A Few thoughts on My CRF250L

I make some observations on the CRF250L after about 1100km riding.

[@backdorman23]

I've had my 250L since Mid-November 2012. I think they're great, especially for the beginner that doesnt have $7,000 USD to spend on something you're going to lay down in the dirt. I've had mine through some pretty rough terrain, with no issues other than I'm a little heavy for it ;-). Definitely worth the list price and then some.

[@kennedya777]

I went in today and got mine!!! The more I research it the better it looks!!! Thanks for replying! :)

[@9121646]

Hey I'm from Uk just through watching your pan vids. Best I have found on KZbin. You need to make more. The one in the carpark after a 3hr ride out made me want to get up and go on the bike at 11pm lol thankyou for taking the time. Paul, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

[@tomquinn7896]

I disagree with your 20/80 pronouncement. The CRF is equally adept on the street.

[@nickash5]

finally a reasonable perspective. not expecting a CR250 performance from a street legal bike.

[@OccasionallyEvil]

Hey thanks Paul. Sadly it's too cold here to ride right now. I do have the CRF250 licensed but not the Pan (ST1300). I think Feb 1 will be the day I put the insurance back on that one, since it is such a good cold weather bike. The snow is usually gone here in the valley where I live by that time.

[@brandonm.7785]

One downfall on the CRF250L is it doesnt have a reserve for the shock... Thats really important if you ride hardcore off road and jump with it, keeps the suspension fron overheating. Also, you can take it on the highway, you would just be wide open 6th gear! My dad has a WR250r, and it handles OK on highway

[@mixxtape13]

If you replace the header with an fmf megabomb and fmf q4 exhaust you can gain about 4-6 more hp and lose about 20 lbs. If you replace the stock battery you can shed an additional 5-6 pounds. With those mods you lose about 25lbs and gain 4-6hp. With the loss of weight and added power, it will feel like you lost 45-50lbs. You can also replace the stock brake line with stainless steel ones to gain some braking power. I'm 6 foot, 180lbs and these mods worked wonders on my performance and enjoyment

[@nicholstop8161]

Fwi the 2017 has a rev counter and it hits red line at 11k but I usually shift it at 8 or 9 if I’m going fast because that’s where it seems comfy and it cruises at around 4 or 5k and when I’m off the throttle just rolling down a hill it’s about 2500 without any engine braking. This thing doesn’t feel right engine braking so if I’m not in a situation off-road if ya know what I mean I’ll usually shift up.

[@memphis407]

best sport bikes . com has a stage 1 kit for the bike for like $800USD and it includes FMS exhaust FI programmer and a front sprocket reduction from a 14 tooth to 13 tooth and combined with the air box mod they say its like a 1000x better over stock on street and 500x better in the dirt. they say you can do a little over 90mph now and only reduce mpg by 10% so you still get between 60+mpg

[@carrysmith2008]

for all of you saying the bike gains so much power with a pipe,jet kit,air filter etc...after u spend $500 on a pipe,put the bike on a dyno machine with stock and then after maket pipe and see what you gain or loose,noise your gonna gain for sure,now power? ive seen so many loose 1 or 2 hp..

[@OccasionallyEvil]

I agree. I personally think it's insane to buy a "value" bike and then dump money into it and try to extract a few more ponies.

[@carrysmith2008]

if you want power,torque & speed just buy a big cc bike keep it stock and your set.

[@OccasionallyEvil]

Probably a good idea and it's on my list.

[@OccasionallyEvil]

I like your attitude!!

[@ponderingdesertrat6895]

@EMFinduction, that's funny because if suzuki would make the DRZ with FI, I would be in it like flies in shit. I wanted that bike, but I live in a valley next to a ten thousand foot mountain range with a paved road all the way to the top. Nuff said lol

[@mauipalmandtreecare]

FMF POWERCORE WAKES IT UP!!! i put a FMF on mine and bro its like going from driving with the ebrake on in your car to a high performance V6

[@OccasionallyEvil]

I only have basic insurance, the least required by law, which is about $30 per month. I paid cash for the bike so no other payments.

[@OccasionallyEvil]

Yeah, I am a little heavy for mine too, definitely not the bike's fault :( Due to cold weather/snow, I haven't been able to get on it for the last 4 weeks, sucks.

[@Jtwizzle]

I was thinking the same thing.. On an already heavy curb weight.

[@fade2k652]

Hey, nice bike, may i suggest you pick up a pair of full Hand Guards and remove your mirrors if your going to do a bit of off road riding, trust me its a pain in the ass riding home with a smashed Clutch / Brake lever, we all go down eventually and these are usually the first things to brake off =D

[@OccasionallyEvil]

My local dealer didn't have one. He took his truck to Vancouver (400km from here) and picked it up there. I don't know if it was in a crate there or not.

[@SolomonsMartialArts]

yes I know here to it s $2200 more than the 250 I have a 2011 klr650 just one bike I was thinking to get the 250 and sell the klr but now i think I ll keep the KLR and wait to see if a new 650 will come you re right but off road only the 250 is a lot of fun . i off road my klr and for a 650 it does quite a bit . I also like the honda 650 but it s old 93 and 13 is the same maybe a new crf650L or a kawa 300 2cyl like the new ninja 300?? I like the xt 660 but they don t have here in the USA

[@Wrguitar941]

is this guy to critical or is it me i ordered the 2014 comming in june cant wait i have every confidence it will do what i want to do this guy needs a smart car.......

[@carrysmith2008]

$5000 + $400taxes =$5400+ other dealer costs and for $6400..u can buy the honda xr650l that is a power house...the 250L is well made lil bike but i think $5grand,plus for a 250 dirtbike is insane..

[@OccasionallyEvil]

The Honda xr650L is $8000 here in Canada. This bike has all the power I need for dirt trails and FSR. If it was going to be my only bike I would go for the 650.

[@mtube620]

OccasionallyEvil american don't appreciate how cheap things are in the US.

[@OccasionallyEvil]

yes but the list price is $3000 more, where I live anyway. If was going to have just one bike I would not get the 250, just not enough power. If are just going to own one bike, definitely the 650.

[@CoolStoryBro603]

Fuel injection is a huge selling point on this bike. That is if I had 5k lying around haha

[@hope4surf]

Cool!

[@JiriLaszy]

interesting, thx

[@SolomonsMartialArts]

for what you use it for, you could have gotten the xr650L it s only 26lbs 12 kg more than the 250 ....

[@grimsdyke]

Thats so weird, Honda has all kinds of issues with the CBR250 engine..oil/coolant leaks,stalling issues and electrical issues. Seems like this one has none of those. Weird.

[@artisticvisions77]

I'm 5ft 10in tall. Will my feet touch the ground when I'm sitting on it?

[@rcrocks21990]

do you think its a good starter bike if your around 6 ft

[@OccasionallyEvil]

I am 6 ft and it's a good size. If you want to stand straight up and lock your knees the bars are a bit low, but you can get bar risers. Anyone over 6ft might feel that the bike is a bit small. It's a good starter "dirt" bike. Not enough power for the highway.

[@qj877]

OccasionallyEvil I'm only 5'6. Most bikes I have to tippy toe anyway. How do you think this bike would fit my size? As long as I get enough foot traction to roll the bike back I'm good lol

[@spencer9095]

DemocracyOfHypocrisy probaly wont fit you. If you want to see if it will they usualy have them at iron pony so you can test your height on it

[@baroc00]

yeah your monthly payment including insurance?

[@kennedya777]

Did you buy your bike off the show room floor or wait until it showed up in a crate? THANKS

[@enda0man]

I need help deciding, should I get a CRF250L or a CB300F I live in florida and most of the roads are streets, but I would like a bike that would allow me to go anywhere and maybe sometimes go off roading. but in the same time I like the overall of the CB300F when it comes to see and everyday usability. I plan of getting one of these 2 bikes as a beginner bike.

[@OccasionallyEvil]

Scott Chiste That's a common dilemma. But if you want to occasionally off-road there really is no choice. It would have to be the 250. If you can abandon or delay your wish to hit the dirt, obviously the 300 would be the far superior bike. Why not get the 300 then buy a cheap used, even cosmetically beat up street able dirt bike for times when you want to explore the woods? Very few bikes can do it all (well).

[@rushfanjames2112]

I would get the CBF 300 .... you can get a nice dirt bike for real cheap.

[@OccasionallyEvil]

You mean insurance or ??? Not sure what you mean.

[@Tro1086]

Is the FMF seriously 20lbs lighter than the factory exhaust? I find that kinda hard to believe, but would be awesome if its true.

[@MrNikejones]

beter than my honda cbf 125cc

[@OccasionallyEvil]

I think I am going to be hilarious for a while..thanks.

[@ib2586]

CRF looks best in your youtube video, probably because you werent using wide angle lens of action camera like everybody else

[@judenoda9412]

can you feel the heat of the exhuast? since its pretty high up.. how bout if i ride wih a passenger will they feel it?

[@OccasionallyEvil]

The exhaust is very well shielded. I doubt you or a passenger would feel any heat.

[@rushfanjames2112]

I'd say 50/50 dirt and street...

[@cbr125rcanada]

What's the range with that gas tank? Is it worth changing the tank out to get more distance?

[@OccasionallyEvil]

You should be able to go 180-200 km, depending on how you ride. For me that is enough for how I use the bike.

[@MotoXped]

Beat the crap out of it! It will take it and beg for more!

[@dylandualsport1462]

4. to 5 grand aint cheap

[@JakeTintti]

you can rev it until you hit rev limiter.

[@jackwhite8157]

Most of this guys that left comments for you are idiots & don't know what their talking about. First it sounds like you are not revving the motor out enough. I thought there was a tac on the bike but I've never have seen one. Honda did develop that motor & it's a spin off from the CBR250R like you said so it will rev very high so do worry you won't hurt the motor. And doing some mods to the motor like putting a exhaust on it with header will help & put a high flowing air filter on it. The rest will come to you once you learn to ride better in the dirt.Trust me I'm 54 been riding since I was 6yrs & raced my whole life.

[@FreddyTroche]

crf250l or klx 650?

[@GriffXJ]

How are the tires on road?

[@johndeerebuck]

how much would you say you weight, im gonna say im 200, is that pushing it? at 6'1

[@baroc00]

hey how much you pay monthly ? thnx

[@melonstyle5609]

How much does something like that cost?

[@OccasionallyEvil]

About $5000 + taxes

[@dylandualsport1462]

picked mine up for 3350 :)

[@Salty_reviews]

What year?

[@dylandualsport1462]

2013, I know 2014-2016 is when they jumped up in price

[@Salty_reviews]

+dylan duelsport Nagy Yeah they almost as expensive as the XR650L.

[@dylandualsport1462]

i was between the Honda crf250l and the suzuki Dr200s. the Suzuki was alittle cheaper around 3500-4300 brand new from the dealer, but my last bike was a Yamaha ttr230 and i knew i wanted just alittle more power. but the Suzuki also offered the fuel injection and street legale. When buying a bike, save for the one that has everything you want, because if u buy the first one you see just cuz your excited to ride, you will regret it later.

[@marlinmoore2670]

do ya think this will be a good bike for a 5'6" 12 yr old

[@OccasionallyEvil]

+goldenboy bm No.

[@markk2745]

+goldenboy bm I would stick to a 125 if you can, but if 250 probably try the xt250 as its 3inches shorter seat and 30lbs lighter.

[@dylandualsport1462]

yes! put your twelve year old on a 250!!!! a doy doy doy doy

[@marlinmoore2670]

Im 13 now so yeah and i was talking bout myself

[@HIDCOMMY]

that is totally two different thing ..... yes weight different is 12 kg, but ride performance and balance of the chassis, is totally different .... Btw the more u know abt bike, the smaller u go ...