The production version of the Honda CRF250 Rally concept seems to be headed for the production lines, very soon. The Japanese manufacturer has filed a trademark application for the name ‘CRF250 Rally’ as well as patent for the design of the motorcycle, in Europe.
The Honda CRF250 Rally is essentially a standard CRF250R dirt bike under the skin, with additional bodywork and components to make it resemble the litre-class Africa Twin. The leaked patent pictures of the Honda CRF250 Rally show that the motorcycle will retain most of the bits from the concept bike, unveiled earlier this year. The changes, including the new exhaust canister, different brake setup and mirrors, are for making the motorcycle road-legal.
Exuding the essence of a mini rally racer, the CRF250 Rally might be the next big thing in the world of adventure bikes, after the Africa Twin. The long suspension travel, petal disc brakes, narrow tank and the high ground clearance should make the CRF250 Rally one of the most exciting small-capacity motorcycles that you can buy.
While Honda hasn’t given any hints about the production version of the CRF250 Rally, we can safely expect it to be globally unveiled at the EICMA Show in Milan, later this month. While the European and the US markets will be frontrunners to get this motorcycle, the chances of such a bike making it to the Indian shores seem very bleak. Fingers crossed!
