Honda VT 250 Series - A Timeline Reference Special
It has truly been a while since I last wrote anything, so with my new fascination into motorcycles, I'd love to start a new series. A timeline of sorts, detailing what changed in what years and so on. Because I don't have a motorcycle license, I cannot give my feelings on how different bikes ride, but what I can do is give you a reference guide!
First Generation:
HONDA VT 250-FII: 1982 - 1983
1982 was a prominent year for Honda, as it was the introduction of the V engine into their motorcycle engine lineup. During this year, Honda released the VT 250-FII and also the VF 400F; their success is what led to now a full range of V-engined motorcycles from 125cc's all the way up to 1,100cc's!
The 1982 - 1983 VT 250-FII, also known as the VT 250F, was a naked sport bike and was powered by a 90-degree V-Twin. The advantage of using a V-engine over a conventional inline engine was that the center of gravity was lowered and the seating position therefore could be lowered as well. A good thing to note is the bikes with the orange indicators integrated into the front fairing are the UK domestic market models only. The rest of the world had the indicators on stalks instead. The UK variant also had optional radiator side-cowls and belly pan. The front brake system 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 (which Honda used for many of their classic bikes from 1977) with tubeless tires, TRAC anti-dive front forks and Pro-Link rear suspension. An interesting fact is that the engine coolant passed through one of the frame tubes. There were also a fully-faired paneled version, with a higher windshield called the 'Integra' (not to be confused with the Honda Integra car) available for a more sporty look.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 248cc, 4-stroke, 8-valve, DOHC 90-degree V-Twin
Bore & Stroke: 60mm x 40mm (2.4 in x 1.7 in)
Ignition & Starter: Transistorized & Electric
Transmission: 6-speed
Fuel Delivery: 2 32mm Keihin Carburetors
Rake & Trail: 26-degree 76' & 91mm (3.6 in)
Front & Rear Suspension: Air-assisted telescopic forks & pro-link air-assisted monoshock
Front & Rear Brake: In-board disc brake & drum
Front & Rear Tire: 100/90-16 54S & 110/80-18 58S
Fuel Capacity: 12L (2.6 imp gal/3.2 US gal)
Oil Capacity: 2.5L (0.55 imp gal/0.66 US gal)
Power: 26.1kW (35hp) @ 11,000rpm
Torque: 21.5Nm (15.9ft-lbs.) @ 10,000rpm
Quarter Mile: 15.3s @ 83mph (133.6kph)
Top Speed: 100mph (160.9kph)
1982 VT 250FC Colours: Contina White, Pleaides Silver Metallic, Black. All colour options came with a Bright Red frame.
1982 - 1983 VT 250FD Colours: Remained the same as the FC.
1983 VT 250F2D Integra Colours: Two-tone Black over White with Red accents and a Red seat; or two-tone Blue over Red with White accents and a White seat. The Integra also had the Bright Red frame.
HONDA VT 250-FII: 1984 - 1985
The 1984 - 1985 model is also known as the VTZ 250 or VT 250FH/FJ/FK depending on series within. Not much changed in terms of design in this year, but the frame was now in silver instead of red, and the Comstar wheels were done in black with silver rims, rather than the full silver wheels that the 1982 -1983 variants had. The new model also had an elongated windshield. The full fairings were also dropped as a standard option and so it was only available as a semi-faired (VT 250FE) and naked bike (VT 250ZF).
SPECIFICATIONS:
The specifications stayed the same as the 1982 - 1983 variant, with no performance updates.
Rake & Trail: 26-degree 30' & 97mm
Front & Rear Tire: The front tire stayed the same as the 1982 - 1983, but the rear tire is 120/80-17 61S
Fuel Capacity: 14L (3.1 imp gal/3.7 US gal)
The 1984 VT 250FD & VT 250F2D Colours remained the same as the 1982 - 1983, and even kept the Red frame.
1984 - 1985 VT 250FE Colours: Black with a two-tone White and Red accent and a Red seat; Red with a White accent, Green lettering and a Blue seat; White with a two-tone Black and Red accent and a Black seat. This had the new Silver frame.
1984 - 1985 VT 250ZF Colours: White with a Black accent and a Blue seat; or Black with a Red and White accent and a Red seat. This also had a Silver frame.
HONDA VT 250F-II INTEGRA: 1985
As mentioned before bike was the sporty-looking, fully-faired version of the standard 1985 variant.
SPECIFICATIONS:
The performance of the Integra also stayed the same as the previous variants, with only a few changes.
Front & Rear Suspension: The rear suspension stayed the same as the previous ones, but the front suspension is now air-assisted telescopic forks with anti-dive adjustment.
Front Brakes: Single disk with a 2-piston caliper
1985 VT 250F2F Integra Colours: Two-tone Black and White with Red accents.
1985 VT 250FF Limited Colours: White with Black and Yellow accents.
Honda VT 250F: 1986
So far what I can research is that the only visual differences of the 1986 model is that the side indicators have moved down to the same height as the headlight, the fairings have more vents and the wheels have changed to a solid 3-spoke wheel in all white.
Specifications:
Engine: 249cc, 4-stroke, 8-valve, DOHC 90-degree V-Twin
Bore & Stroke: 60mm x 44.2mm (2.4 in x 1.74 in)
Rake & Trail: 26-degree 05'/100mm (3.9 in)
Front & Rear Suspension: Showa 35mm telescopic, with 130mm of travel; and the rear is monoshock with 100mm of travel.
Front & Rear Brake: Both front & rear are now both drum brakes.
Fuel Capacity: 13L (2.9 imp gal; 3.4 US gal)
1986 VT 250FD Colours: Still the same colours as the previous years.
1986 VT 250FG Colours: NH138 White with a Red and Black accent with a Black Seat; and NH1 Black with a Red and White accent with a Red Seat. Both of these had the White 3-spokes and a Black frame.
1986 VT 250FG Special Edition Colours: PB168 Pearl White with a White and Grey accent and a Black seat; and NH139 White with a Grey and Pink accent and a Grey seat. The Special Edition also had the same wheels and frame as the VT 250FG.
HONDA VT 250F: 1987 - 1990
The 1987 - 1990 model (VT 250F2H) also did not change much in terms of visuals. Following the year of 1986, where the naked model (VT 250ZF) did not make an appearance, the bike reappeared as the newer and more visually updated VTZ 250H.
SPECIFICATIONS:
The performance stays the same with these years' models.
Front & Rear Brakes: The front brakes return to the single disk brake with a 2-piston caliper, and the rear brake stays as a drum brake.
1987 VT 250FD Colours: Still the same colours as the previous years.
1988 - 1989 VT 250FJ Colours: NH124MU Achilles Black with a Red and White accents with a Black seat; and NH1, which is the similar colour scheme as NH124MU, but has a Red Seat. Both of these had the White 3-spokes and a Black frame.
1987 VT 250F2H Colours: White with Red accents, Red wheels and a Red seat; and Grey with Black accents, Black wheels and a Black seat. The frame stays in Black like the 1986 model.
1987 - 1988 VTZ 250H Colours: Two-tone PB161 Pearl White and Dark Blue with a Black accent and White wheels; and two-tone NH193 White and Black with a Red accent and Grey wheels. The frame now changes to Silver.
1987 - 1988 VTZ 250H-II Colours: This Phase 2 model shares the same specs and colours as the Phase 1 model.
1988 VTZ 250J Colours: This model has the same colour scheme as the 1987 - 1988 VTZ 250H.
1989 VTZ 250K Colours: Two-tone PB184 Pearl White and Light Blue and Grey wheels; and two-tone NH193 White and Black with a Red accent and Grey wheels.
Second Generation:
HONDA SPADA VT 250L: 1988 - 1989
This naked bike variant was the first big update of the lineup. It was built from late 1988 to the end of 1989. It used Nissin brakes and new Enkei wheels. This model was only available for the Asian, Australian and New Zealand market. From this model, all bikes were naked bikes until the present.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 249.34cc, 4-stroke, 8-valve, DOHC 90-degree V-Twin
Bore & Stroke: 60mm x 44.1mm (2.4 in x 1.74 in)
Fuel Delivery: Two 32mm Keihin VD10F Carburetors
Rake & Trail: 25-degrees & 96mm (3.8 in)
Front & Rear Suspension: Showa 37mm telescopic, with 120mm of travel; and the rear is monoshock with 7-step of pre-load adjustment.
Front & Rear Tire: 100/80-17 52S & 140/70-17 66S
Fuel Capacity: 11L (2.4 imp gal; 2.9 US gal)
Power: 29.8kW (40hp) @ 12,000rpm
Torque: 25.4Nm (18.8 ft-lbs.) @ 9,000rpm
Quarter Mile: 14.3s @ 91mph (147km/h)
Top Speed: 112mph (180km/h)
1988 - 1989 VT 250J Colours: PB208 Mercury Blue with White wheels; R157 Italian Red with Gold wheels; G130 Toscana Green with White wheels; and NH1 Black with Gold wheels. All bikes had a thick silver Castec frame.
HONDA VTR 250 Interceptor: 1988 - 1990
This year model also saw the emergence of the VTR 250 Interceptor, a newer version of the sporty Integra, that was only sold in the US. The 250 was the smallest cc motorcycle of the Honda Interceptor range (the others being the VFR750 Interceptor and the VF1000F Interceptor).
SPECIFICATIONS:
Power: 25.9kW (34.7hp) @ 12,500rpm
Torque: 17.4Nm (12.8ft-lbs) @ 9,500rpm
1988 VTR 250J Interceptor Colours: NH196 Ross White with Blue accents and Blue wheels; NH1 Black with Gold wheels. Both colour schemes have Black seats
1989 VTR 250K Interceptor Colours: NH196H White with Turquoise, Pink, Blue graphics and a Black seat.
1990 VTR 250L Interceptor Colours: PB220 White with Blue graphics and a Blue seat. Only the 1990 model had 17-inch wheels and the front brakes were external disc brakes.
This was the last year for the classic VT 250F line, and the Xelvis had a unique fairing design, which was more curvy and angled to change with the more 'modern' design language of the 1990's. The silver Castec was also now gone for a new trellis frame.
Power: 26.5kW (36hp) @ 11,500rpm
Torque: 25.5Nm (19 ft-lbs.) @ 8,500rpm
1992 VT 250FN Xelvis Colours: R101 Candy Glory Red; PB184 Granite Black Metallic; NH197 Karakoram Grey Metallic; and RP140 Vortex Purple Metallic. All colour schemes came with the Silver trellis frame and Silver wheels to match.
Third Generation:
HONDA VTR 250: 1997 - 1999
The third generation VTR 250 was only available as a naked bike and was compared to the Ducati Monster, complete with a trellis frame and a V-Twin. It was a lot more rounder than the previous squarer predecessors.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 247.81cc, 4-stroke, 8-valve, DOHC 90-degree V-Twin
Bore & Stroke: 60mm x 40mm (2.4 in x 1.7 in)
Ignition & Starter: Full-transistor & electric-firing
Transmission: 5-speed
Fuel Delivery: Two 32mm VD10 carburetors
Rake & Trail: 25-degree 30'/98mm (3.8 in)
Front & Rear Suspension: Showa 41mm telescopic; and the rear is monoshock with pre-load adjustment.
Front & Rear Brakes: Both front and rear brakes are now disc brakes.
Front & Rear Tire: 110/70-17 54H & 140/70-17 66H
Fuel Capacity: 13L (2.9 imp gal; 3.4 US gal)
Oil Capacity: 2.4L (0.53 imp gal/0.63 US gal)
Power: 23.3kW (32hp) @ 10,500rpm
Torque: 23.5Nm (17.3ft-lbs.) @ 8,500rpm
Quarter Mile: 15.5s @ 84mph (135km/h)
1997 - 1999 VTR 250W Colours: NH411 Silver with Black lettering; R157 Red with Silver lettering; and NH1 Black with Yellow lettering. All colour schemes came with Silver trellis frames, Black 5-spokes, Red wiring, Red rear spring and Light Gold engines.
HONDA VTR 250: 2000 - 2002
This year model had no changes from the 1997 - 1999 bike, and was just different in colour schemes.
SPECIFICATIONS:
2000 - 2002 VTR 250Y Colours: R157 Red with a Black trellis frame; and NH411 Silver with a Silver trellis frame. Both Color schemes had Silver lettering, Silver engine, Yellow wiring and a Yellow rear spring.
HONDA VTR 250: 2003 - 2008
The differences in this model were that there was a tachometer added to the instrument display, and the warning lights and indicators were shifted to below the dials.
SPECIFICATIONS:
2003 VTR 2503 Colours: R157 Red with a Black trellis frame; NH411 Silver with a Silver trellis frame; PB215 Blue with a Silver trellis frame; Y124 Yellow with a Black trellis frame; and R195 Red with a Black trellis frame, but it had Gold wheels instead of the Black wheels like the rest of the colour schemes.
HONDA VTR 250: 2009 - 2017
SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 249.95cc, 4-stroke, 8-valve, DOHC 90-degree V-Twin
Bore & Stroke: 60mm x 44.2mm (2.4 in x 1.74 in)
Ignition & Starter: Computer-controlled fully-transistorized ignition with electronic advance & an electric-firing starter.
Fuel Delivery: Honda PGM-FI Fuel Injection System
Rake & Trail: 25-degree 30'/96mm (3.8 in)
Fuel Capacity: 12L (2.6 imp gal/3.2 US gal)
Oil Capacity: 1.5L (0.33 imp gal/0.40 US gal)
2009 VTR 2509 PGMFI Colours: R157 two-tone Red and Silver with a Black trellis frame and Black wheels; NHA66 two-tone Silver and Grey with Gold wheels; Y163 two-tone Yellow and Grey with Gold wheels; NHB01 two-tone Black and Silver with Black wheels; and B197 two-tone Blue and Grey with Gold wheels. Only the R157 Red colour scheme came with a Black trellis frame, whereas the rest of the colours came with a Silver trellis frame.
2010 - 2011 VTR 250B PGMFI Colours: The 2010 - 2011 model removed R157 Red, Y163 Yellow and NHB01 Black from its lineup and only kept NHA66 Silver and B197 Blue without any changes. They did, however, add NHA64K two-tone Black and Grey with a Red trellis frame and lettering. It also had Black wheels instead.
2012 VTR 250B PGMFI Colours: The 2012 model removed B197 Blue from its lineup, kept NHA66 Silver and NHA64K Black, but readded R195 two-tone Red and Grey with a Silver trellis frame and Gold wheels.
2013 - 2014 VTR 250D PGMFI Colours: The 2013 - 2014 model came only in NHB01 one-tone Black; R201 two-tone Red and Black; and NH341 two-tone White and Black. All colour schemes came with Silver trellis frames and Black wheels.
2013 - 2014 VTR 250FD PGMFI Fairings Colours: The 2013 - 2014 model also brought back a semi-fairing model. The colour schemes included were NHA64 one-tone Black; and NHA66 two-tone White and Black. Both colour schemes came with Red trellis frames and Black wheels.
2015 - 2016 VTR 250F PGMFI Colours: The 2015 - 2016 model came in NHB01 one-tone Black; NHA66B two-tone White and Black; and NHA30 two-tone Silver and Black. All colour schemes came with a Red trellis frame and Light Gold wheels.
2015 - 2016 VTR 250FF PGMFI Fairings Colours: The 2015 - 2016 model came in NHA66 two-tone White and Grey; and NHA64 two-tone Black and Grey. Both colour schemes came with Grey trellis frames and Light Gold wheels.
2015 - 2016 VTR 250LF PGMFI LD Colours: The 2015 - 2016 model came in R201 two-tone Red and Grey; and NHA66 two-tone White and Grey. Both colour schemes came with Grey trellis frames and Light Gold wheels.
2017 VTR 250H PGMFI Colours: The 2017 model came in NHA66 two-tone White and Grey; and R342 two-tone Metallic Red and Grey. Both colour schemes came with Grey trellis frames and Light Gold wheels.
2017 VTR 250FH PGMFI Fairings Colours: The 2017 fairings model only came in NH436 one-tone Metallic Black with a Red trellis frame and Black wheels.
2017 VTR 250LH PGMFI LD Colours: The 2017 LD model came in the same colours as the 2017 VTR 250H PGMFI.
2017 VTR 250H PGMFI Special Edition Colours: The 2017 Special Edition model only came in NH389 two-tone Grey and Black, with Black graphics, a Brown seat, Black trellis frame and Black wheels.
The third generation VTR 250 was sold throughout Asia and the Pacific, but was not sold in Europe until 2009. Australia and New Zealand had the VTR 250 from 1998 to 2007 and only re-entered midway through 2009, which meant that we never got the 2008 model. This generation was never sold in the US.
So far there have been no reports of a fourth generation VTR 250, but I will keep updating this reference if there is any news for a successor.
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