First Ride: 2004 Honda CRF250-X

I must have only done about 100 miles of off-roading in my whole life. I always really enjoy it when I get the chance, but the problem is I'm not very good at it. Enter Honda's CRF250-X enduro bike. Designed to be used by off-roaders of all abilities, the CRF turned out to be the perfect tool for novices like me.

Out in the hills and forests of Andorra, the Honda proved to be seriously entertaining and constantly amazed with what it could do. But, more to the point, by carrying me safely through some serious geographical challenges, it made me look half decent! Suddenly, off-road life was a lot easier.

The CRF is a really easy bike to ride. Its ridiculously light weight (just 103kg dry) gives it a toy-like feel. The very tall seat height needs time to get used to, though it does lower a fair bit when you get your bodyweight on board. The CRF's handling is aided by widely spaced footrests and big, wide Renthal bars that provide lots of leverage so it doesn't take much effort to make it go where you want, regardless of what sort of terrain you're trying to negotiate. The top-spec chassis obviously plays a part too. An alloy twin-spar frame, and quality suspension and brakes all help smooth out the runs and ravines and let you attack fearful-looking landscapes with confidence.

The response of the 249cc single-cylinder motor gives an indication of its state of tune. And though the engine is only claimed to make just under 30bhp, the way it so promptly obeys the throttle shows it's a serious bit of kit. The tiniest turn of the twist grip sends the crankshaft spinning up hard and fast, and. together with low gearing and minimal weight the CRF can accelerate very swiftly indeed.

Bottom end and mid-range power are good, but there's a surprising rush up near the 9000rpm peak power mark. Despite this, the CRF is very useable thanks to its well-mannered delivery. It won't take long before you're powersliding from corners and getting the thing sideways. Another boon is the electric start. It stops all the sweating, huffing and puffing involved with only having a kickstart, and is a seriously useful addition to an already well sorted and user-friendly machine.

The CRF is in dealers now, but you'll have to be fast to get one. Demand for the bike is very high, thanks to the huge success of the similarly-specced CRF-250R motocrosser, and Honda says it won't be long before the first batch is sold out. After the brilliant time I had on the bike over in Andorra, I'm already wishing I was one of the lucky buggers who's going to get their hands on one. Off-road riding is another world. And the CFR250-X is a superb way to discover it.

EVOLUTION:

1979: Honda launches XR250R

1996: XR gets an upgrade. The air-cooled motor is reduced in size and weight with a new carb, exhaust and gearbox parts. Frame, suspension and brakes are also new

2004 : XR replaced by the CRF250-X, derived from the CRF250-R 'crosser and itself one of the new breed of four-stroke competition machines taking the off-road world by storm

RIVALS:

KTM 250EXC: £4945 OTR - Boasting quality parts from WP and Brembo, the KTM's a bit cheaper than the Honda and fully homologated for road use. But it's heavy and slow next to the CRF

YAMAHA WRF250F: £5400 OTR - The WR is much closer to the CRF in performance terms but it costs more and needs modifiying to make it road legal

SPECS

TYPE - OFF-ROAD

PRODUCTION DATE - 2004

PRICE NEW - £4995

ENGINE CAPACITY - 249cc

POWER - 27.5bhp@9000rpm

TORQUE - 16.5lb.ft@9000rpm

WEIGHT - 103.5kg

SEAT HEIGHT - 955mm

FUEL CAPACITY - 8.3L

TOP SPEED - 60mph

0-60 - n/a

TANK RANGE - N/A

I must have only done about 100 miles of off-roading in my whole life. I always really enjoy it when I get the chance, but the problem is I'm not very good at it Enter Honda's CRF250-X enduro bike. Designed to be used by off-roaders of all abilities, the CRF turned out to be the perfect tool for novices like me.

Out in the hills and forests of Andorra, the Honda proved to be seriously entertaining and constantly amazed with what it could do. But, more to the point, by carrying me safely through some serious geographical challenges, it made me look half decent! Suddenly, off-road life was a lot easier.

The CRF is a really easy bike to ride. Its ridiculously light weight (just 103kg dry) gives it a toy-like feel. The very tall seat height needs time to get used to, though it does lower a fair bit when you get your bodyweight on board. The CRF's handling is aided by widely spaced footrests and big, wide Renthal bars that provide lots of leverage so it doesn't take much effort to make it go where you want, regardless of what sort of terrain you're trying to negotiate. The top-spec chassis obviously plays a part too. An alloy twin-spar frame, and quality suspension and brakes all help smooth out the runs and ravines and let you attack fearful-looking landscapes with confidence.

The response of the 249cc single-cylinder motor gives an indication of its state of tune. And though the engine is only claimed to make just under 30bhp, the way it so promptly obeys the throttle shows it's a serious bit of kit. The tiniest turn of the twist grip sends the crankshaft spinning up hard and fast, and. together with low gearing and minimal weight the CRF can accelerate very swiftly indeed.

Bottom end and mid-range power are good, but there's a surprising rush up near the 9000rpm peak power mark. Despite this, the CRF is very useable thanks to its well-mannered delivery. It won't take long before you're powersliding from corners and getting the thing sideways. Another boon is the electric start. It stops all the sweating, huffing and puffing involved with only having a kickstart, and is a seriously useful addition to an already well sorted and user-friendly machine.

The CRF is in dealers now, but you'll have to be fast to get one. Demand for the bike is very high, thanks to the huge success of the similarly-specced CRF-250R motocrosser, and Honda says it won't be long before the first batch is sold out. After the brilliant time I had on the bike over in Andorra, I'm already wishing I was one of the lucky buggers who's going to get their hands on one. Off-road riding is another world. And the CFR250-X is a superb way to discover it.

EVOLUTION:

1979: Honda launches XR250R
1996: XR gets an upgrade. The air-cooled motor is reduced in size and weight with a new carb, exhaust and gearbox parts. Frame, suspension and brakes are also new
2004 : XR replaced by the CRF250-X, derived from the CRF250-R 'crosser and itself one of the new breed of four-stroke competition machines taking the off-road world by storm

RIVALS:

KTM 250EXC: £4945 OTR
Boasting quality parts from WP and Brembo, the KTM's a bit cheaper than the Honda and fully homologated for road use. But it's heavy and slow next to the CRF

YAMAHA WRF250F: £5400 OTR
The WR is much closer to the CRF in performance terms but it costs more and needs modifiying to make it road legal

2004 Honda CRF250X Specifications

TYPE - OFF-ROAD
PRODUCTION DATE - 2004
PRICE NEW - £4995
ENGINE CAPACITY - 249cc
POWER - 27.5bhp@9000rpm
TORQUE - 16.5lb.ft@9000rpm   
WEIGHT - 103.5kg
SEAT HEIGHT - 955mm   
FUEL CAPACITY - 8.3L
TOP SPEED - 60mph