Honda 2013 CRF250m real use review Part2 and vlog blog,

[@MemoriesOfStuff]

I've just spent 4 days riding one of these around Northern Thailand including a 300km round trip from Chiang Mai to Pai over one of the worlds finest roads for a bike like this (over 1500 curves (762 each way)) and lots of up and down hills. I ride an old Virago 535 in Malaysia and after that this thing felt slow (because it is) but absolutely a hoot to ride, you can pretty much ride it flat out all the way through the gears and tear around corners. up hill and down dale. When I came back home and got on my Virago I realised what a heavy, piece of outdated technology it is and I would happily change it for the Honda, In fact if I came into some spare cash I was gonna buy a Kawasaki Vulcan S (650) - But now I think I would buy one of these. Sure, I ain't gonna have any fun on motorways but I would certainly enjoy doing the same journey down all the side roads and carving up the traffic on one of these is a doddle. Biking for me is about fun not pure top speed. Idiots are dying around here daily because they ride way beyond their abilities, on one of these you can ride the ass off it and the fun factor is off the scale. As for cruising on it, I know of at least one guy who is 2 or 3 years into a round the world trip on one!

[@nickclarke2403]

Cracking video thanks. I have ridden big heavy fast bikes for thirty years and now I am looking for something slim light and fun for a change. I have looked at all sorts of supermotos and not been able to make my mind up, but seeing your ride has shown me that this little bike is probably just what I need - I don't want to go over 70 so often these days, but I do want to keep my place on the road and enjoy the curves at lower speeds. Honda has always been my favourite manufacturer and I'm glad I can get something from their stable that won't break the bank. Keep them coming...

[@SurfPilot]

Hi my friend thanks for the great comment mate, I do appreciate it. My feelings are the same as yours regards Honda, and this little bike is brilliant fly's through the gears beyond 70mph and 8000 mile service intervals keeps it a cheap little runner, loads of fun without the weight and out right acceleration , although it is capable on the twisties, get down your local dealer and get one on a test :)

[@tethealey2955]

I did the same as you, went from a kawasaki ZZR600 to the crf250m, and I'm loving every second, no longer am I worried about losing my licence every time I use the bike. I'm still trying to get my head around why I love it so much, on paper it seems underpowered but get it out there in the real world on typical crap british roads and its a treat, thanks for the review.

[@SurfPilot]

Hi mate thanks for the comment and taking the time to view the vid, i'm glad its not just me that finds it a good usable bike and like you say on paper you wouldn't think so. I am in the habbit of keep taking it off road now too when i see an interesting track. enjoying my biking once again and who would have thought this bike was the one to do so.

[@wiseoldsage592]

Only 175 miles in but I'm hooked. Took the Beemer out in the week and then spent 3 hours cleaning it compared to 5 minutes pressure wash and chammy for the CRF. I love the Beemer but I want to just ride without worrying about all that chrome. Wish I'd downsized years ago.

[@SurfPilot]

Hi mate great call, yeah I too love just blasting it down with the karcher, spay of WD40 and all is good

[@robertoc2485]

thanks for the great vid mate - I've just bought one of these (last bike I had was in 1980!) and I love riding it like you do. It's great to be riding again after all these years and your vid inspired me to get one - I was thinking about getting one but you swung it for me. Cheers Alan

[@SurfPilot]

+alan cardwell Hey Alan, brilliant news my friend I'm so glad this video helped you take the leap back to 2 wheeled fun, I still love mine even though I have a bigger bike too. thanks for taking the time to view and post a comment. Ride Safe my Friend.

[@wiseoldsage592]

Thanks to your reviews I'm picking up a 250m this weekend. It'll fit snug in my garage next to my r1200c and will probably see more miles too.

[@SurfPilot]

I'm glad they have helped, the reason i did a real time video review incuding 0-60 was to throw a real comparison regards a bigger bikes, i get mine out all the time even last sunday when it was 1 degree and white all over, once you get your head around the power (compared to bigger bikes) its just a bundle of fun. Thanks very much for the views and comment, I appreciate it my friend.

[@danielcritchley1244]

What an honest review, Yorkshire men are funny.... I've sat on one of these today and I must say it felt good... I've been looking at full blown supermoto crf450r day time mot road legal... But a lot of people have said it will spend more time in bits in my garage than riding it... Looking to get one in March on a 14 plate in black....

[@SurfPilot]

Thanks mate for the great comment, I think a review as to be honest to give a real feel something in real use. The CRF450r would be a real animal I had a Yam wr450f and it was bonkers, what you have been told has a lot of truth to it service cost and intervals on the crosser versions are steep and frequent. Honda do a crf250x road legal and that has more power, but it's not cheap motorcycling I think they come in at about 7k. The crf250m is just plain fun, very light will do 70mph so quick enough to get into trouble, but steady enough to have loads of fun on hanging off and looning around on. the black with gold wheels is great choice. ride safe matey

[@eddydiesel8693]

Yorkshire, cold and wet on a small bike. Not the most glamorous video on KZbin, but . . .you made me laugh out loud with your honest, no b*llshit thoughts. I ride a Honda scooter to work (no waves) and a Street Triple at the weekends (lots of 'cool' nods from other bikers). You talk a lot of sense and are so right about egos and superbike riders. Thank you for a proper, real world view. I wish there were more like you on KZbin.

[@eddydiesel8693]

***** You're very welcome my friend. I'm not considering the CRF250M quite as much now because Honda have put the price up by £200! I like the new Yamaha MT07 which has received very good reviews and it's £5,199. Same price as the (35 year old) Yamaha SR400 which they're still selling. Some very strange pricing policies . . .

[@thefrontseat1282]

I've done touring on CRF twice, in Vietnam and Sri Lanka. Awesome bikes for real touring (not highways and crap like this). It will take you anywhere you want. Love my ninja, but this bike is tons of fun.

[@romford44]

Hi Surf Pilot. I bought my CRF250M (at 11 months old & 1300 miles) just over 3 months ago and it's a cracking machine. Insurance sub-£100, Tax £37, services every 8k miles (though I'll do intermediate oil changes to keep it sweet). Agree with everything you say in your review. Previous bikes were 600cc middleweights but I rode them far too fast and never found them that comfortable. Looking at this bike from purely a performance point of view will never entice anyone who's into bigger bikes to buy one, but performance is only one aspect of a bike. This thing is fun in so many other respects. I looked at them when they first came out and wrote the idea of buying one off as I thought I needed the power of at least a DRZ400. When mine came up used at the right price (whilst DRZs prices had increased to silly money) I took a punt on it and haven't regretted it one bit. You're right about many 'bigger bikers' ignoring you when you go to a bike like this, but I think they're just jealous because compared to their expensive to run 600-1000cc machines, this thing is just a weapon in the city and leaves them for dust. They have the advantage on the motorways and A-roads, but on the B-roads and city streets it's a case of 'See ya' :)

[@SurfPilot]

Hi my friend what a brilliant write up, you should strap a camera on and do a review i'm thinking of putting a bigger sprocket on the rear to liven it up a bit. thanks for the view and brilliant comment.

[@MotoMaxuk]

Great vids. Have just ordered my 'M' and can't wait to get on it. Maybe bump into one day as I'm around Skipton/Keighley area.

[@SurfPilot]

Hey cheers man for the view and great comment, I don't see many M's about so you never know good choice mate.

[@MotoMaxuk]

***** Cheers, sub'd too.

[@shaneweightman]

I went from big powerful sports bikes, and did a similar thing but got a Suzuki drz 400 , and thought it was brill till some boy racers overtook me, in shit little cars on a bypass ,,,, got rid the next day and got a Zx10r,, looking back one of those smaller ones for winter or commuting would be ok ,,as a second bike cheers Shane uk 🇬🇧

[@tomhughes9653]

I like it .and the yammy wr, plus they handle great on a nice day ...bollox to the power ranger brigade...

[@TheUltimateRaccoon]

Brilliant video! Made me crave getting my first bike! I have myself a Subaru Legacy which is AWD and very safe in the winter months etc. The car is fast, good and safe and warm etc but I only get about 30mpg and the insurance is high. The plan is to have both a car and a bike, the bike being the one with the high mpg and cheap insurance, by using a bike as well it reduce my annual mileage on my car insurance and I should save a nice amount, if the weather is good then I'll take the bike to work. If the weather is bad and road conditions are bad then I'll take the car. I go to work with 1 backpack (Lunch & Laptop) so a bike having no storage isn't an issue. I haven't got a bike license yet and I turn 21 in a few months. Would you say this is the ideal first time bike? (Rarely on roads with a speed limit of 60mph+) I know the L version is allowed under UK law as a first bike if you're above 19 and passed the exams etc. Is the Honda CRF250M classed as a A2 bike? Any advice from anyone would be appreciated :)

[@SurfPilot]

Hi Mate firstly thanks for the veiw and comment mate i do appreciate it. Yes mate the cfr250M falls under the same categroy as the L version but is far nicer for on road use, and goes for what seems forever on a tank of fuel, even with a bit of offroad fun too. it easily sees 70mph and I have sustained that for quite a while on ride outs, I do think it would be a great first bike, it is very easy to ride, rugged enough for abuse ;) and smoother tyres and gearing for road use. I hope you get sorted mate, and enjoy the rides.

[@Segasocks]

I don't even have a bike yet i enjoy your videos!!! :)

[@SurfPilot]

Thanks again mate for the great comment :)

[@hammerhead682]

Thanks again Surf Pilot,great vid.

[@SurfPilot]

Hey man thank you for stopping by and the great comment.

[@AvidEnduro]

can you explain more about the differences between the CRF250L and the CRF250m besides the tires of course? I dont think they offer the m version in the states, at least I havent seen it. Does the m version cost more? thanks

[@SurfPilot]

Hi Mate and thank you for stoping by. I read somewhere the states where going to get it soon because of how big motards are over there. The 2014 Honda CRF250M sits 20mm lower because of revised front and rear suspension along with heavier weight springs compared to the 250L, for more stable road use. as you know it also has 17inch wheels fitted with wider road tyres, it also has a far more bigger and stronger front brake at 296mm floating, the CRF250M has a free revving single-cylinder engine giving crisp, instant response because of revised gearing, (smaller sprocket on the rear) and better on road set up, albeit it is capable for off road laughs too, it cost around £100 more so nothing really.

[@Welloom]

If you upload we enjoy it if you don't, well we don't. (= Anyway nice vid. I've been looking for various CRF250 models to see what they like..

[@SurfPilot]

Thanks for the comment my friend, the CRF250L and 250m are under powered comaperd to the CRF250r and 250x but these 2 variants are more track and MX orientated and unfortunately more money too :(

[@dashooting6595]

Oh god you well cracked me up watching that Ha Ha, I'm now looking at one of these for a small commute at a low cost. I've been used to high power sports bikes but now its just for a bit of fun riding to work. What you think pal?

[@SurfPilot]

Hi mate thanks very much for the great comment, it really is a fun bike and hitting 70 it can get you into trouble :) it's a bundle of fun you kind of just ring it's neck all over the place and have a laugh, it would make a great commuter bike too.

[@homersimpson2963]

Hi ☺ Great video! I'm looking to swap my CB1000R for one of these. I completely agree with what you said in part 1, about how you don't really enjoy the ride anymore and just go fast everywhere. It's great fun, but highly likely to end with a jail sentence, I fear. Given that it's 2020 now, I was just wondering if you've had any problems with the bike? Is there any rust? Service intervals / maintenance? Thanks!

[@TheSnow1981]

I’m thinking of getting one of these my last bike was a BMW S1000R so I’m a little worried about the power delivery I’ve been riding years so know it’s going to be much slower. How is it day to day overtaking etc. I will use it for commuting about 25miles on Norfolk country roads

[@romarider]

Hi, I'm just about to test ride the CRF250L as I'm looking for something to have a bit of fun on as my GSR750 is rather limited to tarmac. However, I've read the 250M has harder springs, so would you suggest the M with a spare set of off-road wheels and a power mod would be a good shout? Cheers for the review!

[@SurfPilot]

Hey Jerome thanks for watching my friend and the comment, you read my mind, the m model with a set of L wheels would be the perfect bike set up, and one I'm looking for mine, I would also increase the rear sprocket to maybe 44teethbfom the standard 39. I will loose a bit of op end but will give it more low end grunt and wheelie fun.

[@dfdfdchadwiasddasdasasdck5396]

Keep up the vids mate

[@SurfPilot]

+Aron Jay Chadwick Hey Aron sorry for the long delay, thanks ever so much for the view and great comment, I really do appreciate it :)

[@doyle201206]

Looking at one of these for a 17 mile commute to work that includes a 10 mile dual carriageway. What do you reckon from owning one as I see you were doing 60-65 on an A road.

[@SurfPilot]

+doyle201206 Hi my friend, I'm really sorry for the delay and I guess you are sorted by now. It will do dual carriageways with ease as it will see 80mph, but I not sure I would enjoy 10 miles day in day out on mine and I would look for something a little bigger if that is an option. but that just me personally as the bike will do it.

[@ir0n2541]

Can I tour Europe on one of these ? Mixture of motorway and back roads ? Thanks

[@SurfPilot]

fish and banana Hi there, I don't think I could but I'm a little spoilt with bigger cc touring bikes, but there are people who have done seriously big adventures on the CRF250L and they are basically the same bike, to be fair this is actually far better on the roads, it will definitely do motorway speeds.

[@tarmacturtle]

I like thee videos thar knowz pal, thar awrate in my book :)

[@SurfPilot]

Hey up mi old mucker, you are fluent in the old Yorkshire I see :-) Thanks for the view and comment my friend

[@tarmacturtle]

Indeed I am lad Looking toward to more vids from you. Love the bike :)

[@Jamie-iy9es]

Subbed :) about to do my a2 and trying to decide if I should get this bike or a ninja 300, currently have a 125 supermoto so will probe go for this bike, do you know the top speed of it? Thanks

[@SurfPilot]

Hi Jamie, thans for the sub and the comment mate very much appreciated., the Ninja 300 and this crf are 2 different bikes completely as you will know go with what your heart tells you. Good luck on your A2 also my friend. I have not took it to its limit yet, but I have seen 74mph on the digitial display and it pulls nice all the way to it, its how it can handle off road and twistys were this bike is loads of fun. outright speed I would have thought the sport bike designs would win hands down. ride safe buddy

[@pmf2910]

Did you get some off road wheels for the 250m? I've just bought one and canna wait to get out on it

[@SurfPilot]

Hi mate thanks for the comment, no I never did in the end, struggled to find any on ebay :-/

[@simonsmith4767]

Brilliant funny review Surf Pilot! a quick question have you tried crf250L on the road?

[@SurfPilot]

Hi Simon thanks for stopping by. yeah I have tried the 250L but being painfully honest due to the bigger wheels enduro tyres and softer suspension it was not too good on the road, good enough to skip down some roads to find the next green lane I guess, the nobbly tyres and damp greasy tarmack are not a good combination, thats why I went for the 250m as it is really a road set up enduro, or super moto as they say.

[@bckyrd]

I do think about purchasing one, would be my first bike...but Im worried about the 250cc hasnt enough power to get me through daily needs (home-work-home, replace car during bike season)...seems to make sense to invest a little bit more for a 390 Duke, cbr500r,...testing will be the key in the end however...whats your opinion?

[@SurfPilot]

If you look at my part one video it gives you a real world 0-60 to give you a feel for how the bikes moves. It is difficult for me to talk about the power as I've come down from BMW S1000rr, 1200GS and CBR's and far more to be honest. So the power when I compare it to what I usually ride is indeed low. But it is a capable bike but more than that it has enough power to be real good fun. Thanks for the comment too my friend.

[@stumftim]

Not a lot of 250m reviews out there! I have an L version and am thinking about a convert to super moto. Pleas do you know, what is the gearing on this bike? is it the same as the L (thats 13/40). Because a 17" tire will change that quite a bit.

[@SurfPilot]

Hey Tim so sorry for the long delay, I only went and had an heart attack, just back on my feet now, I guess you will have found the answer or got bored waiting for me, sorry.

[@stumftim]

***** HEY OH MAN, hope ur ok! Get better, no problems about delay m8.

[@leeiverson145]

Good video, I have a fazer 1000 and I need something smaller and upright due to neck problems, Is the riding position comfortable in general?

[@SurfPilot]

Hi Lee so sorry or the long delay, I had a bloody heart attack straight out of the blue seriously and just getting my life back to normal. The bike is really upright and you can move about with ease, I guess you will have sorted something by now.

[@leeiverson145]

No way mate that's not good how are you now? Ye I bought one and I really get on well with it despite coming from a 1000, I've had more fun with this than any bike.strange I know.

[@SurfPilot]

lee iverson yeah seriously man, I surf kayak and ride motorbikes, never had any probs, but while in Newquay I had an heart attack and spent 3 weeks in hospital 2 down in Truro and then a week in leeds having surgery, scary times, but i'm well on my way to recovery, probably fitter than I was to be fair. I'm glad you made the change and are happy with it as it is a lot of different kind of bike, but as you say they are a bundle of fun.

[@leeiverson145]

Christ mate treliske hospital I live about 15 mins from truro mate. That place is shocking so it's probably a good job you didn't have surgery there mate, probably would have come out with one arm. Least you been sorted now and are on the mend 👍. Best of luck hope you get recover quickly.

[@Turbostu99]

Have You still got it ? Or is it sold :)

[@Wynn3rGaming]

Hey I have watched a few of your videos due to me looking at a bike to travel to uni on. Im struggling to decide on a bike that would take me there and back pretty much 4-5 days a week the distance would be around 50-60 miles a day the road averages from 40-60mph would this be suitable or would you recommend anything else? If i go for this bike I am going to sit my full licence would you recommend a 125 or something larger like this?

[@SurfPilot]

I'm so sorry for the delay I guess your sorted by now, but I would definitely recommend a 250 over a 125, this 250m is more than capable of sustained 60mph, and you can take it own a green lane or two.

[@Wynn3rGaming]

Ended up buying a WR125 but looking at an XT660 next

[@Welloom]

...On a semi related note, have you considered a Husqvarna TE250 for 50-50 usage?

[@SurfPilot]

Hi there, yeah I looked at all sorts of 250's but the Huski and even KTM's had expensive running cost and service intervals in comparison to the little Honda, As this may turn out to be be my second fun bike price was a huge factor. I think I'm right in thinking the Honda's service intervals are at 8k after first usual 600 mile one. thanks for the comment

[@Welloom]

***** I've been looking for an extremely versatile road legal bike for myself for everyday and fun use but I'm kind of coming to the conclusion that there isn't one. One that's low cost in fuel, fun and nimble on off-road but fast and able on the tarmac. Adventure bikes in general are very attractive but I wouldn't really call a Ténéré very nimble... Do you know of any compact, light bikes that are also capable on the road?

[@SurfPilot]

I guess this is the million dollar question, wheel and tyre sizes alone conflict to make a capable on off road bike, I had the gs1200 it was amazing on the road but the cost alone detered me from taking it off road without thinking about the weight. you need good nobbly tyres to be capable off road, but then they just work well on the road espeically on wet greasy roads, ktm do some nice lite enduros but I just can't see them being great on road. i agree with your conclusion completely my friend.

[@nikolaidisv]

How many klm with full tank?

[@SurfPilot]

I fill it up and then forget about it, easily above 70mpg in the uk. Stats say 96mpg or 36kilometers per litre.

[@hillbillydualsport]

your road squiggly lines kill me

[@kwhitmill7617]

Get yourself a 4 stroke scooter 50cc on a test ride and try not to get stressed about how slow it is, its impossible ;)