Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I need opinions and some specific reasons for your opinions concerning these two CR250's. The only thing I have been able to find out is that the 79 had a better powerband, but the 80 has a better frame (less flex).

Which is the best year for Evo class racing and why?

Thanks in advance!

J

The 1980 CR250R is supposed to be a better novice to intermediate bike because of its more solid handling and detuned power compared to the 79. I had a 79 in the old days which is(and was) a rocket ship but is twitchy in the turns a little. It was a intermediate to expert level back then and probably still today. I have another 79 now and have riden a friends 80. The differences now seem minor overall. I would try a 1980 now for no other reason than they sure do look cool when restored to their original looks.

Some other things to consider when deciding between a 79 and 80 CR250 are resale value, parts availability, restoration issues. The 79 usually brings more $$ because of a few things, but mostly because it had an aluminum tank, no FIM style side plates, and it just "looked" great. The 80 lost a lot of that appeal when it went plastic tank and FIM side plates.

Parts are easier to come by for the 79 since more people collect them than the 80. The plastic tank you find on the 80 is usually faded and can't be painted. You can use Plastic Renew on it and that helps, but it is still not perfect. The 79 Aluminum tanks can easily be repainted, decaled, clear coated for minumal expense and they look brand new when done right.

Because the top end of the 79 was similar and interchangable with the 78, it's much easier to find used top ends for th 79 than it is for the 80. Performance wise, unless you are an expert rider you probably won't be able to utilize the power difference between the two years.

The handling of either the 79 or 80 can be improved by swapping the swing arm for a DG swing arm which is about 1" longer. The forks can be wapped for a front end off an 83 CR250 which will beef up the suspension and give you some very nice double pull front brakes.

I think you will find a 1978/1979 cheaper to acquire and easier to get parts for. Both of them benefit from better forks, shocks and swing arms if you have the time and money. You can turn the 1979 into a torque motor with reeds, pipe and a carb and I suspect you can do the opposite with the 1980 if you wanted a revier powerband. The 1978/1979 frame will always be technically inferior but you may like me be not good enough to notice! Don't overthink it and go with what pleases you the most...

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Michael Stiles
1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore | 2006 Husqvarna SM510R | 2007 Service Honda CR500R-AF

I think it's the metal tank on the 78-79 that is more appealing to me. I think the 79 factory Hondas (Marty Tripes' bike) had twin downtube and metal tanks.

J

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#829 The "Factory Novice"

1988 Honda CR250RJ
1983 Honda CR480
1981 Can-Am 250 MX6-B
1979 Honda CR250RZ
1979 Kawasaki KX250 A5
1978 Husky 250CR
1978 Honda CR250R
1977 Yamaha YZ400D
1977 Suzuki RM125B