Why is the 2018 Honda CBR250RR not in Malaysia yet?

Why is the 2018 Honda CBR250RR not in Malaysia yet?

Now getting a little long in the tooth, the current model Honda CBR250R, with its single-cylinder engine, has been soldiering on, despite the release of the CBR250RR in Indonesia in 2016. Many readers are, naturally, asking why our neighbour gets this all-singing, all-dancing quarter-litre sports bike, while we settle for less.

We posed this question to Nobuhide Nagata, chief executive officer of Boon Siew Honda (BSH), during the BSH media gathering held at Sepang International Circuit (SIC). Nagata explained that the Honda CBR250RR as it stands is not currently Euro 4 compliant, and this much-awaited sports bike will only enter Malaysia after it has passed homologation.

“This is because Malaysia certification rules are very close to Euro 4, and for us to certify the CBR250RR only for Malaysia will be very expensive,” said Nagata. “So, it is better we wait for the CBR250RR to pass Europe law, then we can bring it here,” he said.

Pressed on the question whether it will be confirmed if the CBR250RR will come to Malaysian shores, Nagata said the chances are good, but a lot will depend on final pricing. “If the bike is too expensive, then it will be difficult to sell, if only a small quantity,” Nagata said.

Currently available only in Indonesia and the Japanese domestic market, the CBR250RR is also scheduled for potential introduction to the Philippines. Those nations have emissions rules that are easier to comply with than Euro 4, whilst Malaysia’s standards are close enough to European limits as to make a minimal difference.

There you have it, boys and girls, the reason why the Honda CBR250RR is not in Malaysia, and not likely to make it much before the end of next year. In the meantime, the current model 2017 Honda CBR250R, relatively unchanged since 2011, retails for RM21,940 in black, with the red and yellow versions going for RM22,258.

GALLERY: 2017 Honda CBR250RR “The Art of Kabuki”

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Mohan K Ramanujam

Coming with diverse and extensive experience in heavy engineering, Mohan enjoys making anything with wheels go fast, especially motorcycles. His weapon of choice is the Desmoquattro engine, and he has a penchant for anything with a dash of Italian design. Strangely enough, he insists he's a slow rider.

 

Comments

  • Ben Yap on Dec 15, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    sack the honda cbr engineer for not having good foresight!

    by the time the honda cbr coming to malaysia, majority of the buyers will be happily riding their kawasaki ninja 250 and yamaha R25.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 39 Thumb down 5
    • kanazai2001 on Dec 15, 2017 at 3:54 pm

      2018 new ninja 250 is out soon…
      New chassis new engine with new gbox…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 0
    • You should read Moto3 engine spec 1st.. even if you are Honda Japan engineer also do the same.. skip R&D on 2 cylinder engine..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • SIMON on Dec 15, 2017 at 2:11 pm

    WASTED.

    I been waiting for this to come in so i can get it in cash. too excited.

    this news just means that i’ll have to go for the R25 then. pity.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
  • Kennee Wong on Dec 15, 2017 at 2:46 pm

    Euro 4? Three out of 4 owners will probably change the exhausts one week after buying.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 54 Thumb down 1
  • lilytan on Dec 15, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    Since when msian law requires euro 4? Even the fuel is still euro 2M.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 7
    • kipKEEP1230 on Dec 15, 2017 at 5:45 pm

      emission standard and fuel standard are two different things my friend

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 0
      • But they are related. That is the reason why Johor started having euro 5 diesel. So that the trucks pass emission when entering Singapore.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • Isnt Nippon emissions std higher than Euro4? So if its okay there, then why here not?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 27
    • Cause this bike made by Astra Honda Indonesia instead of Honda Japan..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • kanazai2001 on Dec 15, 2017 at 3:50 pm

    Jap emissions rules r easier to pass than euro4 or MY rules? R u kidding me? Or something fishing behind…?!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 3
    • Or a loophole in Nippon emission standards that allowed Euro3 standards to remain.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Gracke on Dec 15, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    By the way……let us tell you Honda & Boon Siew Honda, “We are not gonna buy it anymore, we are not interested anymore, no one wanna wait for it anymore, so no need to bring in and don’t bring it better!”
    Instead of this 250, there’s a lot of other choices cause is just a 250!!

    Go check it out Benelli, Kawasaki, Yamaha, KTM!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 32 Thumb down 0
    • Huh..bak kata Sudin,” berapa punya maraaa daaa”.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Alvan on Dec 16, 2017 at 7:54 pm

      Well a honda will always have something that’s it’s unique enough to make it stands in the crowd’s, if you ever own it you’ll know what I’m talking

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Bernard on Dec 15, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    The pricing will kill the bike. No need to bring here.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • youngun on Dec 15, 2017 at 8:24 pm

    It was once in my wishlist and was struggling of it’s 250cc vs those 300cc to 650cc. It’s now confirmed not in my wishlist anymore. Anyway, thanks for the kind effort.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Euro4?
    I see 2 stroke 125z still sells here.

    I’m Indonesian and I have this baby RR
    Champion of ARRC 2017

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • How come yamaha can sell their 125Z like hot cake, dont tell me it exceeds euro 4 emission standard coz it is 2 stroke.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
    • Santa Claus on Nov 24, 2019 at 4:02 pm

      Cause its mostly secondhand market. But if the store has old stock, government cant just cut the store’s bussiness and recall all the new Yamaha 125zr from the store. The production has stopped already no one is making Yamaha 125zr anymore.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Hunter Zolomon Hunter Zolomon on Dec 15, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    Better article…why is the 2016 Toyota CHR not for sale in Malaysia yet?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • A lot of people whining ’cause they can’t get the fastest quarter litre bike and then move their interest to the R25. To me, it is better like that so the RR won’t be wasted on straights by those fans of top speed. That is a machine for total control in corners. As a man of passion for sport bikes, I despise fans like that. Fans that don’t even know how to maintain a quarter litre bikes. Heck, they don’t even bother to read the manual.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • polla on Dec 16, 2017 at 7:22 pm

    “If the bike is too expensive, then it will be difficult to sell, if only a small quantity” , “Mr Nagata, if the bike is not really cheap and only has single cylinder + outdated look, it can’t sell at all”

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 0
  • Francis Lim on Dec 18, 2017 at 2:03 am

    Looks like most companies like Toyota and Honda are treating this country like a ‘anak tiri’ step-son. They don’t see any potential market here so that’s why the new models come later.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Specter on Dec 18, 2017 at 3:05 am

    I read somewhere that it would probably be available next year, but after reading this my heart just sank. Oh well, might as well go for R25

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Fahmi on Dec 18, 2017 at 10:35 am

    Hi Mohan. Any Benelli RFS 150i review coming up? Would love to see what’s your say on this model.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Jalak Lenteng on Dec 18, 2017 at 10:53 am

    Wow. Euro 4. 2Stroke ape cer?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • I call this BS, If Malaysia emission passing so strict why do we still see smoke puffer 2 stroke bike on-sale and diesel octopus bus are everywhere? How can they pass the euro-malingsia 4 emission? This is cronyism at it’s finest.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
  • fredglennly on Jul 16, 2018 at 10:53 am

    if the JPJ’s lets our license to freely use any engine capacity in our single license,im damn sure sportbike isnt the only choice for us to ride

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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