2023 Honda CRF250RX Race Test

The Dirt Rider crew has been fortunate to have a Honda CRF250RX as a Long Haul testbike for several years, and we know it’s an excellent off-road, woods, and single-track motorcycle. With Honda’s extremely high level of durability and reliability, why not put one to the ultimate test and race it?

The CRF250RX isn’t the first bike that comes to mind for AMA National Enduro racing. Its motocross-focused sibling, the CRF250R, has stacks of championships in AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross, and is mainly considered a track bike.

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As we have previously race tested other new bikes without modifications, I left this bike almost out-of-the-crate stock to expose its true capabilities. The only personal mods were an ODI Podium Flight handlebar with ODI soft-compound half-waffle lock-on grips, and a Dunlop mousse in the rear to avoid a flat tire.

I picked the Muddobbers National Enduro for a few reasons. After polling several full-time enduro racers, this one seemed on top or close to the top of everyone’s list. Additionally, this was the penultimate round of the 2023 season, and with the way the points were shaping up, several professional championships would be on the line.

Six tests ranged from 5.5 to 10.5 miles in length. Most of the dirt was topsoil with clay mixed in, and the rock gardens were minimal—mainly only around the superfun creek crossings and road tunnel sections. Even though it’s an enduro, the Muddobbers Motorcycle Club added some surprisingly high-speed cornfield sections too.

Conditions for the weekend’s event could not have shaped up any better. Heavy rains came down in the area midweek, which was just the right amount of time to sink into the dirt, giving the course almost zero dust or puddles.

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Being that this was only my third time at a National Enduro, I wanted to keep things simple. Fortunately, the CRF250RX required no additional enduro prep as its 2.1-gallon gas tank was large enough to get me through the first three tests, where there was a short break for fuel and snacks before restarting on test 4.

I attached a watch to the crossbar along with the start sheet so I would be sure to show up to my tests on time. There is no previewing of the course before the event, and this race started straight into test 1. There was zero warmup and I had no idea what to expect.

Most of the tests consisted of tight single-track but were more flowing than expected. There were some fun, slightly more open sections, and each test had its own different technical section. The course runs along, over, and in the Mississinewa River to help create several fun and challenging river crossings.  There were also some large culverts and a few road bridges to navigate through and under.

In the pits and at the start of most tests, the CRF250RX was alone without many other Hondas to bond with. Fortunately, because it’s one of the lightest and quickest turning bikes in the 250cc four-stroke cross-country motorcycle segment, it felt very comfortable on the trails. Its shorter-wheelbase-feeling chassis was very helpful in the tightest of sections.

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Its engine may not be the most powerful in the class, but that can be an advantage in some cases. I rode the bike in the aggressive map 3 (aka full power mode) for this event and in excellent dirt conditions. Another unique characteristic of the Honda chassis is how much rear wheel traction it provides. It’s designed so that when you twist the throttle, it transfers weight to the rear wheel, unlike any other bike.

During the entirety of the race, the bike never made a hiccup or did anything to make me uncomfortable. There was zero noise from the rear brake despite excessive dragging to help the bike turn tighter, and clutch fade was minimal after warmup. The suspension had a very good balance of low-speed performance with reasonable high-speed control. I made only minor adjustments throughout the day to get the most out of it.

After more than five hours on the bike and covering almost 70 miles of ground in the process, the Muddobbers Enduro ceremoniously runs you through the Cumberland Covered Bridge and into the pits.

It wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t point out a few dislikes about the CRF250RX, such as its seat being very thin which makes you feel like you are sitting on the seat pan after about three hours. I also found the rear brake pedal too far to reach with my size 9 boot. Plus, the fuel tank is mounted high and is wide at the top; what bothers me the most about it is how much different the bike feels with a full tank versus an almost empty one.

By the end of the day, I found myself thinking everyone who told me the Muddobbers Enduro is the best one of the season is correct. I rode the CRF250RX in stock form and was only restricted by my own capabilities. The bike was flawless the entire time.

Helmet: Bell Moto-9S Flex Sprint

Goggle: Scott Prospect 6 Days 2023 Argentina

Hydration Pack: USWE Raw 3

Jersey: Alpinestars Techstar Pneuma

Gloves: Alpinestars Radar

Pants: Alpinestars Techstar Pneuma

Boots: Alpinestars Tech 7