Honda CRF300L Rally - 3,000 Mile Review

This one is very long, and even more rambling than usual, so get comfortable if you want to watch the whole thing. I've added bookmarks to help a bit, if you're looking for something specific. There is a lot of repeat information from my 1,000 mile review, but with almost a year of riding it now, I have more to say about everything (hence the hour long ramble).

As usual, I had a few technical difficulties. My second camera died about half way in, and the mic on my main camera got disconnected near the end.

Below are links to the various mods I talk about:

0:00 Intro
1:08 Gas mileage
4:33 Why I chose the Rally over the 300L
8:00 Disclaimer about my skill level
9:00 Suspension
13:53 Exhaust
14:54 5K rattle
16:45 Welded subframe
17:43 ABS
19:53 Seat
20:33 Handlebars
23:03 Mirrors
23:57 Footpegs
24:25 Dash display
26:05 Twitchy throttle
27:19 Tires
28:47 Mods
37:42 Highway speeds
40:36 Gearing / clutch
43:25 3,000 miles!
43:33 The CRF300L as a first bike for short riders
45:46 The "con" list
52:24 More suspension talk
56:08 The elevation I ride
56:52 Maintenance
1:00:02 Heat on right leg

[Tarkov.]

I didn't realize just how good of a value the rally was until I saw how much the aftermarket tank is for the non-rally.
So for like $700 more you're getting the bigger tank, LED lights, a skid plate and a windshield, put together in a package that all those things aesthetically fit.

[Twowheels-uzlz]

Just bought a CRF 300 Rally and its great so far, thanks a million for a very informative video. I agree with you that the stock suspension is perfectly adequate for normal riding, but I will get the Rally Raid kit after a few months when my skill improves.

[martinabenfield]

Great review. I raced dirt bikes for many years. I’m sixty three now. I just want comfort and a lot of fun now. This bike seems perfect me. Thank you so much for the information.

[dennishaldiman]

Wonderful review! I follow Itchy Boots and know that she absolutely loves her Rally. She loves it enough to re-build it from the bottom up after driving it from South America to the top of Alaska. She is now in Northern Africa crossing the Sahara Desert...she also must agree with you on the paint scheme, as she completely upgraded it in the re-build.

[ElementalTJ]

Eagle Mountain, right on (:
I'm over in Herriman and got myself a Rally last year too!
Cheers! Subscribed

[robertscarisbrick]

Very good over view !! Like your sensible outlook. Envious of your riding environment !! You have the right idea about gettin out and riding 👍 To many people pick holes and criticise everything but don’t ride . Well done .

[Archetype]

Fantastic review (I watched/listened as I assembled a Lego kit 😁). I have one of these on pre-order for next Spring and you really covered every base of this bike. Thanks for the great review and happy riding!

[patientprepper]

Great vlog. Looking forward to more of them. My rally will be arriving in the spring.

[ncby]

thanks for a down to earth sensible review of a mainly stock version, great to hear ownership experience at 3k miles

[Jeff_]

... Another 2021 CRF 300 Rally owner here.
Bought it used with a lot of upgrades already including the Level 1 Rally Raid front and back.
I really enjoy your videos and perspective on not just the bike but riding also.
Thank you,
Jeff

[georgesweaton]

Great content love your banter I’ve had my black 250 rally 2 years nearly 6000 mile just about to have stock tyres replaced your so right stock tyres and suspension just fine I’ve got Oxford grips just great I’m 30 in leg I put lowering link on keep up good work York Uk

[robertmalone]

Enjoyed your review. Just installed the Rally Raid LEVEL 1 on my Honda CRF250L...totally changed my bike. Absolutely planted and I look for anything to challenge the bike - it can easily handle anything I have thrown at it. I live in the Rocky Mountains and the country is very challenging.
The first reaction was that there was NO SAG and initially I felt the bike was TOO HIGH!

[terratrodder]

Great review, and an amazing area to ride! I'm in the central Oregon desert and have finally decided to get a Rally but unfortunately there is a multi-month wait everywhere. Suckage.

[tylerhiggins]

I was a bit concerned when Itchy Boot's rear tire chewed through her tool box after she had here Rally Raid shock installed ( I assumed it was a level-1) It didn't make any sense. My guess is that the new rear tire was too wide and that it wasn't shock related at all. Good luck with your suspension work/install. I'm looking forward to your thoughts. Thanks again for sharing the process.

[johnhancock]

Can’t wait for a review on the suspension

[jacintofjimenez]

Thank you for your video! I really enjoyed! Cheers 🍻

[PatchedBandit]

Acerbis aftermarket tank for the 300L is 3.7 gallons (14 liters)

[Khemtime]

I just crossed 3000 miles on my Rally. Checking in to compare my experience.

[mike.thomas]

I enjoy your laid-back videos, and as a fellow relative n00b (to dual sport/off-pavement, not motorcycles) I appreciate them all the more since we’re kind of at the same level. I ride a DRZ400 and while it’s not known to be super lightly sprung, it was certainly undersprung for me, even minimally geared up (though I go about 240lbs all geared-up for trail riding), so I did RaceTech front and rear. Big difference. My ass doesn’t drag anymore, and the suspension can be tuned properly (though I’m still figuring that out).

The CRF300s are definitely way undersprung. One of my friends had the 250 version and he weighs about what you do, and I could swear he was eating up at least 1/2 the sag in his relatively minimal gear and minimal farkles. With me on it, it was almost comical.

Anyway, I don’t say all this to slam the 300s. I think they are fantastic, and I actually kind of want to trade to one in order to get FI, better mileage, etc, but I’d def do the suspension right out of the gate. I’ll be REALLY curious to see how you feel about it once you’ve upgraded. One thing to be ready for is a much taller seat. I almost always get on from the left (or right, depending on the situation) peg anyway so it hasn’t been that big an issue.

[useless]

i would recommend putting the in-reach on your body. it's also a good thing to have at least two communication devices, especially iphone 8 won't have iridium support.

nice video, appreciate the time you spent doing it. I have same bike, also really like the flatland racing skidplate. I am skipping crash bars as only my handguards are ever hitting the ground.

I'm 6' tall and almost never put 2 feet down. I find this isn't necessary on many bikes, but after some time with it it's nearly as good as flat-footd and actually much more secure than the balls of both feet and way better than toes-only..