Honda is currently testing the CRF250 and it will be a viable answer to Hero’s 250cc adventure motorcycle that is also under development.
With the art of biking getting more and more encouragement in recent years, a mutual affinity towards naked, super sports, cruisers and tourer styled motorcycles is seen in the market today. One segment though which is still to catch up in the country is undoubtedly the adventure motorcycle space that has limited takers. However, customers in the want of some extreme off-roading fun are looking for bikes like these and Honda might be the first manufacturer to provide a decently priced, powerful adventure motorcycle as it is mulling to launch the CRF250 in India.
A recent report suggests that Honda is planning to bring the CRF250 adventure motorcycle series to India and the bike is currently in the testing phase. Internationally, the CRF250 is available in three versions including CRF250L, CRF250R and CRF250X with power coming from the 249cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine paired to a 5-speed gearbox. The classic off-roader in every sense, the CRF250 comes with a slender frame, minimum bodywork, knobby tyres, Upside Down (USD) forks at the front and a monoshock set-up at the rear.
Adding visual prowess is the raised front mudguard, elongated slim seat and a small angular headlight cluster. Owing to the practicality quotient needed on Indian bikes, Honda could make some adjustments to the CRF250 that will make the model ready for the tarmac, as well as gravel. The bike could get a more conventional seat and all-terrain tyres making it more practical in a bid to appeal to a wider target audience. However, all that will depend on the decision taken by the top brass of the company and it would be early to set a timeline for a launch.
While Honda has been busy with its commuter offerings that bring in the volumes, it will surely be pleasing to see the company bring some novelty to the quarter-litre space. Localisation can be expected to be extensive on the CRF250 with the engine already manufactured in India and will help keep the prices reasonable on the bike. Incidentally, even Hero MotoCorp has been working on an adventure bike powered by a bigger 249cc engine under its belly (won’t be the Impulse as Hero can’t modify it). It will be interesting to see the erstwhile partners work on a similar product, challenging each other to offer something better.
Source – Shifting-Gears.com