HONDA CB250 (1972-1973) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 1973, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Honda CB250, a naked motorcycle part of the CB series that had its debut in 1967 as the successor to the CB72 machine and was released in 1968 as a completely new development.

Compared to the CB72, the Honda CB250 packed a wider teardrop-shaped tank with Honda lettering, a lower seating position, straight-up cylinders, the chain drive was moved to the left, and two separate housings for the instrument cluster.

The bike featured a broader and more rounded fuel tank than the CB72 machine and was lower and longer than the original CB250 model, which resulted in a lower riding position. With no additional power to match, the CB250 was not quite the speed performer as the CB72 had been.

In addition, the 1972 motorcycle packed standard features, such as a one-piece dual seat, wire-spoked wheels, a wide handlebar, a dual exhaust system, an analog instrument cluster, a center stand, a round headlight, and a black steel frame.

The handling was achieved by a semi-double-cradle steel frame that housed a telescopic fork on the front and preload-adjustable dual shock absorbers on the rear for optimum suspension performance.

The 1973 Honda CB250 was powered by a 249cc four-stroke twin-cylinder air-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 30 hp with maximum strength at 10,500 rpm and 21 Nm (16 lb-ft) of torque available at 9,500 rpm.