2022 Honda CRF250RX First Ride!

First ride on a brand new 2022 Honda CRF250RX today (thanks Steve!). Coming off my '22 CRF250R a few things stand out. First thing I noticed was the smoother engine mapping on the RX with a less urgent response to throttle inputs in Maps 1&2. Map 3 on the RX feels similar to Map 1 on the R with quicker RPM build up and more urgent response the throttle inputs. RX maps 1&2 build engine RPM's a little more slowly and find traction. The CRF250RX engine makes power over a broad RPM range with excellent rideability and the extra low to mid power of the updated '22 CRF250RX engine is noticeable and welcomed. I did not stall the bike at all in the woods or on the track. The only real criticism of this engine for an off road bike is the moto gearbox. The RX would offer more off road versatility with a 6-speed gearbox or at least a wide ratio 5-speed.

Next up was the suspension. For reference I am 6' 2" tall and weigh 190 lbs. The '22 CRF250RX suspension has an off road setting with 1-step softer springs front and rear (RX Forks are 4.6 N/mm vs 4.8 N/mm on the R and RX rear spring is 48 N/mm vs 50 N/mm on the R). The RX suspension felt more compliant with a little more fore/aft chassis movement under braking and acceleration but still had good hold up and chassis control. The RX suspension worked better than my R suspension for the mix of old school GP track and woods I was riding today. The softer RX suspension did not reduce the overall firmness of the latest CRF chassis I feel while riding off road or hard pack MX tracks but the RX suspension setting overall felt better than my R suspension today.

The RX handling and cornering was similar to the R with a little less of the R's playfulness and agile feel. The soft carcass Dunlop AT81 tires along with the softer suspension setting combine to give the RX a slightly more compliant ride overall compared to the R and contribute to the slightly less agile feel of the RX vs the R.

The Honda "just feels right" ergos of the seat to handlebar to footpeg relationship are identical to the R but the bigger (muffin top) RX fuel tank gives the RX a wider feel in the radiator shroud area. The RX comes with an o-ring chain, hand guards, and a kickstand all of which are useful additions to an off road focused machine. The brakes are identical to the R and work great, especially the front brake.

So the RX takes the really good base R model and dials in a more off road focused suspension setting along with smoother engine mapping and adds some useful off road features like an 18" rear wheel, hand guards, and a kickstand - well done Honda!

Here is my initial ride review on my '22 CRF250R:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS0hRCUN-o0&t=1s

Here is my 1-month review of my '22 CRF250R: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-OzC-fkw78

Видео 2022 Honda CRF250RX First Ride! канала mxengineer1