Honda CRF300L | Is It The Perfect Small Bike?

[@Stno3582]

One advantage this bike has is that it is very comfortable on the disastrous UK roads, which pretty much essentially ARE off roads = the numerous pot holes and imperfections on the roads, it takes them easy and you don't feel them as you would on any road bike

[@simonbeer5259]

It’s exactly the reason I just sold my sv650 and bought one of these,now I don’t have to pic my line carefully around the pot holes I just ride the line I want as it’s so comfy and I can do a bit of off road exploring it’s the perfect bike for me here on the Gower Peninsula 😊😊

[@paulmorris3022]

i thought i was watching an episode of itchy boots instead it was itchy Vida lol brilliant vlog Richy

[@davewash50]

Can see you having a ‘little lad’ Rich. Great fun bike. Fabulous countryside. Thank you

[@stephenpotts8170]

Lovely part of the countryside you were riding on that little Honda, but I can see why Itchy Boots has just uprated her suspension I know she's only light but with all that luggage and terrain she rides it was bottoming out I bet. Enjoyed the video, thank you.

[@simon758ful]

Just got myself a 250L - absolutely love it. Some great tips in your video, thanks for sharing. Stunning countryside around you - look forward to more videos like this!

[@stevensmyth8359]

itchy richy brilliant more of these please love it

[@Permitmon]

Looks like beautiful country. I’m enjoying your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@jimjoelliejack]

Nice video Richy, my wifes parents used to live on the road up to the old Bakewell railway station, we used to ride our Yamaha ten around those tracks,it’s lovely countryside. Not as secluded as my backyard the North Yorkshire dales and moors.👍

[@MHSMokeEater]

Motorcycle’s Off-road’s channel has me sold, now I must find one.

[@edi8656]

Really fancy this as an all rounder explorer workhorse. Im 6 foot and 17 stone wont be doing any wild offroading or jumps so hope the rear suspension will manage

[@EpicMotorcycleAdventures]

Thanks for taking us on a leisurely bimble through the countryside. Those little CRF’s are brilliant bikes.

[@knackeredrovers]

Hi there. I took one out for a test ride the other week, but I only managed about an hour on it; I just didn't like it enough to want to keep riding it. I'm 5'9" tall, with a 32" inside leg, and I just found getting on and off it too much of an acrobatic palaver. Don't get me wrong, I have been riding bikes for 40 years, and have ridden my share of stuff across the whole spectrum, so I have the techniques down pat to deal with a tall bike, but I want something that feels smaller and more manageable than my current CBR500R, not taller and more awkward. Granted, with my weight in the saddle I could pretty much flat-foot it, but the amount the suspension rose as I dismounted made it more awkward getting off than getting on. I also found the naturally comfortable seating position for me to be more than half-way back along the seat, so that I was effectively sitting on the pillion part of the saddle. This left no room for my regular passenger (my son) unless I sat so far forward that I was uncomfortable. He also found the pillion footrests too high to be able to easily mount and dismount behind me unless he used the rider peg. I appreciate most people will never carry a passenger, but that alone would have been a deal-breaker for me. The engine surprised me with how much urge it had for such a small engine, 88mph on the clock flat out, and the bike was quite stable at that speed. 70 felt like a speed it could hold all day, but I doubt that I could have put up with the vibration through the bars for more than 1/2 hour or so. Personally, I thought the vibes were unacceptable, and again, they alone would have been a deal breaker. 1st is too low for the road, but I felt that 2nd was too high to be pulling away in, particularly uphill where i thought that it needed too much feathering of the clutch. The shift light flashing away in my eye-line would have driven me potty long term, particularly as it does it at anything over 70 ish in top. Another issue with the display, that my CBR does too, is that the speed indicator hunted between one number and the next. I can ride at a steady speed, definitely, but the speedo would sit there flashing 29-30-29-30... A minute increase in speed would set it to going 30-31-30-31... If there was one single thing I could change on the CBR it would be that... Don't get me wrong, I can see the attraction, but it's definitely not the bike for me. It felt too frantic and vibey for me to want to live with on the occasional longer ride I do, it wasn't suitable for any more than a very short/emergency pillion ride, it felt too tall and ungainly mounting and dismounting it and the notion that it would be a lighter and pleasanter country lanes hack than my CBR was totally overshadowed by those shortcomings. The front brake hose routed directly in my eyeline over the top of the instruments was another niggle that shouldn't need addressing. In short, sorry, but I didn't really like it at all, and I couldn't even see a way of easily making changes to suit my preferences, so it's a firm no from me. I am going to have a look at the Triumph 400s when they arrive, and I will maybe consider a go on the Honda CL500 (although I don't necessarily think that the CL will offer enough of a difference in riding dynamics to merit the change from my CBR). All the best, and sorry to be so negative about the bike.

[@alexandersmith8241]

I have the 250 Rally, the more you ride them the more you love them. That moment you had at the crossroads was exactly the same as my cottage and tree moment on the road down from Tongue to Lairg. Someone famous has passed along here and taken a pic 🤣

[@THEKARABOON]

Beautiful riding there and lovely commentary. I’ve ordered one today, went for Honda red colour. Absolutely cannot wait till I can ride it.

[@RichyVida]

Oh congrats! I’d love one 👍

[@simonbeer5259]

How are you getting on with it?had my new 300l a week now and loving it,better on the roads around here than my sv650😊

[@NBMoto547]

Lovely countryside, we're both blessed to have all that on our doorstep.

[@FenTour]

What a super lovely ride, the CRF300L is just lovely…..

[@ulrichsoll895]

Danke für die schöne Tour.

[@ianjames3218]

Wow, what a great little bike, thank you Richy. Glad you survived lol. I too love the countryside, temped? Oohh 100% yes now. Thanks for all your hard work too man. Cheers

[@hva19003006]

Nice little bike that is Richy, thank`s for sharing another great video of the English countryside! Sheers mate

[@davegreenwood9110]

That looks like a brilliant way to play on the tracks. You're lucky to have those byways on your doorstep. Jealous! Cheers matey.

[@jonathanmellish4439]

Thanks for posting this. Lovely scenery and it’s a pleasure to see your respect whilst riding. I am trading my current bike for a lighter one like this next year.

[@TEKKYTWO]

Did you finally get it?

[@andrewharrop7932]

Cracking 👍 Went through Chatsworth Friday evening lovely,I didn't know you go left through the village. Had a 2hour ride out loved it we definitely have lovely countryside on door step. 🏍👍🏍👍

[@cliftonsr]

The country there is absolutely beautiful!

[@RichyVida]

It sure is, Clifton

[@althescottishbiker]

That's a great tip about using your clutch as a back break when rolling back. I never considered that before. I assume your aware of Itchy Boots channel. She uses one of these bikes, it handles everything she throws at it!

[@ridingthephilippines]

What a great Vlog, just found it recently. Love your content and reviews. Watching from the Philippines

[@Themotograndpa]

Great little bike looks like hours of fun on that one richy

[@jackjones8552]

love mine, put a yss rear shock on and ktech front spring for around £420, makes it a much better ride off-road.

[@guymathew1520]

I have done the same set-up on my 300 Rally. Keeps the easy-going nature of the bike intact but much more capable now. Lovely countryside ride there RV - nice vid.

[@Baza765]

Top scenery mate, that Honda reminds me of a little terrier with a bone, growling away and having fun😂 Ride Safe Mr B 😎🤘

[@greengoblindave]

Well Richy. You know I’d mentioned I’d got rid of my africa twin for the rebel ? It’s doing okay. And I mentioned I was going to Mick Extance for an Experience day. Checking out my back and leg ??? Well I managed it just fine. And I loved it. So much since I’ve.been reviewing bikes between the Beta xTrainer, the Beta RR and the Honda crf300l. Bits of me say the Beta will be better for off road if I was to go on ground like at M,E. But not so good on the road between the trails. So. I’ve opted for the Honda crf. And well again watching you and your mate doing a really thourough review. And seeing other reviews… put a deposit on one 👍 can’t wait. September though 🙄 Just thought to let you know.. thanks Richy.. hope to ride again soon 👍👍

[@RichyVida]

Congrats mate! Great bike 👍

[@michaelinkster4977]

That clutch in/out thing could have got me out of trouble after I went up a steep hill into a dead end just after passing my test - I ended up skidding downhill using my front brake, out of control! It’s only now that I realise how I could have got out of that scenario, thanks!

[@The1977andi]

Just been a big ride around most of them roads today, not the off road bits though, great video on a bike I wouldn't normally be interested.

[@markfromleeds]

I absolutely love my crf250

[@doccops]

Super video, from a fellow trail rider (Hampshire/Wiltshire). Chin mount GoPro? I want to give my old DR350 a rest, not sure if the CRF is the bike but there is not really anything else. I have other bikes for speed thrills anyway.

[@cliff1551]

Hey Richie cool video , nice little machine ,they go well for a 300 cc ye

[@nigelcopestake3618]

Yes, Itch has had rally raid suspension fitted. So has Juan Brown on the Blancoliro channel 👍

[@beans4491]

Hi mate, funny enough i took my one out today. What a fun go anywhere machine eh. Kind regards.

[@RichyVida]

Hi mate! Yeah they are. Lovely little machine and literally can go anywhere ❤️

[@DaveDayve]

Great stuff, I've a 300crf wind the pre load all the way. Makes a big difference. Not as great as changing the shock. But still quite a difference

[@RichyVida]

That was the first thing I did 👍

[@derbyshireruralrider9398]

Got through the road down to Chatsworth (near road closure) but gave up on the Edensor this morning, bearing in mind the ADV350 can handle rough ground but is not a genuine off-reader. Only time I tried that was in 2003 which was before I took bike test

[@sueopie4667]

So glad you survived!!! You know what I am going to say about your "dark visor" 😂😂😂 We will see you soon my friend ❤️xxx

[@RichyVida]

Hahaha I will expect a telling off this weekend! X

[@sueopie4667]

@@RichyVida what else would you expect 😂😂😂❤️xxx

[@Andy_Bat]

Itchy Boots has just upgraded her CRF suspension after thousands of miles.

[@English-Motorcycle-Adventures]

Great video as always Rich 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻🏍👍🏻

[@collmath8550]

You really need to get yourself one of these

[@MrImarcus]

Great bike these, I went for the Rally to ease up use on my AT off road. If I'm careful and use V power I can get 128 mpg. Ps - nothing wrong with the suspension if you are mindful of what most buyers will use this bike for, its not a KTM, if you want motocross ability its a different price point. 😉

[@paulyflyer8154]

Very true. If you wanted hard core off road ability you'd look elsewhere, but how many people are REALLY capable of that anyway let's be honest?

[@KingBespokeCreations]

Glad you made it home! 😂

[@greengoblindave]

Hey Richy. Great video. Been toying with the idea for a while. Shall I shan’t I ? Lol. Like the looks of this bike. And yes would be a little easier than the AT.. Tempting. Tempting. Also fancy getting a Nissan Elgrand though 😂 Cool vid 👍

[@eduardoatillo5287]

Great place and cool rider 😎

[@PeakMotoHiker]

I have the crf250L with a full Ohlins suspension, it's better than my BMW XR suspension, Its all I ride around the Peak District now, plenty for the single track twistys and I can do lanes off road, plus cheap to run👍🏻 If you get one give me a shout, I'll show you some Buxton end stuff.

[@BatterseaBill]

Make the most of this green and pleasant land. The way things are going wouldn't be surprising if they built a housing estate there soon.

[@RichyVida]

That’s why I take the time to stop and just absorb as much as I can in perfect silence. ❤️

[@FenTour]

New springs correctly sized front and rear plus ktech rear shock, sorted… actually the most smiles bike I have £ for £.

[@2day_we_ride]

I think you are copying me Richy, first the AT and now the CRF. I've got the Rally and absolutely love it. I'm 100kg so it's been kteched front and rear and it's turned from great to awesome. Most importantly when riding ruts my feet no longer hit the ground which was a little disconcerting, Love the channel, keep up the good work.

[@milesgreen9705]

Upgrades are easy and well worth it/. Totally different bike....

[@Hemlck]

I’ve got one …standard rear suspension as stock is a joke. Budget an additional £350 for a YSS shock and spring and then it’s fine 👍

[@North_Of_Nowhere]

I was really expecting you to pull a "She's not going back in a week actually because she's mine!" 🤣

[@LordPodlington]

That's next weeks video.

[@cliftonsr]

Virginia? That is just next to the State where I live now here in Shelbyville, Kentucky USA

[@LickyDischarge]

While watching this I had the thought that you can hide a sticker and it be gone in a matter of hours. So if you ran out of fuel, someone would be there before the engine was cold 😂😂

[@RichyVida]

Hahah 👍👍

[@HippoDrones]

They are cracking bikes, as is the predecessor the CRF250L, but I really don't get why Honda didn't re-spring it for the western market. You have some nice lanes to play on your way Richy! 🙂

[@RichyVida]

Welcome anytime, mate 👍

[@HippoDrones]

@@RichyVida will have to venture your way, maybe drag Fish along once he has his CRF sorted! 🙂

[@RichyVida]

Sorted? What’s he done now? 😂🤦‍♂️

[@HippoDrones]

@@RichyVida just fork seals I think

[@djjamman]

If you want to do some Laning round the peaks look me up .. ps I know you were going to head to that petrol station. Might have been caught out there myself before 🤣

[@daveballam8704]

Your have extend your garage for next bike 😁

[@jNierenburger]

What is that for a „cable“ over the Display? Constructed by an Amateur? Is it possible to change the cable Position?

[@RichyVida]

I would think so, yes. Bit weird being up there, eh!

[@optimizeRu]

looking for a starter bike to learn riding on, this seems like a reasonable choice albeit a little bit expensive for a first bike. I mean, i'ts harder to find a cheap USED because they're only 2-3 years in production. Would you consider a Versys 300 or Benelli TRK251 to give some fine capability off-road as well? whjle allowing better speed n power interstate?

[@irishadventuresuk]

Itchy Boots has proved this bikes worth....seems unbreakable....

[@twowheelstouring482]

Didn't her first one break in two before the 300????

[@simonbrackett1340]

Hope this is the route for the wildbad weekender ride lol rich?

[@paulmcneill2666]

You where just like Itchy Boots , for a minute 🤣

[@lifeontwowheels1206]

little fun bike

[@derbyshireruralrider9398]

I didn’t realise there was a road through Edensor either

[@RichyVida]

All these years of passing it!

[@rivencsky]

What is that giant cable over the dash?

[@RichyVida]

Clutch cable if I remember correctly

[@jackchristodoulou197]

Light is right

[@RichyVida]

Agreed

[@paulbelcher2621]

Sweet

[@bren106]

*Itchy Vida* And where are your yellow night glasses?

[@RichyVida]

Haha in my tank bag on the VFR haha

[@1tommymulligan]

I think Noralee of "Itchy Boots" KZbin channel who's travelling from South America to Alaska has the same bike.

[@maskedavenger2578]

Itchy boots has the rally version with the windscreen & the larger fuel tank . She has also just upgraded the rear shock & had the front forks tweaked to cope with tougher terrain .

[@boblynch7535]

Do you follow Itchy Boots? She gets on well with her 300. She makes us all feel humble.

[@RichyVida]

Of course 👍

[@remon8951]

Take a look to “itchy boots” she goes around the world on a 300.

[@RichyVida]

Of course 👍

[@Trevor_J_Neville]

£16 of fuel to refill the tank, that must have been a while ago Rich lol 😂

[@donnym2103]

No it's only 7.9 l tank

[@Hemlck]

They do 100 mpg also👍

[@p1lts1]

8th! Let myself down there. 😂

[@bensmith8422]

Out of interest, have you had any trouble from walkers/locals even whilst riding in a respectful way on totally legal lanes?

[@RichyVida]

No, not yet. Actually quite the opposite. Being steady, quiet and respectful seems to really keep everyone happy

[@ulrichsoll895]

Sorry, i speak not gud english. You understand , a 1 old german man. I work in switzerland and i drive mi 300l ,6 months, 6300 km. I feel the same. Ich fühl das selbe. German and english is the same. Gud Way. Guten Weg.

[@outoftheshed8407]

JFK's sister is buried at Edensor.

[@RichyVida]

What?!

[@outoftheshed8407]

@@RichyVida check it out.

[@pakvlogwithnusrat8727]

BIG like Good video full watching Full support New KZbinrs my sports👈 Stay connected