Fire up the engine; lift the bike vertically; flick up the side stand; click the shifter into the gear; let out the clutch and gas the throttle. These ritualistic steps of riding a motorcycle are easy on the CBR250R, thanks to its light weight, relatively low-effort interface, and fuel-injected powerplant. The shifter’s crisp “clickyness” and the relatively low effort clutch are both easy to master, and once underway, the counterbalanced engine offers mild vibrations that increase in intensity as the tach winds its way closer to the indicated redline of 10,500 rpm.
But more important than comparisons against Kawasaki are the CBR250R’s qualities that stir desire: it’s an attractively designed, well-engineered bike with fun performance and nimble handling. Thanks to its aggressive price point and slickly packaged mechanicals, the Honda CBR250R is not only a great bike, it’s one that should attract a new generation of riders into motorcycling.