Honda used the CIMA motorcycle trade show in Chongqing, China, to unveil a new concept called the CB250SS – a retro-tinged, scrambler-styled model that appeared on stage complete with an upswept exhaust, bash plate and blocky dual-sport tyres and brown seat.
Any genuine off-road capability would appear to be stymied by the short-travel suspension, road-biased footpegs and 17in alloy wheels front and rear, suggesting it’s a styled road bike rather than a weekend green-lane hero.
Official renders released alongside the physical show bike don’t quite do it justice either – they’re missing the polished gold finish seen on the concept’s engine and fork tubes at the show – perhaps an indication of what the finished production bike will look like.
Honda’s own show-stand billing centred on comfort and approachability rather than outright performance, describing the CB250SS as “easy to master, fun to ride.” That’s backed up by the spec sheet on display: a Pro-Link multi-link rear end designed for comfort, not performance, and a newly developed frame pitched as lighter, more agile and more confidence-inspiring than before.
Up front, gold-anodized upside-down forks are sold as much on premium feel, while a round TFT display with second-generation Honda RoadSync connectivity and an assist/slipper clutch is said to reduce lever effort.
At the heart of it all sits a 249cc liquid-cooled engine, which Honda describe as having strong low-end torque and linear power delivery – in other words, tuned for easy, predictable riding rather than outright thrills.
Honda haven’t released official power or torque figures, but that 249cc liquid-cooled single is widely expected to be shared with the Japanese-market CB250R and Rebel 250, and the closely related CM250. Most export markets currently get a larger 286cc version of this engine family, badged 300 – though no non-Chinese specification has been confirmed for the CB250SS.
Honda say the SS name stands for style and story rather than Supersport, and that the bike is explicitly aimed at Generation Z riders.
Tellingly, Honda haven’t fitted a track-only exhaust: the pipe on the show bike wears a road-legal-looking end can and catalytic converter, a strong hint that this is further down the road to production than a typical concept.
A production version is expected to reach the Chinese market first, likely from spring 2027, before being offered in other markets – though we don’t expect it to reach the UK in this specific form.
Given the popularity of smaller-capacity bikes in the UK of late, it’s good to see one with such grown-up looking componentry – even if it’s not destined to reach us. There’s no reason UK riders who opt for a smaller and lighter bike for comfort and control wouldn’t want a bit of bling and tech on their new bike.
Ben Clarke began riding (legally) at 21-years-old when he passed his direct access one month before shipping his Yamaha XT660 R to Miami and embarking on a 13,500-mile tour of the USA and Central America. He's worked at MCN for the last six years, riding everything from super nakeds and superbikes to small-capacity electrics and scooters across several continents. In more recent years, he's worked closely with the bike kit team to bring you all the latest news and reviews about the bike-related products we all use every day.
Lover of V-twins and big singles, partial to a tour