Come-on, hands up all those who have never ridden one of Honda's quarter litre chookies. Right, so that makes three of you. Just about everybody has ridden an example of what must be arguably the most successful - in terms of popularity - four-stroke trail bike in history. The stone reliable XR250R has proved itself as a gentle off-road tool for the casual weekender, a competent competition mount in Enduro, muster mount, outback tourer and just about every variant of dirt riding in between. It's probably not stretching things too far to say that it's an icon.

Weighing in at a reasonable and easy to pick up 116kg The XR feels light, confident and easy to ride, and flatters crap riders like me by letting them get away with things that more ferocious weaponry would punish without mercy. As a result it encourages the novice, building confidence and allowing them to take a few chances and so improve their riding skills.

Engine: 249cc RFVC air-cooled single-cylinder
Bore and stroke: 73.0 x 59.5 mm
Compression ratio: 10.2:1
Transmission: Six-speed
Ignition: Solid-state CD with electronic advance
Final drive: O-ring sealed chain 13T/48T
Front suspension: 41mm leading-axle Kayaba cartridge fork with compression-damping adjustment; 269mm (10.6 in.) travel
Rear suspension: Pro-Link Kayaba single-shock with spring-preload, compression- and rebound-damping adjustment; 369mm (10.6 in.) travel
Front tire 80/100-21
Rear tire: 110/100-18
Ground clearance: 315mm (12.4 in.)
Seat height: 914mm (36.0 in.)
Wheelbase: 1400mm (55.1 in.)
Dry weight: 109 kg (240 lb)
Fuel capacity: 9.1 liters (including 1.9 liters reserve)
Honda Genuine Accessories™: HRC power-up kit, 430mm work stand
 

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