1980 CR Hondas

[Slakewell]

As I know little about Honda's Im curious to know why I dont see any 1980 models for sale compared to 78/79?

[oldyzman]

not many 79 125's either, plenty of 79 250's though

[Tahitian_Red]

the 1980 model CR250's we have here in the U.S. were built in Marysville, Ohio.  I am not sure if bikes were exported from the U.S worldwide or 1980 CR250's were built in Japan also.  May be why we have an over abundance of them.
 

[Rossvickicampbell]

all the 1980 CR250s were US made - and probably were not as popular as the 78/79 250 R and RZ hence not seeing so many.  I recently purchased a beauty but had been looking for a long time.

[JohnnyO]

The 1980 models were released very late and most people bought another brand instead of waiting.
There were very few of them on the start line in 1980...

[HL500]

all the 1980 CR250s were US made - and probably were not as popular as the 78/79 250 R and RZ hence not seeing so many.  I recently purchased a beauty but had been looking for a long time.

What is the difference between an "R" and "RZ"

[Rossvickicampbell]

very little - chain rollers and the like.

[FourstrokeForever]

There weren't too many CR250RA's that came to Australia because the late release date. By all accounts, they are a heap better bike than the RZ's with different porting to smooth out the power delivery and a much better frame with revised geometry. I have seen a couple in Aus but no where as many as the RZ's.

[HL500]

There weren't too many CR250RA's that came to Australia because the late release date. By all accounts, they are a heap better bike than the RZ's with different porting to smooth out the power delivery and a much better frame with revised geometry. I have seen a couple in Aus but no where as many as the RZ's.

I am still a little confused.  Could you buy "RA"s and "RZ"s in the 78, 79 and 80 model range or were they specific to the year of production?

[JohnnyO]

Specific.. R=78, RZ=79, RA=80

[HL500]

Specific.. R=78, RZ=79, RA=80

Thanks for that info

[Rossvickicampbell]

yep - motor setup was entirely different to the R/RZ - very tractable was the description and good through to intermediate riders but experts usually found them a bit "tame"

[bigk]

RA has more "euro" style power delivery which IMO is way better for most riders. They might feel a tad slow or not exciting compared with a peaky oriental, but the stop watch generally tells it differently. Husky went the other way with their 250 MX'ers in '82/'83 to "compete" with the Japs & were bagged for a peaky, narrow power band, expert only style engine, go figure. I personally don't like R/RZ engines but quite like the RA. I am just a fat, old, bald, average Joe though, so maybe Mr. Honda got it right by tailoring for the many rather than the few with the RA250.
K

[Rossvickicampbell]

mugen kit changed them a bit 

[suzuki59]

A mate of mine owns a beautifully restored RA and it's a pleasure to ride with very nice linear power from bottom to mid.
I owned a 79 RZ 250 and it was a definite rever and for some reason was a lot harder to turn.
The RA is my pick.