Honda CRF250 CRF300 Rally review︱Cross Training Adventure

Our review of the Honda CRF250 Rally and CRF300 Rally. I finally get to ride the Honda CRF250 Rally! I must admit I have a soft spot for Hondas. A quick history. The CRF250L was released in 2012 and very little changed for a while - just the usual 'bold new graphics' every year in this Honda CRF250 Rally review. In 2017 the CRF250 Rally was released. Welcome to Cross Training Adventure, we are into all things dual sport and adventure on the east coast of Australia.A few engine tweaks gained two more horsepower for the CRF300 Rally review. But the big changes were the large fuel tank, rally fairing, and longer suspension. The seat height increased to 895mm but the Rally is still quite slim so shorter riders are usually comfortable. bit of weight, and had slightly different steering geometry. In a nutshell? Keen on adventure riding in Australia? Check out our vids. The base and Rally models are really well priced, even in 2023. CRF300L AUD 9500 ride away CRF300 Rally AUD$10500 ride away The traditional bulletproof Honda reliability. Check out our reviews of various adventure bikes and dual sport bikes. And it's the nearly perfect dual sport motorbike. A great commuter. It's a pile of fun on dirt roads. It will do highway speeds all day long - just don't expect arm-ripping acceleration when overtaking. And you can even ride trails as long as you don't try to ride aggressively. The rally styling looks great. But it's still just a typical dual sport motorbike under that disguise. Soft mediocre suspension. And it's 10kg heavier than the standard L model. However, the cheap price can let you throw some money into the suspension. The owner of this motorbike spent AUD 1500, about USD 1000, on Ohlin components for the shock and forks and it handled rough terrain beautifully. Of course a lot of riders will simply refuse to ride a motorbike with only 25 horsepower. And I must admit I like my wheelies so a small adventure motorbike isn't on my radar. But I was impressed with how capable the little Honda is, whether it's the highway, dirt roads or rough tracks - with that Ohlins suspension. Plenty of adventure riders already know how capable these motorbikes are. So subscribe. Or don't subscribe to our Cross Training Adventure riding channel. The main thing is get out and ride while you can with dual sport riding or Adventure riding in Australia, Canada, Vietnam, Romania and beyond! So check out Cross Training Adventure. It's common to see guys riding across entire continents on these 250 and 300 models. Known issues? Not a lot. In 2018 there was a recall on about 2000 models as the transmission mainshaft may have been improperly machined during manufacturing. But I couldn't find any consistent problems reported by owners except for aggressive riders. A few pointed out that coolant will start to emerge from a weep hole with prolonged aggressive riding. It's normal. Just remember to monitor your coolant if you are screaming the engine all day. As mentioned the stock suspension is mediocre at best. Consider upgrades if you are heavy or want to push the Honda hard. Unless you are feeling suicidal. We have occasional detours to places like Vietnam, Cambodia, Romania and Canada. This is one of our three channels, there's also a Cross Training Trials channel, and a Cross Training Enduro channel. All three are equally dodgy. Everyone is trying to sell you stuff you don't need, convince you to buy the latest model with anodized coffee cup holders for your trips to the coffee shop. Of course if you are cashed up and into bling, go for it. All we are saying is there's also the budget option for adventure riding. And it won't hold you back. One rider said he can get the clutch to slip and the rear shock to fade if he's really hammering the motorbike offroad. The Rally models are a great addition to HOnda's adventure lineup. But the big question, of course, is when will we see a CRF450 Rally? There are so many riders waiting for the unicorn adventure motorbike in the 400 to 500cc capacity. Will Honda deliver? What are your thoughts? Ever ridden the Honda 250 or 300 models? Owned one? Let us know in the comments. Why? We reckon it's 80% the rider and 20% the bike. So the Cross Training Adventure focus is just get out there and have fun on two wheels. What else? Cross Training Adventure actively avoids sponsorship. We like doing seriously critical reviews. Manufacturers make some really bad mistakes. and there is a lot of dodgy crap being sold out there. Instead of glowing dual sport reviews for kickbacks or free product, we will try to keep the buggers honest.

Music: 'Round 2' by Dolby used under Creative Commons License 3.0

#crosstrainingadventure #adventureriding #adventurebikes #dualsportriding
#dualsportbikes

[crosstrainingadventure]

Power mods? It's a common question but of course if you spend a lot you should have just bought a bigger bike lol. The Hondas are already lean so if you have a less restrictive exhaust it will be even leaner, so you'll need an ECU map to suit, and then modify the airbox ideally. Is it worth it? Not for most riders, but it depends on the overall cost. Jakethesnake on Youtube claims to have 37% extra power with airbox mods, high flow filter, exhaust, CBR cams, custom tuning... not sure how much he spent lol.

[jaimemetcher]

Just rode my 300 Rally 1600km loaded with winter camping gear for a week. Fully upgraded suspension. Route included a couple of hours on the motorway to start with, lots of those "speed limit - as fast as you dare" secondary roads, and many, many hours slipping the clutch at walking pace up and down the goat tracks in the national parks. I can't think of another bike that, at my skill level (noob), could carry that load into as many different places without me being terrified of dropping it. Yeah, like everyone else, I can pick up a big bore adv bike on level ground with good footing. I'd have zero chance getting one out of a ditch though. I can pick the 300 out of a ditch, don't ask me how I know. It ain't easy and there are limits, this is no lightweight enduro bike, but it is doable, and that means more trails and fewer stupid risks.

People who say it doesn't have the power to break traction are clearly riding trails that actually have traction to start with. On my trip, between the slime-coated hardpack and the off-camber marbles the challenge was to stop spinning long enough to make forward (rather than sideways) progress. Clutch stood up to the abuse no worries. Engine pulled me up slopes I would have trouble walking up. I don't really see a power deficit there. Fully loaded at highway speed up a steep hill? Yeah, it runs out of beans. But fast roads are more boring than slow roads, and being able to pull a few extra k's up a hill doesn't really change that IMO.

My one concern is whether it'll hold me back in trying to learn and apply the Small Useful Wheelie. Haven't got that far in my noobness yet, but it'd be nice to put all that ground clearance to use in hopping some obstacles when the time comes. Would love to hear others' experiences on this front.

[xibilfc]

I have a Honda CRF300L with Rally Raid suspension (front and back). Having ridden it on the tightest of single tracks to hours on the highway, I truly believe it's *the* motorcycle which can do it all. It will not be the best in anything, but it will get you through 95% of what you throw at it. Best thing I can say about it is that it's the only bike I've ever owned, looked at and said "I feel confident going anywhere with you".

If you're riding super long distances with no petrol stations nearby, Acerbis do a 13.5l fuel tank which gives around 450km. Add a fuel bladder if you need even more fuel and you can basically go to the moon and back. Ok not exactly, but you get my point.


With it's reliability, light weight and forgiving nature, it's the ultimate adventure machine.

[fatpigeonadventurerider]

I rode my crf250 rally from Ireland to eastern turkey, 16 countries and 12500 miles without missing a beat. I now have the crf300L superb bikes that can do anything you ask of it.

[hippiehillape]

I ride a 300 in a small town in Appalachian mountains as my daily driver. It is awesome. Ive never ridden to Atlanta, but every ride in the hills I'm smiling

[thumpersquid]

I have owned the Honda 300 Rally now for two riding years. I love the bike and also upgraded the suspension with YSS front and rear and many other bits. Now that I have customized the bike to my liking, I feel I found my Unicorn.

[williamkenny]

It makes sense. If you want travel efficiently and dependably threw the countryside its the way to go

[rfk]

I owned a 2019 CRF 250 Rally, I have upgraded suspension to Ohlins and this was a great machine. I took it to Kyrgyzstan for a two week journey and the bike never missed a beat.
It was slow under luggage, on poor fuel and on high altitudes, but it was still going. Great dual sport 👍

[Crittermoto]

I own the 250L 2015 and regularly do 3000km to 8000km trips on it. I don’t get there fast but I do get there and always with a smile on my face and worry free. 👍🏻
Based my whole channel on the lil 250 stating “you don’t need a lot of CC’s to have a lot of fun”
Cheers!

[nickg]

You must have been reading my thoughts skipper! Own a crf 300L w/upgraded suspension, custom bash plate, risers and other mods.Out today in 3 hard(ish )sections.It blasted over the lot of them.The light weight is a blessing and the engine loosens up after 7000km.Sometimes i enjoy the rides much more than a full enduro bike for a number of reasons.Today was one of them and a perfect days ride!Keep up the good work😃

[chrisfauver]

Just got a 2017 250 Rally for a great price.. I cant wait to start riding trails. So far love the little bike.

[eureka]

300L is the best in its market segment. It is a budget bike. Great for novices. There are plenty of people who do not want to go into hard enduro for different reasons. Honda must have done its research, so this must be the majority. The bike is hard to get right now.
I like that I can go further with the economic engine. I like the small tank for my easy enduro/adventure kind of riding.
There is plenty of power for everything. I was impressed when I got up a very long ~40deg steep gnarly hill.
To get the wight under 100kg I would need to spend double the money. It rarely makes a difference. Yes, it is hard to flip it around when you stack, but it is not critical. On the go it feels nimble. There only few places I cannot get through, with a bit more skills I am confident I will get there.
Sure, KTM riders are sniffing at it. We are the majority.

[FishEaglesCall]

The 250 Rally (Africa Single) is my first ever motorbike.
No regrets, highly recommended.
After 3 summers of learning and enjoying... I'm waiting for the elusive/inevitable 450 Rally.
Please Honda 😢

[johnkerry]

I owned a 2018 250L rally. Put 16, 000 miles on it and loved it. Set it up as an ADV bike with racks, bags, and etc. First thing I did was fix the suspension, ohlins shock and added a racetech spring to the front. After that I was flying past my friends on rough rocky terrain when they’re on their KTM’s and Husqy’s. Eventually sold it for more than what I bought it for new! Got in with a group that wanted to ride LONG highway rides so I got a 11’ F800GS. I out rode that bike offroad and constantly had to replace the rear shock bolt almost every ride, even with the support brace! Now I’m on a 17’ KTM 690, feels similar to how I had my 250L setup but with 70hp.

[LTS]

... On 5/31/2023 I bought a used 300 Rally with a LOT of upgrades already on it. Rally Raid suspension front and back (Level 1 on the monoshock) Bash plate, front crash bars, new handle bars, Bark busters, Moose Racing AXP luggage rack, foot pegs, tires front and back, shorter license plate configuration, longer kick stand (because of the suspension up grade) and larger foot, 12V and USB plugs, Comfort Tech seat, etc.
Looking forward to getting back on the dirt. Need people to ride with in Maryland.
. Jeff .

[KorysRides]

I owned one for 9 years, great bike that would do anything, just not very quickly. I put a turbo and sidecar on mine at one point. Lots of wide open throttle on the highway, which made the coolant weep as mentioned. Some early bikes had cam chain tensioner issues but not enough for a recall. Got rid of it and my 1200 Goldwing, got a CB500X and couldn't be happier.

[bawtrlfg]

I own the CRF300L, Im beginner in offroad riding, but its great machine, everyday commuting to work, rode it in Trans Euro Trail in Hungary, Croatia and Bosnia, it handled everything pretty fine 🙂 for its price it is great bike

[scottloudon]

Yep have the 2017 Crf250L plain Jane addition. After 300 miles decided suspension would transform the little Honda into something very capable. Ohlins was the perfect choice. No power mods I could blame it on California but why runs a little lean occasionally a little warm. Milage is reasonable it's quiet and inoffensive. Cheap as chips to run and goes everywhere the orange bikes do. The more power thing kind of goes with riding. For me it generally presents as wanting another bike. All said the little Honda still here and as often as not the first choice to grab and go.

[jayschesser]

I bought a 2017 CRF250L for soft Enduro and single trail stuff. It has absolutely blown me away with its ability or rather ability to make me look good. It does everything my DR can do and if I had a choice of just one? CRF250L. For my style of riding, anyway. It's suits me as I'm 168cm tall and fits perfectly. Considering selling the DR to get a mid size twin. The CRF250L will remain in the garage and ridden every week. Great video as always.

[AUBREYTHOMAS]

I can't hate on a bike I think is just perfect for what it is. Any bike that takes a ride on a good adventure is a good adventure bike