2007 CR250 Bad Rating

[Lowpro]

MXA magazine gave the 07 cr250 a very bad review and was just wondering what you guys think about the bike. They said it has two significant problem areas on the 07 CR250. Jetting and bogging. They could get the jetting spot-on

but could not keep it there for more than three hours. Bogging was a problem for them with it's unpredctable throttle response off the bottom. They said if a jump was coming up test riders would question whether or not it would clear the next face.

I was thinking about getting one but not so sure now. Is there a easy fix for these problems or is it better to just to not buy the bike. ?

Thanks, Lowpro:thumbsup:

[skipn8r]

James Dean sells a jetting kit for the '01 - '07 CR's. I've read good reports and I suspect it will probably minimize any jetting related issues.

The only questionable aspect to the newer CR's is the power delivery. In my experience, they make a ton of power, but it's concentrated in the mid-range. Some love it, some wish for more bottom/top end power. Whichever camp you might fall into, porting by a competent tuner can really change the power characteristics for $300 or less.

The rest of the CR is really at the top of the field. The frame, plastics, brakes, ergos, handling and reliability are all second-to-none. When you consider ready parts availability through Honda and the excellent Service Manual, the whole package is fairly appealing. Think of it as a very good bike that can be made excellent for a few hundred dollars investment.

[HrcRacing]

I bleed Honda red but, as much as I hate to say it, if I was buying a 2007 2-stroke, it would be the Yamaha YZ250.

IMO, Honda set out to prove that they could make a case-reed 250 work, in what 2002 (?), and they failed to get it sorted out (or lost interest due to their focus on 4-strokes). Can it be fixed? Sure, but why not buy a bike that doesn't need fixing?

Having said that, if you get the chance to ride one, do so. It doesn't matter how a bike reviews in the magazines, it could be the perfect bike for you.

Best of luck. ?

[skipn8r]

I bleed Honda red but, as much as I hate to say it, if I was buying a 2007 2-stroke, it would be the Yamaha YZ250.

The YZ is an extremely good bike.... with an extremely good engine. As petty as it sounds, my big gripes with the YZ are the plastics (the decals are directly on the tank and the plastic immediately gets the "mange" when you touch it) and ergos. I love the engine. I must also say that I really prefer the Honda manuals.

[Dayofpain]

Like Skip says, the JD jet kit will fix it right up.

My '02 still looks and feels like new after all the trail bashing I've done with it. You won't find that with any other brand.

[El Marko]

I love my Hondas, but I wouldn't buy a CR250. The case reed motor has always been a problem. I've ridden several that belonged to friends and none of them were any good.

And I've had CR250s up through the 2001 model, the last of the good motors.

The guy who told you to get the YZ250 has it right. That's what I'd do.

[Mxtweeker]

MXA magazine gave the 07 cr250 a very bad review and was just wondering what you guys think about the bike. They said it has two significant problem areas on the 07 CR250. Jetting and bogging. They could get the jetting spot-on

but could not keep it there for more than three hours. Bogging was a problem for them with it's unpredctable throttle response off the bottom. They said if a jump was coming up test riders would question whether or not it would clear the next face.

I was thinking about getting one but not so sure now. Is there a easy fix for these problems or is it better to just to not buy the bike.

Thanks, Lowpro:thumbsup:

I have a 07, have not had any bogging issues.. The jetting stock is not good for all areas.. what works here in NJ wont work in Cali or in the higher elevations in the mountains.. Only problem i have is the pinging but since have got that figured out with minor motor work and a 50/50 mix of pump and race gas... Dont always believe what the dirt rags say.. They probably dont like the honda because it is the last year for the bike..

[thsp485]

I have owned/raced CR 250 in the past,a 1998 and a 2000 model. I think Hondas engineers were so full of themselves when designing the 2002 bike that they thought they could make the case-reed motor work, come hell or high water. Someone high up in management should have stopped them and forced the design team to continue to update the older motor. These new chassis with the old-style engine would have still been the choice for a huge percentage of 2-stroke fans, since the CR is , as stated in another posting, the best-in-class in so many categories. Once Honda went forward with the case-reed motor, budget limitations and corporate pride would not allow a return to the older engine, even if there the consumer asked for it.

[arzdog]

A lot of the bad press comes from guys that are pro level and have been converted to the torque and linear pull of the 4 stroke. The CR250 has an old school motor. When it comes on the pipe, everything gets excited quick. Most people don't like this type of power band. When I was growing up, ALL 2 strokes were this way. I personally love my '07. I installed the JD Jet kit, and couldn't ask for it to run any better. The YZ250 is the closest thing to 4 stroke power that you can buy iun a 2 stroke MX bike. My nephew has one and it is also a great bike, but I prefer the power and handling of the CR. Ride one and judge for yourself. That is all that matters. ?

[MUSTANGCOBRA1353]

I love my CR250R 2006. I did have the cylinder ported, pro circuit pipe and V-3 installed. I know this article is for a 2005 but they are very positive on the bike, and then when they found out Honda was going away from 2 stroke the bash the same engine ? . Check out the link

http://www.transworldmotocross.com/mx/product_reviews/article/0,13190,750762,00.html

[Crazyced]

A lot of the bad press comes from guys that are pro level and have been converted to the torque and linear pull of the 4 stroke. The CR250 has an old school motor. When it comes on the pipe, everything gets excited quick. Most people don't like this type of power band. When I was growing up, ALL 2 strokes were this way. I personally love my '07. I installed the JD Jet kit, and couldn't ask for it to run any better. The YZ250 is the closest thing to 4 stroke power that you can buy iun a 2 stroke MX bike. My nephew has one and it is also a great bike, but I prefer the power and handling of the CR. Ride one and judge for yourself. That is all that matters.

Couldn't of said it better. If I wanted something linear, I would of went with a 450 and get even more power. But my CR250 is like every other 2 stroke I rod before (not a lot), not much down low. Plus the CR peak HP is right there with KTM and it makes for a fun ride when you can use it.

I'm in the process of mastering my CR250 and when I'll do, racing my 250F will be like a walk in the backyard for me. ?

I'm fully conscious that this bike is not for everyone though. That's why I'm not recommending it for everyone. It just happend to be the perfect bike for me, the red rider that I am.

[motox262000]

I love my Hondas, but I wouldn't buy a CR250. The case reed motor has always been a problem. I've ridden several that belonged to friends and none of them were any good..

I don't think it was the bike that wasn't any good.?

[dirtrider007]

i don't understand what people talk about with the 01 being the last of the good motors.. I rode my cousins 02 back to back with mine and it seemed identical

[Scott_321]

I just bought an '04 I found that was practically brand new. From everything I read it was supposed to be a total piece of crap. I happen to just love the thing even with with the stock jetting. It comes on hard in the middle but that's what I like. You just need to keep it on the pipe and everything is good. It feels like a toy compared to any 4 stroke I've ridden. A violent possessed toy.

[jjgixxer]

I love my Hondas, but I wouldn't buy a CR250. The case reed motor has always been a problem. I've ridden several that belonged to friends and none of them were any good.

And I've had CR250s up through the 2001 model, the last of the good motors.

The guy who told you to get the YZ250 has it right. That's what I'd do.

Where are you at in Ohio ? You should take a spin on my 02 cr 250, I don't think you will be disappointed. ?

[Crazyced]

The thing that pissed me off the most on those rags review about the bike was when they said "It is ener*getic but not an especially fun engine to ride."

Are they noobs that can't get passed half throttle? ? My CR250 is what 2 stroke is all about. Kicks like a bull, screems like a b!tch and runs like a raped ape.

My 250F have more power down low and it's still boring as hell to ride around. They need to learn how to ride.

[Chris_in_the_Mojave]

I bleed Honda red but, as much as I hate to say it, if I was buying a 2007 2-stroke, it would be the Yamaha YZ250.

IMO, Honda set out to prove that they could make a case-reed 250 work, in what 2002 (?), and they failed to get it sorted out (or lost interest due to their focus on 4-strokes). Can it be fixed? Sure, but why not buy a bike that doesn't need fixing?

Having said that, if you get the chance to ride one, do so. It doesn't matter how a bike reviews in the magazines, it could be the perfect bike for you.

Best of luck. ?

It's pretty much been covered. I bleed Honda red as well.. but if you want a 2 stroke 250. Buy the YZ250 and be happy. If the plastics wearing gets you down... put one of the old school black and yellow kits on it. The yellow holds up well.

[Keating]

The thing that pissed me off the most on those rags review about the bike was when they said "It is ener*getic but not an especially fun engine to ride."

Are they noobs that can't get passed half throttle? My CR250 is what 2 stroke is all about. Kicks like a bull, screems like a b!tch and runs like a raped ape.

My 250F have more power down low and it's still boring as hell to ride around. They need to learn how to ride.

Just got a 07 CR250 and LOVE IT!!!? :smirk:

Crazy summed it up pretty well. This bike Kicks A$$!?

Last ride was an 06 KXF450, and I'll have to say, it's pretty much impossible to beat the Braaap of a 2 stroke. Love it! Love it! Love it! ?

[cryzrider]

I think they've gotten a bad rap. A friend recently got a cherry 03 CR and it's sweet. I liked it and I'm used to my 01 YZ285. I really liked how it turned as I couldn't seem to plow the front end no matter how hard I tried. Sure it was pipey, but that's what made it fun for me.

Craigus

[FLMX909]

I have an 05 which is the exact same bike as the 07. I love it! Absolutely the best bike I have ever ridden. I had the head milled to run 50/50 race gas. I added a V-force reeds, FMF Fatty pipe, and it runs STRONG!!! I have never fouled a plug or had the bike bog. Race gas (VP110) mixed with 93 pump gas really helps with the jetting issues!

The frame is the most advanced of any 2-stroke and corners better than anything other than my sons CR125. Basically, the stock motor needs a little tweaking, but when done it is the best 250 bike out there, even better than the YZ.