Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder - [1981] Review and Comparison including Similar Bikes, Alternative Bikes, Performance Specs and Technical Information.
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Performance Review: Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder - [1981]

Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder - [1981] image

Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder - [1981]

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Figures & Specs Summary:

  • Edition: Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder
  • Year: 1981 | Type: Off-Road
  • Engine: 249 cc (15.1 ci) 4 Valve
  • Engine Type: V-Twin | Cylinders: 1
  • Engine Stroke: Two | Valve Config: SOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: Carburettor
  • Cooling: Air | Fuel Type: Petrol
  • Transmission: 6 speed | Manual
  • Drive: Chain
  • Wet Weight: 0 kgs (0 lbs)
  • Dry Weight: 108 kgs (238 lbs)
  • Power: 30 bhp (22 kW) @ 9000 rpm
  • Torque: 18.0 lb-ft (24.5 Nm) @ 7500 rpm
  • BHP Per Ton: 234.3 bhp
  • Torque Per Ton: 141.1 lb-ft
  • 0-60 mph (96.6 kph): 15.8 secs
  • 0-100 kph (0-62 mph): 16.1 secs
  • Top Speed: 78 mph (125.5 kph)
  • 1/4 Mile (Est.): 0 secs @ 0 mph
  • Frame: Steel
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Honda XR 250 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder is the 6 speed | Manual version and was first brought out in 1981. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1982 Honda CB 750 SC Nighthawk and the 1982 Yamaha XS 400 L Maxim.This particular Honda XR 250 has a 249cc Air cooled, Two stroke, V-Twin Petrol powerplant with 1 cylinders and Carburettor.

Kawasaki KLX 250 Single Cylinder - [2020] image

An alternative V-Twin engine, Off-Road style motorbike includes the Kawasaki KLX 250 Single Cylinder - [2020]

The 1981 XR 250 shares its V-Twin engine and Off-Road style configuration with the likes of the 2020 Kawasaki KLX 250 Single Cylinder and the 2020 Kawasaki KLX 250 Camo. Alternatively, if you're looking for other bikes which share the XR 250's Off-Road style with a similar size of engine then how about the 2020 Kawasaki KLX 250 Single Cylinder | 2020cc.2020 Kawasaki KLX 250 Camo | 2020cc.

Power and Torque:

Weighing in at 0 kgs (0 lbs) this makes the Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder in the same weight category as the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ or the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT, give or take 50kg.

Yamaha WR 250 F - [2025] image

The 1981 Honda XR 250 shares the same bhp with the Yamaha WR 250 F - [2025]

In terms of power the 249cc 4 valve V-Twin 1 cylinder engine produces 30 bhp (22 kW) @ 9000 rpm similar to the 2025 Yamaha WR 250 F [36.1 bhp (26 kW) @ 12000 rpm] or the 2025 Honda MSX 125 Grom [9.6 bhp (7 kW) @ 7250 rpm].

The SOHC Two stroke unit throws out torque of 18.0 lb-ft (24.5 Nm) @ 7500 rpm placing it alongside motorbikes of similar performance figures such as the 2025 Yamaha WR 250 F [17.8 lb-ft (24.2 Nm) @ 8100 rpm] and the 2024 Suzuki GSX-S 125 DOHC [8.1 lb-ft (10.9 Nm) @ 8500 rpm].

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Honda XR 250 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

Suzuki GS 750 DOHC - [1976] image

The 1976 Suzuki GS 750 DOHC has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the 1981 Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder.

The 1981 Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder has a Power to weight ratio of 234.3 bhp per ton and 141.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1981 XR 250 competing with the 1976 Suzuki GS 750 DOHC [259.2 bhp\ton] and the 1996 Suzuki TS 200 R [259.2 bhp\ton].


Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby, then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque. Factor weight into the equation and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Honda XR 250 generating around 141.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other motorbikes have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1997 Kawasaki ER-5 Twister [166.0 lb-ft per ton] and the 2000 Kawasaki ER-5 Twister [166.0 lb-ft per ton].

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 15.8 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 16.1 secs, this makes the Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder similar in acceleration to the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 250 SE (15.8 secs) and the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 250 DOHC (15.8 secs). This Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder also competes in terms of 0-60 mph and 0-100km/h with the 2018 Honda CB 250 R Neo Sports Cafe (0.0 secs) and the 2020 Norton Superlight SS (0.4 secs).

Yamaha XS 250 Twin - [1977] image

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1981 Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder and the 1977 Yamaha XS 250 Twin

When talking about the performance of the 1981 Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 0 secs @ 0 mph. Bikes with a similar performance down the quarter mile can be found in the 1977 Yamaha XS 250 Twin (0 secs) and the 1997 Yamaha TT-R 250 DOHC (0 secs).

Top Speed:

The 1981 version of the Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder has a maximum speed of 78mph.

Honda XR 650 R DallAra - [2006] image

Top Speed of the 1981 XR 250 equals the 2006 Honda XR 650 R DallAra

If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 1981 Honda XR 250 Single Cylinder then how about a 2006 Honda XR 650 R DallAra (89 mph) and the 2005 Honda XR 650 R (89 mph).

Related Links:

1981 Honda XR 250 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Honda

Bike Comparison


Performance Figures & Specs:

Choose a Bike Make for a List of More Performance Figures and Specs.




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More Honda Models:

Edition:

ADV

AF24

AM-1

C 102

C 125

C100

C110

C50

C70

C71

C72

C77

C90

CA 125

CB 1000

CB 1100

CB 125

CB 1300

CB 150

CB 175

CB 200

CB 250

CB 300

CB 350

CB 360

CB 400

CB 450

CB 500

CB 550

CB 600

CB 650

CB 700

CB 750

CB 900

CB-1

CB90

CB92

CBF 1000

CBF 125

CBF 250

CBF 500

CBF 600

CBR 1000

CBR 1100

CBR 125

CBR 150

CBR 250

CBR 300

CBR 400

CBR 450

CBR 500

CBR 600

CBR 650

CBR 900

CBX 1000

CBX 125

CBX 200

CBX 250

CBX 400

CBX 550

CBX 650

CBX 750

CD 125

CD 175

CD 200

CG 125

CHF 50

CJ 360

CL 350

CL 360

CL 400

CL 450

CL 500

CL 77

CLR 125

CM 125

CM 200

CM 250

CM 400

CM 450

CMX 1100

CMX 250

CMX 300

CMX 450

CMX 500

CN 250

CR 125

CR 480

CR 500

CRE 125

CRF 1000

CRF 1100

CRF 230

CRF 250

CRF 300

CRF 450

CRM 125

CRM 250

CT 110

CT 175

CT 70

CT 90

CTX 1300

CTX 200

CTX 700

CX 400

CX 500

CX 650

DN-01

DR 200

EX

EXP-2

FJS 400

FJS 600

FMX 650

FT 400

FT 500

FTR 223

FX 650

GB 250

GB 400

GB 500

GL 1000

GL 1100

GL 1200

GL 1500

GL 1800

GL 400

GL 500

GL 650

GLX 1500

GLX 1800

GTR 150

LS 125

MB 50

MBX 125

Monkey

MR 250

MSX 125

MT 50

MTX 125

MTX 200

MVX 250

Navi 110

NC 700

NC 750

NM4

NR 750

NRX 1800

NS 125

NS 250

NS 400

NSR 125

NSR 150

NSR 250

NSS 125

NSS 250

NSS 300

NSS 350

NSS 750

NT 1100

NT 400

NT 600

NT 650

NT 700

NV 400

NV 750

NX 125

NX 250

NX 350

NX 400

NX 500

NX 650

NX-4

NXR 125

NXR 750

PC 800

PCX 125

PCX 150

PS 50

RC 213

RS 150

RVF 400

RVF 750

SH 125

SH 300

SH Mode

SL 100

SL 125

SL 175

SL 230

SL 350

SL 99

SLR 650

ST 1100

ST 125

ST 1300

TL 125

TLM 200

TLM 220

TLR 220

VF 1000

VF 1100

VF 400

VF 500

VF 700

VF 750

VFR 1200

VFR 400

VFR 700

VFR 750

VFR 800

VRX 400

VT 1100

VT 125

VT 1300

VT 250

VT 400

VT 500

VT 600

VT 700

VT 750

VTR 1000

VTR 250

VTX 1300

VTX 1800

X Eleven

X-ADV

X-Four

XBR 500

XL 125

XL 175

XL 185

XL 200

XL 230

XL 250

XL 350

XL 400

XL 500

XL 600

XLR 125

XLR 200

XLR 250

XLX 250

XLX 350

XR 125

XR 150

XR 185

XR 200

XR 230

XR 250

XR 350

XR 400

XR 500

XR 600

XR 650

XRE 300

XRV 650

XRV 750


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Quarter Mile | Random Figures and Specs

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Quarter Mile Time
16.7 seconds
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Top Speed | Random Figures & Specs

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