Honda CRF250L Motorcycle may come to India [Off Road Bikes]

Earlier we reported in April that Honda will launch CRF250L in Japan in the month of May.  We also reported that it may come to India considering its powerful yet fuel efficient engine. Although, Honda has not announced anything officially about the launch of CRF250L in India, most of the major publication houses in automobile industry of India expecting its India launch soon, considering the shared engine platform between CBR250R and CRF250L.

The CRF250L engine has the same bore and stroke of CBR250R. Even most of the gear ratios are the same. It has all the features of engine which is seen on CBR250R. The only difference occurs between power and torque output. CRF250L engine produces maximum power of 23 bhp and maximum torque of 22 Nm while CBR250R engine produces maximum power of 25 bhp and maximum torque of 23 Nm.  It seems that the power output has been reduced to obtain better fuel efficiency. Honda claims fuel efficiency of 44.3 Km/l (at constant 60 speed) for CRF250L which should be around 30-35 Km/l in actual riding condition.

Apart from engine similarity, there are other reasons which may also force Honda to launch CRF250L in India.  The launch of Hero Impulse (Honda’s NXR 150 BROS in Brazil) has begun the new era of off road motorcycling in India. Impulse has attracted lot of buyers who are interested in off road motorcycling apart from regular commuting.  However, the initial feedback suggests that it is in need of more power. Honda CRF250L can perfectly substitute the same. The CRF250L could easily eat out the larger pie of Hero Impulse sales. It can also give an access to the market which is largely untapped in India. Although it is early to predict but it can later launch CRF150L (based upon CBR150R engine).

Off road motorcycling is certainly a new niche segment in Indian two wheeler industry.  It has an immense possibility to grow in India considering the geographical conditions of country. We may see some more manufacturers entering this segment.  One name which we can suggest now is KTM which is known for its off road motorcycles across the world.

-Mahavir Kothari

Motorcycle Model		CBR250R	CRF250L
Engine		CS250RE, liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC single cylinder	liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC single cylinder
Displacement	(cc)	249	249
Bore x Stroke	(mm)	76.0 x 55.0	76.0 × 55.0
Compression ratio		10.7	10.7
Reduction gear ratio (primary, secondary)		2.808 / 2.714	2.807/2.857
Transmission and Gear ratio	1-speed	3.333	3.333
	2-speed	2.118	2.117
	3-speed	1.571	1.571
	4-speed	1.304	1.304
	5-speed	1.115	1.115
	6-speed	0.963	0.962