New for 2010

• All-new, more compact engine.
• Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI).
• Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD)-equipped aluminum frame
• All-new front and rear suspension, featuring upper and lower fork tubes and a shock body developed exclusively for the CRF250R chassis.
• Redesigned higher-capacity airbox for enhanced breathing and increased power also improves filter access.
• All-new single-muffler exhaust system improves mass centralization.
• All-new bodywork.

Engine/Drivetrain

• All-new compact engine.
• Liquid-cooled four-valve Unicam® 249cc engine.
• Engine completely redesigned for improved power delivery from a significantly more compact package that lowers the center of gravity and enhances mass centralization for improved handling.
• New forged slipper-piston material permits a thinner crown. Low-friction surface treatment ensures high-rev potential.
• All-new Programmed Fuel Injection system (PGM-FI) utilizes a 50mm throttle body with 12-hole  injector fed by lightweight 50-psi pump to ensure optimum fuel atomization and precisely targeted fuel charge. System also improves fuel consumption.
• PGM-FI system monitors throttle position, intake air and coolant temperatures and manifold pressure to accurately map fuel charge and ignition spark, significantly improving partial-throttle response and helping to ensure excellent rideability.
• AC generator enlarged to service the PGM-FI system. Two crankshaft position sensors quickly determine crank position to provide quick starts, hot or cold.
• New mechanical water pump seal improves durability
• Kashima coating applied to the clutch basket and clutch center improves clutch life and feel.
• All-new  transmission ratios match  engine power output.

Chassis/Suspension

• All-new HPSD-equipped Twin-Spar Aluminum Frame with forged-aluminum steering head. Spar height was reduced (70mm to 66mm) and width was narrowed (27mm to 26mm). Stronger downtubes improve front-end feel.
• Steering response and overall handling were improved by positioning the front wheel 15mm farther back and closer to the crankshaft.
• Frame, steering head and swingarm modifications permit a reduction in triple-clamp offset (22mm to 20mm).
• Removable rear subframe was redesigned to eliminate brackets. Shape altered to improve air filter access and narrow the bike profile.
• HPSD features a compact damper attached to the lower triple clamp and the steering head to allow more aggressive steering characteristics and assist straight-line handling. Damping action smoothly progresses as handlebar deflection increases, which produces very natural steering characteristics and feel.
• Pro-Link® Rear Suspension features exclusive Showa integrated reservoir with all-new damping and spring settings.
• Brake system integrates the rear master-cylinder and fluid reservoir, eliminating the separate reservoir and hose.
• Link-type front-brake master cylinder and a lightweight brake rotor provide strong braking.

Additional Features

• Engine stop switch features an integrated LED pre-ride check indicator. This confirms the PGM-FI system is operating normally.
• All-new higher-capacity airbox improves filter access.
• PGM-FI tuning connectors located behind radiator shroud for easier access
• Redesigned larger radiators, improve cooling performance
• New fuel-tank tether eliminates need to disconnect fuel line to work on top end.
• Rider ergonomics are optimized by adapting the handlebar, seat and footpeg height to place the rider’s legs at the narrowest part of the frame for improved comfort and handling feel.
• Adjustable front-brake lever for improved control.
• Quick-adjust clutch perch for easy cable adjustment.
• Aluminum Renthal handlebar (971 bend) is rubber-mounted to help reduce rider fatigue and improve comfort.

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: CRF250R

Engine Type: 249cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke

Bore and Stroke: 76.8mm x 53.8mm

Compression ratio: 13.2:1

Valve Train: Unicam, four-valve; 30.5mm intake, titanium; 25mm exhaust, steel

Induction: PGM-FI, 50mm throttle body

Ignition: Full transistor with electronic advance

Transmission: Close-ratio five-speed

Final Drive: #520 chain; 13T/48T

Suspension

Front: 48mm inverted Showa 16-position rebound and 18-position compression damping adjustability; 12.2 inches travel

Rear: Pro-Link Showa single shock with spring preload, 20-position rebound damping adjustability, and compression damping adjustment separated into low-speed (18 positions) and high-speed (1.5 turns); 12.6 inches travel

Brakes

Front: Single 240mm disc with twin-piston caliper

Rear: Single 240mm disc

Tires

Front: Dunlop 742FA 80/100-21

Rear: Dunlop D756 100/90-19

Wheelbase: 58.8 inches

Rake (Caster Angle): 27° 9’

Trail: 116mm (4.56 inches)

Seat Height: 37.6 inches

Ground Clearance: 12.8 inches

Fuel Capacity: 1.5 gallons

Color: Red

Curb Weight*: 226 pounds
*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride.

For more discussion about Honda motorcycle click on the links

Team Italy leads the 2009 Red Bull Motocross of Nations after Saturday’s heats. Tony Cairoli (MX1), Davide Guarneri (MX2), and David Philippaerts (MX3) finished first, 10th and first respectively, in their heat races. The finals are tomorrow, with the heats for bragging rights and gate picks.

Saturday’s gate picks were done at random, and Team USA was nearly last, giving Ryan Dungey, Jake Weimer, and Ivan Tedesco a significant disadvantage. The team finished sixth overall after struggling with come-from-behind efforts in the MX1 and MX2 heats.

Tedesco actually pulled off a great start from the outside in the MX3 heat, but finished fifth after a battle with the UK’s Shaun Simpson. Team USA’s manager Roger DeCoster was still pleased with what they were able to pull out together from bad gate picks.

Saturday’s crowd was simply huge, as large as any MXoN Saturday to date, if not larger. A good conservative estimate would be at least 25,000. And this is just Saturday!

Team France is second overall. Their results were Steve Frossard fourth (MX1), Marvin Musquin first (MX2), and Gautier Paulin second (MX3).

Tonight Youthstream is organizing the FIM Off Road Awards in the paddock.

Scratch the Alessi to Australian SX rumor from yesterday, that one is not confirmed. He is skipping US Supercross in 2010 and plans on doing the first 3 GPs on a KTM 350.

The newest buzz has Chad Reed possibly signing on as Ryan Villapoto’s teammate on Monster Energy Kawasaki, and the deal includes Monster Energy support for Reed’s Australian Supercross series. It’s not clear if he is signing on for SX only again.

For more discussion about Honda motorcycle or on the Honda CBF450R click on the links

2010 Honda CRF450R – USA Specifications
MSRP: $TBA USD

ENGINE

Engine: Type 449cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke

Bore and Stroke: 96mm x 62.1mm

Induction: Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 50mm throttle body

Ignition: Full transistor with electronic advance

Compression Ratio: 12.0:1

Valve Train: Unicam®, four-valve; 36mm intake, titanium; 30mm exhaust, steel

DRIVE TRAIN

Transmission: Close-ratio five-speed

Final Drive: #520 chain; 13T/48T

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES

Front Suspension: 48mm inverted KYB® Air-Oil-Separate (AOS) with rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 12.2 inches travel

Rear Suspension: Pro-Link® KYB single shock with spring preload, rebound damping adjustability, and compression damping adjustment separated into low-speed and high-speed; 12.6 inches travel

Front Brake: Single 240mm disc with twin-piston caliper

Rear Brake: Single 240mm disc

Front Tire: 80/100-21

Rear Tire: 120/80-19

DIMENSIONS

Rake: 26°52′ (Caster Angle)

Trail: 114.2mm (4.5 inches)

Wheelbase: 58.7 inches

Seat Height: 37.6 inches

Curb Weight: 234.8 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and a full tank of fuel-ready to ride)

Fuel Capacity: 1.5 gallons

Ground Clearance: 13.1 inches