New colors for 2012 Honda CBR250R, VFR1200

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What a difference a little color can make. The 2012 Honda CBR250R now comes in traditional red/white/blue tri-color while Shamu is utterly transformed by the addition of some candy blue paint. Its V4 has also been massaged for a fuller torque curve between 2,000 and 4,000rpm and it gains switchable traction control (on/off only). DCT models receive “intelligent” mapping, but don’t adopt the Integra’s 2nd gen system.

  • SamuraiMark

    Itching to get a CBR250R next season to learn some proper skillz on. My FZ6 rocks, but definitely not a Newb bike. This new colour scheme is kinda cool. But why the hell are the tail pipes bigger than Dan Grabowski’s legs?

    • Matt

      Dude, get one. You’ll love it. It took me 34 years to get my first bike, a red CBR250R ABS that arrived October 1. Was going to wait until I moved out of New York City… but on Wes’s advice, I decided to go for it. Glad I did. It’s purely a toy – I have a ridiculously quick and easy public transit commute – and as the 600 mile service is approaching I’m really having a lot of fun with it, despite the temps in the 40s.

    • Myles

      You can learn plenty of skills without buying a new bike. If you’re worried about putting too much power down, just go a gear higher than you need to be.

      Small bikes are great, but people have really taken the whole small bike thing a little too far if you ask me. You can learn proper skills on nearly any motorcycle.

      • DavidMG

        It’s the weight that’s the bigger factor.

  • Matt

    Wow, I’m glad I got the red one while I could!

    • Dani Peral

      I hope I can get it in red now!! Tricolor is being sold in Europe, so i guess they’ll interchange and sell the red one here…

  • http://www.mcfw.com/ quint7

    The red/white/blue Honda paint scenes have always been some of the best looking ones ever put on a motorcycle. My HawkGT will be getting one and the Transalp will be getting that or a desert camo rattle can job.

    • http://greatjoballweek.blogspot.com/ Case

      I agree. This my CBR600RR in race trim. Just got the plastics back on it this week. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YisXJ7Xzoxo/Trw0ZSXaT3I/AAAAAAAACZk/duQZBLixG64/s800/fresh_paint.jpg

      Should also add: great job Honda for extending their traditional colors across the product line. I think it’s cool, and it also builds brand identity, which I usually think is a load of shite but I feel like it’s working here. One man’s opinion.

      • Gene

        Goddamn, dat’s nice. Simple and pretty. Never have I been so tempted to steal a bike. Even matches your baxley chock.

        • http://greatjoballweek.blogspot.com/ Case

          Thanks man. I appreciate it. I used the Honda generic Moto3 bike as a starting point and then made some changes to simplify the design because the holes/vents in 600RR bodywork added busyness. Was a process getting everything lined up but I’m very happy with the end result. The painter did great work. It still has a kickstand because it’s road-legal(ish), with single enduro-style high beam and custom brake lights. If you’re ever down SoCal way let me know and you can ride it.

      • http://www.mcfw.com/ quint7

        Very nice Case! The 85 or 86 VF1000R was the first bike I saw it on and have loved it ever since.

      • Myles

        Good work, bikes looks great.

    • Roman

      That’s funny, I’m actually toying with the idea of doing a RWB paintjob on my Hawk GT as well. Is that like the male equivalent of wearing the same dress to a party?

  • greg

    The CBR250 looks awesome. Shamu, not so much.

  • ike6116

    So haaat

  • Glenngineer

    Shamblue.

  • Patrick from Astoria

    Honda’s website says plain black and red/silver are both still available for the 250R as well. Personal preference for the black with a new pipe (for looks more than anything admittedly, but a minor power bump never hurts). Finding it hard to keep this off the top of the want list regardless of color.

  • Frosty_spl

    WTF honda, can you actually take a picture instead of doing a shitty photoshop job. ughh.

  • Campisi

    Hopefully the tricolor bodywork can be purchased as parts from Honda. Why isn’t the Honda wing gold, though?

  • Johndo

    Wow that blue version looks gai. I think this bike looks best in all black, red, or silver, anything else just looks awkward.

  • Rick

    The VFR1200 still looks like Porky Pig, and paint doesn’t change that.

  • http://www.cdavisdesigns.com Chris Davis

    Plenty late on this one, but again I have to take exception to the little CBR’s new colorway and propose a couple better versions. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty to like here, but it could use a little tightening up.
    http://cdavisdesigns.com/?page_id=618