Honda’s Sweet New Entry-Level Street Scrambler May Roll Out Sooner Than You’d ThinkGear PatrolSteve MazzucchiUpdatedWed, September 23, 2026 at 9:59 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleSigns point to the rider-friendly CB250SS Concept being closer to production than most bikes with that word in the moniker.As much buzz as there is about the new CB350s and CB500, Honda is already onto the next.Specifically, that means teasing its new CB250SS Concept street scrambler at the CIMA show in Chongqing, China, throwing one hell of a juicy bone to Gen Z.Powered by Honda's proven 249cc liquid-cooled single, the scrappy, presumably affordable CB250SS is aimed squarely at Gen Z. - Credit: HondaThey're the explicit target for this super-approachable little ripper, which has a far more realistic production construction than, say, the forward-thinking but way out there EV Outlier Concept.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs Australian Motorcycle News points out: "There's nothing about the CB250SS that couldn't go straight into production and that's exactly what's likely to happen."The street-legal silencer hints at mass production, while the long, ribbed seat gives off strong retro scrambler vibes. - Credit: HondaEven the exhaust is legit, as Honda eschewed a track-only option for a street-legal silencer and catalytic converter, a strong hint it's headed for mass production.Details about the bike are relatively scant, but we do know the engine is the 249cc, liquid-cooled single that has already appeared in the JDM-oriented CB250R and Rebel 250 (though most export market bikes get an upspec'd 286cc version with '300' badging).Additional scrambler cues include the headlight guard and small wind deflector you can see here. - Credit: HondaThe engine sits in a no-frills steel frame with upside-down forks, 17-inch alloy wheels and scrambler/flat-track styling, highlighted by a headlight guard, a small wind deflector and a long, flat seat with retro-style ribbed padding.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe powertrain has already blazed this trail, appearing in Rebel-based CL250/CL300 models, but this one has a more brazen, no-nonsense appeal courtesy of its relatively short wheelbase, tall seat and steep rake.Inverted forks and a rear monoshock replace the CL-series dual shocks, giving the CB250SS more credible scrambler suspension. - Credit: HondaThe suspension is more convincing too, what with the inverted forks and rear monoshock replacing the CL's dual shocks.All these factors, plus Honda's widespread success with smaller bikes such as the Grom and Monkey, point to a wider release than China for the CB250SS Concept, sooner rather than later.Keep an eye on Milan's big EICMA show in early November, where we just might learn a bit more about this daring little dynamo.AdvertisementAdvertisementAbout the Author:Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men's Health, Men's Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone's bike seat is at the proper height.
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