Honda Australia has taken it upon them selves to take rider feedback and turn it into real changes to the 4th Generation 2008 Aussie Spec Enduro Machine.
No longer bristling with the weighty Aussie ADR complaint parts that most punters take to with a tool kit as soon as they get them home, a new Euro ADR Standard has been applied and the results look good.
Now that we have had a chance to actually ride the little red fire breather the story gets even better.
A term that has been mostly associated with Hi-Tech gadgetry lately which has finally come to fit in the realm of motorcycles is a term called “convergence”.
Last year we tested a 450cc motorcycle that handled and felt like a 250 but with the added power of the 450 plant. We were impressed and reported it as such.
We didn’t call it convergence then but now I believe the term has relevance, read on.
With the fourth generation CRF250X convergence describes where the 450cc class of bike is getting more nimble and lighter with handling characteristics reminiscent of a 250. With the 4th generation CRF250X this is the first 250cc machines to show it has enough bottom end grunt and power through the range to cut it with the 450’s.
Hence the term “convergence”, the gap between 250’s and 450’s is narrowing or “converging”
With the stock gearing and carburation minus the throttle stop and stock silencer the CRF250 was still whisper quiet and produced plenty of useable power.
Whist it didn’t have the punch of the 450 it certainly didn’t lack useable power and top end saw us heading into just over 130k/hr (theoretically on the Dyno of course).
We would probably opt to change the stock rear sprocket to a 51 tooth to make the bike a little leggier down bottom and increase the top end slightly. Whilst the bikes that were set up for competition had a main jet upgrade from 132 up to 168 wihout a touch of the pilot and the air box opened up, myself and several other seasoned journo’s reckon the stock setup was still a sweet spot .
We were able to pop the front wheel into the air in third and keep it there into 4 and 5th peg without too much trouble, the 450 certainly does power wheelies better so I’m really looking forward to the release of 3rd generation of that beast.
So at the end of the day we have a light weight (114.8 kg Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride) nimble beast that is able to perform pretty close to the heavyweights. Some of the benefits especially in the tight rocky single trails we tested on were demonstrable by being able to apply power without the aggressiveness of the bigger bore bikes, light weight, 114kg and the smaller tank with new bars were just some of the changes that made the bike a pleasure to ride.
We did over 80k’s of tight single trails with the7.3litre tanks and didn’t hit reserve, though I can’t tell you as yet what the overall range is we’ll let you know as soon as we can.
So would we buy one, yes we would. Would we suggest you buy one. again I'd be happy to recommend this new breed of 250 to anyone who's serious about having some fun offroad or competing.
2008 CRF250X
Features & Benefits
New for 2008
* New works-type front and rear brake discs reduce unsprung weight.
* New TAG T2 Fat bars with Honda branded bar pad
* New TAG grips
* New Front Headlight Shroud
* New Barkbuster Handguards
* New Slimline LCD Speedometer
* New Rear taillight set-up
* New Slimline rear taillight
* New Front master cylinder
* New Adjustable front brake lever
* New Chain Guard
* New Brake Snake
* New Speedo Sensor
* New Dunlop D908F front tyre & D606 rear tyre
* New Narrow-design fuel tank and seat for improved rider ergonomics
Spares Kit
* Dunlop D742FA front tyre
* Dunlop D756 rear tyre
* Additional Wiring harness for competition use
* Exhaust deflector
* Factory headlight
* Spare odometer/cable & speedo drive hub
* Renthal handlebar (971 bend)
* Factory handlebar grip
*Spares Kit comes with every 2008 CRF250X
Parts List
* Spoke spanner
* Spark plug tool
* Owners manual and Competition handbook
* Battery charger
Unique Features
- Electric start system for easy starting in all conditions.
- Fuel-tank capacity is 7.3 lit.
- USDA-qualified muffler/spark arrester.
- Powerful 35w halogen headlight features an innovative lens for a wide range of illumination.
- Integrated LED taillight in rear fender.
- Convenient sidestand.
- Easy-access air filter.
- Wide-ratio five-speed transmission.
- Suspension tuned for competitive off-road riding needs.
- 18-inch rear wheel for greater flat-tyre protection.
Engine/Drivetrain
Powerful 
four-stroke 249cc liquid-cooled four-valve Unicam® engine is designed to produce power across a wide rpm band for easy-to-control operation (see Technology Section).
Electric starter drives the clutch side of the crankshaft to provide superior lubrication to starter gears, and produce a narrow engine with a short, strong crankshaft.
Compact, lightweight engine assembly weighs only 27kg.
ACG cover, clutch cover and cylinder-head cover are made of magnesium to reduce engine weight.
Forged 12.9:1 compression slipper piston is lighter than a conventional design, revving quickly while maintaining excellent cylinder sealing and high-rpm power.
37mm Keihin FCR-type carburettor features four rollers on the flat slide, resulting in light throttle effort, smooth operation, crisp throttle response and excellent rideability.
Carburettor features a throttle position sensor (TPS) to help maintain linear throttleresponse throughout the rpm range.
Twin-sump lubrication system separates the oil supply for the crankshaft, piston and valve train from the clutch and transmission. This ensures a cool supply of oil to the clutch, eliminates clutch and transmission
material contamination of the engine oil, reduces the amount of circulating oil and permits the use
of a smaller oil pump.
Exhaust system uses a lightweight stainless steel exhaust header and muffler equipped with spark arrester.
Dual radiators feature a refined core area for improved heat dissipation compared to conventional dual-radiator design, and coolant recovery tank.
Gear-driven balancer reduces vibration and drives the water pump. Eight clutch plates provide the surface area necessary to handle the engine’s massive torque, while carefully matched clutch springs provide a light feel at the lever.
T-ring–sealed chain is approximately 1.6mm narrower and is stronger compared to conventional chains.
Durable five-speed wide-ratio transmission.
Chassis/Suspension
Fourth-generation Twin-Spar Aluminium Frame with forged-aluminium steering head
(see Technology Section).
18-inch rear wheel features same lightweight rear hub and HRC works-type lightweight
aluminium spoke nipples as used on the CRF250R.
Front wheel features large-diameter front axle and wide wheel-bearing span for excellent rigidity.
Rear-axle diameter of 25mm and large-diameter bearings provide optimum rigidity to
withstand torturous off-road conditions.
Revised, sophisticated Inverted Twin-Chamber Cartridge Fork (see Technology Section).
Pro-Link® Rear Suspension with new damper settings (see Technology Section).
Large 50mm rear shock damper piston diameter for consistent performance under demanding riding conditions.
HRC works-type rear brake system integrates the rear master cylinder and fluid reservoir, eliminating the need for a separate reservoir and hose assembly.
Additional Features
Rider ergonomics are optimized by adapting the handlebar, seat and footpeg height to place the rider’s legs at the narrowest frame width for improved comfort and handling feel.
Rear brake pedal and shift lever are made of lightweight aluminium and are designed to complement the riding position. Brake pedal features optimized ratio to match integrated rear-brake master-cylinder design.
Wide, cleated stainless steel footpegs are self-cleaning, resist corrosion, provide excellent grip and fold for extra ground clearance.
Handlebar holders provide two different mounting positions to match rider preference.
Works-type handlebar grips add to rider comfort.
Adjustable front brake lever.
Quick-adjust clutch.
Chain guide material offers improved wear resistance, and service life is five times greater than conventional materials.
Front disc brake cover helps protect rotor and calliper from damage.
Removable rear subframe allows easy maintenance.
Washable, two-stage foam air filter for optimal engine protection and easy maintenance.
Comfortable, durable controls and high-quality fasteners.
Stainless steel clutch cable for long life.
Specifications
Model: CRF250X
Engine Type: 249cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
Bore and Stroke: 78mm x 52.2mm
Compression Ratio: 12.9:1
Valve Train: Unicam; four-valve Intake Valve Size: 31mm
Exhaust Valve Size: 26mm
Induction: Keihin 37mm flat-slide carburettor with throttle position sensor (TPS)
Ignition: CD with electronic advance and lighting coil
Starting: Electric and kick
Transmission: Wide-ratio five-speed
Final Drive: #520 T-ring–sealed chain; 14T/53T
Suspension
Front: 47mm inverted Showa cartridge fork with 16-position rebound and 16-position compression damping adjustability; 315mm travel
Rear: Pro-Link Showa single shock with spring preload, 17-position rebound damping adjustability, and compression damping adjustment separated into low-speed (13 positions) and high-speed (3.5 turns); 315mm travel
Brakes
Front: Single 240mm disc with twin-piston calliper
Rear: Single 240mm disc
Tyres
Front: 80/100-21
Rear: 100/100-18
Wheelbase: 1481mm
Rake (Caster Angle): 27.54°
Trail: 118mm
Seat Height: 958mm
Ground Clearance: 346mm
Fuel Capacity: 7.3 lit
Colour: Red
Wet Weight*: 114.8 kg
*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride.
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