“The Honda responds best to my aggressive 250F riding style. I love feeling the power come alive under the clutch and am so happy that it revs out so long and strong. The throttle response is the ultimate confidence booster.”

Honda has not only made a better CRF250R, but it would appear they have just raised the game for everyone in the quarter-liter four-stroke class. All signs point to the Honda once again being the class benchmark.

"For all the young kids out there who want to be pro racers, it's not as easy as it looks."

We waited and waited, first for the big bikes and then for the holidays, and still we waited. Why? What could possibly justify delaying our 250 Motocross Shootout to such a degree? Nothing, as it turns out.

You wanna talk new? Okay, how’s this? Except for the wheels, tires and an assortment of nuts and bolts, everything on the 2010 Honda CRF250R is all-new. Everything. The engine is a complete redesign, as are the frame and suspension, and even the bodywork is new. Not only that, this Lites-class Honda now is the first 250cc motocrosser to be fuel-injected rather than carbureted. And it’s not just another typical fuel injection; this is the most impressive system ever used on any MX bike.