| Honda CB250 Nighthawk | |
| Manufacturer: | Honda |
| Production: | 1991–2008 |
| Model Year: | 1991–2008 |
| Predecessor: | Honda CMX250 Rebel |
| Class: | Standard |
| Engine: | 234cc air-cooled parallel twin |
| Fuel System: | CVK Keihin 26mm with accelerator pump |
| Compression: | 9.2:1 |
| Ignition: | CD type |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual, chain final drive |
| Brakes: | Front: Disc or drum depending on market Rear: Drum |
| Related: | Honda Dream CB250 CMX450 Rebel Rebel 250 |
The Honda Nighthawk 250 is a Honda standard motorcycle that is used as a beginner's bike.[1]
It has a 234cc air-cooled parallel-twin engine. While the first Nighthawk (CB650) was manufactured in 1982, the first 250 Nighthawk was manufactured in 1991. With its body being based on the 1991_2003 Nighthawk 750 it utilized the 1985–87 CMX250 Rebel engine with all new wiring and components and reshaped the Rebel cylinder head slightly as well as incorporating a larger carburetor and new valve cover. The motorcycle changed little over the years except for color. The Nighthawk 250 is essentially a light, maneuverable, inexpensive, economical, and easy to maintain bike. It is often used in Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) motorcycle training. Its small size and low seat make it a popular model for riders of smaller stature. It has drum brakes and spoked wheels at front and rear, though later models in the Australian, U.K. and Japanese markets upgraded to front disc brakes and alloy wheels.
In contrast to the Honda Rebel 250, which offers very similar specification, the Nighthawk is considered to be an urban street-use bike, standard street motorcycle. The bike's lineage can be traced back to the Honda CM180/200 Twinstar of the late 1970s to early 1980s, it has the same bottom end and bore at 53mm with an increased stroke of 53mm resulting in a capacity of 234cc.
In his column in Roadbike, Andrew MacDonald praised the CB250 Nighthawk for its durability, citing the example of an urban commuter who had ridden one for 107,000 miles over a 16-year period as his only mode of transportation, with zero engine work required.