Honda unleashes Japan-only 2013 VTR250 and VTR250F V-Twin sportsbikes

 If you ever happen to be in Japan, keep you’re eyes peeled out for the range of 250cc-400cc multi cylinder motorcycles performing a myriad range of duties: From being frisky sportsbikes to motorcycle couriers and everything in between. The 250cc-400cc class of motorcycles are encouraged by the government of that country with tax breaks and other incentives, stuff that’s not available to the bigger motorcycles. These incentives have meant that motorcycle makers like the big four- Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki – routinely come up with Japan-only motorcycles.

One such motorcycle is the just unveiled 2013 Honda VTR250 sportsbike. The VTR250 is a Japan-only motorcycle that is powered by a 250cc V-Twin four stroke engine that pumps our 29 Bhp-22 Nm. Transmission is by means of a five speed manual gearbox while suspension duties are handles by telescopic front forks and a rear monoshock. The four stroke engine gets four valve-DOHC heads, liquid cooling and fuel injection, technology that is now commonplace. From the specs, it is clear that the 2013 JDM Honda VTR250 isn’t exactly radical by any stretch of imagination. With this motorcycle, Honda seems to be playing it very conservative and this theme is reflected most in the styling department.

Available in two body styles, the VTR250 Naked and the VTR250F that gets a half fairing, the biggest design highlight of this new 250cc motorcycle from Honda is the Trellis frame. In Japan, Honda is asking 567,000 Japanese Yen(6062 USD) for the VTR250 and 588,000 Japanese Yen(6287 USD) for the VTR250F. In comparison, the Honda CBR250R with C-ABS sells for 500,000 Japanese Yen(5,365 USD).

That makes the 2013 Honda VTR250 more expensive than the CBR250R and the higher cost could primarily be due to the V-Twin engine. Notably, the VTR250 is not offered with Honda’s C-ABS braking technology. So, the pricing appears to be on the steeper side considering all these omissions. The only saving grace is the higher power output that the V-Twin motor of the VTR250 manages to churn out, in comparison to the CBR250R.