Honda Cr125r

HONDA CR125R

Quick Ride

You little tease!

THE FIRST WAVE OF Honda’s 2002 motocross attack has arrived in the all-new CR125R. The smallest full-size CR comes to us with a heavily tweaked but not totally redone motor. Everything else on the bike, though, centering around Honda’s third-generation aluminum frame, is virtually brand-new.

The CR125 story, in short, has been a battle for power. While Yamaha and, more recently, Suzuki found full and strong powerbands, Honda has struggled with peaky, segmented power spreads. For 2002, the CR’s band has been nicely broadened and we’re sure output is right in the hunt, confirmed by the horsepower-sapping jumps the bike was able to clear. Yet the CR doesn’t feel fast. It has the sensation of being a larger motor, say 160cc, with some sort of restrictor installed to make it legal in the 125cc class. Strange. Also, the jetting was extremely sensitive. Combined with very little flywheel effect, bogging in tight, low-speed turns was a problem

for our Novice pilots.

Motor oddities aside, the CR’s chassis and running gear are the big news. The new, slimmer frame is quite roomy and allows riders to clamber all over the bike. It's plenty strong, yet "slapback" from track imperfec tions, a common problem with ultra-rigid frames, is less appar ent than in years past. And the steeper rake makes for a more

precise feel to the front end without any effect on stability. In fact, the new bike feels more stable than the ’01 model. Suspension is stiff for a 125.

You won't be looking for stouter springs here. Yet the ride is plush at the same time-if you avoid conventional wisdom. By setting the compression clickers to firmer settings, the suspension stays up in its stroke and para doxically provides a softer ride, with excellent bottoming resist ance. Rear sag (100mm) was critical in setup, as was utilizing the shock's high-speed compres sion damping to hold up the back of the bike.

Brakes are easily the best production stoppers we've felt

on any off-road bike, and make any other bike’s brakes feel touchy, especially in the rear. Great control. The clutch action is Honda-excellent as well, though shifting was just average. Fit-and-finish is top-shelf stuff, and going by past history, there probably isn’t a more durable motocrosser out there.

Honda has made a giant step forward in every aspect with the CR125, even if the motor doesn’t feel as good as it really is. It’s deceivingly fast and strong, but only a head-to-head shootout will allow us to make the final call.

We do know this: The $4999 CR125 leaves us wondering just how good the upcoming CR250 and 450F will be. Think of it as a teaser, and a great one at that.

Jimmy Lewis