On the road
With the engine running, one hand on the very supple clutch and the other on the super responsive throttle, there's no doubt you're astride one of Honda's famed R models. And the transmission, one of the manufacturer's specialities, proves remarkably smooth.

The single-cylinder's exhaust note is somewhat disappointing during casual riding, however, but once you get those rpms up it becomes throaty enough, its voice dipping one octave lower than that of the diminutive 125. And contrary to the Ninja 250R's twin-cylinder, which only delivers satisfying performance in the high rpm range, the CBR250R's mill proves surprisingly smooth at mid-rpm. You won't have to whip this baby on to follow traffic or even pass others. And that's the beauty of the new CBR250R: it has enough personality to satisfy a veteran rider but is user-friendly enough to suit a novice. The package is further enhanced by real rear-view mirrors that reflect more than your shoulders, powerful head- and taillamps and, especially, very efficient brakes supported by a combined ABS system (optional).

Seductive, practical and quick enough to criss-cross the province of your choice, the Honda CBR250R is definitely a crowd-pleaser. (Photo: Pascal Bastien/Moto123.com)

The CBR250R is a versatile machine that's just as comfortable in town, on the highway or on winding country roads. It holds its own anywhere you go and is undeniably fun to ride. But the CBR250R also presents another very compelling argument: it's affordable.

Yup, thanks to an average fuel efficiency rating of 3.5L/100 km, a decent price tag and reduced insurance and licence fees (in Quebec) compared to a medium displacement bike, the CBR250R is one accessible machine.

Seductive, practical and quick enough to criss-cross the province of your choice, the Honda CBR250R is definitely a crowd-pleaser. And I'm living proof of it!

Pros
Consistent and user-friendly
Nimble and precise
C-ABS system

Cons
Awkward foot pegs
Disappointing exhaust note