Honda CB250 Nighthawk: review, history, specs

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Honda CB250 Nighthawk
Manufacturer
Also called Nighthawk 250
Production 2001 - 2007
Class Standard
Predecessor Honda CM200T
Engine
twin, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 53.0mm x 53.0mm
Compression ratio 9.2:1
Top Speed 72 mph
Horsepower 19.98 HP (14.9 KW) @ 9000RPM
Torque 13.28 ft/lbs (18.0 Nm) @ 6500RPM
Fuel System carburetor. single 26mm cv
Ignition cdi
Spark Plug NGK CR6HSA
Battery YUASA YTX7L-BS
Transmission Gear box: 5-speed

Final Drive: chain

Clutch: Wet multi-disc, manual
Final Drive Chain: 520x106
Front Sprocket 14T
Rear Sprocket 33T
Suspension Front: 31mm fork
Rear: dual rear shocks with five-position spring-preload adjustability
Brakes Front: expanding brake (drum brake)
Rear: expanding brake (drum brake)
Front Tire 90/100-18
Rear Tire 120/90-16
Wheelbase 56.3 inches (1430 mm)
Seat Height 29.29 inches (744 mm)
Weight 285.94 pounds (129.7 Kg) (dry), 130.0 kg (wet)
Recommended Oil Honda GN4 10W-40
Fuel Capacity 4.3 Gallon (16.27 Liters)
Manuals Service Manual

The Honda CB250 Nighthawk 250 was an air-cooled twin cylinder, four-stroke standard motorcycle produced by Honda between 2001 and 2007. Max torque was 13.28 ft/lbs (18.0 Nm) @ 6500 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 19.98 HP (14.9 KW) @ 9000 RPM.


Overview[edit | edit source]

The Honda CB250 (known as the Nighthawk in the United States) fits in the 250 cc class of motorbikes, and has a 234 cc air cooled parallel twin engine.

It is considered one of the best motorcycles to learn on and is used by most Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) training courses.

Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a air cooled twin, four-stroke. A 53.0mm bore x 53.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 234.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a single overhead cams (sohc). The engine generates 20 hp (15 kW) and 14 lft·lbf of torque, achieves a top speed of around 80 mph (130 km/h) and has a dual-drum brake setup (front disk brake in Australia). It's light (130 kg), maneuverable, inexpensive to buy, economical to run, easy to maintain and attractive.

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 5-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the Wet multi-disc, manual.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 90/90-18 front tire and a 120/90-16 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via expanding brake (drum brake) in the front and a expanding brake (drum brake) in the rear. The front suspension was a 31mm fork while the rear was equipped with a dual rear shocks with five-position spring-preload adjustability. The Nighthawk 250 was fitted with a 4.3 Gallon (16.27 Liters) fuel tank. The bike weighed just 285.94 pounds (129.7 Kg). The wheelbase was 56.3 inches (1430 mm) long.

1991[edit | edit source]

1991 Honda CB250 Nighthawk


The Honda Nighthawk CB250'91 (CB250L'91 in California) was sold in 1991. One color was available: Passion Red. The "HONDA" wing and "NIGHTHAWK" decals were silver. The engine was a 234cc 4-stroke OHC parallel twin with a 5-speed transmission. The California serial number began JH2MC241*MK000007 while the rest of the United States models began JH2MC240*MK000014 (where the * indicates a checksum number). The motorcycle could produce 20 horsepower and can run with 130 km/h.

1992[edit | edit source]

1992 Honda CB250 Nighthawk


The CB250'92 Nighthawk was sold in 1992 in either Myth Blue Metallic or Passion Red. The engine was a 234cc 4-stroke OHC parallel twin with a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began JH2MC240*NK100001.


1993[edit | edit source]


The CB250'93 Nighthawk was sold in 1993 in one of three colors: Black, Candy Bourgogne Red, or Candy Tahitian Blue. The engine was a 234cc 4-stroke OHC parallel twin with a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began JH2MC240*PK200001.

1994[edit | edit source]

1994 Honda CB250 Nighthawk


The CB250'94 Nighthawk was sold in 1994 in one of three colors: Black, Metallic Blue, or Candy Red. The engine was a 234cc 4-stroke OHC parallel twin with a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began JH2MC240*RK300001.

1995[edit | edit source]

1995 Honda CB250 Nighthawk
1995 Honda CB250 in Red


The CB250'95 Nighthawk was sold in 1995 in only two colors: Black or Candy Red. The engine was a 234cc 4-stroke OHC parallel twin with a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began JH2MC240*SK400001.

1996[edit | edit source]

1996 Honda CB250 Nighthawk


The CB250'96 Nighthawk was sold in 1996 in the same two colors as the previous year: Black or Candy Red. The engine was a 234cc 4-stroke OHC parallel twin with a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began JH2MC240*TK500001.

1997[edit | edit source]

1997 Honda CB250 Nighthawk


The CB250'97 Nighthawk was sold in 1997 in the same two colors as the '95 and '96 models: Black or Candy Red. The engine was a 234cc 4-stroke OHC parallel twin with a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began JH2MC240*VK600001.

2003[edit | edit source]

2003 Honda CB250 Nighthawk


2003 Nighthawk 250 (CB250)

2004[edit | edit source]

2004 Honda CB250 Nighthawk


  • Engine Type: 234cc air-cooled vertical twin-cylinder
  • Bore and Stroke: 53.0mm x 53.0mm
  • Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
  • Valve Train: SOHC; two valves per cylinder
  • Carburetion: Single 26.0mm CV
  • Ignition: CDI
  • Transmission: Five-speed
  • Final Drive: O-ring-sealed chain
  • Front Suspension: 31.0mm fork; 5.5-inch travel
  • Rear Suspension: Dual rear shocks with five-position spring-preload adjustability; 3.9-inch travel
  • Front Brake: Drum
  • Rear Brake: Drum
  • Front Tire: 90/100-18
  • Rear Tire: 120/90-16
  • Wheelbase: 56.3 inches
  • Seat Height: 29.3 inches
  • Dry Weight: 287.0 pounds
  • Fuel Capacity: 4.3 gallons, including 0.8-gallon reserve
  • Emissions: California version differs slightly due to emissions equipment.
  • Available Colors: Black
  • Warranty: 1 year

2005[edit | edit source]

2005 Honda CB250 Nighthawk


  • Engine Type: 234cc air-cooled vertical twin-cylinder
  • Bore and Stroke: 53.0mm x 53.0mm
  • Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
  • Valve Train: SOHC; two valves per cylinder
  • Carburetion: Single 26.0mm CV
  • Ignition: CDI
  • Transmission: Five-speed
  • Final Drive: O-ring-sealed chain
  • Front Suspension: 31.0mm fork; 5.5-inch travel
  • Rear Suspension: Dual rear shocks with five-position spring-preload adjustability; 3.9-inch travel
  • Front Brake: Drum
  • Rear Brake: Drum
  • Front Tire: 90/100-18
  • Rear Tire: 120/90-16
  • Wheelbase: 56.3 inches
  • Seat Height: 29.3 inches
  • Dry Weight: 287 pounds
  • Fuel Capacity: 4.3 gallons, including 0.8-gallon reserve
  • Emissions: California version differs slightly due to emissions equipment.
  • Available Colors: Black
  • Warranty: 1 year

2006[edit | edit source]

2006 Honda Nighthawk 250 in White


2007[edit | edit source]

2007 Honda Nighthawk 250 in Red


2008[edit | edit source]

2008 Honda Nighthawk 250


2004 Honda CB250 Nighthawk[edit | edit source]

2004 Honda CB250 Nighthawk

The 2003 Honda CB250 Nighthawk spells all-rounder convenience and and a great way to get to know the two-wheeler world for beginning riders. Agile and sporting good maneuverability, this quarter-liter machine will easily streak through the slow urban traffic, while being capable of reaching highway speeds, as well. The bike feels compact and reassuring, and it can still carry a passenger, making a great commuter.

Even more, being affordable and cheap to run, the 2003 CB250 twin is a very convenient choice for budget-focused transportation and why not, two-wheeled fun around the town, as well.


2005 Honda CB250 Nighthawk[edit | edit source]

2005 Honda CB250 Nighthawk

A great first bike for beginners or as nifty, economical transportation in the urban clutter, the 2004 CB250 Nighthawk will allow riders to enjoy the two-wheeled experience and ease their daily commuting. Affordable, easy and cheap to maintain, the boasts excellent handling, with its low seat being reassuring even for riders with a shorter inseam or ladies. And with room for two on the one-piece seat, practicality is even better.


2006 Honda CB250 Nighthawk[edit | edit source]

2006 Honda CB250 Nighthawk

The 2005 CB250 Nighthawk is a great choice as a fist bike: it sports a timeless, classic design, packs enough power to be fun and usable while being non-intimidating, its low seat makes it easily maneuverable at low speed by shorter riders and even ladies and is affordable to buy and maintain.

With a quarter-liter parallel-twin engine packing enough punch for both two-up commuting and highway hauls, the 2005 CB250 Nighthawk can also be a smart and fun way to replace the car or big-bore cruiser in the urban clutter.


2007 Honda CB250 Nighthawk[edit | edit source]

2007 Honda CB250 Nighthawk

often referred to as a full-size bike for a pint-sized budget, the Honda CB250 Nighthawk is a great commuter for those who are not at all shy of riding a quarter-liter machine. Economical and with exceptional practicality, this bike is a great replacement for the car or 2-liter tourer when traveling to work or running city errands.

Light, maneuverable and slender, the 2006 CB250 Nighthawk is a nifty city slicer, while providing its rider with a rewarding and fun experience. Even more, the small Nighthawk is a very good choice for a first bike: it's easy to ride and confidence-inspiring for both shorter riders and ladies, it's affordable, cheap to maintain and comes with Honda's traditional reliability.


2008 Honda CB 250 Nighthawk[edit | edit source]

2009 Honda CB 250 Nighthawk

The Honda CB250 Nighthawk features a 234cc air-cooled parallel twin engine. First manufactured in 1982, the motorcycle has changed little except for color availability. The CB250 engine generates 15 kW(20 hp) and 19.6 Nm(14.5 ft-lb) of torque, achieves a top speed of around 130 km/h (80 mph), and employs drum brakes and spoked wheels at front and rear (though front disk brakes and alloy wheels are provided in Australia, U.K. and Japan). The Nighthawk CB250 is essentially a light, maneuverable, inexpensive, economical, and easy to maintain bike. With a dry weight of 130 kg, the bike can achieve 3.4-4.0 L/100km (60 to 70 mpg). The Honda Nighthawk often is used at Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) training courses held at community colleges across the U.S.A. Its smaller size and lower seat make it popular for riders of smaller stature.

2001 Honda Nighthawk 250[edit | edit source]

2001 Honda Nighthawk 250

The smallest member of the Nighthawk family, the 250 version is a great first bike, as it packs enough punch to be fun and help new riders hone in their skills better. At the same time, it can also replace the big-bore machines for middle-range commuting and provides an exceptional way to navigate the stuck cross-town traffic.

Affordable and easy to maintain, the 2000 Honda Nighthawk 250 comes with a 5-speed transmission which makes both slow rides and highway hauls easy and effortless. And with room for two, it is the perfect getaway for a weekend outing, as well.


In Media[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]