Stephen Tuff•8 Oct 2024
REVIEW
The standard Honda CRF250R is a slick unit, but the Works Edition of the quarter-litre machine steps it up again
If we’re talking about a bike that is truly ready to race straight from the showroom floor, the Honda CRF250RWE (as in Works Edition) truly fits the bill. All it requires is a tank of fuel and the tyre-pressures set and it’s ready to go up against anything else the 250cc four-stroke class can throw at it.
You only need to glance at the 2025 Honda CRF250RWE to realise this bike is something special. As gorgeous as it looks, do not for a minute believe that beauty is only skin deep because this quarter-litre rocket is packing some heat and dripping with fruit.
Power for money
The base model 2025 CRF250R has already received major upgrades to the chassis and engine, which is the result of feedback from factory riders like Jett and Hunter Lawrence who are fresh off guiding Australia to inaugural success in the prestigious Motocross of Nations.
The Lawrences have done plenty of winning on the CRF250R in recent years, and we all know their Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) bikes are as cool as they come.
The 2025 Honda CRF250RWE is the closest thing you can get to a HRC machine without being a factory rider or having a HRC technician build it for you. Honda has taken care of that and it’s only charging $2600 extra for it! No, that’s not a typo. The CRF250RWE is just $16,399 compared to the standard CRF250R at $13,799. Holy smokes.
We’re not just talking about simple bolt-on parts to dress this bike up to look the part, because the CRF250RWE is not only packing a new Yoshimura exhaust with a stainless-steel header pipe and titanium muffler but also hand-polished cylinder ports and dedicated injection and ignition mapping. How do you like those apples? If you’re keeping track of numbers, you’ll know the extra $2600 required to purchase this bike is well and truly worth it already. The Yoshimura exhaust system alone is almost worth that much.
The other area where this bike differs from the standard model is the clutch. The Works Edition has a Nissin hydraulic setup, just like the HRC machines.
The other big performance addition is the suspension. The 49mm Showa fork has Kashima-coated outer tubes and titanium oxide-coated inner tubes. The 18mm shock shaft is also titanium coated. The coatings not only look great, but they’re super hard to reduce friction and provide superior performance. In short, they slide smoother and easier.
If you were to pay for these coatings on a standard bike you’d be spending the big bucks, which is another huge tick for what the Works Edition delivers.
Related: New 2025 Honda CRF models headed for Australia
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Related: Honda CRF450R 2025 Review
Bling-a-ding-ding
Even supermodels wear make-up, and the CRF250RWE comes fitted with some seriously good-looking gear. Throttle Jockey Team Honda HRC graphics give it a unique look and, while the Throttle Jockey seat cover also looks the part, it’s gripper material and strategically placed ribbing offers superior grip.
Grey metallic-coated triple clamps and the matte red metallic cylinder head cover are nice touches, as is the D.I.D-DM2 gold chain and Twin Air filter. The Renthal Kevlar grips might not be a big dollar item but they sure are nice on the hands and an upgrade from the standard Honda items.
Interestingly, the rear tyre is a size up from the standard CRF250R that comes fitted with a 100/90-19 Pirelli Scorpion MX32. The Works Edition is fitted with Dunlop MX33 tyres front and rear, with the latter a 110/90-19 for a bigger footprint and bringing it in line with most 250F offerings from other manufacturers. The wheels are also upgraded with D.I.D DirtStar LT-X rims.
Performance at a new level
It’s quite rare for a manufacturer to offer a special edition motorcycle for testing. The models are usually closely guarded and kept under wraps until revealed on dealership floors. When Honda Australia announced it would allow a very lucky and rather exclusive bunch of journalists spin some laps aboard the CRF250R Works Edition I was rather excited.
I am already a big fan of the 2025 CRF250R, but one of my few criticisms is the cable clutch. While the cable clutch is not heavy or clunky, a hydraulic clutch is more consistent and superior, which the Works Edition has covered.
There’s extra grip from the Throttle Jockey seat cover. I am a fan. There’s also extra bark from the Yoshimura exhaust, which is louder than the stock bike but it does sound cool.
The 2025 CRF250RWE pulls gears cleanly and commandingly and keeps on hauling as the revs rise. It’s got longer legs, for sure. I think the beauty in this engine is you can rev it hard if that’s your style, but you don’t necessarily need to be on the edge of limiter. This engine allows you to pull gears without slapping the clutch like a kid on too much red cordial.
The three different maps provide a choice between standard, smooth and aggressive and, while most accomplished riders will froth on the aggressive map, I’d say plenty will find the standard map most effective. Older, unfit or novice riders will enjoy the smooth map.
The traction control button has three engagement settings. I’d say traction control is not as critical on a 250F but it’s effective, particularly on technical tracks or wet hard pack. Do not overlook this feature, as racing is a hell of a lot easier when you start at the front.
The Works Edition is super easy to ride, and the Showa suspension is compliant and progressive as it soaks up everything. Quite simply, the suspension and upgraded frame give you the confidence to corner as you please. It almost turns itself.
Getting this bike dialed in from track to track or for any rider in the 70-85kg window is just matter of setting the shock sag and adjusting the clickers.
Value for money, the CRF250RWE is a no-brainer. It looks great and it goes even better.
Specifications: 2025 Honda CRF250RWE (Works Edition)
ENGINE
Engine type: Liquid-cooled four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve
Capacity: 249.4cc
Bore x stroke: 79mm × 50.9mm
Compression ratio: 13.9:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection
TRANSMISSION
Type: Five-speed
Final drive: Chain
CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Aluminium
Front suspension: 49mm Showa telescopic fork with 273mm of travel
Rear suspension: Showa adjustable link-type with 313mm of travel
Front brake: Hydraulic single disc, 260mm
Rear brake: Hydraulic single disc, 240 mm
Front tyre: Dunlop Geomax MX33, 80/100-21
Rear tyre: Dunlop Geomax MX33, 110/90-119
DIMENSIONS
Claimed curb weight: 107kg
Overall length: 2177mm
Overall width: 827mm
Overall height: 1265mm
Seat height: 955mm
Wheelbase: 1483mm
Ground Clearance: 330mm
Fuel tank capacity: 6.3lt
OTHER STUFF
Price: $16,399 plus dealer delivery
Colour: Red
Bike supplied by: motorcycles.honda.com.au
Tags
HondaCRF250RCRF450RCRF250R Works EditionReviewDirtMotocrossOff Road
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Written byStephen Tuff
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