Honda has upgraded its off-road trail bike lineup with fuel injection for 2019, and also adding some other upgrades.
Up until now, the CRF trail bikes have been using carburetors—old-school, but cheap and effective. But carburetors come with a host of disadvantages as well, including increased tailpipe emissions and a difficulty in tuning for best performance under all riding conditions.
So, Honda’s putting Keihin-manufactured EFI on the CRF250F, CRF125F, CRF15F Big Wheel and CRF110F.
On a bike-by-bike basis, here are a list of other upgrades in the line: the CRF250F has engine capacity grown by 22 cc, and the chassis is also new, with more wheel travel and taller seat, which is 5 mm higher than the previous model.
The CRF125F has the same engine as before in both the standard and Big Wheel versions, but the seat and chassis are upgraded (the seat is 4 mm higher than last year’s bike, on the standard version). There’s also more suspension travel for 2019.
And as for the CR110F, it, too has the same basic engine as last year. But, a new frame sets the seat height lower, even though the seat itself is actually thicker and there’s more suspension travel. That’s a win-win-win.
Find more details on the CRF lineup in Honda’s official press release below:
GALLERY
Check out all the pics that go with this story!
Honda Brings CRF Performance Technology to CRF Trail Line
Fuel injection for 2019 CRF250F, CRF125FB, CRF125F, CRF110F
Following on the acclaimed expansion and elevation of the 2019 CRF Performance line, Honda today revealed the 2019 edition of its popular CRF Trail family, which boasts three dramatically updated models and one completely new machine. All four new CRF Trail models—the CRF250F, CRF125F, CRF125F Big Wheel and CRF110F—benefit from the adoption of Keihin electronic fuel injection systems. The updates improve on the line’s friendly nature by providing more linear power and improved handling precision without sacrificing the comfort for which Honda’s recreational off-road models have been renowned since the first XR75 was unveiled in 1973.
CRF250F
The flagship of the CRF Trail line, the new CRF250F has Keihin electronically controlled fuel injection and a SOHC long-stroke, air-cooled engine for a linear power delivery. Meanwhile, the secure chassis is a great platform for learning while also providing capability that many riders will never outgrow. The engine boasts 22cc more displacement than the outgoing CRF230F, while the new chassis has 12 mm more rear-wheel travel and 5 mm taller seat foam; however, the 884 mm (34.8 in) seat height is only 6 mm (0.2 in) higher. The 6 litre steel fuel tank contains an internal fuel pump with a reserve level sensor; a bar-mounted “low fuel” indicator light means no more reaching down to switch the tank’s petcock to reserve. More power, intuitive handling, race-bike technology and styling, and Honda’s legendary reliability ensure that this starter bike will also be a keeper bike.
- Color: Red
- Price: $5,299
- Availability: January 2019
CRF125F / CRF125 Big Wheel
Already an ideal midsize trail bike for the mid-height recreational rider, the CRF125F now has a new twin-spar steel frame and a Keihin electronic fuel injection system, making it smoother, stronger and more stable, instilling even more confidence in its rider. Returning is the proven SOHC 124cc engine and four-speed transmission. Thanks to the design of the new frame, the seat height is only 4mm higher at a low 739 mm (29.1 in), despite thicker seat foam and 10 mm and 12 mm more front and rear suspension travel, respectively. Customers have the choice of a Big Wheel version that swaps the 17- and 14-inch rims for 19- and 16-inches, raising seat height by 46 mm (1.8 in) and increasing front and rear suspension travel. The new steel fuel tank houses a fuel pump and a sensor that indicates low fuel via a handlebar-mounted light. There’s no mistaking the CRF Performance line-inspired bodywork, which improves looks and allows easier rider maneuverability.
- Color: Red
- Price: $3,899 (CRF125F) / $3,999 (CRF125FB)
- Availability: February 2019
CRF110F
Fuel injection reaches the kid-friendly CRF110F, making the 109cc engine even smoother than before. A four-speed semi-automatic transmission is ideal for new riders, and a more supple ride comes courtesy of a twin-spar steel frame that takes the harshness out of big impacts. Although there is 12 mm more rear-suspension travel and a 5 mm thicker seat, the seat height is actually 7 mm (0.4 in) lower! An indicator light on the handlebar illuminates when only 0.8 litres of fuel remain in the tank, grips are now a half-waffle pattern for better feel with smaller hands, and a ratchet-style fuel cap minimizes the chance of loosening during a ride. Parents and riding instructors get the peace of mind of knowing their rider is on a smooth and secure machine that will last through the years, and the CRF110F’s new features instill even more confidence and independence in its young rider.
- Color: Red
- Price: $2,999
- Availability: February 2019
True LOL. If you have a gear-driven cam equipped VFR, count me as extremely jealous. How do you find the RZ350 compares to the R3 in terms of performance? I love my R3. But I will probably sell it in the spring. The roads around here are just too full of potholes. And I find I’m doing so much more gravel and trail riding currently. I rode the WR250R to Arkansas (for the SLAP Rally) this spring and it did quite well as a touring bike. I plan to get a Russel seat for it this year though…..
Kudos to Honda for being the first to equip their small displacement trail bikes with EFI. I bet the others will follow shortly. I can’t wait to try the CRF100F with EFI and see how it compares to the carbed version.
This is far outside the scope of comments on the CRF110F but having ridden an R3 and RZ350 back to back, the RZ has a lot more power in a narrow powerband but most of the time the R3 was faster. The suspension on the RZ is scary bad. Everything about the R3 is far superior except that brief hit of power where the RZ lifts the front wheel.
I have the previous model CRF110F and it is a bit fiddly to keep idling when cold. The most success comes from starting with full choke and then a few seconds later switching the half choke with a bit of throttle, followed by choke off and more throttle until it warms up. Fuel injection would be nice so the kids and I can get our gear on while the bikes warm up. I see Honda dumped the CRF150F which I also have… Probably because it is almost identical to the CRF125FB and that would be one more engine/bike to update with little difference other than seat height and a bit of suspension travel.
I think the Big Wheel is supposed to replace the CF150F…
The 125F and 125FB originally replaced the 80F and 100F, just as how the 110F replaced the 70F. The 150 was kept in the line-up after the two 125 bikes were introduced. I guess the 125FB and 150 are very similar in size and power and have the same wheels.
I sold my 2014 CRF110F a couple of summers ago. I miss it though. It was a hoot to go trail riding on. I had upgraded the suspension and swingarm. I also replaced the stock carb with a stock KLX110 carb which is slightly larger. I could start the bike on the first kick, cold, every time. So that was a good upgrade too. I’ve been waiting ever since for fuel-injection to come to these bikes. Now I may need to get another one. Or two…
So we have at least three of the same bikes? WR250R, YZF-R3 and CRF110F? If you owned a couple Honda VFRs and an RZ350 I wonder if we are long lost twins? (Or maybe me having owned 18 motorcycles gives a high probability of overlap?)