CRF300 Stock V Modified

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Hello My fellow youtuber, I Just did the full video review of the Honda CRF300 Rally and I featured you in the video! Keep up the great work man.

[@dangareau]

I just watched the gearing video you did. I think you recommended a 49 tooth rear on the Rally. Shonky Productions recommended a 41 tooth rear. I was looking at a 51 tooth rear today because I have a 120/100-18 Kenda Trakmaster 2 on the rear. Just wanted to get your opinion, the bike is stock except for tires. The Kenda did correct the stock 4 mph higher than actual speedo though.

[@dudeindawoods914]

This is the video I needed. As someone who is only concerned about bottom/middle range it's nice to know stage one is good enough

[@ShonkyProductions]

Yes, Stage 1 is what I recommend to everyone. It's only if your always in the upper RPM's that the cams and Stage 1.5 are a benefit.

[@ALpit1969]

This is the most informative comparison test that I have seen . Great work !!

[@ShonkyProductions]

Thanks Al. I was very fortunate to have many generous people along to let me sample their bikes.

[@MightyMooseMovies]

Hi Sean, Honda should pay you and use this as a promotional video. Great information, it has reaffirmed my decision for buying the Rally and type of mods I am doing. Cheers Maurice.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Thanks Maurice, could you please forward that on to Honda 🤣

[@suzyamerica4679]

How long is Honda quoting you for a lead time? Just curious. I'm debating whether to sell my soul. Again. 😅😓

[@MightyMooseMovies]

@@suzyamerica4679 Hi Suzy, I'm not sure whether you are are asking me or Sean this Question, but I will answer for me I waited 3 moths for mine, lots of people have waited 6 months or longer. Cheers.

[@johnmurray777]

Well done on the high quality video Sean. Fantastic riding your rally bike on the day. You didn’t see my grin on my face. My bike, going to leave it stock and do the suspension.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Thanks for coming along John, I really appreciate you letting me ride your bike and do the comparison. I was pleasantly surprised with how well the stock bike goes. With the suspension setup, you will enjoy it even more. See you on our next ride. 👍

[@joediesel8267]

Great video comparison. Make me feel like I have made the right decision in buying the L over the Rally

[@ShonkyProductions]

Thanks Joe, I really liked the 300L and think you could make a great adventure bike out of one with a few mods.

[@pitmoogle4405]

Really enjoyed your video bro, Truly enjoyed your breakdown and opinions on the CRF300L. Keep up the good work!

[@ShonkyProductions]

Thanks mate, I hope to get the same group together and do a big day ride to assess the different setups in an adventure ride setting.

[@CHP26]

Wahnsinn was man aus dem Bike machen kann 💪

[@jethrowingnut13]

Nice Comparison Sean, Shows how capable stock bike really is. Prob suspension first, but like you say buy it and ride it before doing anything, it may just surprise some people. Of to the Honda dealer to put my name down. 😁

[@ShonkyProductions]

That's great news. I hope you get a bike soon. Maybe ring around because I think there are some on dealers floors at the moment,

[@seekadv8066]

Great comparisons mate. More than the comparisons themselves it's great to see all the little 300s out in the bush and everyone having a go. That's what it's all about in the end :D I'm riding the L and absolutely love it. Larger tank to come once they hit Aussie distributors.. Running stage 1.5 with motox v1 exhaust. Undecided if I want to put an ARX rally tower on it yet & no suspensions upgrades at the moment as I have no clue about suspension and there's so many options out there..

[@ShonkyProductions]

That's it, just get out there and enjoy it. Upgrade the suspension only if it is giving you issues.

[@seekadv8066]

@@ShonkyProductions It definitely needs doing! Getting a bit wild while sending it out around Glasshouse Mountains here in QLD. Like riding a bucking bull sometimes! There's just so many options ranging from more budget to the whole hog and I'm not quite sure on what I need is the issue.

[@vozspoz2020]

Great review Sean, thanks for the detailed reviews, cheers.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Thanks for watching.

[@kevinbrown9509]

Great comparisons Sean very informative.

[@bassfishingwiththeantichri2921]

I just got an L and it looks great! But I must say, the Rally looks fantastic! Batman probably has one all tricked out.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Congratulations on your 300L. Both bikes are great!

[@daletroy3348]

Good stuff mate , as you point out the stock bike is a really nice bike , I’m a lot heavier than you and John at around 115 kg in gear so suspension needed doing but honestly other than the uni filter set up I think I’ll leave the motor stock and enjoy my Rally 👍👍👍

[@ShonkyProductions]

Yes, I don't blame you. I goes really well stock.

[@bushybill7189]

Hi Dale, I'm a bigger bloke too and used to bigger powered bikes (450/500/650). I fear the 300 would be underpowered for me. Do you have experience on these bigger bikes? If so how do they compare?

[@daletroy3348]

@@bushybill7189 mate I’ve got a WR 450 F that I’ve decided to sell because I find I’m taking the 300Rally most times I got riding , I used to race A grade MX and cross country and still like to ride hard and fast and while the Honda is not powerful I can get along at a real good pace , it’s fun to ride a slow bike fast and everyone underestimates you 😂 , mate I find it easy to live with and so comfortable to be on all day or multi day rides , plus I’m short and like that I can touch nearly flat footed with my lowering link on .

[@kordapyo612]

How do you compare this with wr250f in its stock format? I'm doing trail and hopefully some technical but I'm only 5'4".

[@ShonkyProductions]

@@kordapyo612 The WR250f is a far better bike for more technical off road and single track. But if you are going to do more general trail riding and longer rides, the 300L is the pick.

[@TWTourist]

Nice video. Definitely gave me some food for thought. I just got a rally.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Glad to have helped. These bikes are great in any form, even stock as long as you take it easy.

[@mollygrubber]

I used to be all about modding bikes, but with my 300L I think I'll just leave the engine alone. Maybe a pipe lol. I think it's fine for 95% of what I will ever do, and having the stock low end grunt is much more important for me than an extra bit up top. For rallying, yes that's different altogether, but this bike (despite the name) was never intended to do that. I've sorted the ergonomics and luggage, some simple suspension mods and some new tires will be the end of it I think. Great little bike.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Smart man, just ride it and enjoy it 👍

[@SuperLaplander]

Good one, thanks Shonky!

[@bzrider29]

My rally is modified slightly different, 550 stage 1 full exhaust with a cbr intake pipe at the throttle body. I find it retained the bottom end and slightly increased the top. It really smoothed out the revs . This allows me to ride long distance to my perfered trails . I use a seat concepts low to counter the increased height due to the suspension and tires

[@ShonkyProductions]

Yes, I was thinking after riding all the bikes that, your combination may be the best of all.

[@slakk5093]

This will be my mods when my rally arrives

[@lilynorthover8378]

Thanks bzrider29 you answered my question. I too need to travel quite a way on roads to get to the rough riding. And I prefer a lower seat 😊

[@bzrider29]

@Shonky Productions I have the cam . I have decided to leave the crf cam. After riding with more enduro race bikes . I keep up just fine on the rally and better on the road . No trailer needed.

[@daletroy3348]

After having the suspension changed it sat up higher in the stroke which made it to tall for me so I put a 45 mm lowering link on and its now much better

[@michaelanderson3771]

Great comparison Video Sean. For a bloke of my mass 115 KG in my birthday Suit +plus gear I am guessing stock suspension is just not going to cut it. But for the lighter guys Stock may be fine. The ECU and pipe I think would be a nice to have but tires , suspension and bark busters a must I reckon for me. Did anyone just do a rear pipe and leave the stock ECU Even if you keep the stock ECU - I think the CBR300 front snorkel to throttle body to open up the air flow and the Unifilter Air cleaner mods and the 550 performance frog skin air box cover all well worth it. More air in and better air flow out the stock ECU should still adjust fuelling OK, TBD.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Hi Michael, yes you will need upgraded suspension for sure. I'd be interested in seeing how those intake mods perform.

[@RadioSnivins]

3:26 There's more gizmos on that duder's dash than it takes to record a Pink Floyd album

[@jaimemetcher388]

Thanks Shonky, great comparison. Something I haven't heard discussed is whether the huge sag with the stock suspension noticeably alters the steering geometry. To look at, the head angle changes so much when someone sits on the bike it almost looks comical. Is this noticeable when riding?

[@ShonkyProductions]

Interesting question... I didn't notice it but I did noticed the difference between the stock tyres and good knobby tyres.

[@JonathanBijos]

These bikes are so much fun to ride! It's the perfect balance of power, nimbleness and comfort. You can make it stand out in any of these while choosing between the L and the Rally. Yamaha doesn't even have a worthy competitor given the price range. Great comparison video!

[@2wheels.are.better.than4]

I have a Rally. Love it except for the tower. I would prefer the Rally with the standard L headlight assembly. I agree the stock power is sufficient. I’m considering swapping out my exhaust but more for weight savings. Thinking about black widow or akrapovic.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Now that Acerbic has a tank for the L, you could sell the rally and get the L. It would probably work out easier than trying to put the L headlight on the Rally.

[@2wheels.are.better.than4]

@@ShonkyProductions Yes, but I’ve invested too much in my Rally. $1500 for race tech suspension designed specifically for me. However, I do like the look of the aftermarket tower. I wonder if it’s lighter than stock 🤔

[@Niki_Parvanov]

Awesome vid!

[@cliff1551]

Power bomb exhaust headers mate that'll equal the power through the range mate 👍👍

[@ShonkyProductions]

Yes, I would like to test different exhausts to see which work the best.

[@samtheman1287]

I have a 300 Rally with a stage 1 tune + exhaust and it's still lacking power at the top end in 6th gear to cruise at highway speeds... 110-120kph. The Rally could really use some extra ponies to keep up with traffic... I belive that The Stage 1 on the Basic 300L is good enough/better for doing trails more than roads.

[@ShonkyProductions]

That is exactly where the Stage 1.5 works best. It has power all the way through the top end and makes the freeway much nicer. You could always try gearing it down a little so you have more power in 6th.

[@samtheman1287]

@@ShonkyProductions I'm going to do the intake mod next season. If it's not enough, ill go for the 1.5 for more power :D

[@dudeindawoods914]

Without some extra air that tune and exhaust aren't doing much for your top end. Try the intake port and high flow filter I bet you will see a massive change

[@samtheman1287]

@@dudeindawoods914 Planning to do just that next summer... can't wait!!!

[@tonyrdr7207]

Great video Sean was waiting for this one also very interested if in the future you do a long trip with another 300 or rally to compare fuel efficiency and overall performance.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Great idea Tony, we'll have to arrange that for next year.

[@airadaimagery692]

Luv my Rally! I might add a stage 1 ECU down the road, that gives me something to look forward to... Also, I was told that the Rally Raid Level 1 suspension retains the stock seat height?

[@ShonkyProductions]

Yes, I believe that's true about the RR L1 suspension.

[@onthepegs]

Awesome comparison, thx!

[@ShonkyProductions]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@johnbacic9971]

Will the stage one upgrade still work with the standard exhaust. I have short legs so fitted my Rally with a Kouba Link (-45mm) plus a Seat Concepts low seat (-20mm) and also slided the forks up 20mm (The most you can do as they hit the underside of the handlebars), at 100kph i find the bike a bit less stable than before the Mods. Is this because i have slightly changed the rake of the forks.

[@slakk5093]

Yeah, by changing the rear link and forks you’ve changed the geometry and because of that the handling and stability change. I had a drz with a lowering link and it felt so much better with stock linkage

[@scottrat3537]

hey #ShonkyProductions, is the crf300 just a crf250 with a big bore kit in it as the cf300 is only 280cc ???

[@ShonkyProductions]

Yes, Honda just increased the capacity to 286cc. There are other changes to the gearbox, frame and fuel tank.

[@billcotton1551]

Great review Sean! Were the stock tires on the other bikes IRCs ,I found that everything off road improved when I replaced them.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Yes, I think they were IRCs. I did like the ease of power sliding out of corners on loose surfaces with them... Made the bike feel more powerful 😂

[@franktowles4413]

Is the 22lbs weight increase including the weight of the added fuel in the rally . What is dry weights

[@ShonkyProductions]

Good question...I'll have to check.

[@binguskhan1]

Nice vid. I was hoping to see a couple of side by side runs to compare.

[@ShonkyProductions]

We couldn't find a suitable road for that, maybe on the next trail ride.

[@hydroboy35th]

CBR cams for the power on top, then gear it down to something like 13/42-46 to get your bottom end back.

[@ShonkyProductions]

You don't actually lose too much bottom end with the CBR cams. But yes, gearing it down slightly, would give it a better bottom end boost.

[@hydroboy35th]

@@ShonkyProductions thanks for posting the video it was very informative.

[@patrolmaverick]

That was great. That's the video I wanted to see 6 months ago lol. If I didn't already have a Rally on order, I'd possibly consider the 300L now. What was the little fuel tank on the back of that 300L? It looks like a good idea. Also, where were you riding? Is that the Watagans?

[@ShonkyProductions]

Hi Mate, I have a fuel tank designed for the 235L on the rear of mine, I had to custom make all the brackets. Camel ADV make one for the 300 now. And, we were at Ourimbah. Are you local?

[@patrolmaverick]

@@ShonkyProductions No, I'm on the mid-north coast. I've done a lot of four wheel driving around the Watagans over the years, and the area in that video looks very similar.

[@Johnsmithabcde]

Great video, subscribed

[@ShonkyProductions]

Thank you

[@drd3816]

Shonky, love your work, i have a 250 Rally and will be buying a 300Rally in a few months for a variety of reasons but i wanted to know if that windscreen visor you put on top your Rally windscreen requires drilling to install it? Just considering buying it now and using it until i get my 300 Rally but don't want to bugger the windscreen on the 250 rally then try to sell it. I find adding farkles on bikes i never get my money back out of it so i want to put all the mods onto a new bike. Really appreciate all your doing, you ate helping me get a grip on what i should focus on for upgrades without going over board.I will be getting the 550 performance ECU with stock exhaust to start them camperize the bike for touring in SE Asia.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Hi Dr D, the screen just attaches via it's own bracket. that bracket does use small grub screws, but they don't go through your stock screen. You will be able to swap it over to the 300 Rally easily.

[@drd3816]

@@ShonkyProductions Thanks Shonky for that info i found that same visor locally online here for 20 bucks I will pick one up. I used a smaller version of this same style adjustable visor from Piug on my DR650 where i copied a guy who mounted the thing to his number plate and angled it down hard....the 8" wide by 2" deep little visor pushed a lot of wind away from me it was impressive and didn't make a lot of turbulence and of course you barely could see the thing. Keep up the good work I am an old geezer nearly 60 and the Rally is ideal for me, true swiss army knife of bikes.

[@TylerMcCool]

My findings were a little different with my Stage 1 550 ECU + Yoshimura RS4 Full exhaust compared to Stock.. These power tests really need to be done on a dyno in my opinion and I have yet to see someone compare the different stages of 300L on the same dyno at the same altitude.. As for me, I feel quite clearly my bike pulls more revs, through and past 9500 RPM, where it was not doing this clean and consistent pull stock. It would taper off in power over 8500RPM stock. I am able to pull more RPM and more top speed on highway (from below 80 to 85-90) for sure. Lastly a note, I did a hard break in on my bike with an oil change at 90 miles after a lot of varied revs / engine braking.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Interesting, are you still running the stock gearing?

[@TylerMcCool]

@@ShonkyProductions I am.

[@wernerxldata]

How the bike feels in real life is more important than dyno figures. You can't create the perfect map on the dyno, the dyno is just a tool to create a good baseline map, after that testing and modifying is the way to go.

[@AceCarleton]

was the stage one bike just a slip on muffler or was it the full yoshi kit with Header and muffler?

[@ShonkyProductions]

I think it was the full system.

[@brendenvosper7772]

The comparison was interesting and goo job for making the effort and getting the variants there. One aspect I would add to your thinking is suitability for heavier riders. One of your test riders is best described as a fly-weight and he would get away with stock suspension. A 100kg rider will not and it will wallow and bang. Then consider the use as an ADX bike with some load, they will struggle. Overall I'm disappointed in them. The finish and quality is nothing like the quality of Honda past. Then there's the weight of them. The feel little but they are not. Oh well, not for me but understand it suits the lighter guys (and girls) and beginners well.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Yes, heavier riders will need suspension upgrades straight away. They are a lower priced bike aimed at a world wide market, so I understand some cost cutting. For the price, I think they are a great product and a great base for building your own lightweight adventure bike. I know a few guys around 100kg that have these bikes and are enjoying them. I had my bike loaded up and weighing 200kg, without rider weight, when I crossed the Simpson Desert. It would have been close to 280-290kg all up with me and my riding gear and backpack and it did it fine.

[@drd3816]

I weigh 100kg did 25,000km mostly on road but in Asia with very rough roads and some trails with soft luggage light ADV bike and it was perfect except for extended highway time. Maybe best try it before you slag it off. Been riding since the 70's myself but perhaps not a world class rider like every KTM rider is haha

[@brendenvosper7772]

@@drd3816 what makes you think I have not tried them? Their shirt falls are well known. You’re experience and miles suggest you are a slow rider. Good for you doing you. We all have our preferences and for me the CRF is a fail being under powered and well under suspended.

[@drd3816]

Fair enough then you should not be looking at anything under 10k in price then you would know that if you area fast rider haha---dual sports are confusing to people because they see the 'shirt falls' like you say...the idea is they are not the best at anything but can do multiple things ok--hence "dual" sport--enjoy your Beta or Husky or whatever and good luck putting km's on them on the highway---i am sure you will passing me by haha being an expert and all@@brendenvosper7772

[@itsallabouttheridekeepingi4449]

Does the 300 cams increase the fuel usage mate I just brought a rally

[@ShonkyProductions]

No, not that I have noticed. My average fuel consumption hasn't changed. You might find that you are riding it a bit harder and revving it out more to use the new power. If you ride like that everywhere, it might burn more fuel.

[@steveh100]

Great side by side review, the point you made about upgrading the suspension was something I should have thought more about, with the stock I was flat footing but the bike was nearly pulling itself off the stand with just 15kg of luggage on it, the upgrade, although I'm used to it now, has very little give unless it's fully loaded and I have a job to swing my leg over but with me and luggage on its perfect. Had I been a bit wiser I might have shortened the suspension.

[@ShonkyProductions]

Don't worry, it sounds perfect for you and luggage.

[@s7ok3d54]

Where abouts is this ? Looks familiar but i cant quite pick it !

[@ShonkyProductions]

Ourimbah

[@Johnsmithabcde]

Does ecu tune void warranty or insurance?

[@ShonkyProductions]

That's an interesting question, and one I don't have the answer to. I am confident that with the 550 Performance ECU's there is no risk to your engine, based on how many people are using them without issue. Also, I'm not sure if or how the insurance company or dealer would know about the ECU. Not unless the dealer was doing some sort of re-call or reflash on it.

[@Johnsmithabcde]

Do you think it would be more cost effective to buy everything needed for stage 2 at once and then take it to all get installed, Rather than try stage 1 and then want more power? I know im someone that always wants more and can see myself wasting cash by doing both

[@ShonkyProductions]

@@Johnsmithabcde I have not tried stage 2, so I can not say how much more you get. I have heard that you may need head mods and higher compression to get the most out of it.

[@xpllmmff]

But based on the review of another KZbin motorcycle reviewer kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKOvk3avfLFpqZY shows how (comically) soft the stock suspension is and how the bike bottoms so quickly. If keep suspension in stock form, one really need to be in the lighter end of weight spectrum and need to take extra care not to ride fast on rough terrain

[@cliff1551]

More power than stock buy a 450 cc 👍

[@giuliobuccini208]

Unfortunately, there is almost nothing on tha adv market available with 450cc... KTM cancelled the 490. At the moment there is only the chinese Kove 450 Rally offering something interesting at very good price.

[@desertdweller129]

this bike costs upwards of 12 thousand dollars from where I am from .

[@leeinwis]

hi

[@ShonkyProductions]

Hello

[@Solo_adv]

So I own a Honda XR650L you can see in the picture. It's heavily modified, w/CRF 450X forks. it's fast!... light & comfortable on the road. Let's just say if it wasn't modified I woulda own it. I would own a Yamaha tenere 700 or a KTM

[@ShonkyProductions]

Your XR looks great.