Honda brought back the CBR 250R in the form of the 2018 Honda CBR 250R. While the brand has only made subtle changes to the bike, it now faces stiff competition from bikes like the Bajaj Dominar 400.
The 2018 Honda CBR 250R features a new LED headlamp and new graphics on the bodywork, apart from the BS-IV compliant engine. The design is the same as the previous generation bike. The Dominar, on the other hand, is more of a power cruiser than a sporty tourer. Nonetheless, both bikes are potent highway machines which can munch miles with ease. Let’s see if the CBR 250R is still relevant, at least on paper.
| Specifications | 2018 Honda CBR 250R | Bajaj Dominar 400 |
| Engine | 249.6 cc DOHC engine with liquid cooling and fuel injection | 373.3 cc triple spark DTS-I engine with liquid cooing and fuel injection |
| Maximum Power | 26.5 PS at 8,500 rpm | 35 PS at 8,000 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 22.9 Nm at 7,000 rpm | 35 Nm at 6,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 6-speed with slipper clutch |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic fork | 43 mm telescopic fork |
| Rear Suspension | Pro-Link monoshock | Nitrox monoshock |
| Front Brake | 296 mm disc with ABS | 320 mm disc with ABS |
| Rear Brake | 220 mm disc with ABS | 230 mm disc with ABS |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13 litres | 13 litres |
| Kerb Weight | 167 kg | 182 kg |
| Ground Clearance | 145 mm | 157 mm |
| Front Tyre Size | 110/70-17 (Tubeless) | 110/70-17 Radial |
| Rear Tyre Size | 140/70-17 (Tubeless) | 150/60-17 Radial |
| Price, ex-showroom, Delhi | STD (non-ABS): INR 1,63,584 ABS: INR 1,93,107 | Non-ABS: INR 1,44,113 ABS: INR 1,58,275 |
Tthe 2018 Honda CBR 250R has a smaller engine than the Bajaj Dominar, and has lesser output. Though the two bikes have 6-speed gearbox, the Dominar enjoys the advantage of having slipper clutch. It makes aggressive downshifting safer by letting the wheel slip rather than locking up. The Dominar also has bigger brakes, and weighs 15 kg more than the CBR.
Also Read: 2018 Honda CBR 250R vs Yamaha Fazer 25 – spec comparison
Coming to the pricing, even the ABS version of the Dominar undercuts the non-ABS variant of the CBR by INR 5,309. The price difference between the ABS version of the two bikes stands at a whopping INR 34,832. Clearly, the Dominar offers better value for money when it comes to features and performance. The CBR 250R is ideal for those who are willing to pay a premium for a no-nonsense, reliable Japanese sports tourer.
