Honda stopped making the CR85 mainly in the late 2000s. The model was largely replaced by the CRF150R, and by the early 2010s the CR85 was no longer listed in most new-bike catalogs. Availability varied by market, but the overall shift occurred across major regions during that period.
Background: what the CR85 was
The CR85R (often referred to simply as the CR85) is Honda’s 85cc two-stroke motocross bike designed for youth riders transitioning from beginner machines to larger machines. It came in several trims over the years, such as the standard CR85R and the CR85R Expert, and was prized for light handling and competitive performance in the 9–13 year-old rider segment. As emissions and market pressures increased, Honda began shifting emphasis toward newer CRF models and other displacement options, accelerating the model’s phase-out in many regions.
Discontinuation timeline
Region-by-region discontinuation varied, but the overall trend was a late-2000s transition from the CR85R to newer models. The following notes summarize the common patterns across major markets.
- United States and Canada: The CR85R was largely phased out after the 2006–2007 model years, with the CRF150R introduced as its successor around 2007. By 2008, the CR85R had largely disappeared from official catalogs and new-bike inventories.
- Europe and other regions: Timing followed a similar pattern, with discontinuation occurring around 2007–2008 in most markets. Some stock could be found into 2009, but the model was generally not sold as new after that period.
- Global pattern: Across many markets, Honda redirected focus to the CRF line and other youth-displacement options (including four-stroke entrants), which reduced demand for the CR85 and led to its gradual retirement by the early 2010s.
These dates are approximate and can vary by country, dealership, and regulatory environment. If you need a precise year for a specific region, check local Honda catalogs or dealer records from the late 2000s.
What replaced the CR85?
The CRF lineup became Honda’s main platform for youth motocross. The CRF150R served as the near-direct successor in the two-stroke class, while four-stroke options like the CRF125F and CRF125FB (Big Wheel) offered contemporary alternatives for younger riders entering the sport. In practice, these models filled the same market niche the CR85 once occupied, with updated technology and emissions profiles.
Shifts in design and market strategy
In addition to model replacements, Honda’s broader strategy moved toward standardized four-stroke powerplants and newer chassis designs across youth and beginner segments. This helped reduce maintenance concerns and meet evolving emissions standards, contributing to the CR85’s retirement from new-bike catalogs.
Summary
In summary, Honda stopped producing the CR85 primarily in the late 2000s, with the CRF150R and other modern youth models taking its place. By the early 2010s, the CR85 was largely absent from new-bike offerings in most markets, though used models remain in circulation. If you’re researching a specific country or dealership history, consulting regional catalogs from that period will provide the most precise dates.