2022 Honda CRF250RX Ride Review: Do it All CRF!

Got a chance to ride a 2022 Honda CRF250RX today at Grear MX thanks to my buddy Rob from Honda Marysville Powersports! Coming off my '22 CRF250R a few things stand out on the RX:
1. Smoother power (engine mapping) on the RX with a less urgent response to throttle inputs in Maps 1&2. Map 3 on the RX feels similar to Map 1 on the R with quicker RPM build up and more urgent response the throttle inputs. RX maps 1&2 build engine RPM's a little more slowly and find traction. The CRF250RX engine makes power over a broad RPM range with excellent rideability and the extra low to mid power of the updated '22 CRF250RX engine is noticeable and welcomed. The only real criticism of this engine for an off road bike is the moto gearbox. The RX would offer more off road versatility with a 6-speed gearbox or at least a wide ratio 5-speed.
2. The '22 CRF250RX suspension has an off road setting with 1-step softer springs front and rear (RX Forks are 4.6 N/mm vs 4.8 N/mm on the R and RX rear spring is 48 N/mm vs 50 N/mm on the R). The RX suspension feels more compliant with a little more fore/aft chassis movement under braking and acceleration but still had good hold up and chassis control. I prefer the RX suspension for my style of GNCC off road riding and light Vet moto (like Grear MX today) over R suspension setting.
3. The RX handling and cornering was similar to the R with a little less of the R's playfulness and agile feel. The soft carcass Dunlop AT81 tires along with the softer suspension setting combine to give the RX a slightly more compliant ride overall compared to the R and contribute to the slightly less agile feel of the RX vs the R.
The Honda "just feels right" ergos of the seat to handlebar to footpeg relationship are identical to the R but the bigger (muffin top) RX fuel tank gives the RX a wider feel in the radiator shroud area. The RX comes with an o-ring chain, hand guards, and a kickstand all of which are useful additions to an off road focused machine. The brakes are identical to the R and work great, especially the front brake.
The RX takes the good base R model and dials in a more off road focused suspension setting along with smoother engine mapping and adds some useful off road features like an 18" rear wheel, hand guards, and a kickstand...now if only we could get a 6-speed transmission!
Here is my initial ride review of my buddy Steve's brand new '22 CRF250RX: • 2022 Honda CRF250RX Fi...
Here is my initial review of my 2022 Honda CRF250R: • 2022 Honda CRF250R Fir...