2022 Honda CRF300L Rally Full Test (ADV/LITE Part 1)

#adv #motorcycle #dualsport #honda #crf300l

The Honda CRF300L Rally has been making waves as a popular, hard to get lightweight adventure motorcycle. But what are the realistic pros and cons? Let's fully test it to find out. This is part 1 of a 4 part series where we explore the capability of the CRF300L Rally. Part 2 will discuss the modifications and upgrades within a budget of just $1500 including suspension and full luggage. Part 3 will showcase the modifications and how they work, and part 4 will be a 3-4 day camping off-road adventure trip to see if this bike is truly ADV worthy.

00:00 Intro
01:46 Riding Position
02:38 Drop/Lift
03:52 Specs/Tour
08:47 Highway Test
15:36 Acceleration Test
16:50 Off Road Test
21:15 Pros and Cons
23:54 Final Thoughts

🏍 GEAR IN THIS VIDEO:

🏍SUPPORT BIG ROCK MOTO BY USING THESE LINKS!

🏍 My Riding Gear:

🏍 Motorcycle Accessories (see bike specific videos for more):

🏍 Camera Gear:

🏍 Camping & Other:

⚠️Welcome to Big Rock Moto
⚠️Subscribe and hit the bell, thumbs up, and leave comments

[BigRockMoto]

*STAY TUNED FOR PARTS 2, 3 and 4 of THIS SERIES!*
🏍 GEAR IN THIS VIDEO:
STORE LINKS:

[ishgibor]

You always keep it real. Obviously you could have edited the drop out, a lot of YouTubers would have. Real and honest. That's why I keep coming back. Great job.

[lowend]

I'm so glad you left the whole lift test in. You're just like the rest of us.

[jamesfairmind]

BRM good review. Appreciate the fact that you left the 'double drop" in and didn't edit it out. We have all goofed up like that sometime and actually it really demonstrates the bike is not fragile.

[markbartlett]

I appreciate the extra effort you put in to demonstrate the Drop & Lift test from both sides. Very thorough!

[driller]

Honda we want a 450L rally with long maintenance intervals. Make it happen!

[ejmeyer]

You actually showed us what it’s like to lift it up from a drop on either side. Very realistic demonstration. Thank you!

[martyi]

I’ve owned the Rally for 6 months now it’s a great all around bike even in stock form, although as mentioned on every review of this bike suspension is a problem for larger folks and cargo, I’m 5’10” 175lbs and take shorter trips with no cargo (other than small backpack) it’s not a problem for myself, Thanks for the review, I can’t wait to see future videos of this bike and it’s transformation

[DerekPhair]

Glad you mentioned Noraly @ Itchy Boots! She has put this bike through its paces and gives a great idea of what it can handle. Nice to see what it looks like stock and considerations for improved riding.

[ezekielchariot]

Got my Rally 3 weeks ago in New Zealand mainly for the fuel economy as a second vehicle / shopping cart. I changed to a 15T drive sprocket for lower RPM on the highway with extra power coming from a 550 Performance ECU and a Yoshimura full exhaust, the ECU helps with the jerky on off throttle response, crash bars and fixed the rear suspension so far with a Rally Raid system. Ventura rack with their quick to fit luggage.

[donbraham]

I just bought a 2023 rally CRF 300, I’m 65 and I love this bike

[neil_the_wheel]

I have owned a Rally 250 and 300 and I have almost 10K miles on my 300 Rally now and have ridden a variety of roads, trails, and the IDBDR on it. The suspension is all that you need to fix. Put high quality Rally Raid shock and fork upgrade on it, a GL Coyote on the back and it is good to go. Don't waste money on little stuff like handlebars, handguards, footpegs etc. Upgrade that stuff if you break it. If you fix the suspension and put some super light luggage on it, it is a great ADV lite bike that can do a lot of things very well. Just avoid the Freeways on it, everything else is good. With your proposed upgrade budget of $1500 I would spend it all on quality suspension first and then you will see what a great bike the rest of it is. Don't go cheap on suspension upgrades as that is the only real problem that this bike has from stock form. Don't add any weight to it.. it has just enough power as is. It doesn't need any side racks, heavy skid plates, etc. It has incredible ground clearance and the stock skid plate will take casual hits and glancing blows just fine.
Thanks for leaving the drop test gone wrong in the final edit: I got a laugh from that and appreciate that you also mentioned putting it in gear before picking it up is the right way. Looking forward to the rest of the Rally series.

[thumpersquid]

You can change at what RPM the shift light comes on and also the look of the Tach by holding "SEL" button and turning on key. Use the SET button to toggle through the options. I love my Rally and have a lot of mods including YSS suspension, skid plate, bars, handguards, Outback Motortek crash bars, ECU reflash, seat concepts, pegs, tires, etc. Now that I have customized the bike for my weight and riding style, I feel I have me a unicorn.

[Khemtime]

I just bought my Rally last week. It’s my first bike. I can’t wait to ride it!

[richmotion]

My Rally showed better acceleration after about 2.000 miles noticably. I would never tune the engine, not even the exhaust. I´ve owned a lot of bikes over the years, this one brings most fun of them all. It´s not all about speed alone. Nice review!

[craighellwege]

The suspension was driving me nuts so I did a cheaper upgrade that's improved it for me. YSS spring upgrade in the front (for my weight of 85kg, ) and replaced the rear shock with a YSS MZ456. Parts were ~$800 AUD. Made a big difference for the $$.

[getsmart]

Much respect for NOT editing the unplanned drop test to the right side; I dub thee "Sir Honest Ian". Salute!

[proffsionl]

Great beginning! As mentioned, I'm glad you left the unintentional drop in the video...it shows that even the most experienced riders still make mistakes! As also mentioned, Noraly (Itchy Boots on YouTube) has really put her 300L Rally to the test (and she did upgrade handguards, suspension, exhaust, etc.). IMHO, I think the suspension has too much squat and is too soft (a common stock Honda malady). As someone that grew up riding an '82 Honda XL250 (I bought new), this hits a very sweet spot with the weight, size, and large fuel tank. Looking forward to your future adventures on this one!

[IRQConflict]

Yep. The crf300l's suspension is there so you can ride it to your local suspension shop and get a real shock.

It's the bike I want to buy and modify.

[alastairtheduke]

These are the most complete reviews on youtube. Great job Ian. KEEP IT UP!