2020 Honda CBR250RR gets power hike to rival Kawasaki ZX-25R

The updated 2020 Honda CBR250RR will get a small power hike to help it compete with the recently revealed Kawasaki ZX-25R, it has been confirmed.

The pocket rocket is getting an overhaul for the 2020, though its planned unveiling has been moved to a special presentation online after the Tokyo and Osaka Motor Shows were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Alas, as with its predecessor, the CBR250RR is set to remain an Asia-only model to help it maintain its performance-based attributes in markets with more lenient emissions regulations… why do we always want things we just can’t have?

Among the raft of updates coming with this 2020 model is a tweaked engine and pistons that has lifted power levels from 37hp to 40hp, a minor but no doubt noticeable increase on the lightweight machine. 

However, it will still have its work cut out to beat the new ZX-25R off the line with its four-cylinder engine generating 46hp all the way up 17,000rpm. As a reference, the current CBR250RR hits max power at 12,500rpm.

Other revisions include the rakish styling which borrows from the recently launched CBR1000RR-R, not least a new colour combination of white, red and blue – aping the manufacturer’s HRC WorldSBK entry – and gold forks, petal disc brakes and a dual-barrel exhaust.

It will also get a slipper clutch and a bi-direction quick shifter – the latter as an option – which is unusual for a model in this segment, plus the three riding modes of Comfort, Sports and Sports+.

The Honda CBR250RR will be officially unveiled on March 27 alongside other models Honda had planned to reveal at the shows.