I have 2 01s. Man they are great. Plans for second engine into modern crf250 chassis. With a fatty and dual stage reeds and stock silencer I get great results more Low end and pulls to the moon. Love running against new bikes with good results.
Because the world is largely filled w/ dumbasses. Like the kinda people who who think electric cars are gonna save the world while the ignore deisel, commercial airliner/ships, railway, factores & mining destruction of enviroment.
Loved this episode, my last races I did on my 1984 CR250 when the 1997 came Indeed I loved the design and just had to buy one given my age ( born in 1952) may be stupid but I loved to ride this one. I could handle it but my senses told me to leave it So it is still there, about 8 running hours does not need restauration only a very good check up before firing it again it will not leave me ( same as my mugen 125 cc 1980, engine taken from my 1979 125 cc which is one of the few hondas I no longer own, hated the 23" front wheel )
I currently have a 1998 250 and have had it for years. Absolutely love the bike. If I'm not riding this I'm on my 96 xr400....i know quite the contrast but it works for the different riding I like to do.
Pulling hole shots all day on my 01 next to 2020 ktm 250sx. That was before the 10mm pwr valve cover. Its exceptional. Have 2 ill never sell. One was bought last year nearly new stock. 20hrs this season racing on its first piston.
I never owned a CR but my first bike was a Honda Elsinore MT street legal bike that was restored around 1990, they looked alike and shared a lot of parts so your trip through time brought back some fond memories .
That was my first bike, too. Mine was a 250, stripped down for dirt. I knew nothing about maintenance and that thing would start on the first kick, whether it was a cold start in the dead of Ohio winter, or hot start in the dog days of summer. It ran great and stayed together for at least my first 3 years of riding, every chance I got, and I did literally zero maintenance, other than washing it if it got really muddy.
I remember in 1994 seeing the 95’s for the first time and I fell in love instantly. I had to have one. My love again with that model had never waned and in my opinion is one of the best looking motocross bikes ever made. It actually hurts me to hear people say they don’t like it but that’s something I’ve had to live with for years 😂
I bought the 97 as soon as they hit the showroom an absolutely loved it but I only had it 3 weeks when I hit neutral over a triple at muddy creek an broke both my legs an ankels an ended my motocross career so I can say what lil I rode it I loved my 97
Love my 02 I’ve ridden a 1998 and it has a fast motor but the 02 is just as fast it just doesn’t feel as fast which means you can push it harder and get a faster time, awesome video tony👍
I had an 01, and holy shit that bike hauled ass. The shifting was non existent I mean it was so smooth and the throttle response was on point. My only complaint was that the frame did feel a tad but stiff and ridgid, but honda is known for that. The powerband was something else
Yeah 00 and 01 bad amazing motors. 02 through 07 was the best handling and technically was the "fastest" on paper. The 02 through 07 motor was "slower" in real life because although it made the most peak HP it had the torque curve of a cr 80. Going from the torquey 01 to an 02 was night and day. 02s and up rode like 80s with the power of a 250.
“The RC Power Valve was constantly going out of adjustment” lol I’ve owned a 2002 CR250 since it was brand new when I was 15 years old, rode and raced the bike for YEARS and never once had it go out of adjustment. Lol Someone’s been reading too much Motocross Action magazine hahaha
I have a 98 cr250 and he's talking bad on it like he's a pro rider. Any normal dude that rides that 98 is gonna be too busy worrying about dying because that damn front wheels always off the ground. Quit reading those magazines!
I remember standing at my local Honda dealer looking at the 07 cr250 he said this is the last one I'll ever get you should buy it , I've really regretted not taking it home with me . Awesome video as always !
Me too. My local dealer (Dutrow's Honda in Frederick, MD) still had new 2007s on thier showroom floor back in 2010 and I remember thinking they were crazy because they were asking MSRP for a three-year old bike. Man I regret not buying it now.
I was in Johnson City Tn at Jim's Honda , it's just crazy how 3 of the big 4 has turned their backs on 2 strokes , so happy yamaha still keeps Japanese 2 strokes alive .
@@MattySlimzI wish they would just add the electric start to the 125x and 250x models I think that would really help sales vs the ktm husky bikes . The yamaha's reliability is very good with the best suspension you can get on a off the showroom floor bike .
Getting into bikes super super lost not sure where to start but I want a Honda but was so lost in If they were all different by year and slot more this video made it slot clear thanks sm
Thanks for the interesting watch all the way from South Africa. In 93 as a 14 year old l got a new CR125. Later that year l got a clean 91' CR250 as a training bike. Then got a new 96' CR 250, most probably one of my favourite all time bikes. Till this day, l can pull the hairs out of my head for trading it 2 years later in on a 98 CR 250.. And then in 98 Yamaha launched their YZ400f and l traded my 98 250 for a 400f after a few months, and became a Yamaha fan till this day. Would love to restore a 96 CR250 for my man cave.
In 79, as a 15 year old boy, I bought my first 125cc MX bike brand new for $850.00 off the dealership floor. it was a left over in 1980 when I bought it though,---or it would have cost about $1,100. Then we had "the production rule", (by the FIM with the help of Yamaha, and for the faster USA only), in 1986, and the bikes tripled in cost in 5 short years. I say the FIM owes you a few grand. :)
In the picture at 8:26, I have the Sinisalo pants the Honda rider is wearing still in mint condition. You're right; weird fashion times, but I still have them!
I had a 97 that was street legal when I was 15. My favorite bike of all time. I ended up using it as an enduro and I’m planning on buying another one for that purpose. It’s insanely light, and has the largest radiators on any dirt bike ever. Plus when used for enduro riding, the suspension doesn’t bother me as much. But yeah those bikes vibrate like crazy and the seat was WAY too thin
Awesome video, again! Major changes can be hard, especially for those who lived/raced through the transition from steel to aluminum (McGrath hated it). As a racer, I never liked the white plastic side panels/air box because they quickly became dirty looking. I also disliked the "pink/red" color plastics. I really do miss the 2-stroke CR's. Which aluminum framed CR250 do you think was the overall best? Thank you.👍 PS: Thanks to the Austrian bikes, 2-strokes are hanging in there. The current electronic computer systems, fuel injection and no need to mix anymore, makes the 2-strokes much "cleaner." I wish a pro team would go against the 4-stroke grain and prove 2-strokes are still viable (and let them race in the 450 class with a 275 or 300cc engine).
Much more expensive too---all this pressure from environmentalists to force the manufacture to cater to them, and not a paying customer. The 1986 production rule, and the 4-stroke forced on the industry has all but killed this sport,---because the masses can't afford to buy one anymore. I bought 3 brand new bikes in the 70's from 12 to 16 years old,---making $1.00/hr part time at my Dad's little highway side store in rural Michigan. What good is a dirt bike---when all the trials and tracks we made in the 80's and 90's, are all grown in now? Play the environmentalists game---and kiss this sport good by. Because of these expenses, the market share is 1/10th of what it used to be,---and that is not because kids are bored of riding. If there is government intervention---it is ot free market, and we are no longer free to build and buy what we want. Are you cheering for that? The planet is fine. It is economic fascism/communism that is the problem.
1990 CR125 had the 89 body work, but in the best color of all time. Flash Red. Mine was a trade in, 6 months old , with pro circuit suspension (for a rider that was smaller than me, but raced arenacross). Coming off an Elsinore, I thought the suspension worked great!
Today, confused MXA bagged on the aftermarket crossbar pad called the "DeBruiser". But in 1997, at min 31:46, you can see what cross bar pad MXA used on their 250cc MX bike shootout.
@@TheMotocrossVault It was a sharper MXA back then. It is a generational thing that doctors can't even avoid. Every industry is suffering with the new generation. We are just not as good at figuring out reality as we used to be,---and I think it must be our terrible education today. I call our education today, "societal sabotage", and these kids should redefine "class action law suit", and sue their schools.
Man this was a GREAT video! Brought back a LOT of memories! I still have my '93 CR250R. Don't think I'll ever get rid of it. My favorite of the steel frames for sure. Really sad what happened to the Honda 2 strokes... Wish they would make a come back. I still think Honda could make a GREAT 2 stroke enduro. I own a 2018 Beta 300RR and it has the same feeling frame as my '93, just with much better everything else. Thanks again for the video sir!
I’m gonna say my 03 was and is a beast. With reeds, pipe, jets and adjusting the rc valve cable tension is a great bike. Suspension is another thing though but power and ergonomics is great
I had the 94 and loved it. Then I had the '00 and '01. The '00 was my favorite by far. I'm still upset that I sold that bike. That mid range monster was perfect for the sand dunes and sandy tracks of Michigan.
I used to bleed red and had many Honda motorcycles in the 80's and 90's. My first CR was an '87 250 and thought that it was absolutely magical (coming off of a highly modified '86 XR600R- I still have a brand new rear fender tool bag for that bike). I also had a '90 CR 250 (only paid $4,200 brand new IIRC) which I also really liked. The '87 was probably my favorite, but I was likely fastest on the '90. My last CR 250 was a '94. I didn't really like that bike much. Power delivery was not very linear like the previous CRs that I had owned. It had a soft low end and transitioned hard when coming onto the pipe. Yes, it had a lot of power, but didn't feel like much more than my previous CRs. I had full on Race Tech (Gold Valves and coatings) on the '94 and it made quite a difference. One still had to be aggressive to take advantage of it, but it was still much improved. I also spent a fair amount of time on a friends '97 and did not like it at all. Cool videos (I like the ones about the XRs as well)! You brought me back to a special time in my adolescence.
@@marthamryglod291 yeah they had a perfect dip in the seat. Steve Richards had a 93RM125 with a blue printed moter and I did the same to my 93CR125 Pro Circuit of course with Barr's compatition tag team, and I'm telling you starts first kick, no smoke Boyson power reeds and flote bowl, and there's no need to jet the bike with a 52 teeth Renthal sprocket and Trellaborg Swedish tire's.
Compare that to the MXA of today, where they can barely find the compression clicker. There is no detail in the bike tests today. It is like they used to be decent engineers, and today they are more like a union "worker" who can't figure much out. When I read about a 2-stroke engine in MXA today,---they get at least 2 "facts" wrong,--and they don't have a clue that what they read somewhere,---is wrong. It matters.
Had an 03' CR250...Gorgeous bike, felt really light, and great handling except for some front end push. On the engine I think that electric powervalve was a big part of the problem. It had a 125 style power band with 250 power with very good top end....Inconsistent too. You could hit a corner at speed and blast out and later the same corner with same speed and you'd have to really clutch it...Had it ported which helped but the motor was nothing like 92' and 93' which were awesome. 92' CR250 motor would still be good today.
I agree on the aluminum frame. Lusted all my life for a Honda. Rode one once. Hated it! Felt like a tall wide freight train. Went from Kawasaki to a 2001 RM250. Never have loved a bike more before or since.
Great story/video about CR`s!! Evolution is unstoppable as well as technology, but the aura and that ..hard to describe feeling that I get about the early tahiti red models (1978 to 1982), I do not get it with newer models, ... i guess I`m getting old LOL (57 now)
Do you know anyone with a 92-96 for sale? I am looking for a steel frame to build ground up. These were the best CRs in my opinion but of course this was my hay day racing these bikes.
I own an 88 CR250R & I'll never sell it! I worship that bike haha & yes it's very thin & light & SO FAST, it feels like you're riding a slingshot! I've had to rebuild it twice. First time I don't know how the bike was maintained before I got it, so whatever, spending $1,000 to rebuild the engine for a bike I purchased for $500 didn't bother me, but then the 2nd time was my fault, I overheated it.
I owned new 86,89,93,94,95 and 96 cr250s IMO the prettiest was 89, strongest motor was 89 with that huge hit and best all around and my all time favorite was the 94. The ugliest was definitely the 91! Great memories!
I've been waiting for this one, I had a 1997 CR250 and it was total garbage! It handled like a shopping cart full of bowling balls with a wheel stuck going down a flight of stairs! I loved my friend's 1993 CR250, was a dream. Keep up the great work Tony and thanks for the great content.
" It handled like a shopping cart full of bowling balls with a wheel stuck going down a flight of stairs!" Ahh---a fan of the old MXA I see. I could have read that in a 80's mag,--but talking about a Kawasaki. :)
Awesome vid. ‘97 was a big year for the CR’s it seemed like they ramped up production on all they’re models, they were everywhere can still find ‘97s for sale on the marketplace. 2002, was my favorite years for the CR I had an 80 expert (big wheel) loved it, also was the last year for the big bad 500.
Hey I’ve been wondering if you could do a video on this masterpiece ( search white brothers cr250) I’ve tried to find out some info about it and I just can’t find anything
Excellent video again! Especially interesting with the steel to aluminium transition. Could you make a video of Honda 250/450 4 stroke 2007-2022? I know you are mostly doing veteran bike videos but worth to ask anyway!
Worst headshake on any bike I ever had was my 1979 CR125....motocross action said it made a shopping cart look stable at high speed.....they were being kind....but I do really miss that bike
I owned the 91 125 and it did not have a usable powerband for average riders, also the fork was stiff and the shock quite harsh. The bike was 3k at the time, and I couldn't believe it was sent to the masses this way. In retrospect I should have gone with my tried and true Suzook.
i own a 2000 and 2001 good bikes but they are so different, the lives the lead before I owned them have more to do with the differences then how they were stock. think my 01 was owned by some racer who went through the suspension and motor and made it a smooth ripper. while my 00 came with the powervalve installed incorrectly so it was jammed half open and the mechanism was completely full of carbon, even after fixing it and going through the carb ai cant get my 00 to ride like my 01. and have riden a 97 that was bored out to 300 and the headstock milled own and it was lowered and some year of 450 forks handful is an understatement. my 00 ended up in a head on collision with a sandrail turning the triple clamps into many chicken nugget sized chunks of alumunum, bent one fork and the axel so it couldent be removed from the straight one, and mashed the exhaust aginst the frame like a pancake. i ended up with a dislocated thumb. the frame had no damage no decernable cracks or dents gome some 250 forks and tripples swaped on straight and its still going. still cant figure out that motor.
IM TRYING TO GUESS WHAT 2 STROKE your opening intro is on this videos type.....is it A KX500 AND IF SO IM GUESSING ITS EITHER AN 88 OR 89 W STOCK SILENCER BUT I COULD BE WRONG.....LOL
13:41, a pic of Jeff Stanton with the 92 CR250 for an ad. I think this is when Jeff became a vegetarian, and I know he shrunk. He looks a bit down on muscle mass in the shoulders and arms in this pic to me, but he got skinnier before retirement in 94. He became a vegetarian? He grew up on his Parents Beef farm. Kind of ironic,----and funny. :)
I am fixing to buy me an old cr. Which years are the best as far as reliability and durability? I own a 1986 250r trike and i will forever ride 2 stroke.
My 95 had a magical 3rd gear as well… sometimes I’d come up in a wheelie in fourth and wake me up! And HEY only problem with the purple on the 95 is when the graphics are gone you just have a purple seat 🤣
Well the time has come and I felt this might be a place to start. I just looked up 2 strokes for sale and I actually couldn’t find but two meanwhile there were an abundant of 4 strokes for sale. People just don’t want them and the time is now for the switch back to the true racing machines. I also watched a pro motocross race today and the stands were empty. No one is going to the races. I big factor is the lugging 4 stroke but there are some other issues I won’t get into right now. If Honda and the others are listening it is time to bring back the CR250. Brand new on the showroom floor and with the new style body yet with the best CR250 motor made. You don’t even have to over do it and the bikes will sell. I am saddened at what has happened to the sport. Motocross has a strong blue collar background with young men that were proud to be tough but those kids can’t even come close to buying s bike now at these prices. It’s destroying the sport. If I was Honda which made the best racing 250 ever I would make sure the people get what they want. The news would spread far and wide and Honda would not even be able to keep up with the sales and parts. Honda, give us the finest machine ever made back to us. We won’t let you down
My last cr was a 86 500, followed by 96 kx 500, than a 01kx 250, and than a 04 ktm, 200, 12 ktm 250, and the next bike will definitely be a ktm 250 or 300. To bad Honda quit 2 stroke development, I liked them back in the day.
The CR250R is the gold standard of a motocross bike. Great review of the legend! My fav is the 2001 for the motor but maybe also because I own one. Ha
I love the look of those 2001s. That is the last one I would probably want to own now.
I have 2 01s. Man they are great. Plans for second engine into modern crf250 chassis. With a fatty and dual stage reeds and stock silencer I get great results more Low end and pulls to the moon. Love running against new bikes with good results.
2 strokes still rock in my book !
Give this guy an award that was an awesome video !! Learned so much about my 01 :) thanks for putting this together!!
Same here on my awesome '00.
I second that👍👍👍👍
How can someone give this a thumbs down ? Tony your work is great.
Haters gonna hate apparently LOL. Thank you for your kind words.
@@TheMotocrossVault It was probably Mathis. :)
Because the world is largely filled w/ dumbasses. Like the kinda people who who think electric cars are gonna save the world while the ignore deisel, commercial airliner/ships, railway, factores & mining destruction of enviroment.
Same way people vote democrat.
Loved this episode, my last races I did on my 1984 CR250 when the 1997 came Indeed I loved the design and just had to buy one given my age ( born in 1952) may be stupid but I loved to ride this one. I could handle it but my senses told me to leave it So it is still there, about 8 running hours does not need restauration only a very good check up before firing it again it will not leave me ( same as my mugen 125 cc 1980, engine taken from my 1979 125 cc which is one of the few hondas I no longer own, hated the 23" front wheel )
Nice video! i really like my 1995 CR250, crazy 90s colors and great engine.
Great bike and I dig the purple now but hated it back then
I currently have a 1998 250 and have had it for years. Absolutely love the bike. If I'm not riding this I'm on my 96 xr400....i know quite the contrast but it works for the different riding I like to do.
My '01 is hands down the best bike I've ever rode. My old '07 CRF450 is my #2
Pulling hole shots all day on my 01 next to 2020 ktm 250sx. That was before the 10mm pwr valve cover. Its exceptional. Have 2 ill never sell. One was bought last year nearly new stock. 20hrs this season racing on its first piston.
@@derailleurmind0454 what do you mean by a 10mm power valve cover? I here people talk about them I don’t know what they do?
awesome video, 93-96 were the best handling steel frames ever.
My 93 Cr suspension motor was a Pro Circuit blue printe built loved it rocket ship and I still have it.
Want to sell it?
I can confirm that the mid-high range power of the 97 is insane. I burn out through 4th gear at WOT. I love it.
I never owned a CR but my first bike was a Honda Elsinore MT street legal bike that was restored around 1990, they looked alike and shared a lot of parts so your trip through time brought back some fond memories .
That was my first bike, too. Mine was a 250, stripped down for dirt. I knew nothing about maintenance and that thing would start on the first kick, whether it was a cold start in the dead of Ohio winter, or hot start in the dog days of summer. It ran great and stayed together for at least my first 3 years of riding, every chance I got, and I did literally zero maintenance, other than washing it if it got really muddy.
These videos are great. 👍👍
I remember in 1994 seeing the 95’s for the first time and I fell in love instantly. I had to have one. My love again with that model had never waned and in my opinion is one of the best looking motocross bikes ever made. It actually hurts me to hear people say they don’t like it but that’s something I’ve had to live with for years 😂
Agreed, 95 is beautiful 😍, 96 is my favorite though I have one myself and will never get rid of it
@@Tresper86 I had q 96cr250 too beautiful bike amazing power😊
Im buying the 1992 Honda cr250r this weekend.
Going from 4 stroke to 2 stroke.. R.I.P my hands.
Have fun!
I just bought a 93! Everything Tony has said is true. Fantastic bike in every way.
I bought the 97 as soon as they hit the showroom an absolutely loved it but I only had it 3 weeks when I hit neutral over a triple at muddy creek an broke both my legs an ankels an ended my motocross career so I can say what lil I rode it I loved my 97
Hope you can still ride casual my friend.
Thanks blazier for doing these I really appreciate it😊
Glad you like them!
Love my 02 I’ve ridden a 1998 and it has a fast motor but the 02 is just as fast it just doesn’t feel as fast which means you can push it harder and get a faster time, awesome video tony👍
Thanks again Tony!!! Great job. This one really takes me back😎
Glad you enjoyed it
I had an 01, and holy shit that bike hauled ass. The shifting was non existent I mean it was so smooth and the throttle response was on point. My only complaint was that the frame did feel a tad but stiff and ridgid, but honda is known for that. The powerband was something else
Yeah 00 and 01 bad amazing motors. 02 through 07 was the best handling and technically was the "fastest" on paper. The 02 through 07 motor was "slower" in real life because although it made the most peak HP it had the torque curve of a cr 80. Going from the torquey 01 to an 02 was night and day. 02s and up rode like 80s with the power of a 250.
“The RC Power Valve was constantly going out of adjustment” lol I’ve owned a 2002 CR250 since it was brand new when I was 15 years old, rode and raced the bike for YEARS and never once had it go out of adjustment. Lol Someone’s been reading too much Motocross Action magazine hahaha
facts😂 i have a 2000 cr250 and id rather have it than any new two stroke
@@1337-dylan Me too, I have a 2002 KX250 and a 2004 YZ250. Both in new condition 👌
I have a 98 cr250 and he's talking bad on it like he's a pro rider. Any normal dude that rides that 98 is gonna be too busy worrying about dying because that damn front wheels always off the ground. Quit reading those magazines!
I remember standing at my local Honda dealer looking at the 07 cr250 he said this is the last one I'll ever get you should buy it , I've really regretted not taking it home with me . Awesome video as always !
Me too. My local dealer (Dutrow's Honda in Frederick, MD) still had new 2007s on thier showroom floor back in 2010 and I remember thinking they were crazy because they were asking MSRP for a three-year old bike. Man I regret not buying it now.
I was in Johnson City Tn at Jim's Honda , it's just crazy how 3 of the big 4 has turned their backs on 2 strokes , so happy yamaha still keeps Japanese 2 strokes alive .
Mousey McNabb And they (Yamaha) have mastered it, haven’t thrown a leg over one of the 2019 or newer 250 but the YZ 125 is killer.
@@MattySlimzI wish they would just add the electric start to the 125x and 250x models I think that would really help sales vs the ktm husky bikes . The yamaha's reliability is very good with the best suspension you can get on a off the showroom floor bike .
What a great and thorough review I enjoyed every second of it
Awesome man! Great seeing everything from the past; gear, boots, helmets…etc
Getting into bikes super super lost not sure where to start but I want a Honda but was so lost in If they were all different by year and slot more this video made it slot clear thanks sm
Very well put together,both parts, great research. I’m a fan for sure. !!
Thanks for the awesome vid bud!!!!
You are very welcome
Wow! You sure do put a lot of work into these vids. We appreciate it. Thanks.
Glad you like them!
Thanks for the interesting watch all the way from South Africa. In 93 as a 14 year old l got a new CR125. Later that year l got a clean 91' CR250 as a training bike. Then got a new 96' CR 250, most probably one of my favourite all time bikes. Till this day, l can pull the hairs out of my head for trading it 2 years later in on a 98 CR 250..
And then in 98 Yamaha launched their YZ400f and l traded my 98 250 for a 400f after a few months, and became a Yamaha fan till this day. Would love to restore a 96 CR250 for my man cave.
In 79, as a 15 year old boy, I bought my first 125cc MX bike brand new for $850.00 off the dealership floor. it was a left over in 1980 when I bought it though,---or it would have cost about $1,100. Then we had "the production rule", (by the FIM with the help of Yamaha, and for the faster USA only), in 1986, and the bikes tripled in cost in 5 short years.
I say the FIM owes you a few grand. :)
In the picture at 8:26, I have the Sinisalo pants the Honda rider is wearing still in mint condition. You're right; weird fashion times, but I still have them!
Excellent read skills and well worded timelaps.
Thank you kindly!
Love my 06 and 00 cr250 ..Still have both of them
I had a 97 that was street legal when I was 15. My favorite bike of all time. I ended up using it as an enduro and I’m planning on buying another one for that purpose. It’s insanely light, and has the largest radiators on any dirt bike ever. Plus when used for enduro riding, the suspension doesn’t bother me as much. But yeah those bikes vibrate like crazy and the seat was WAY too thin
I’ve been looking for a seat cover for the 91. It’s like unobtainium or something. I restored my 91. Love it.
Awesome video, again! Major changes can be hard, especially for those who lived/raced through the transition from steel to aluminum (McGrath hated it). As a racer, I never liked the white plastic side panels/air box because they quickly became dirty looking. I also disliked the "pink/red" color plastics. I really do miss the 2-stroke CR's. Which aluminum framed CR250 do you think was the overall best? Thank you.👍
PS: Thanks to the Austrian bikes, 2-strokes are hanging in there. The current electronic computer systems, fuel injection and no need to mix anymore, makes the 2-strokes much "cleaner." I wish a pro team would go against the 4-stroke grain and prove 2-strokes are still viable (and let them race in the 450 class with a 275 or 300cc engine).
Much more expensive too---all this pressure from environmentalists to force the manufacture to cater to them, and not a paying customer. The 1986 production rule, and the 4-stroke forced on the industry has all but killed this sport,---because the masses can't afford to buy one anymore. I bought 3 brand new bikes in the 70's from 12 to 16 years old,---making $1.00/hr part time at my Dad's little highway side store in rural Michigan. What good is a dirt bike---when all the trials and tracks we made in the 80's and 90's, are all grown in now? Play the environmentalists game---and kiss this sport good by. Because of these expenses, the market share is 1/10th of what it used to be,---and that is not because kids are bored of riding. If there is government intervention---it is ot free market, and we are no longer free to build and buy what we want. Are you cheering for that? The planet is fine. It is economic fascism/communism that is the problem.
Wow
Should be on tv
Very professional well thought out
So much information
Thank you
Wow, thank you!
1990 CR125 had the 89 body work, but in the best color of all time. Flash Red. Mine was a trade in, 6 months old , with pro circuit suspension (for a rider that was smaller than me, but raced arenacross). Coming off an Elsinore, I thought the suspension worked great!
Excelente material, un análisis muy objetivo más allá de tu fanatismo por la marca. Felicitaciones!
Now this is the best cr overview ive seen online 👌🏻. Now all i have to do is find myself a NOS ‘99 expansion pipe to finish my resto !
Today, confused MXA bagged on the aftermarket crossbar pad called the "DeBruiser". But in 1997, at min 31:46, you can see what cross bar pad MXA used on their 250cc MX bike shootout.
Interesting, I loved the DeBruiser and I remember MXA picking it as their favorite at some point.
@@TheMotocrossVault It was a sharper MXA back then. It is a generational thing that doctors can't even avoid. Every industry is suffering with the new generation. We are just not as good at figuring out reality as we used to be,---and I think it must be our terrible education today.
I call our education today, "societal sabotage", and these kids should redefine "class action law suit", and sue their schools.
Man this was a GREAT video! Brought back a LOT of memories! I still have my '93 CR250R. Don't think I'll ever get rid of it. My favorite of the steel frames for sure. Really sad what happened to the Honda 2 strokes... Wish they would make a come back. I still think Honda could make a GREAT 2 stroke enduro. I own a 2018 Beta 300RR and it has the same feeling frame as my '93, just with much better everything else. Thanks again for the video sir!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I’m gonna say my 03 was and is a beast. With reeds, pipe, jets and adjusting the rc valve cable tension is a great bike. Suspension is another thing though but power and ergonomics is great
This was absolutely fascinating to watch! Do you think there would ever be a chance of a history of the KX250 from 1990-2008?
Yes i am going to do the KX250 for sure
I had the 94 and loved it. Then I had the '00 and '01. The '00 was my favorite by far. I'm still upset that I sold that bike. That mid range monster was perfect for the sand dunes and sandy tracks of Michigan.
I have cracked subframe and leftside crankcase. Wonder if its what you mentioned about the 1992 cr250 chassis 10:40 min
Good video. Well researched!
Thanks
Hey Tony, just noticing the 1991 Honda's had the white shrouds just like 1981's... Wondering if Honda was paying tribute... I like that...
You know I never thought of that before
I used to bleed red and had many Honda motorcycles in the 80's and 90's. My first CR was an '87 250 and thought that it was absolutely magical (coming off of a highly modified '86 XR600R- I still have a brand new rear fender tool bag for that bike). I also had a '90 CR 250 (only paid $4,200 brand new IIRC) which I also really liked. The '87 was probably my favorite, but I was likely fastest on the '90. My last CR 250 was a '94. I didn't really like that bike much. Power delivery was not very linear like the previous CRs that I had owned. It had a soft low end and transitioned hard when coming onto the pipe. Yes, it had a lot of power, but didn't feel like much more than my previous CRs. I had full on Race Tech (Gold Valves and coatings) on the '94 and it made quite a difference. One still had to be aggressive to take advantage of it, but it was still much improved. I also spent a fair amount of time on a friends '97 and did not like it at all.
Cool videos (I like the ones about the XRs as well)! You brought me back to a special time in my adolescence.
Omg tnx from Italy 🇮🇹👍🏻 a lot of work....
Awesome video 👌
Thank you! Cheers!
I liked the 93 through 95 Suzukis.
Those bikes turned so we'll that they felt 20lbs lighter than they were
@@marthamryglod291 yeah they had a perfect dip in the seat. Steve Richards had a 93RM125 with a blue printed moter and I did the same to my 93CR125 Pro Circuit of course with Barr's compatition tag team, and I'm telling you starts first kick, no smoke Boyson power reeds and flote bowl, and there's no need to jet the bike with a 52 teeth Renthal sprocket and Trellaborg Swedish tire's.
I just found your channel. I think it’s awesome!!! Braapp Braapp
Thank you!
So detailed by year very good bro.
Your the man!!! Awesome series. I’m in the market for a 96 cr 125 to race the rev 2 class
I remember as a kid reading mxa articles and every year they were messing with fork oil and springs trying to get the stock stuff to work
Compare that to the MXA of today, where they can barely find the compression clicker. There is no detail in the bike tests today. It is like they used to be decent engineers, and today they are more like a union "worker" who can't figure much out. When I read about a 2-stroke engine in MXA today,---they get at least 2 "facts" wrong,--and they don't have a clue that what they read somewhere,---is wrong. It matters.
This is a fantastic review. Would love to see a review of the 2004 YZ250, the last steel frame YZ250 as well.
Had an 03' CR250...Gorgeous bike, felt really light, and great handling except for some front end push. On the engine I think that electric powervalve was a big part of the problem. It had a 125 style power band with 250 power with very good top end....Inconsistent too. You could hit a corner at speed and blast out and later the same corner with same speed and you'd have to really clutch it...Had it ported which helped but the motor was nothing like 92' and 93' which were awesome. 92' CR250 motor would still be good today.
I agree on the aluminum frame. Lusted all my life for a Honda. Rode one once. Hated it! Felt like a tall wide freight train. Went from Kawasaki to a 2001 RM250. Never have loved a bike more before or since.
They looked so cool but they were way to wide and harsh feeling.
Great story/video about CR`s!! Evolution is unstoppable as well as technology, but the aura and that ..hard to describe feeling that I get about the early tahiti red models (1978 to 1982), I do not get it with newer models, ... i guess I`m getting old LOL (57 now)
LOL me too!
Do you know anyone with a 92-96 for sale? I am looking for a steel frame to build ground up. These were the best CRs in my opinion but of course this was my hay day racing these bikes.
Another A+ Video!!
thank you
I own an 88 CR250R & I'll never sell it! I worship that bike haha & yes it's very thin & light & SO FAST, it feels like you're riding a slingshot! I've had to rebuild it twice. First time I don't know how the bike was maintained before I got it, so whatever, spending $1,000 to rebuild the engine for a bike I purchased for $500 didn't bother me, but then the 2nd time was my fault, I overheated it.
Thank you for this video I loved watching
Glad you enjoyed it!
I owned new 86,89,93,94,95 and 96 cr250s IMO the prettiest was 89, strongest motor was 89 with that huge hit and best all around and my all time favorite was the 94. The ugliest was definitely the 91! Great memories!
I've been waiting for this one, I had a 1997 CR250 and it was total garbage! It handled like a shopping cart full of bowling balls with a wheel stuck going down a flight of stairs! I loved my friend's 1993 CR250, was a dream. Keep up the great work Tony and thanks for the great content.
" It handled like a shopping cart full of bowling balls with a wheel stuck going down a flight of stairs!"
Ahh---a fan of the old MXA I see. I could have read that in a 80's mag,--but talking about a Kawasaki. :)
As bad as the 97 CR250 was regarded by the magazines, I thought mine handled beautifully compared to the 92 YZ250 I just came from.
Not for nothing but you have developed a pretty good sense of humor.
Awesome vid. ‘97 was a big year for the CR’s it seemed like they ramped up production on all they’re models, they were everywhere can still find ‘97s for sale on the marketplace. 2002, was my favorite years for the CR I had an 80 expert (big wheel) loved it, also was the last year for the big bad 500.
Those 1997 CR250R were EVERYWHERE for sure.
Hey I’ve been wondering if you could do a video on this masterpiece ( search white brothers cr250) I’ve tried to find out some info about it and I just can’t find anything
Excellent video again! Especially interesting with the steel to aluminium transition. Could you make a video of Honda 250/450 4 stroke 2007-2022? I know you are mostly doing veteran bike videos but worth to ask anyway!
Yes I’m thinking of doing a video covering the evolution of the four strokes
@@TheMotocrossVault Great! Looking forward to it!
Good stuff!
Worst headshake on any bike I ever had was my 1979 CR125....motocross action said it made a shopping cart look stable at high speed.....they were being kind....but I do really miss that bike
Mitch Payton said he could make 2005+ CR250s bark and scream. I trust his judgment.
Do you know anything about husqvarna txc series? from what ive found its very hard to find parts for. i have an 08 txc250
Not much. Those were the Italian Cagiva years for Husky and dealer support was never great here in the US.
Love this video
I have a question do you think a 2001 cr250 motor will fit in a 1998 cr250 frame?
Heck Yeah!!! Thanks man love the videos!!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!!!
I'm doing a frame off on a 96 cr250 now anyhelpfulhints or where I can find the paint code for the frame?
Call a Honda dealer.. They should be able to help
I owned the 91 125 and it did not have a usable powerband for average riders, also the
fork was stiff and the shock quite harsh. The bike was 3k at the time, and I couldn't believe it was sent to the masses this way. In retrospect I should have gone with my tried and true Suzook.
i own a 2000 and 2001 good bikes but they are so different, the lives the lead before I owned them have more to do with the differences then how they were stock. think my 01 was owned by some racer who went through the suspension and motor and made it a smooth ripper. while my 00 came with the powervalve installed incorrectly so it was jammed half open and the mechanism was completely full of carbon, even after fixing it and going through the carb ai cant get my 00 to ride like my 01. and have riden a 97 that was bored out to 300 and the headstock milled own and it was lowered and some year of 450 forks handful is an understatement.
my 00 ended up in a head on collision with a sandrail turning the triple clamps into many chicken nugget sized chunks of alumunum, bent one fork and the axel so it couldent be removed from the straight one, and mashed the exhaust aginst the frame like a pancake. i ended up with a dislocated thumb. the frame had no damage no decernable cracks or dents gome some 250 forks and tripples swaped on straight and its still going. still cant figure out that motor.
Love the videos. Let's see on on the Suzuki rm125
I will be doing on on the RM125 eventually but months of research go into everyone of these so it is a slow process.
I never knew about the CRV valve.I always had 125's.
96 definitely the best I sold mine and got a 97 and instantly regretted it
IM TRYING TO GUESS WHAT 2 STROKE your opening intro is on this videos type.....is it A KX500 AND IF SO IM GUESSING ITS EITHER AN 88 OR 89 W STOCK SILENCER BUT I COULD BE WRONG.....LOL
13:41, a pic of Jeff Stanton with the 92 CR250 for an ad. I think this is when Jeff became a vegetarian, and I know he shrunk. He looks a bit down on muscle mass in the shoulders and arms in this pic to me, but he got skinnier before retirement in 94. He became a vegetarian? He grew up on his Parents Beef farm. Kind of ironic,----and funny. :)
The 90 - 96 hondas all look awesome.
my little brother and I went from xr50s to sharing a 97 cr250... it sure seemed like a lot of bike
Awesome timeline. Sad to see them disappear
Can i use a 90/91 rear wheel on a 95/96? Like the darker red by the way..lol
I am fixing to buy me an old cr. Which years are the best as far as reliability and durability? I own a 1986 250r trike and i will forever ride 2 stroke.
Forget what yr but on the cover of dirtbike was a 197lb cr125 911 carbon graphics upside-down forks that I'd love to have had
In the 90s of course
Loved it
Thanks
My 95 had a magical 3rd gear as well… sometimes I’d come up in a wheelie in fourth and wake me up!
And HEY only problem with the purple on the 95 is when the graphics are gone you just have a purple seat 🤣
was it the 1990 that removed all the hoses and went internal cooling channels
Just got a 90 250 excited
Thanks for the reviews great content!! In 1994 I was racing a yz 250. Now I race vintage and race a 1993 cr 250 love the bike but the forks are grim.
Thanks
Do you want to sale your 93? I will buy right now!
Love the way my 03 handles but my 98 hits like a NASA rocketship. I would love love to swap my 98 motor in the 03
absolutely love these videos!
and what on earth is a CR80R2?
I believe the mama you’re referring to was a big wheel option available in Europe but not sold over here for school boy class racing in the 80s
Well the time has come and I felt this might be a place to start. I just looked up 2 strokes for sale and I actually couldn’t find but two meanwhile there were an abundant of 4 strokes for sale. People just don’t want them and the time is now for the switch back to the true racing machines. I also watched a pro motocross race today and the stands were empty. No one is going to the races. I big factor is the lugging 4 stroke but there are some other issues I won’t get into right now. If Honda and the others are listening it is time to bring back the CR250. Brand new on the showroom floor and with the new style body yet with the best CR250 motor made. You don’t even have to over do it and the bikes will sell. I am saddened at what has happened to the sport. Motocross has a strong blue collar background with young men that were proud to be tough but those kids can’t even come close to buying s bike now at these prices. It’s destroying the sport. If I was Honda which made the best racing 250 ever I would make sure the people get what they want. The news would spread far and wide and Honda would not even be able to keep up with the sales and parts. Honda, give us the finest machine ever made back to us. We won’t let you down
My last cr was a 86 500, followed by 96 kx 500, than a 01kx 250, and than a 04 ktm, 200, 12 ktm 250, and the next bike will definitely be a ktm 250 or 300. To bad Honda quit 2 stroke development, I liked them back in the day.
95 engine for the win!!
You have no taste