An all-new model for the 2025 model year, the CRF250RWE brings the premium componentry used by Team Honda HRC to the quarter-liter category for the first time. Inspired by the factory race bikes of Jo Shimoda and Chance Hymas, this special edition (the "WE" stands for Works Edition) offers high-level performance right out of the box, with a wide range of race-proven upgrades. Plus, with the platform-wide chassis, suspension and engine updates for the 2025 model year, the CRF250RWE represents Honda's most advanced 250cc motocross bike to date.
PREMIUM FEATURES
Compared to the CRF250R, the Works Edition model has several special components:
- New hydraulic clutch
- New Yoshimura exhaust with stainless-steel header pipe and titanium muffler
- Twin Air air filter
- Throttle Jockey Team Honda HRC graphics
- Throttle Jockey seat cover
- Matte Red Metallic cylinder-head cover
- Hand-polished cylinder ports
- D.I.D DirtStar LT-X rims
- Kashima-coated outer fork tubes
- Titanium oxide-coated fork legs
- Black anodized axle holder
- Titanium oxide-coated 18mm shock shaft
- Hand-operated fork-compression adjuster
- D.I.D-DM2 Gold chain
- Gray metallic-coated triple clamps
- Renthal Kevlar grips
- Dedicated ignition and injection mapping
- Dunlop MX33 Tires (wider 110 rear tire)
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
Known for its precise handling and overall rideability, the CRF250RWE builds upon its strengths with significant chassis and suspension improvements for the 2025 model year. These advancements allow for greater stability and comfort, especially late in the moto, when track conditions are at their worst.
Frame / Subframe
The redesigned mainframe is constructed from 70% new components, leading to a more comfortable and confidence-inspiring ride. An 8% increase in torsional rigidity improves overall stability, while a 5% increase in the torsional/lateral rigidity ratio allows for precision cornering. Vertical torsional rigidity is increased by 4%, enhancing stability in rough track conditions.
Additionally, the subframe mounting point has been relocated to a more rigid position on the mainframe. This reduces energy transmission from the rear of the motorcycle to the front, offering greater stability and comfort, especially late in the moto, when track conditions are at their worst.
Despite the increase in overall frame rigidity, the ride character of the CRF250RWE is much more compliant and composed compared to the previous generation. The frame updates are complemented by revised chassis and suspension components, allowing for greater stability and improved ride comfort.
Suspension
The Pro-Link rear-suspension system uses a Showa shock absorber with a titanium oxide-coated 18mm shock shaft, an anodized adjuster cap on the right side and an ultra-light steel shock spring. Because of the optimized frame rigidity, the shock moves freely, minimizing harshness, while offering hold-up for big impacts and performance in ruts.
Front suspension comprises a 49mm inverted Showa coil-spring fork and a gas-liquid separation structure. A new compression adjuster on the fork allows the rider to adjust settings without tools. The fork setting is paired with that of the shock, for proper front-rear balance. The CRF250RWE's lower fork legs and shock shaft are coated with titanium oxide to minimize stiction and improve ride quality, while the outer fork tubes are Kashima-coated to enhance the Works Edition aesthetic. The fork cap is anodized blue, just like on the Team Honda HRC machines, and the fork lug is now anodized black. The upper and lower triple clamps are gray and are designed to offer a good rigidity balance, for optimum handling and feel through corners.
Wheels
The black D.I.D rims (21-inch front, 19-inch rear) deliver durable performance and good looks. Petal-style brake rotors (260mm front, 240mm rear) disperse heat.
The CRF250RWE comes with Dunlop MX33 tires, featuring technologies that deliver superior grip, slide control, bump absorption and durability. Plus, the wider 110 rear tire increases stability and traction and is well-matched with power of the WE model.
Brakes
Based on feedback from Team Honda HRC riders, the front brake caliper has an updated piston and seal grooves. This allows for a smooth, linear feel that's consistent throughout the moto. The caliper also receives new machined accents.
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
The CRF250RWE's 249cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, double-overhead camshaft four-valve engine design achieves excellent performance and durability. For 2025, engine performance has been enhanced by greater crank rigidity and an optimized intake and exhaust design.
Intake
The redesigned airbox has a more direct pathway for airflow, resulting in improved, precise throttle control and increased top-end power. The fuel injector's angle is 60 degrees, enabling the spray to reach all the way to the back of the butterfly, and the throttle bore is 44mm. Together, these features cool the intake charge, maximizing air-intake efficiency and torque at low revs. The air filter features a spring-loaded clip design for easy serviceability.
Head
The cylinder head features four titanium valves (33mm intake and 26mm exhaust), with the former using dual springs (one inside the other) to ensure precise movement at higher revs. The intake camshaft sprocket is press-fit, which enhances valve-timing accuracy while minimizing weight.
The camshaft holder has a rigid design that maintains camshaft-journal roundness, contributing to timing accuracy and minimizing friction at high rpm. Durability at high engine speeds is maximized by a high flow of lubrication to the oil-supply journal and the cylinder head. The bore and stroke are 79.0mm and 50.9mm, respectively, and the compression ratio is 13.9:1. The water-pump gear is thick to enhance strength.
Exhaust
True to its "Works Edition" name, the CRF250RWE is outfitted with a Yoshimura exhaust system, featuring a stainless-steel header pipe and titanium muffler. The Yoshimura exhaust system utilizes a resonator to increase power and torque. The system uses a single, straight exhaust port for good torque and low-rpm drivability. The single exhaust header is routed close to the engine on the right side for a narrow cross-section and good rider mobility, and the single muffler has internal baffling that is optimized for torque delivery.
Clutch: The clutch is hydraulically actuated, reducing lever-pull forces by 16% (compared to the standard version) and offering consistent engagement throughout the moto. The clutch pack has nine discs, to maximize the amount of disc friction material and minimize the load on the individual discs. The clutch basket is rigid for durability, a friction spring reduces spring load, and lubrication is optimized to reduce wear. The primary ratio is 3.047, and lubrication is optimized to enhance clutch endurance.
Transmission
When designing the five-speed gearbox, engineers made efforts to enhance feel while making up- and downshifts between second and third gears—a very common operation on a 250 motocrosser. Only one shift fork is operated to execute this gear-change, the countershaft has good rigidity, and the shift drum is light, thanks to a large through-hole and use of only two lead grooves. The design results in excellent gear-shifting feel for the rider, and gear ratios are optimized to best utilize the engine power in the low and middle rpm ranges.
Electronics
The CRF250RWE has dedicated ignition and injection mapping, for refined power delivery. In order to fully realize the engine's potential, the ECU mapping supplies the optimum air/fuel mixture and ignition timing at all throttle positions and engine speeds. HRC-inspired launch control facilitates holeshots.
A gear-position sensor allows the use of three specific ignition maps for first and second gears, third and fourth gears, and fifth gear. There are options for Standard, Smooth and Aggressive ignition maps, selectable via an all-new handlebar-mounted switch, enabling simple tuning depending on rider preference or course conditions.
In addition, Honda Selectable Torque Control offers three levels of intervention. HSTC monitors rpm spikes and responds by temporarily reducing torque; this is accomplished by retarding ignition timing and controlling PGM-FI, to aid rear traction. The three different modes differ in drive-management level, for differing riding conditions or rider preferences:
- Mode 1: The system intervenes most lightly and waits the longest to do so—useful for reducing wheel-spin and maintaining control in tight corners.
- Mode 2: A midpoint between modes 1 and 3 in terms of how quickly and assertively the system intervenes.
- Mode 3: The system intervenes most quickly and assertively, which helps in conditions that are slippery or muddy.
The CRF250RWE's handlebar-mounted switch allows selection between three modes, depending on conditions and rider preference. The HSTC system can also be switched off completely.
HRC Launch Control provides the best option for a strong start and also has three modes to choose from:
- Level 1: 9,500 rpm, for high-traction conditions and/or advanced riders
- Level 2: 8,500 rpm, for high-traction conditions and/or average riders
- Level 3: 8,250 rpm, for slippery conditions and/or novice riders
The Engine Mode Select Button (EMSB) alters the engine's characteristics and three maps are available to suit riding conditions or rider preference:
- Mode 1: Standard
- Mode 2: Smooth
- Mode 3: Aggressive
DESIGN
The redesigned bodywork maintains the comfortable ergonomics that the CRF line is known for. The new shrouds and side plates promote freedom of movement, with a smooth, flat surface. Plus, the wider side-plate profile and flat surface provide better contact for gripping the bike. The radiator grilles optimize the number of fins and their angle, maximizing cooling performance.
The seat base has rearward-facing tongues and front-located mounting tabs, easing installation, and using acceleration forces to keep the seat securely in place. A special Throttle Jockey gripper seat cover comes standard on the CRF250RWE. The 1.7 gallon fuel tank is made of lightweight titanium.
Only eight fasteners are used to secure all of the main bodywork components—both radiator shrouds, both side plates and the seat—and all of the bolts for the main bodywork parts have 8mm heads, simplifying maintenance.
The Renthal® Fatbar® handlebar is held by a clamp that can be turned 180º; because the clamp itself has two mounting locations, there are four possible mounting positions for the handlebar, through a range of 26mm.
To complete the Works Edition package, the CRF250RWE comes with a red cylinder-head cover, a D.I.D-DM2 gold chain and Throttle Jockey graphics, matching the Team Honda HRC factory machines of Jo Shimoda and Chance Hymas.
