XR250 Tornado

Pete-NZ · 06-11-2011, 07:36 PM

Hi guys/gals..
I'm looking at picking up a 2005 Honda XR250 Tornado.
Not had anything to do with this verson of the XR..
seems a nice bike...other than the dam rear drum brake.
Double over head cam motor is a very smooth runner..

So any imput on these tornados would be great..
IE... good/bad points etc...

Thanks
Pete

jimmy2020 · 06-11-2011, 08:06 PM

I have rented the 250 Tornado a few times down in Costa Rica. Gets you from point a to b. Not high powered but very smooth on the road and can cruise all day at 60-65 mph if needed.

RED1 · 06-13-2011, 09:38 PM

They were built in Brazil for their market only, now built and sold in Mexico. Plenty of stuff on the web from brazil.

TNC · 06-13-2011, 09:58 PM

Obviously not the more famous XR250 engine that most are familiar with, but did that engine come from a quad or such?

roadholder · 06-14-2011, 06:37 AM

I don't think quads even existed when the XR250 first hit showrooms!

TNC · 06-14-2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadholder

I don't think quads even existed when the XR250 first hit showrooms!

My point exactly. The engine in that Tornado is not an XR250R SOHC engine that had the RFVC head design the we are most familiar with from about '84 through about '05. That's why I'm asking if that engine is something from an ATV or such.

TNC · 06-15-2011, 06:03 PM

OK...I want to know more about this bike and the engine in particular. I fully realize this bike isn't available in the U.S. I've read a bunch of crap on the internet with some apparent confusion.

For one, I too thought this was some kind of South American-only bike, but apparently it's in Africa and other places in the world.

Then there's this engine. I read a bunch of sites that talked about this bike and some that even tested the bike. Most of these sites said it's a modern variation of the famous XR250R that most of us are familiar with from about '84-'05. But it's clear this engine isn't the old XR250R motor in total. This is where the big question comes in. Obviously the '84-'05 XR250 was a SOHC engine with the RFVC head. This Tornado motor looks like a DOHC engine...at least it has 2 mysterious cylinder head ports with rubber plugs like most DOHC engines. But...half of these tests, stories, and site info state it's an SOHC while the other half say DOHC. Even the Honda of South Africa site shows this same engine but claims SOHC in the specs section. What's going here? That's why I was wondering if it was a modded ATV engine...but it's looking to me like an '84-'05 XR250 engine with a different head. I'm just curious. In fact if you search for images of the Tornada, you get some very interesting variations on this bike.

Finally, it looks like a major screwup for Honda not to offer this bike worldwide. Yamaha and Suzuki are still offering the XT and DR series, so there's apparently a market...especially when you look at the dismally ancient Honda 230 that is offered...WTF? And the Tornado has electric start. I can't see why this bike isn't offered.

RED1 · 06-15-2011, 06:49 PM

The engine was a cross between an old XR bottom end and the watercooled DOHC fitted to 3 different models although not exactly the same, it was designed for the Brazil market only. The DOHC watercooled engine has been copied by the chinese and sold in several different models.

The tornado engine was also sold in australia in the CBF250, also made in brazil.

XL250 degree sold in Australia and Japan

NX250 sold in US and europe

AXI road version of the NX250 sold in japan

Chinese copy engine

RED1 · 06-15-2011, 06:51 PM

CBF 250

RED1 · 06-15-2011, 07:15 PM

Link to Honda Mexico

http://www.honda.com.mx/motos/tornado/

This the "new" Tornado, the XRE300, Brazil only

http://www.honda.com.br/motos/Paginas/XRE%20300.aspx

TNC · 06-15-2011, 07:32 PM

And apparently sold in South Africa at least too. So, there is an air cooled model and a water cooled model? So, Honda has a water cooled DOHC DS engined 250cc bike that is obviously not hyper-exotic or expensive, and they only offer a 70's technology 230 in the U.S.? That makes no market sense whatsoever. Yes, there are brand/model bikes in Europe and elsewhere that we often ask this same question, but it's usually more understandable why this or that model won't be coming here. But when you're talking about a 250 that has watercooling, DOHC, electric start, and reasonably priced, why in the world would you not enter the 250 market here instead of sucking up the rear with an ancient 230? And please understand that I'm not whining about it as much as I'm amazed by it. I have a nicely modded KLX250 that I wouldn't trade for the Tornado, but that bike looks like a decent competitor in anyone's fully street legal DS market. I had 4 different XR250's...'84, '86, '88, and '90...so I appreciate Honda's capability. Why they'd drop the 2005 XR250L to keep the ancient 230 is downright amazing to me.

Pete-NZ · 06-16-2011, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete-NZ

Hi guys/gals..
I'm looking at picking up a 2005 Honda XR250 Tornado.
Not had anything to do with this verson of the XR..
seems a nice bike...other than the dam rear drum brake.
Double over head cam motor is a very smooth runner..

So any imput on these tornados would be great..
IE... good/bad points etc...

Thanks
Pete

Ok guys I have bought the tornado...
I will pop the rocker case
and take a few pics of what i fined in side..
But it dose look like a DOHC... but the 2 rubber
plugs could be for rocker shafts ? maybe

Pete

IheartmyNx · 06-16-2011, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete-NZ

but the 2 rubber
plugs could be for rocker shafts ? maybe

Pete

The "half moons"? No, that's where the line-bore punched the camshaft journals through...

I've seen a Supermoto Tornado on youtube and oh my god it's sick!

I don't know why Honda NA doesnt release that bike here with 29hp, AX-1 cams?

It'll kill in the "I don't want somuch power as I want reliability and an off the shelf Supermoto" demographic.

6 speeds, would get 70ish mpg and be cheaper to insure... And run all over DRZ400's too

It would be a hell of a lot better start than that 17hp, 230cc's of air-cooled shit they have now...

Hey Honda NA

IheartmyNx · 06-16-2011, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED1

The engine was a cross between an old XR bottom end and the watercooled DOHC fitted to 3 different models although not exactly the same, it was designed for the Brazil market only. The DOHC watercooled engine has been copied by the chinese and sold in several different

I've looked and looked and can NOT see where the Tornado is water cooled...

You are right it's got the top-end though, just not with a water jacketed sleeve.

IheartmyNx · 06-16-2011, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNC

Finally, it looks like a major screwup for Honda not to offer this bike worldwide.

lol, this bike...

Also add the 650FX and (Goog) NX650 as well...

Honda knows there is a market for Adventure bikes and stands there with a XR650R frame and it's motor and won't put plastics and a 6th gear in it?

Same with the FX. Sure it's the L model, but damn! Put 17's, FX plastics and lights on the 650R instead of a 230L? Damn Honda, durka durka...

06-11-2011, 07:36 PM	#1
Pete-NZ ^OP Studly Adventurer Joined: May 2011 Oddometer: 508	XR250 Tornado Hi guys/gals.. I'm looking at picking up a 2005 Honda XR250 Tornado. Not had anything to do with this verson of the XR.. seems a nice bike...other than the dam rear drum brake. Double over head cam motor is a very smooth runner.. So any imput on these tornados would be great.. IE... good/bad points etc... Thanks Pete Attached Images

06-11-2011, 08:06 PM	#2
jimmy2020 limpiador de ventanas Joined: Jul 2005 Location: BERTHOUD, COLORADO / SANTA TERESA, CR Oddometer: 960	nice reliable bike I have rented the 250 Tornado a few times down in Costa Rica. Gets you from point a to b. Not high powered but very smooth on the road and can cruise all day at 60-65 mph if needed. __________________ jim "the adrenaline and stress of an adventure are better than a thousand peaceful days"

06-15-2011, 06:03 PM	#7
TNC Candyass Camper Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Tejas Oddometer: 3,333	OK...I want to know more about this bike and the engine in particular. I fully realize this bike isn't available in the U.S. I've read a bunch of crap on the internet with some apparent confusion. For one, I too thought this was some kind of South American-only bike, but apparently it's in Africa and other places in the world. Then there's this engine. I read a bunch of sites that talked about this bike and some that even tested the bike. Most of these sites said it's a modern variation of the famous XR250R that most of us are familiar with from about '84-'05. But it's clear this engine isn't the old XR250R motor in total. This is where the big question comes in. Obviously the '84-'05 XR250 was a SOHC engine with the RFVC head. This Tornado motor looks like a DOHC engine...at least it has 2 mysterious cylinder head ports with rubber plugs like most DOHC engines. But...half of these tests, stories, and site info state it's an SOHC while the other half say DOHC. Even the Honda of South Africa site shows this same engine but claims SOHC in the specs section. What's going here? That's why I was wondering if it was a modded ATV engine...but it's looking to me like an '84-'05 XR250 engine with a different head. I'm just curious. In fact if you search for images of the Tornada, you get some very interesting variations on this bike. Finally, it looks like a major screwup for Honda not to offer this bike worldwide. Yamaha and Suzuki are still offering the XT and DR series, so there's apparently a market...especially when you look at the dismally ancient Honda 230 that is offered...WTF? And the Tornado has electric start. I can't see why this bike isn't offered. Attached Images

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06-13-2011, 09:38 PM	#3
RED1 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: The High Country, Vic, OZ Oddometer: 493	They were built in Brazil for their market only, now built and sold in Mexico. Plenty of stuff on the web from brazil.

06-13-2011, 09:58 PM	#4
TNC Candyass Camper Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Tejas Oddometer: 3,333	Obviously not the more famous XR250 engine that most are familiar with, but did that engine come from a quad or such?

06-14-2011, 06:37 AM	#5
roadholder Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Oddometer: 1,991	I don't think quads even existed when the XR250 first hit showrooms!

06-15-2011, 06:49 PM	#8
RED1 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: The High Country, Vic, OZ Oddometer: 493	The engine was a cross between an old XR bottom end and the watercooled DOHC fitted to 3 different models although not exactly the same, it was designed for the Brazil market only. The DOHC watercooled engine has been copied by the chinese and sold in several different models. The tornado engine was also sold in australia in the CBF250, also made in brazil. XL250 degree sold in Australia and Japan NX250 sold in US and europe AXI road version of the NX250 sold in japan Chinese copy engine

06-15-2011, 06:51 PM	#9
RED1 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: The High Country, Vic, OZ Oddometer: 493	CBF 250

06-15-2011, 07:15 PM	#10
RED1 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: The High Country, Vic, OZ Oddometer: 493	Link to Honda Mexico http://www.honda.com.mx/motos/tornado/ This the "new" Tornado, the XRE300, Brazil only http://www.honda.com.br/motos/Paginas/XRE%20300.aspx

06-15-2011, 07:32 PM	#11
TNC Candyass Camper Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Tejas Oddometer: 3,333	And apparently sold in South Africa at least too. So, there is an air cooled model and a water cooled model? So, Honda has a water cooled DOHC DS engined 250cc bike that is obviously not hyper-exotic or expensive, and they only offer a 70's technology 230 in the U.S.? That makes no market sense whatsoever. Yes, there are brand/model bikes in Europe and elsewhere that we often ask this same question, but it's usually more understandable why this or that model won't be coming here. But when you're talking about a 250 that has watercooling, DOHC, electric start, and reasonably priced, why in the world would you not enter the 250 market here instead of sucking up the rear with an ancient 230? And please understand that I'm not whining about it as much as I'm amazed by it. I have a nicely modded KLX250 that I wouldn't trade for the Tornado, but that bike looks like a decent competitor in anyone's fully street legal DS market. I had 4 different XR250's...'84, '86, '88, and '90...so I appreciate Honda's capability. Why they'd drop the 2005 XR250L to keep the ancient 230 is downright amazing to me.