2020 Honda CBR250RR revealed with more power, slipper clutch and riding modes

The 2020 Honda CBR250RR has been revealed with more power and a few new features. Honda has made the CBR250RR bigger and better for the 2020 model year. The quarter-litre supersport motorcycle has just received updates and we’re in love with it.

The quarter-litre segment is one of the most lucrative motorcycling segments right now. The 250cc zone is becoming extremely competitive with each passing day. Back in the late 80’s and throughout the 90’s, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki were at loggerheads in the 250cc segment.

They literally created the 250cc performance motorcycle segment with their fast, 250cc, 4-cylinder motorcycles. Well, these motorcycles then saw the end of the road thanks to stricter emissions regulations. For the next decade or so, the 250cc segment witnessed single-cylinder motorcycles and a couple of parallel-twin engines with decent levels of performance.

Now though, it seems like these manufacturers are getting back to their game of fast 250cc motorcycles. Honda came up with the CBR250RR with a parallel-twin engine to take the fight to the Yamaha YZF-R3. Kawasaki took it up a notch and launched the ZX-25R, with a high-revving, four-cylinder engine.

With the 2020 update though, Honda has turned the CBR250RR into a potent little supersport. In terms of design, the 2020 Honda CBR250RR remains the same as the outgoing model. It still features the sharp and striking styling. A super-sleek LED headlamp up front, a large and aerodynamic fairing at the side, a super sharp rear-end and dual-barrel exhaust end-can.

However, the 2020 model now comes with a new paint scheme. The new paint scheme involves a white base, with carbon, black and red graphics. The frame is red in colour while the wheels, upside-down fork and front disc brake frame are finished in gold. The real updates though, are beneath the skin.

The motorcycle continues to be powered by the same liquid-cooled, 249.7cc, parallel-twin engine. The 2020 model sees the power increase by 2.95bhp taking the total output to 41.12bhp. The torque output of the new model has not been specified, however the outgoing model puts out a peak torque figure of 23.3Nm.

The 2020 model also gets several new features like a slipper clutch, a bi-directional quick-shifter, ride-by-wire throttle system and switchable riding modes. Thanks to the ride-by-wire throttle, the motorcycle comes with three riding modes — Comfort, Sport and Sport+.

Whether or not Honda would bring the CBR250RR to the Indian market is anyone’s guess at the moment. However, if the Japanese auto giant decides to bring it to India, it would make things rather interesting as it will take the fight directly to the KTM RC390, Kawasaki Ninja 300, Yamaha R3, etc. Till then though, it will be launched in south-east Asian markets as and when the virus situation permits.