Twin separate exhausts that exits from either side of the twin-port, twin-cam motor, are just one of the new features on the 2018 CRF250R that was unveiled in Japan this weekend. The all-new motor, now using twin overhead cams like all its rivals instead of Honda’s Unicam system, has electric start and a new chassis and bodywork like the CRF450 that was new for 2017.

The bike was ridden by former Japanese champ and current HRC test rider Takeshi Katsuya yesterday in qualifying for a Japanese race. “Thanks to HRC for giving me a great opportunity to ride this awesome bike. Qualified first in my group today,” he said.