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This little Honda grows on you

Test rider got 78 mpg.

Riding a new motorcycle is like getting to know a college roommate. At first, everything's fine. You're compatible, you both get along and the semester looks promising.

But after just a few short weeks, the apartment is infested with free-range tarantulas and the carpet is ruined from the all-night floor hockey tournaments.

I try to get as much seat time on new models as possible and can usually get a pretty good feeling about the bike. But, like roommates, you've got to live with a motorcycle to see what it's really all about.

Last year, I rode Honda's all-new CBR250R and thought it was a fun and very capable, small-displacement sport bike. But, after spending a couple of weeks with the little CBR, I like it even better.

The $4,499 ($4,999 with ABS) CBR250R was designed to be an all-world motorcycle and excel not only in North America or Europe, but various Third World nations where road conditions are worse than ours and fuel is slightly less combustible than no-name energy drinks. Honda has 27 technology patents on the CBR250R with nine in the engine alone.

Many motorcyclists look down on 250s because (supposedly) they can't handle the wide open spaces of Canadian riding conditions. To this, I call �horsepucky.� At 100 km/h, the CBR250R floats along at a relaxed 6,000 r.p.m. and on the Georgia freeways, it easily maintained a legal, vibration-free 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). During our track sessions, the little CBR lugged my substantial mass up to 148 km/h and when drafting other full-sized journalists, I saw an indicated 155 several times. The CBR definitely has the speed to handle Canadian freeway conditions.

Take a long, hard look at how you typically ride and, with a few long- distance exceptions, most likely it's commuting, riding to and from school, jaunts around town or day trips. So that's what I did with the CBR. Basically, I just used it for daily transportation.

Along with �arrest me� top speed, the CBR has more than enough acceleration to leave most wheeled traffic sucking exhaust fumes. Around town, it's light and easy to handle and the supple suspension soaks up divots, bumps and heaves.

I'd even endorse the CBR250R for new riders because I feel it's actually easier to ride than the popular CBR125. How so? To a novice rider, the most difficult aspect of riding is getting away from a stop smoothly and safely. The 250's excellent low-end torque combines with smooth and seamless clutch actuation, making the CBR nearly impossible to stall. And the seat is actually 18 mm lower than the 125.

The CBR250R was designed for easy maintenance. Pop the seat, unscrew two bolts and there's the air filter � ready for cleaning or replacing.

My first impression of the CBR250R was favourable and the Honda did nothing to annoy me during a wonderful two-week relationship. No tarantulas.

Steve Bond writes about motorcycles for Wheels. He can be reached at:

Stevebond8@yahoo.ca

2011 Honda CBR250R

PRICE: $4,499. $4,999 with combined ABS

ENGINE: 249cc single, DOHC, EFI, four-valve.

FUEL CONSUMPTION: Measured 3.61L/100 km (78 mpg)

POWER: 24 hp

COMPETITION: Kawasaki Ninja 250, Hyosung GT250R

WHAT'S BEST: Torquey engine, overall competence, easy

maintenance

WHAT'S WORST: Hard seat, hard grips, nonadjustable front brake lever

WHAT'S INTERESTING: Totally new with 27 patents, nine in the engine