2023 Honda CRF300L | The PERFECT Beginner Off-road Motorcycle

[@marcelhorisberger9256]

I wish I had one 55 years ago. But I do now at 70 I’m enjoying it.👍

[@gwilliamwallace]

Fifty years ago I had a Honda MT-250 Elsinore that I purchased new for $600 my junior year in high school. This brings back some great memories thanks.

[@CaptainCandycorn]

Today I bought a 2020 KTM SMC-R, its an absolute riot. Your 690 videos definitely helped me make the decision to get the bike. Coming from long line of dual sports and street bikes, I think I finally found one that can do all of what I want.

[@DB-sd3cw]

Absolutely garbage engine that'll need a rebuild after every other ride.

[@alfshether5219]

I have the KLX 300 dual sport with snorkel, exhaust, fuel controller ,and more modifications giving me increased hp and torque. It's a great little adventure bike, a bit buzzy at 110 kms plus but off pavement an anywhere bike that is just plain fun. Suspension that's adjustable and off road capable is probably what makes it a few hundred more pricey. great that Honda and Kawasaki have these great price point bikes.

[@bcab7955]

I rode one last year for a week in Vietnam, solid little machine.

[@DaveDayve]

I've got one, it complements my Africa twin perfectly for tackling rougher terrain so so easily and effortlessly ☺ great vid 💪🏆

[@davidmallia628]

For most, the best use of a crf300 is for it to compliment a bigger, or different genre bike.

[@shaggyrogers7847]

Same here…love my ATAS, but the 300l is great for gnarlier terrain…and it’s a helluva lot easier to pick up when you drop it.

[@gonzalograncanario]

Exactly same too. Really love my Africa Twin but too heavy to lift in many cases. Now i'm happy x2. Great video!

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Jack of all trades, master of none. That’s what most say about this bike. Lower your expectations and you will love it.

[@MM-ig1iv]

I hear some folks say they like the suspension? and people over 200 pounds. I'm 5/11 190 40 years old. and will be faily a beginner because I haven't been on a bike since my teens. but this seems to be a winner... with the price and available optional upgrades. Honda's will also last a lifetime! looks well worth it.

[@smallbearonabike5106]

Careful if you do more off-road. The tyres are not up to it. I changed mine after 400 miles to Michelin trackers makes a big difference

[@EricTostes]

Nice!! Here we used to say that "more big, less trail". This is a good bike to complement the bigtrail on garage, indeed

[@bobz1736]

I absolutely love my 2012 CRF250L... currently got 17" wheels and sticky tyres on. A little weapon on the twisties 😅

[@bentblade1]

Got the Rally version, that is LED all round. What you didn’t mention was the amazing mpg! I have been riding legally for 53 years and owned many bikes including track day tools but the Rally is certainly in the top three

[@DanTube2010]

Has a bigger tank as well.

[@captainamerica9353]

Bent Blade , "amazing mpg" , well, a CB500X gets the same and it's a 500 Twin.

[@paulg8524]

​@@captainamerica9353not relevant at all as a comparison 🙄

[@iamtherealzombie]

@@captainamerica9353 how far does it go with knobbly tires?

[@captainamerica9353]

@@paulg8524 , why not?

[@yorkshireladrides]

Great little bike to get you out down the lanes. Had mine 12monrhs. Upgraded shock and forks (Rallyraid) cheap easy to maintain. Love it.

[@alanshearing7515]

Fun factor bike , if it’s as much fun as the 250XL I had in Cypress I get it . For a first bike with options to improve later , will make a great partner. Off road ,on road fun. Great video Chops .

[@MontgomeryPisswhistle]

Now I'm interested! I was thinking of getting a scooter for use locally, visiting family etc as lugging 1.5 tonnes of car with me has really started to seem daft. With one of these, I could use it for some fun, too and playing around in the dirt is something I've missed since my moto-x bike was stolen some years ago. Great vid and thanks for putting this idea into my head, Chops! ❤

[@hyperdimensionalcenturion4628]

Spiffing mate XD

[@randallwhite9015]

Old men love this bike, and women will as well. Calm safe fun to ride and gives you time to enjoy whatever is around you. Honda hit it out of the park. Love my LS I can touch the ground on both sides.

[@Davidlouis3]

Watch Pat O’Neil on his CRF you’ll see a proper rider

[@jonathanmellish4439]

An appealing lightweight bike. Everyone mentions the rear shock. There is supposed to be preload adjustment but it’s obviously not easy to do. I don’t know what Honda were thinking.

[@Davidlouis3]

It’s a brilliant bike, and there loads of proper riders hammering it on these as stock, people complain but they have got the proper skills so they blame the bike

[@Davidlouis3]

Watch Pat O’Neil on his crf300l and you’ll see what the bike can do with an experience rider, no excuses about it’s a starter bike

[@Dan-56]

We do get a couple more options in the US including the Kawasaki KLX300 and the DR-Z400 😉.

[@davidhudson8960]

Rally Raid shock and a Ktech front spring and we're away!! 👍👍

[@davexs]

Great bike, very popular now in Thailand. Bullet proof, no ABS here and only £3,500 inc. insurance!!! I'm only 70kg and found the suspension very soft. Himalayan maybe the only competitor!!!

[@LambChopRides]

Wow that's incredible! 👍

[@PrimoStracciatella]

The KLX300 is very similar.

[@wA9No]

I'm thankful Honda keeps the dual sport class running. Also the fact that you can still get a brand new DRZ and others in the US makes me happy and sad at the same time :)) I enjoyed the video, thank you

[@deanodrives4966]

I've got a 2018 250l and my friend has a new 300l. Having ridden them side by side I would say they both have the same flaws..... the standard suspension and tyres. We've both upgraded ours and it's made the world of difference so would definitely recommend. People also want to know if it's worth spending the extra money for the 300 and I would say as long as you get a face-lift 250l (17 onwards) then you don't really notice the extra power or weight loss. I've noticed a few people having a few niggles with the 300l regarding the extra emissions crap but the old 250l are renowned for reliability.

[@blacksmithsligo]

Love watching your videos and seeing a bit of Hampshire. My great great grandad's forge was in that neck of the woods. Just behind the Hampshire Hog.

[@dangodesignuk]

The wee Honda would tick a lot of boxes for people just wanting to have a bit of offroad fun without the constant services.

[@LambChopRides]

Yes exactly 👍

[@lrolo8974]

That display screen would be perfect for the SMCR

[@NHEFF09]

Thank god your videos have got better keep improving your knowledge 👍

[@moorepower13]

All thr influencers in the states gushed over this bike a year ago. Now they are spending 1 to 2 k on the suspension, boring out the motor and spending twice as much it just to turn it into a DRZ400.

[@Doorgunner50]

Considering the Drz400 doesn't have a reasonable seat height, fuel injection or ABS, it seems a bit like comparing apples to oranges. The Drz may be great for what it was but not quite the same category in my opinion as a recent buyer. I'm 6'1" and could barely tip toe the drz. Have decades of carb tuning and am just done with it. I'll give fuel injection and flat footing at stoplights and parking lots a shot. Maybe Suziki and Yamaha could join the twenty first century?

[@Seveneleven44]

I bought one, I love it. I’m not a buffoon who will spend $10,000 on a CRF450 when you could buy an Africa twin for a little more, or a tenere. The money I didn’t spend on a 450, will go toward making my bike uniquely mine.

[@andyfairchild2383]

Nice one Chops! That’s got to be the most fun you can have with £6000 and 27 bhp.

[@LambChopRides]

Yes that for sure! 👍

[@davidmallia628]

A very good bike, but one most grow tired of, and want to progress to something more exciting. Happened with the crf250. Lots on the second hand market.

[@MrAndrew1953]

Now this looks like fun! Perfectly okay for the average punter.

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers Chopsy, a nice real world intro to the bike. I'm looking at one to go alongside an Africa Twin and something I can get into green landing over the winter on.

[@1990-t1j]

Just watched this again. In Thailand, this is only 3,300 GBP. Went to look at one today. I've got to get one. It'll be a good bike to support my SCR950 and 390 Duke. More comfortable than the Duke, I'd imagine. The CRF is actually 286cc, not 283cc. Every little bit counts. The 300 is a fair bit lighter than I thought it was. 142 kg sounds light to me. 20 kg lighter than my 390. The 300L has an LED headlight in Australia and Asia. I don't like the look of the Rally.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Great fun - miss my little CRF, can't believe this is your first foray on the bike! ...I might add I found the suspension fine (FB!) - For me the best upgrade (and I did lots) by far was putting decent knobblies on, transformed the bike....great vid as ever mate!

[@LambChopRides]

Thanks Andy 👍

[@derekjohnchaloner6951]

I used to have Yamaha xt350 from 1985, and I still regret selling it, from what you said I think I'll buy a second-hand or third hand xt350

[@willhoult]

Great vid looking forward to the v strom vid

[@Raymaciver]

Good fun ain’t it Chopsie? Mine serves its purpose by keeping the other bikes in hibernation over the winter months! 👌

[@docmarten8382]

Had two CRF 250L’s then got a 690 SMC R, basically, the Honda’s were reliable….the KTM wasn’t…. But it’s like comparing a show pony to a wild mustang…. The CRF is just a Swiss Army knife, does most things OK…..

[@cjjorge6636]

i have a 2021 Yamaha xtz 125 cc and i love it grate bike got it new now have over 8000 miles on it i am 5 10 210 pounds and i can hit 65 mph on road 45 50 mph off road just came back from a 110 mile trip lol but i have and Honda to

[@Digidi4]

I have nothing against Honda but as a Suzuki fan I wish Suzuki would make a bike like this

[@1100andFortyEight]

They do, DRZ 400S but it’s not available in the U.K. 🇬🇧

[@Doorgunner50]

​@@1100andFortyEightnot quite the same. Drz400 had about a 2" higher seat. Carburetor and no ABS option. For riders over 6'3" with the desire to tune cards it's probably an unbeatable option though.

[@SpaceMulva]

Same motor since 2011 in the cbr250. the 300 is just the 250 with more headspace, taking it to 287. dead fucking reliable, iron lined cylinder. I have flipped a few hundred cbr250s and 300s, and a couple of these dual sports.

[@HippoDrones]

The Beta Alp 200 is still available new in the UK as a viable dualsport, shame the Alp 4.0 was dropped though. But with just 200cc, it struggles a bit on the tarmac... but does come with decent trail suspension and tyres. It is a real shame there aren't more like this CRF, but with maybe a 400cc/450cc engine.... It is a shame thar the CRF 450L was a bit of a flop. The selling point of this bike for me is the service intervals, but if only trail riding, a full on enduro bike isn't too impractical, and if you need to spend £150 on tyres and £500 - £1k on suspension mods, you are now at around £7k and the Beta 390RR is only just over £1k more. I'd not want to ride up to the ABR Festival on my Beta 390 though, but would happily do so on a CRF 300 Rally 🙂

[@ragerider6283]

Nice vid Chops. Makes you wonder why you would need anything more for offloading. It's just daft taking a 240+kg bike off road imo & the industry seems to have forgotten this as bikes get heavier, more expensive & complicated. Less is quite clearly more off road.

[@LambChopRides]

Yes that's very true! 👍

[@Mr450pro]

You are definitely right! Huge adventure bikes and 90% of the riders of those big bikes are afraid to take them off-road, because they can’t handle the weight and size of the bike, plus the price if it goes down. Only reason I don’t own one, is because it costs 8250 pounds here in Denmark 😢

[@stephenpotts8170]

Enjoyed the review, it made me smile the rear end was on the buffers most of the time, I think it was to soft even for Noraly, I think she up-rated the suspension when she got to the States, and then had to have a bit more work done a bit later on. But it is still good value even with those pitfalls . Thank you.

[@bazza8947]

The Australian model gets LED headlight and indicators so must be a regulation thing. Long wait times on this and the Rally version though. WR250R was the closest thing but they stopped making them last year

[@twistandgo3414]

lovely little video as always! i had the CRF250L and was really good, but found it a bit down on power, had a small tank range and the seat was rock hard! 😂. the tyres really aren’t great in mud either. You did maybe overlook the G310GS though (that i changed my crf for) and also the KTM 390 Adventure but that’s 6k! touch more power with 34bhp with these but i’d prob say the crf is better off road out the crate but the 310 is better for getting there. Then there’s the Rally Raid suspension upgrades etc you can get for it. Worth a look i’d say, but arguably, not as reliable as the crf or with 8k service intervals.

[@ChristopherD-M]

Great vid mate! I rode my Sinnis Terrain, and my NC750X along that track up near Old Winchester Hill... but I haven't been brave enough to take the GSA up there! So it is true, most of us don't take big adventure bikes off-road!

[@ozzie7523]

The Kawasaki KLR 300R is the closest competitor to the Honda CRF 300L Not sure if the Kawasaki is available in the UK though.

[@LambChopRides]

No it's not unfortunately 😕

[@Motorcycle_Mike]

Nicely done buddy. Fun little (big) bike. I had the previous 250L version. Reliable and bulletproof.

[@LambChopRides]

Thanks Mike! Yeah I love the little thing 😁

[@Bk_MxLife]

Cracking video chops I owned the crf300 rally for a few months 👌 brilliant bikes for a do it all kind of bike. I sold the rally tho as decided I love the off-road riding too much and brought a motocross bike 🤣

[@verncampbell1690]

It made you laugh, that's a win win. Ohhhhh cheeky trailer at the end, interesting. 👊

[@shaunperry2024]

Never mind all that, Chops. What's the suspension like?? 😆 Great video and as always fun to watch.

[@wattie1050]

Nice one chopsy , great fun out on the small light bikes like the crf could hear it in your voice you loved it 😁😁 I'm out more on my older xr 400 than the road bikes nowadays so much fun light and a good laugh .jeezo your wee clip at end ruined my vision of Greece 😀😀 you sure they never took you up here mate 😁😁👍

[@LambChopRides]

Haha yeah Greece vid coming very soon. It was bloody freezing! 🤣👍

[@1100andFortyEight]

Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha all make similar bikes (dual sport, road legal, long service intervals) and similarly priced too, but sadly they’re unavailable in the UK 🇬🇧

[@LambChopRides]

Yup real shame!

[@bag-of-bones485]

I have a 2022 with 18,000 miles that says it all

[@1100andFortyEight]

For some reason, the CRF300L that’s sold in the Far East comes with an LED headlight and 21st Century indicators as opposed to the U.K. model 🤔

[@stephenspiteri_zunkus]

I have the older CRF250SM version. The same but with a smaller bore. I use it to commute in the city, to work and for the odd green lane. It is so good and underrated. I wish they bring out an SM version as well as this dual purpose one. Would be great to upgrade the bike ti a larger engine. I think lol

[@PrimoStracciatella]

I put 30K km on the CRF250M within three years. Bought it new in Thailand when it came out. It has 17" wheels, a bigger front disc, gearing for better top speed and - stiffer suspension! Really loved that bike, it turned me into a hooligan on the streets. Great to explore the countryside going 40 to 80 km/h. Now I live on an island, don't need big power and a CRF300M would be perfect. But it's going to be the L since there is no M.

[@stephenspiteri_zunkus]

@@PrimoStracciatella I’m hoping that Honda will bring out an M version of the 300, hopefully using the air box off the CB300 versions which give out even more power. I’d swap that for my bike.

[@PrimoStracciatella]

@@stephenspiteri_zunkus Not gonna happen, unfortunately. It would take sales away from the L. Compared to the street bikes and scooters the CRF isn't selling well.

[@junderwoituk]

Nice one Chop's.. 👍 But what's with that cable looping over the dash, that would really get on your nerves after a while....?

[@LambChopRides]

Didn't notice it Jeff... think the 360 camera might have made it look worse 😆

[@bobz1736]

£3500 here in Thailand with LEDs all round 🇹🇭 😉

[@soilsmanadv6673]

It would have been fun to get Mr Fish on his older 250 CRF and Hippodrones on the Beta290 for you and them to give all impressions.

[@phantomrider22]

I used to dirt bike in the 80s as a kid, but now days if you get caught on most properties ( in my area about any property ) you'll get arrested and fined... it's just not worth it.

[@MikeS-cv8xs]

Excellent review .

[@Kurlach]

So.. upgrade suspension, more foam in seat, bar risers, possibly upgrade lights, but otherwise great value for money 🤪

[@TheQQRYQ80]

Hi there so your is 2023 model called CRF300L right? If I'm correct the new 2023 CRF300LS model has a lower seat and suspension for shorter riders and comes in swift grey colour. Do you know if they do new 2023 crf300l in grey in previous seat height 880mm?? Thanks for reply

[@PrimoStracciatella]

Yes, the 300L and the 300LS are available in grey, but hard to get. I haven't seen them in a showroom but my dealer can order one.

[@DavidDacaro]

Best beginner motorcycle...I guess...ish...because I won't put my family members who are beginners on it, I'd rather put them on my ktm 500 (the later, detuned ones) because I'm afraid they will get hurt by the poor off road handling of the Honda. I have both, so I ride the honda to compensate with my experience to ensure no one gets hurt while we're out having fun. Of course, with the ktm 500, I have to emphasize throttle control and how to not whiskey throttle due to it's grunt, but it's a waaaaay safer bike from the standpoint of safety for a beginner. It's also twice the price, so not a great starting bike. Maybe the smallest ktm 4 stroke is the perfect beginner bike (for full size adults) istead, but the 300L by honda is kludgey and handles poorly in the dirt, unless you riding gravel roads, then it the honda would be perfect for beginners.

[@oldgrowler]

I know it's been awhile since you posted this video but have you checked out the fantic xef250 trail? It doesn't have the huge service intervals but better than full on enduro with 1700 mile intervals. Just wondered what your thoughts would be, I've tested both recently just to get into green lanes etc and I'm sitting on the fence as Honda much softer easier to live with but limiting any harder trails if i got enough confidence in time. Hopefully you'll get a test ride to give your thoughts.

[@motorcyclemadness6006]

Hagon does a very reasonable price shock tell them your weight bingo a revelation…great build quality…

[@pyrodoll2422]

Love it, I need a bigger garage 😁

[@РомаПоляк-в5ц]

You are lucky with weather for test)

[@CarpioTheOnlyOne]

Check out Itchyboots she did North America to Alaska on one!

[@browneyejoe143]

Your honda crf 300l 2023 version is a little bit different than the one here in South East Asia, our 2023 version of crf 300l is using a much slimmer LED headlight and slimmer LED turning (signal) light. The only thing that missing here is the ABS system.

[@PrimoStracciatella]

I'd take ABS over LED lights any day! :)

[@Advcrazy]

Nice review lambchops! How have you got the 360 cam mounted down low off to the right hand side? It looked great! I have the camera but struggling to mount it like you’ve done. Hope you should heals up soon

[@LambChopRides]

Just on the big clamp with an extention bar. It's part of the insta360 bike mount kit 👍

[@Advcrazy]

@@LambChopRides thanks! I’ll do some more experimenting then!

[@MatNewtonTrio]

I’d have one. Just as a second/third bike for some green laning and having some fun over winter. The suspension is pretty weak as you said. Rally raid kit and it’d be 👌 and still good value. For my diabolical off road skills it’d probably be enough power.. 😂 We’d all love a nice Husky or a KTM enduro weapon but like you said, 15hrs is potentially servicing every month and it’s a proper commitment.. It’s just an easy bike to live with and it looks decent. Not surprised it’s a good seller. That was a nice little teaser.. 🇬🇷 looking forward to the next video. Any more used bike reviews in the pipeline?

[@LambChopRides]

Thanks Mat, no trying sort something with a dealer so I get access to used stuff but no luck so fat 😫

[@MatNewtonTrio]

@@LambChopRides 🤞

[@waynemorris8388]

I had the 250 model and loved it, not fast but lots of fun But it was stolen I was gutted 😭

[@Modelo408]

I’m still waiting for a good dual sport that is actually legal (not exc) that has a tank in the front and decent power.

[@soilsmanadv6673]

Kawasaki KLX300 is the main competitor.

[@alrightdave6135]

Not in the UK

[@_Archambaud]

Womble has got your big boy pants .he keeps all his power tools in them.and the chargers

[@LambChopRides]

Haha 😆 👍

[@michaelhayward7572]

Is the fi 250 KLX not available in the uk? That is direct competition.

[@LambChopRides]

Nope unfortunately not 😫

[@backontwowheels9469]

I had the CRF250 Rally when i first got back on two wheels I took it out to where I was working in Holland, 6 hours in that saddle - oooooh I thought i had been to Michael Barrymore’s party! They are a good bike though, in fact so good someone decided to steal it. I then got a Tiger rally pro, which has been taken into Europe and Scandinavia with me, as comfortable as you could want for long journeys but i would not risk taking down a green lane - not because of its capability just my ability, tall bike little legs lol. It is going in part ex on a speedmaster, so I am hoping to either get another CRF or maybe a GasGas to start green laning. I have been looking for some sort of utility vest to mount GoPro camera, what is that system you wear?

[@backontwowheels9469]

@HALBIN1984 I am referring to the utility vest that chopsy wears, not how he is mounting his GoPro. 😂

[@ianmalleau3398]

This looks like a nice compromise between on and off road for sure that won't break the bank! I grew up on dirt bikes and hadn't been on one before 2020 for a number of years raising my kids. I was going to buy an enduro but as our off road terrain tends to be challenging here north of Sudbury, Ontario, I decided on a full on Yamaha YZ450FX and have been enjoying that tremendously even with the pulled muscles and bruises. Thanks for yet another great review Chops!

[@herculesaquino]

Honda, bring CRF300L to Brasil !

[@stephenchapman8344]

Nice looking bike. 👍

[@JEmmertz]

I think you are dead on regarding the suspension. It is softer than a wet noodle. Those 260 mm suspension travel are probably down to 200 mm for Noraly when she has it fully loaded, and for you when you are sitting on it there's 60 mm's left... (I think it is now that I should start running for the hills. ;) ) Nevertheless it's a nifty little bike!

[@LambChopRides]

Haha yes! 🤣👍

[@mfh848]

Ive just had mine stolen, Liverpool scumbags. Looking for another one.

[@darrenwindle3592]

Put a cheap yss rear shock on my 300 rally. Like a different bike.

[@paul.vanhout57]

Not sure that front brake hose is long enough🙂

[@LambChopRides]

Haha, the camera makes it look longer 🤣 👍

[@thepongopete]

Uncle Chops, I'm thinking of swapping my 890 Duke R for an SMCR or a 701. What do you reckon? Anything I should consider before making a decision? Ps. Great video ;)

[@svracing3]

Keep the 890 , just look into how unreliable the 690’s are mine had an oil leek from day 1 , pissed coolant out after 3 months and sat at the dealer for 3 months sold the day I got it back

[@thepongopete]

@@svracing3 thanks for the heads up! To be fair I've had a few problems with the Duke too. Oil leak and a coolant leak as it happens!

[@LambChopRides]

Tough question.. if its your only bike probably keep 890 👍 690 is great for shorter trip ripping around but less practical if you do lots of miles

[@thepongopete]

@@LambChopRides thanks! Think I'll keep the Duke for another season then and see how I get on. You make SM's look like so much fun, so this is all your fault 🤣

[@tannertaulbee1151]

Chopsie, what gloves are those? They look dope

[@LambChopRides]

They are the Knox Orsa I think they are called. Link to them in the description 👍

[@AdrianPinosLuzuriaga]

Is there real advantage of the abs model over the non abs in this bike?

[@StayUpdated]

Do they not have the KLX300 in the UK?

[@LambChopRides]

No unfortunately not 😕

[@Yii00T]

Who did you mention about the Alaska stuff norely?.

[@johnfrary9589]

Thought Fantic did a 300 dial sport or at least hey did

[@chrisfearon9647]

I wish you where my dad🌞

[@PatchedBandit]

690 is a lot heavier.

[@johnharvey5338]

GB Moto are bringing in the Voge Rally 300 which is £3799 and they sell loads in Europe as a direct competitor, I am planning on getting one, be good to do a direct comparison to the Honda.

[@alrightdave6135]

Vibrates a lot. Saw some bad rev. Much worse service intervals. Would rather buy a used crf300l

[@victorgonza4528]

Chops do the Africa twin vs Desert X .

[@LambChopRides]

Yeah maybe or new Suzuki 1050 DE vs Desert X

[@1990-t1j]

8,000miles without changing the oil? I wouldn't go so long. Decent-looking bike.

[@MR-tg1nr]

Fantic xef250?

[@ismellbs9647]

Whats the seat like for us bigger gentleman 🎉....