1996 HONDA CR250R – STEEL SURVIVOR When it comes to motocross legends, a select few machines command almost universal respect. One such is the 1996 Honda CR250R which is widely regarded as the last truly great Honda two-stroke 250. The last steel-framed quarter litre Honda motocrosser before the advent of aluminium frames, the CR represented the zenith of that bygone pre-fuel injection, pre four-stroke era. Synonymous with Jeremy McGrath’s period of Supercross dominance and Stefan Everts’ World Motocross triumphs, the ’96 CR250R has rightly cemented its place in the pantheon of truly great machines. The CR250 lineage had been setting benchmarks since its debut in 1973, becoming Honda’s first serious motocross contender. Throughout the 1980s and early ’90s, the CR250R was the weapon of choice for numerous champions, powering Honda riders to an incredible streak of AMA Supercross and Motocross titles. By 1996, Honda’s two-stroke had become a byword for speed, precision, and race-winning pedigree. Knowing this would be the last year of their proven steel-framed design, Honda made only subtle refinements on the 1995 machine, and in truth, it needed very little to elevate it to “must have” status. The purple graphics of 1995 were replaced with a sharper red-and-black factory look while, underneath, the bike featured a refined Kayaba front fork, tweaks to the ignition and carburettor plus gear ratio updates to sharpen response further still. The CR’s motor was a class leader that was consistently fast yet durable enough to withstand race upon race of competitive riding and hard starts, even though the suspension was seen as the bike’s weakest feature. Build quality was another hallmark of the ’96 CR250R. Honda’s attention to detail meant everything, from plastics to hardware, was built to a high standard and long lasting. For many, it represented the ultimate blend of performance and craftsmanship in motocross and that’s why so many survive to this day as much cherished machines. The eventual introduction of Honda’s aluminium frame in 1997 would change the character of the CR250 forever, closing the chapter on the tube frame concept that, in time, rivals would return to with great success. The last of the great steel-framed Hondas, and a motorcycle that defined a generation of racing, after the 1996 machine, the CR250 model designation would be offered in total across an impressive 37 years but the final steel framed bike is the one targeted by serious dirt aficionados. Remember, these bikes are best ridden and not put on a pedestal so if you’re restoring one of these legends or keeping your own CR steel survivor running like a champ, CMSNL has the world’s largest stock of genuine vintage Honda parts—ready to ship worldwide. Browse our huge Honda CR250R parts collection via

August 23, 2025 Gistblogger 0

  When the conversation turns to motocross legends, only a handful of machines draw almost universal admiration. Among them, the 1996 Honda CR250R holds a […]