Honda CB250RS

The Honda CB250RS is a 250 cc motorcycle designed for road use. It has a four stroke, four valve, air cooled, single cylinder engine, which was built for the earlier XL250S trail bike. The RS is known for its slim build, with a dry weight of only 128 kg, and nimble handling. The engine featured counter rotating banancers which reduced vibration and allowed a lighter frame. Further weight savings were achieved by making the engine as stressed component. Early models were kick-started (with a completely superfluous automatic decompression lever), while later Deluxe models (designated RS-D) came with electric start and different paintwork. The bike has a front disk brake and rear drum brake, and while it had only a single cylinder, it had twin exhausts.

The engine generates modest power and achieves a top speed of around 150 km/h or 90 mph. Early models sported 26 hp, while later models reached 33 hp. The bike was known for being hard-wearing and reliable. It is also very fuel efficient, achieving up to 70 mpg (3.4 L/100km). One known issue with the bike was that at around 50,000 miles an RS will often suddenly stop and this can usually be traced to a faulty ignition coil in the alternator. The CDI also tended to fail on high-mileage bikes.

Overall the CB250RS is a fun, low cost motorcycle, and has a loyal following among students and delivery riders for both its economical and nimble characteristics. The CB250RS was phased out of production in the mid-late 1980s.

Service Data For Honda CB250RS &D-C(DX)

Tyre Pressure Front RearSolo 24psi 32psiWith pillion 24psi 36psi

Spark Plug NGK DR8ESGap 0.6-0.7mm

Valve Tappet ClearancesInlet 0.05mm (2thou)Exhaust 0.10mm (4thou)

Above clearances adjusted at top dead centre on compression stroke

CarburetorMake KeihinType PD 70A for CB250RS, PD 70E For CB250RSD-C(DX)Main Jet 122Slow Jet 40Needle clip 4th grooveAir mix 1.75 turns out from bottomAccelerator pump 0.15cc per strokeFloat level 14.5mm

Ignition Timing

CB250RS 12degrees at 1200rpmFull Advance 25degrees at 3450rpm

CB250RSD-C (DX) 15degrees at 1200rpmFull Advance 37degrees +/-2degrees at 3450rpm

Idle Speed 1200+/-100rpm

Fast Idle Speed 2000 – 2500rpm.

Front Forks 158+/-2.5cc of ATF per leg

Starting MechanismsCB250RS Kick onlyCB250RSD-C (DX) Electric only