Back in the late 1960s, Soichiro Honda famously declared that “Honda will never build a two-stroke motorcycle.” And it’s not without good reason; the Big Red had developed a reputation for reliable, user-friendly four-strokes, so Mr. Honda wanted to avoid the costs and complications that would come about were his company to deviate from its bread and butter.
Lucky for us, his engineers had other plans. After Honda pulled out of GP racing in 1967, the team found themselves wanting for a project. Despite Mr. Honda’s sentiments, they got to work on developing a top secret two-stroke motor and took the resulting prototype to a National race in 1971. Just two years later, the CR250M hit the showroom floors and Honda had won its first U.S. National Championship.
For all of the bike’s promise, it did lag behind as the competition found its footing. Thus, Honda went back to the drawing board and released an all-new 250cc two-stroke dubbed the CR250R Elsinore. Along with a right-side output shaft and a reed-valve intake, it also benefitted from a loud, fire-engine red paint scheme. Basic specs for the CR amounted to 36hp, 28lb-ft of torque, and a 234-lb dry weight.
As Cycle World put it in its period review: “The praise could go on all day. Darkness fell before we could feel any fade in the suspension. The staff cowtrailers enjoyed the CR even if they don’t have the skill to use all the power. The experts, our desert racer and professional motocross man, liked the Elsinore as soon as they fired it up. The longer they rode it, the better they liked it.”
This example is VIN: CR250R2101797. The seller purchased the bike 10 years ago and states, “Bought it to trail ride it, due to a bike accident I was never able to do that.”
True mileage unknown.
Maintenance:
Per the seller, “Fork seal, new piston, rings, crank, cylinder resleeved, standard bore, shocks rebuilt, new plastics, frame powder coated.”
Modifications:
“Electronic ignition, fox shocks.”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Motocross tires with date codes of 500 and 025.
There are no keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“2 small dents on chamber.”
Currently located in Flower Mound, Texas this Honda is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any CR250R Elsinore stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
