CFMoto 250SR: Stepping Stone

The quarter-liter segment of motorcycles is exciting. It appeals to novice riders who dream of venturing into the supersport world someday and to those who want the joys of a larger displacement motorcycle packed into a smaller, more manageable package. Whatever the case, you cannot downplay the joys you can have with quarter-litre machines. These pint-sized firecrackers jazz up your everyday ride for substantially lesser money than a large displacement supersport.Enter the CFMoto 250SR (SR short for Sport Racing). The CFMoto 250SR is CFMoto’s first crack at the quarter-litre supersport segment in Nepal. However, the 250SR has its work cut out for itself. It has the tough task of going against well-established competition like the Honda CBR250R, KTM RC200 and Suzuki Gixxer SF250. Catch a glimpse of the 250SR’s styling, and you can’t help but be impressed by its muscular profile and aggressive stance. So, just how good is the CFMoto 250SR? We find out.It has the looks of a serious sports bike…There are not many motorcycle companies that can make a head-turning fully-faired motorcycle. However, CFMoto has effortlessly nailed the styling with the 250SR. The overall proportion is well-balanced and thanks to its supersport-inspired silhouette, the bike easily stands out in a crowd, more so than any of its rivals.The styling of the CFMoto 250SR evokes the styling of a larger displacement supersport. Thanks to a full sport fairing, dual stylish headlights, and a chiselled rear, the 250SR illustrates its racing DNA. The bodywork features dual LED headlights, race-inspired graphics, a muscular fuel tank, and a neat rear. We think the 250SR has the best livery in its segment. A major factor that influences the buying decision of a fully-faired sports bike is styling and the 250SR scores big in this department.The multi-functional colourful TFT display features two interfaces for sport and economy riding modes, with screen brightness that auto-adjusts to ambient light. Apart from the usual speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, clock, odometer and trip meter, the LCD instrument display even offers phone connectivity. The fit and finish of the dials and the buttons are acceptable. However, we aren’t fans of the horn dial which is placed in a rather difficult position.Not exactly a deal maker…At the heart of the 250SR is a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valves, 249.2cc motor. With 27.4 bhp and 22 Nm, both developed above 7000 rpm, the 250SR belts out nearly similar power and torque to its rivals, on paper. There are even two riding modes on offer – Eco and Sport. In the real scenario, however, on our test unit, the motor lacked the punch.When it comes to mid-range power and torque, the motor limits its sporty aspirations. Acceleration is not exactly fast on the 250SR. The revs are rewarding, but they don’t steal the show yet. The engine comes alive from 5,000 rpm and delivers a livelier performance than expected. At higher revs, though, is where the power delivery flattens. The bike demands you to shift the first few gears quickly before settling into the third (of six gears), for city riding. However, on the highway, you’ll need to rev the bike after the 5,000 rpm redline to speed quickly.Ride and Handling…The fun factor is apparent on the road – good for rookies and professionals alike. Because it’s a single-cylinder machine, the CFMoto 250SR sits narrow, with a 780mm seat height and a 165 kg kerb weight. The low kerb weight gives the 250SR outstanding manoeuvrability and helps instil rider confidence.Ergonomics are sporty but comfortable with a mostly upright seating position. The sporty ergonomics create a balanced seating position for maximum control without compromising long-distance comfort. On the congested traffic, the bike shines due to its diminutive structure. You’ll enjoy how nimble the bike is as you move around town throwing your leg over the single-cylinder engine.The 250SR’s compact physique and nimble handling allow it to sneak through slow-moving lanes and alleys. However, we wished the engine delivered a broader torque band, in both city traffic and on the highway. But, with such small displacement, you don’t get a very broad torque band anyway.Suspension on the 250SR is adequate for its intended riders. Handling suspension duties is a 37mm USD forks upfront and a monoshock at the rear. The 250SR comes equipped with 110/70 and 140/60 section, 17-inch rubbers, and these rubbers offer decent grip in a variety of conditions.The supple suspension setup offers a confident and planted feel through the corners. In corners, you can have as much fun as you would on a bigger bike. The suspension setup is friendly to our roads. On bumpy roads, it is a different story. Take the bike to speed breakers and uneven roads, you’ll get enough reasons to scrap the underbelly.When it comes to stopping duties, the brakes won’t disappoint. Braking on the 250SR is progressive and stable. Stoppage duties are handled by a 292mm disc brake on the front wheel with a single-piston floating caliper and a 220mm disc on the rear. Also, full credit to CFMoto for providing a dual-channel ABS on the 250SR.Worth it?Is the CFMoto 250SR an outright sports bike? Yes, if you’re looking for a bike with a good street presence and a riding experience. But, if you are someone who wants to live their life in the fast lane, there are no incentives on offer. The 250SR lacks the punch and the excitement that its rivals offer. If we were to recommend that you buy the 250SR, it wouldn’t be for what it offers on paper, but for the way, the bike showcases its sportiness. Beginners will appreciate its nimble handling, usable powerband and of course, its sporty aspirations.To summarise, the CFMoto 250SR is forgiving enough for a professional rider but capable enough for a novice. The 250SR feels like a potent bike, but other bikes offer similar performance for substantially lesser money. Can the 250SR manage to grab a sizeable slice from the Honda CBR250R, and KTM RC200’s pie? That’s a hard battle for the 250SR to be won.Had the pricing been more competitive, the bike could have been a compelling package. Having said that, the CFMoto 250SR packs a lot of substance and plenty of style in the quarter-litre segment. For beginners, this could be your potential stepping stone for a more rewarding machine.