Honda VT250 explained

Honda VT250 Spada MC20
Aka:Spada
MC20
Manufacturer:Honda
Predecessor:VT250F
Successor:VTR250
Class:Sport bike
Engine:Liquid-cooled
249cc
4 valves per cylinder
V-twin
Bore Stroke:60.1mm44.1mm
Power:40hp @ 12000 rpm [1]
Transmission:6-speed manual, chain drive
Ignition:Electric start
Suspension:Front tyre: 110/80R17
Rear tyre: 140/70R17
Frame:Aluminum
Brakes:Front: single disc
Rear: single disc
Wheelbase:1380mm
Seat Height:740mm
Fuel Capacity:11l

The VT250 or Spada MC20 is a Honda motorcycle built between late 1988 and the end of 1989.

The VT250 Spada used Nissin brakes, Enkei wheels and a Showa rear-shock. The model was principally marketed in Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Following the VT250 Spada, the Honda VTR250 was produced, which had a trellis frame in place of the cast aluminium frame.

Predecessor

The VT250F is a semi-faired, sport bike first produced by Honda in 1982.

The motorcycle had a DOHC 4-valve-per-cylinder, 90-degree water-cooled V-twin engine, which significantly reduced primary vibration when compared to inline twin engines used on similar machines. The V-twin engine also allowed the motorcycle to have a low centre of gravity and a low seat height.

The front brake was a single inboard ventilated disc that was developed to improve brake performance and feel. This was only seen on Honda models for a few years, before a switch to sintered metal brake pads with the more traditional disc/caliper arrangement. Other features included a hydraulic clutch, Comstar wheels with tubeless tyres, TRAC anti-dive front forks and Pro-Link rear suspension. Engine coolant passed through one of the frame tubes. The early UK specification model had built-in front fairing indicators, and optional radiator side-cowls and belly pan. Following the VT250F, the VT250 Spada and VTR250 were produced.

Successor

The Honda VTR250 is a 90° V-twin motorcycle produced by Honda that has so far had one major revision. The original VTR250 was a faired model sold only in the US and Canada from 1988 to 1990. The current model VTR250 is a naked bike, produced from 1997 to the present, available only in the Asia-Pacific region, and for 2009, Europe.

The Honda Interceptor VTR250 was sold only in the United States from 1988 to 1990, with moderate changes occurring over the three model years. With a four-stroke liquid-cooled DOHC V-twin engine and a six-speed transmission, VTR250 was the smallest of Honda's Interceptor line of motorcycles.

The 1990 model had a 17-inch front wheel and the front disc brakes were external.

Specifications

All specifications are manufacturer claimed as per specific model owners manuals and workshop service manuals, except as stated,

Year1982-831984-85198519861987-8919891997-992000-20022003-20082009-
ModelVT250-FII (VT250F)VT250-FII
(VT250Z H/J/K)
MC15
VT 250-FII (Integra)VT250F special edition/F2H
(VTR250 Interceptor)
MC15
Spada VT250L
MC20
VTR250
(VTR250W)
MC33
VTR250
(VTR250Y)
MC33
VTR250
(VTR2503)
MC33
VTR250 (EFI)
MC33
Engine Type /
Configuration
Liquid cooled, 4-stroke, petrol, DOHC, V-Twin4-stroke - 8-valve
Liquid-cooled
DOHC 90°V-twin
4-stroke - 8-valve
Liquid-cooled EFI
DOHC 90°V-twin
Body typeFully faired & nakedSemi-naked & nakedFully fairedNaked
Displacement248cc249cc250cc
Bore and Stroke60mm44mm60mm44.2mm60mm44.1mm60mm44mm60mm44.2mm
No. of cylinders2 (V-twin)
No. of valves8 (4 per cylinder)
Compression Ratio11.0:1
Ignition / StartingTransistorized / electricFull transistor / electric firingComputer-controlled fully
transistorised with electronic
advance / electric
Fuel delivery2x 32mm Keihin carburettors2x 32mm Keihin VD10F2x 32mm VD10 carburettorsHonda PGM-FI fuel injection system
Transmission6-Speed, constant mesh, chain and sprockets final drive5-Speed, constant mesh, chain and sprockets final drive
Rake / trail26°70' / 91mm26°30' / 97mm26°05' / 100mm25° / 96mm25°30' / 98mm25°30' / 96mm
Front suspensionAir-assisted telescopicAir assisted
Telescopic with anti-
dive adjustment
Showa 35mm Telescopic,
130mm travel
37mm telescopic,
120mm travel
Showa 41mm telescopicShowa 41mm telescopic
Rear suspensionPro-link air assisted monoshockMonoshock, 100mm travelMonoshock with
7-step preload
adjustment
Monoshock with preload adjustmentMonoshock with preload adjustment.
Front brakesin-board disc brakeSingle disk,
2-piston calliper
drumSingle disk, 2-piston calliper296mm single disc, 2-piston caliper
Rear brakesdrumsingle disk
Front tyre100/90-16 54S100/80-17 52S110/70-17 54H
Rear tyre110/80-18 58S120/80-17 61S140/70-17 66S140/70-17 66H
Fuel capacity (total)12L14L13L11L13L12L
Oil capacity2.5L2.4L
Length2027mm2028mm2030mm2010mm2040mm2080mm
Width750mm730mm715mm720mm715mm
Height1190mm1185mm1140mm1020mm1050mm1055mm
Wheelbase1385mm1370mm1380mm1410mm1405mm
Seat height760mm
Ground clearance140mm150mm170mm
Turning ratio2.7m (08.9feet)

Notes and References

  1. Honda Spada Owner's Manual, 1989