2021 Honda CRF300L - First Ride Review

Whether you're riding the street or conquering the trails, the 2021 Honda CRF300L is ready for the task. Honda calls the CRF300L the most well-balanced dual-sport motorcycle they have ever made and in this first ride we see how accurate that claim really is.

0:00 - Intro Bike Walkaround
5:17 - Open Road Test
19:36 - City Commuter Review
25:05 - Dirt Capability

[BRIDGECITYRIDER]

Being 5’5 seat height can be an issue but not on the 300l. Pull that front brake and after sitting on it the suspension really drops. You’re spot on with the review. I have put almost 4000km on mine and am very happy with it! Looking forward to what you guys have in store!

[marcochavane]

Having only had 2 WR250Rs, 2 WR450Fs, and a DRZ400, I am really enjoying my 300 Rally ABS. It's got enough grunt to get me around. A balanced gear box for on and off road.

Now that it's broken in the transmission shifts are velvety smooth compared to my old bikes. Almost effortless.

Got hit by a car yesterday so I ordered a fake FMF system from Thailand for $250 and will use a 550 tuner so it doesn't run lean. It's pretty warm on my right leg when it's a hot day outside.

Suspension is definitely next.

I have commuted 1, 100 miles since I got it new three weeks ago and really enjoy riding it rain or shine.

It's my first Honda and I'm impressed with the value it presents.

[peterlee]

Honda went to the used parts bin and give us the old headlight. Would love to see more LED replacement options.

[kknn]

you are right about Honda reusing parts in different bikes. In business it is called economy of scope. They make something for their top of line honda bikes. Then take some of that technology and simplify it to be used in their other bikes. So, they design the top of the line Honda and will use a similar design for their entire line of bikes. They will also utilize the same parts, or a simplified version of a part on their lower end bikes and things like that. That is how things are so cheap, yet quality for Japanese brands.

[ybaberat]

I have the 2021crf 300L..I love this bike I spent the summer riding it to see how it was and what if any mods where need.And after careful thought the bike needs front and rear suspension mods, exhaust,tires bars, skid plate, ECu, better headlight and a few smaller up grades.About 2000 bucks but after that is bike for me is set..Happy riding...

[hiltonmcconnell]

great Video loved it. The CRF 300 L Rally is more of an adventure bike, wind protection for road or highway and some protection for off road but it is heaver then the L The CRF 300 L is a duel sport to be set up the way each person wants to use it and in much more off road then the Rally. If you want more off road take the L model add a good skid plate AXP racing makes a great one for it, and some good hand guards to protect your hands and leavers. and go with some more off road tires like the Dunlop D 606 rear and a Pirelli MT.21front and the L will get you through almost any thing but at a duel sport pace not a dirt bike pace. The Rally has softer suspension and less ground clearance than the L model. It is set up for some one who wants to do more on road riding, and touring. The L is for some one who wants to make it more off road, add what you want. Some are complaining the L dose not have a skid plate or hand guards, but if it did most people who want to do more off road would be upgrading them to what they want, so It is better to leave them off so you can put on what you want. My KTM 390 came with skid plate and hand guards and I had them up graded to better ones before I picked it up and also went with a up grade in tire to Dunlop TrailMax Mission tires. a great 50/50 tire great on the road and very good off road. On my Honda CRF 300 L will be using it for 90% off road so am going with Dunlop D606 rear and Pirelli M.21 front to start off with, also with AXP racing skid plate, chain sprocket guard and there rear rack and will be putting better handle bars and hand guards on all before I pick it up . The only road the CRF 300 L will see is going to and from the trails. The Rally and the L are bough good off road but the L has stiffer suspension and more ground clearance. but the suspension is still on the light side, but for the riding I will be doing it should be just fine, as I will not be racing it, just enjoying some gnarly trails, at am old mans pace. ( 40 to 70 Km on the rough stuff and 20 to 40 on the gnarly stuff ) Thanks for the video I enjoyed watching it.

[johnccw]

Bought one in 2021, love it. I’m 65 now and having fun. Had a DR650 another fun bike but to top heavy. Ride Harleys on the street.

[danielmccaf]

The is no adventure version, but if you were referring to the Rally version, I think you have it backwards, friend. Why would the lower performance version be better off-road? The Rally version is the commuter version. The bare bike that you're testing is the off-road version.

[johnpagejr.]

I am waiting for a CRF300L to come in. Just about every review I have seen on this bike is saying the same things that it is a great bike and can be made better with a few upgrades. Mainly the suspension but even as is it is a great bike. For the majority of us that will buy this bike it is prefect just the way it is.

[finalbyrnn]

Got lucky. Found one in stock and put my down payment on it. Pick it up Friday.

[Squidbert]

Excellent review! I'm awaiting delivery of my 300L ABS that I put a deposit down on in June. Was supposed to ship late August but has since been delayed a few times. Already have a handful of AXP accessories waiting for it to arrive (skid plate, chain guard, rear rack). Looking forward to what TST brings to the table for this bike. Hoping an integrated tail light / turn signal and fender eliminator will be on the agenda as the ones TST already offers for other bikes look to be great products. Also I notice you offer a kickstand pad for the 250L. I've read complaints of steep lean angle on the 300L due to possibly a short length kickstand. Perhaps a pad could be manufactured with an increased thickness as well to help prop the bike up a little more upright when the stand is down. Just a thought!

[thedingo]

Def getting this for my first bike, thank you!

[johns]

I street ride mine exclusively just for something fun to ride, only have about 300 miles on it, but it has lived up to my expectations. At 60 years old I'm 6'2" ~ 175# and had to lower mine a touch to make it more comfortable, haven't noticed any odd behavior with the change in geometry.

[awsdawood]

Can't wait to see all the parts that you guys will make for the 300L I'm buying just waiting for you guys. No pressure 😊

[stevenjamet]

Thanks for a great video, watched the whole thing, very much enjoyed the way you went about this review. These bikes are also playing hard to get here in Australia, but hoping to get my rally before Christmas. Ride safe. Cheers

[saymyname]

I have one and I'm enjoying it. I use it on the road sometimes dirt roads. I like the clearance height, I'm OK with the spring and managed to move the cable over the dashboard, but the fuel tank should be bigger.

[frankfeng]

Thanks for this! I'm on the fence about the 300L rally. I have a deposit on one, they have it at the dealer now, I just have to pull the trigger, but that welded subframe and the power are my only two concerns

[jackchristodoulou]

I ordered mine in Melbourne Australia late April still waiting for it to come it

[misticwolfgaming]

What was your top speed on the road/highway?

[felipe-nt-d]

What, that's a cool bike! It could come to my country to compete against the Yamaha XTZ 250 Lander, even though the new Honda is a much more refined product and seems to be more capable off-road as well.