44mm throttle body with a fuel injector angle of 60 degrees. The yellow knob on the assembly is the fast idle, which doubles as the idle adjustment when clicked clockwise or counterclockwise. Steel head stays return for 2025.Drew Ruiz

A revised exhaust allows a straighter path for airflow, increasing midrange and top-end performance. The black skid plate comes standard and helps protect both the engine components and lower frame rails.Drew Ruiz

A single 8mm bolt locks in the head pipe and muffler. Note the step just before this juncture: OEMs have been stepping up their game of late, making available performance increases harder and harder for aftermarket purveyors.Drew Ruiz

A racier exhaust tone is emitted from the 2025 Honda CRF250R. Built for closed-course use only, the muffler is also repackable, as the end-cap is easily removable.Drew Ruiz

The CRF250R features a nine-plate clutch assembly, which can be found behind the silver-painted clutch cover. A five-speed transmission has ratios that are well suited to the CRF250R’s engine character.Drew Ruiz

A traditional cable clutch can be found on the CRF250R as well as the cross-country-based CRF250RX. The 2025 Honda CRF250RWE comes with a hydraulic assembly, and it requires a different ignition cover and internal design.Drew Ruiz

Engine start button can be found on the throttle side and electric starting fires the quarter-liter thumper to life in a hurry. The kill switch (red), Engine Mode Select Button (blue), and Honda Selectable Torque Control (green) buttons all occupy the same module on the clutch side. With three engine maps, three traction control settings, and three settings of HRC launch control to choose from, new owners have a variety of settings to test.Drew Ruiz

A 50 Nm silver shock spring is found on the CRF250R. The 2025 shock body differs from the previous design, and expect to use new settings to match the updated chassis character. Hard to notice details like an updated chain slider alter chain torque and improve handling as well.Drew Ruiz

Shock tuning all takes place on the right side of the bike. The clevis-mounted rebound damping adjuster is easier to tune off the stand, as a load on the bike increases accessibility. The green marks on the shock indicate stock positions. We noted the following on our testbike: low-speed compression damping at 10 clicks out, high-speed compression damping at 1.25 turns out, and rebound damping at 8 clicks out. It’s good practice to always check your owner’s manual to confirm stock baselines.Drew Ruiz

New for 2025 is a one-piece linkage arm. Two individual pullrods were found on the previous design. This more traditional engineering increases rigidity and improves tracking. The frame mounts have been reinforced for 2025 and beyond fitment. A sliver of the shock rebound damping adjuster can be seen from this low vantage point.Drew Ruiz

New subframe mounts in a raised and rearward location are said to reduce energy transfer to the front of the bike. Two 8mm bolts (one on each side) hold the seat in place, and one can be seen near the top of this photo.Drew Ruiz

A 1.7-gallon titanium gas tank is found on both the CRF250R and CRF250RWE. The cross-country-spec’d CRF250RX comes with a larger 2.1-gallon resin fuel tank. The radiator shrouds, side panels, front number plate, and front and rear fenders use either 8mm or 10mm bolts, expediting maintenance.Drew Ruiz

Redesigned bodywork is smooth, sleek, and provides plenty of surface area to grip the bike. Thus far, the updated radiator shrouds have drawn mixed reactions. After riding the bike, I’m a fan. In my opinion, they’ll look even better with some horizontal graphic styling instead of just the stacked, vertical design. These inlaid graphics will hold up, regardless of personal preference.Drew Ruiz

Computational fluid dynamics were used to design the radiator shroud air outlets. Even the radiator grilles/louvers are optimized for cooling: Everything from number of fins to angle is a conscious decision from Honda engineers.Drew Ruiz

The rear width of the CRF250R is all but symmetrical for 2025 and beyond. Details like the indented grip pads in the black side panels and muffler bolt accessibility are all typical Honda as well.Drew Ruiz

A protective black skid plate comes standard across all of the CRF Performance lines. Two 8mm bolts keep it tight. Only the radiator overflow tube routes down; the cylinder head relief goes straight back to the airbox.Drew Ruiz

Front disc guard is also standard equipment. It protects the 260mm rotor and updated fork lug. Much of the front end has been redesigned to be more rigid and accurate: Everything from the fork tube dimensions, triple clamps, front axle design, and even the front brake caliper have been optimized for 2025.Drew Ruiz

A new front axle nut threads into the axle, as opposed to the older design which left a gap in fork lug contact. This modification should retrofit onto previous CRs and CRFs as well, and may be worth testing for longtime Red Riders.Drew Ruiz

The Nissin dual-piston front brake caliper and internals have also been updated for 2025, visible externally with new machined accents. Improved late-moto consistency is claimed to be the motivation for the changes.Drew Ruiz

Black D.I.D DirtStar rims are found on the CRF250R. The CRF250RX gets an 18-inch rear wheel, while the CRF250RWE gets D.I.D DirtStar LT-X hoops. Also pictured is the Nissin rear brake assembly and 240mm rear rotor.Drew Ruiz

Gearing of 13/50 graces the CRF250R with a Sunstar rear sprocket. A black D.I.D 520 DMS chain keeps you driving forward. Rear axle placement is rather far forward, with plenty of rearward adjustability. A longer chain will likely be required if increasing the rear sprocket size to 51-tooth or larger.Drew Ruiz

One major variance among all three competition-focused Honda 250Fs are the tires. Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid Soft tires are found on the CRF250R. The CRF250RX features Dunlop Geomax AT81 tires, whereas the CRF250RWE will be equipped with Dunlop Geomax MX33s.Drew Ruiz

A 19 x 1.85 rear rim holds a 100/90-19 rear tire. The front comes in standard 80/100-21 sizing.Drew Ruiz

Although Pirelli manufactures extremely high-quality tires, the 100/90-19 sizing may be the only chink in the 2025 Honda CRF250R’s armor. A 110/90-19 rear tire is much more common in today’s 250F day and age, as are 19 x 2.15 rear rims. The Pirelli is easy enough to update as the tire wears and it becomes time for replacement, but the narrowness is still a mentionable point.Drew Ruiz

A top-tier 250F for $8,299 is a bargain. Coming in with a host of updates, the 2025 Honda CRF250R somehow kept the same MSRP for another calendar year. Between the CRF250R, CRF250RX, and CRF250RWE, there has never been a better time to ride red!Drew Ruiz

2025 Honda CRF250R Specs

MSRP:	$8,299
Engine:	DOHC, liquid-cooled single-cylinder; 4 valves/cyl.
Displacement:	249cc
Bore x Stroke:	79.0 x 50.9mm
Compression Ratio:	13.9:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	5-speed/chain
Fuel System:	EFI w/ 44mm throttle body
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate; cable actuation
Frame:	Aluminum twin-spar
Front Suspension:	Showa 49mm coil-spring fork, compression damping and rebound damping adjustable; 12.2 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Showa shock, spring preload, high/low-speed compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 12.1 in. travel
Front Brake:	Nissin 2-piston caliper, 260mm disc
Rear Brake:	Nissin 1-piston caliper, 240mm disc
Tires, Front/Rear:	Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid Soft; 80/100-21 / 100/90-19
Rake/Trail:	27.5°/4.6 in.
Wheelbase:	58.4 in.
Ground Clearance:	13.0 in.
Claimed Seat Height:	37.6 in.
Fuel Capacity:	1.7 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight:	234 lb.
Availability:	July 2024
Contact:	powersports.honda.com