A popular Japanese magazine has reported that Honda is developing a twin-cylinder CBR250RR motorcycle to take on the likes of Yamaha YZF-R25 and the Kawasaki Ninja 300. Internally called ‘K64A’, the new CBR250RR is expected to increase Honda’s stronghold in the quarter-litre segment in Asian markets like Indonesia, Thailand and India.
The magazine also carried a rendering of the CBR250RR, which has bits and pieces borrowed from the company’s existing motorcycles. The fairing and the design have been borrowed from the new CBR300R, while the frame, swingarm, alloy wheels, underbelly exhaust and most of the other components seem to be influenced by the CBR650F.
While Honda already has a 250cc motorcycle in its portfolio, the CBR250R, the motorcycle has been made with emphasis on touring, rather than sports riding. As such, the CBR250R does not really compete with the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and the Yamaha R25.
We expect Honda to develop the CBR250RR with focus on performance and position it above the CBR250R and the CBR300R. There are many theories about whether Honda will opt for a V-twin or a parallel-twin engine, though it’s more likely that the Japanese manufacturer will go with the former, as it already employs a 250cc V-twin engine in the VTR250.
