The Honda CRF250L Sucks (at One Thing in Particular)

That's right, I said it: the Honda CRF250L sucks. It may be one of the most capable and easy to ride dual sport motorcycles of all time, but there is one thing it is really, really not good at. You can go on countless Honda CRF250L dual sport adventures and never discover its one weakness: trail riding. On the trails, the CRF is difficult to handle, has woefully inadequate suspension, and feels like it's fighting you at every turn. It's just not designed to be a good bike on OHV trails, ATV trails, or singletrack.

Every Honda CRF250L review talks about how reliable it is, how capable it is, how easy it is to ride, and how easy it is to maintain. None of these Honda CRF250L reviews tell you the dark truth that lies behind all of those awesome features. The Honda CRF250L sucks at trail riding.

#CRF250L #HondaCRF250L #DualSport
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[AdventureDaily]

Fantastic video Dork! While I agree with most everything you said, the main reason why I fell in love with the 250L was the price per value. I paid less than $3, 000 for a like new modern dual sport and I had that in the back of my mind every time I rode it. I would not have a lot of those feelings if I had bought one new for $6k+. Also I absolutely loved the FI as I rode all seasons and it never skipped a beat, also never flooded. Personally I feel that the DRZ is more top heavy than the 250L and that the little red pig wears her weight better. The suspension is garbage for anyone over 150lb but that’s a compromise I was more than willing to make for the low cost fun I was having. The 250L will always have a place in my heart❤️

[wandersofp]

As a former 250L owner, I agree, its not s great trail bike, its a compromise. That lack of bottom end power is a useful tool, it forces you to be better at clutch control and feathering the power, using said momentum; twisting the throttle to get out of a situation is just a bit lazy and won't work in the nasty stuff. DRZ is better offroad, but my old kdx 200 will run circles around a DRZ, the difference between a dual sport and a trail bike is much more significant than a 250l vs drz by a mile. Buy more bikes!

[Mjr]

A lot of these issues have “supposedly” been solved with the new 300l. Different gearing, frame, clutch and a couple more hp. Hopefully it helps. I had a 250L went to a xr650L to a 450l and going back to a smaller bike, less maint, fuel range, little lighter. I a Honda fan. I’m 58 years old and for my style of riding and tractoring along 1 min, then blasting down a fire lane the next. All these bikes and the 250L was my fav. I root for the underdog I guess. Thanks for the great videos.

[ebra]

You are spot on. No bike is best at everything regardless of cost. They are all compromises. The CRF is a great compromise but not the best at any particular thing.

[barmanvarn]

I'm of the mindset that I like to add modifications as I learn (this is my first bike) and grow into it. Yes I could have bought a more capable bike and saved money in the end but my goal is to grow w/ the bike and learn. I'm big into the Jeep community...I drive a Sport that will eventually be like a Rubicon on steroids. Would a Rubicon have been cheaper? Sure, but I've grown along w/ my Jeep's capabilities and that's just the approach that I enjoy. Now I'm doing the same on my CRF.

[rdalto]

one other thing i forgot to mention is rider weight a rider that is 150 to 200 lbs vs 200 to 250 or over will have completely different ridding issues as far as suspension

[prezzzrock]

Thanks for posting this video. I was getting close to buying one of these strictly for trail riding. Our trails look exactly like the trail you were on so that was a great comparison. Looks like I'll concentrate on the CRF250F again, but man are they expensive used! The reason I was even thinking of the 250L was price. At least $1000 less expensive used.

[ADVRally]

I have a 2018 CRF250L Rally that I beat the absolute crap out of. I love it and I have modded everything but the engine. I also have a 450L that I've spent just as much modding as my Rally . I know the Rally isn't the same as the 250L but they are capable for a confident rider . I have had more fun in 2 years of ownership on the old rally than I've had on any of my MX bikes or my CRF450L . Great bikes for sure. Good video as usual dork.

[vtrack]

I was anticipating this video and your answer on the CRF250L for trails surprised me. I thought your better skills would adequately compensate for some of the CRF’s shortfalls. So based on your findings, if a new rider wanted to ride single track type trails they should buy a different bike that is more capable for that type of riding. From your previous videos, I know you have loved the CRF250L, so I definitely appreciate your honesty on this video. Nice job!

[bigvisk]

Solid vid. Far to many people dont want to be honest for fear of offending people and losing viewers.

I'm still deciding my first motorcycle. Leaning towards a crf250l. No real single tracks unless I trailer the bike but lots of sand (coast of north carolina).

[paljah]

For us in Europe the argument of getting one a throwing a ton of money in it to make it better off-road is very strong: We do not have many real dual-sport options to buy! US and Asia for instance get their DRZ, WR250 (up until recently), new KLX300 along with the other workhorses such as XR650L, DR650 and also KLR650 until it was discontinued not long ago.

So the only two TRUE dual-sport options are CRF300 now and 690 Enduro/701 Enduro. While I would love to throw a leg over KTM or Husky, especially coming off 640 Adventure, the price difference is too damn high.

[rick]

I agree with what you say, here is some simple solutions, thicker oil in the front forks will take care of the sponginess, premium gas for throttle response, and no multipurpose tire will compare to full dirt tire . Just boils down to rider preference.

[ericellis]

Could part of the suspension issue boil down to being undersprung? Throwing a 250 pound guy on a bike vs a 180 pound rider on the same bike can make a HUGE difference.

[Ozark]

As someone who got a WR250R instead of a CRF250L by chance, I agree with you entirely! I do 90% OHV and the WR is better than me. I couldn't imagine tackling the trails with something heavier and squishier. You'd wind up avoiding tough obstacles and thus entire trails rather than surmounting them and becoming more proficient and confident. I believe the WR can do it. That's worth a boatload of confidence.

[ronlawson]

Thanks for the still think the CRF250L is still going to be my choice

[tysonadams]

I've had a similar experience. Had a 03 klr250 to start. Same issues with power and suspension. Drive a 06 drz now. Preach on brother.

[randomlyTrees]

Very well thought-out video. I could write a book in response, or at least an essay lol. My first trail ride was on a CRF250L and the experience weighed very negatively on my thoughts about trail riding. I think the CRF250L is an awesome gateway drug into the world of dual sports but it will be the limiting factor for many riders attempting harder things. In many cases it *is* the bike, not the rider, especially when the rider is still learning. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[boseisgood]

Point well made and well taken! Good honest opinion from an owner is marvelous. It’s interesting how people get connected to a particular bike and mod the crap out of it to perform better in areas it was not designed for. I agree why not buy the bike designed for your application?

Loved the dog a hole with a spoon and hammer with a rock references. Good analogy both times!! Thanks for the video. I enjoy your channel

[davidhanger]

I think a really good reason as a beginner to get any bike that will need upgrades is that when it's time to make an upgrade you can learn to work on your bike.

[trailrider]

I wanted a drz but have no time to deal with a carburated bike. Crf250l 2017 with 2800 miles cost me $3200 so that will have to do for me at the moment. I have an mt09 2018 for the street and love the crf250l. You just need to have the right expectations.