What's The Point? - Honda CRF300L

[@precipiceofgrind]

Like The Video(s)? Hit That SUBSCRIBE!!! Really Helps The Channel!!! Thanks For Watching!!!

[@si018]

I want a dual sport bike-. Always rode dirtbikes and feel this is the next best option as I’m getting older…. Torn between a crf300 or xr650…. Probably won’t be high way riding so I’m leaning more towards the 300

[@graymangw6016]

That is the ultimate point. Getting out easily and having fun.

[@omnivore2220]

Yeah I think there's a slow, quiet revolution happing, in which people with the 500+ pound adventure bikes are realizing that the weight is keeping them out of some awesome places.

[@franknunez7204]

First, awesome video, and nice setup of the bike. Second, I keep finding myself saying this online because I want folks to know from someone who owns a 300L, and wanted soooo much to love it, and keeps wanting to (strangely, and the reason I keep clicking on 300L videos), that while it excels in so many things, it may not be the bike for anyone who wants to ride a little harder off road and has already has a little experience already with dirt bikes. It's great for getting you there to the scenics and back, but please, please, please folks, don't mistake this as a dirtbike. It's a street bike with dirt bike leaning trim. It's kind of like a street bike with knobbies, and off road it feels like that - out of place and funky. Actually for me, I think it's dangerous if you're going to be bouncing the suspension around on rough trail and don't completely overhaul it. It's fine on soft trail where you can afford to fall down and not break bones, even on some hill climbs it holds up. But the moment you get on a buddy's dirt bike on some gnarly trails, you'll be like, holy crap, so this is the difference between a dirt bike and my 300L. I was getting more and more scared of my 300L's ability to deal with tough trails at the OHV parks, especially where there was risk of say, going over the edge in several spots, so I tried out a ktm 4 stroke (500), and then I was like, never going back in tough offroad on the 300l again. If I were tooling around bdr's I don't think I'd care, but be weary of buying a 300l and thinking as newer-ish or returning rider that it's what you want to ride on real dirt trail other than gravel roads and bdr's. It just handles like a street bike with grip, and for challenging, mid level off road trails you want an offroad bike or a dual sport like a KTM 4 stroke which is the opposite- a dirt bike with street bike ornaments. I went with KTM because I was willing to invest, but others exist, including the 450L honda, if you want a dual sport. Just my heads up. I love the 300L, for what it's good for, don't get in trouble though in rough dirt conditions, it's not going to be your friend there and may actually be dangerous, it used to wear me out on OHV medium trails and easily could have gone out of control on water dammed trails on cliff side dual and single track. Still love the 300L, just don't use it in dangerous terrain often.

[@MusicByJC]

I will be 60 here soon and plan on getting a CRF300L also. Like you, I will likely be doing solo adventures. I try to build up my leg and back strength by doing squats, deadlifts and back raises as well as many other lifts. Cardio is also important. You kind of need both.

[@ridgetop8161]

I do the same kind of exercises to help with the lifts. The other thing I've found that works very well is lifting and flipping tractor tires. Kind of the same concept as lifting a motorcycle.

[@MusicByJC]

@@ridgetop8161 Great idea, but no room in my condo to store tractors or tractor tires, so the gym will have to suffice :)

[@john1911ccw]

Had a DR 650; to top heavy now I have a CRF300L and it feels half the weight. Great for the trails.

[@savillecreations8046]

Picked my 300L up last August. Just hit 300 miles. Don't ride much but love it when I do. Also in Utah.

[@bkruger377]

You delivered an excellent rider assessment of this motorcycle. Thank you!

[@nickg2431]

Yes the one thing that everyone seems to overlook,easy to pick up.With an ADV camel you can only ride in groups .😀

[@peterb8180]

Have had my DR650se since new for 18mths now & have landed exactly on the main points you raised here, and not that the DR is a bad bike but the Honda is on my radar for those exact reasons. Well summarised and thanks for sharing 🍻 from Down-under… Aus!

[@precipiceofgrind]

Appreciate you watching!

[@klrskir]

You make good "points!" I was lucky enough to take possession of a '23 300L Rally ABS a few days ago. It's clear I'll have this bike for the rest of my life. Great video. Subbed!

[@doccops]

Nice review, yeah its all about getting out there and experiencing the outdoors.

[@ferkuzuel]

I love my 300l for the seme reason, I had to replace piston, rings and cylinder head at 2700 miles but other then that has been a great reliable bike Cheers, great video and nice views!

[@precipiceofgrind]

Appreciate you watching!

[@caseymack6088]

What did you do??

[@djstubbyh8166]

Yep. Agree 100%. I'm short, and ride a crf230f. Easy button. Love it!

[@shirleebusch1459]

I would like to see all your bikes in one shot. I've lost track of how many you and your family own.

[@thumpersquid]

Excellent video! Thanks for sharing your adventures and spreading the gospel of dualsport.

[@precipiceofgrind]

Absolutely! Appreciate you watching!

[@TRYTOKPUP]

I love my 300l rally. Sure, it has its shortcomings, but the overall package kicks ass. I also have a bmw 310gs. The extra power is nice, but I much prefer my honda.

[@ridgetop8161]

My KLX300 may not be the powerhouse other bikes are, but it's reliability and weight make it the perfect desert exploration machine for me, only held back a bit by the small gas tank and having to carry extra fuel.

[@precipiceofgrind]

I hear the suspension is better on the KLX300 over the 300L. I wouldn't say no to one!

[@ridgetop8161]

@@precipiceofgrind As you can see on KZbin, there are so many arguments back and forth on which is a better bike, but honestly, I think you can't lose with either one. I do think the KLX suspension is better, but the Honda for the most of us is just as good and fun.

[@xaxabat1]

Completely agree! Best bike I have owned.

[@RickRose]

As someone who has been targeting XT250s and CRF300Ls for the past year or so, it is extremely interesting to me to hear the comparisons you do between the two. I now own an XT250, bought used with only 500 miles on it. I'm having a blast with it and plan to keep it for some time. Like everyone, however, I'm always thinking of the "next bike." Thanks for the excellent content.

[@precipiceofgrind]

You're welcome! The XT250 is a fantastic bike, it has some cons like all bikes do but overall it will get you out there deep and bring you back!

[@SuperAndyyyy]

thanks for showing the bike, a lot of video's you only see the handle bars.

[@mikecarr1484]

I ride a 2001 xt225. Thought many times about selling it. For a klr650. But they are so damn heavy. Mine is 240lbs . That's it. For tooling around dirt roads. And I ride it to work saving 60 bucks a week in gas.

[@precipiceofgrind]

I finally got a device to help pick my KLR650 up, sick of dealing with it but I do really enjoy riding it...heavy dang bike. Still got my XT250, they all have a purpose!

[@wctyre49]

That sure is a beautiful area , is that northern Utah . Although I've driven all across the US and to Alaska and back a few times I don't remember a place anymore beautiful than that.

[@precipiceofgrind]

Southwestern Utah. Great place to ride for sure!

[@marcochavane3124]

Mine was holding me back from long stretches of interstate and offroad technical riding. Put 10,000 miles on it in a year and threw every mod possible at it. CBR cams, tune, intake and exhaust mods, $2k in Rally Raid suspension. Etc. Every bike makes compromises but in my opinion it made some pretty big ones. Got a Norden 901 and will probably get a WR450F or KTM500EXC-F for rougher stuff.

[@TheXTLife]

Nice views, I love where you ride. I'm thinking of selling my xt250 and getting a 300ls. I live in Arizona and to go to cooler temperature its a bit of a further ride. I think 300ls would be better for that Situation. I can put a 16th tooth Sprocket on the xt250 it might help. But I think 300ls with a little more power & a Six gear would be better. Plus I can't stand the xt250 seat, even with the seat Concept its gets uncomfortable around 40 to 50th miles. What do you think? Maybe a more Capable bike, but with the same seat height.

[@precipiceofgrind]

Haven't heard that great of reviews for the seat concept seat for the XT250, I'm actually looking at the Corbin seat for my XT250 but it's double the price of the SC so that ain't happening anytime soon! The 300ls has a lower ground clearance, something to bear in mind. Best bet would be a test ride if possible. My 300l is more comfortable for longer rides no doubt but my XT250 puts the 300l to shame deep in the bush. Tough call.

[@TheXTLife]

Thank you. I'm going to keep my xt250 and get Some kind of seat cushion. I love that bike too much ,it's so fun to ride.

[@BattleScapeErik]

Great video, although I am curious what all you’ve done to your dr650, and what the end goal for the bike is. I recently obtained mine and other than skid plate and seat i’m not sure what takes priority. What tires should i go for? D606 or tusk Dsports?

[@precipiceofgrind]

Just put the Tusk D Sports on mine and they run fine. Have D606s on my KLR, they run fine too. D Sports are cheaper. Still got to do the seat, that's next and some panniers.

[@theruffiankj4164]

Interested in your work here, mate - coming from one old rider who rotates between a gen 1 KLR and a DR 650 in the backcountry mountain and desert gravel of Southern Africa - not dissimilar terrain to what you have in Utah, it seems…

[@precipiceofgrind]

Appreciate you watching! I would love to have a Gen 1 KLR! Stay safe out there!

[@mozaic_channel]

Since you also have a DR650, I’m trying to decide between that and the 300, the XT250 is also considered, and the XR650L since I’m tall. I’ve seen enough of the DR to know that it has the torque to learn how to powerslide, lift the front wheel over obstacles, maybe even learn log jumps. Basically, I’m considering the DR650 as a great platform to learn proper off road skills with “bigger” bikes. I have some dual sport experience, having other low cc bike, KLX125, KLX200,and some 2 strokes. I’m still not clear on what the Honda can do and won’t do well off road. Any insight is appreciated. Dream bike is the AJP PR7, but too much $$$ to learn these skills on.

[@precipiceofgrind]

Well, I'm generally not a hard enduro rider even though I attempt it sometimes on my XT250. For what you're talking about, the DR650 can make it happen. You should check out Skids n Stuff channel for some awesome DR650 riding.

[@mozaic_channel]

@@precipiceofgrind Rodger that. The channel you referred to definitely shows what a talented rider can do on DR650. Guess it will be my first Suzuki. Seems like a better overall platform than the XR650L. Happy riding for 2024!

[@johnclaxton33]

Awesome video, thanks for making it. Would love to see a video of you comparing your crf300l and your dr650? If you had to have one which would it be?

[@precipiceofgrind]

Appreciate you watching! Only one, the DR650 without a doubt.

[@johnclaxton33]

Why do you feel that way? Just the extra power?

[@dr.x4050]

@@precipiceofgrind I would also like to see a 300L vs DR650 video a little more elaborated without comparing specs. Which does better on dirt roads, such as climbing mountains this channel did before. Which is better when the roads get chunky? Also considering spending 1-2 hours riding to the off-road location. Does high-tech make a difference in What's the Point?

[@Seveneleven44]

Adventure riding is meant to be enjoyable. Nothing about riding a 500plus pound bike around on single track sounds fun to me. The big adventure bikes are great for paved backroad riding, gravel roads and the occasional trail ride. Once you have that horrific experience of picking up one of those monstrosities more than once…and you aren’t even the one riding the thing…heavy bikes aren’t fun.

[@coresurf22]

most times you’re falling off and away but did you ever get pinned under the 300L? at 320lbs + some gear to where you needed help getting the bike off your leg?

[@precipiceofgrind]

Been pinned twice with the 300L, both times it was when my leg got caught under the pannier bag. I was able to worm my way out both times. That's another reason (s) why I wear the SG12 boots and only ride with soft panniers off road. The second time I got pinned, if I had been wearing a less sturdy boot my ankle would've twisted and broke.

[@coresurf22]

absolutely. thank you @precipiceofgrind. and if the 320lbs on leg is from a hard part of bike and leg side is truly PINNED and unmovable against rock where there’s no squirming out, I’m thinking one would be hard pressed to get out from under so that help is needed to lift bike off leg when truly pinned. definitely looking at the SG12’s as the AlpineStars Tech 5 did save a broken ankle/ lower leg for me too, as they say, investment in quality helmet and premium boots is a pittance in comparison to medical bills and downtime. 👍🏽

[@shawnmcdade7276]

Do you feel a big difference in power over your xt250 especially at higher sppeds

[@precipiceofgrind]

Nah, not so much. For me, the CRF300L is much more comfortable for longer rides than the XT250.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Lol great vid. The only point to riding a CRF300 or KLX300 is the 450s are so hard to get. Of course Kawasaki refuses to revive the KLX450 or import it to the US.

[@MrBluoct]

The view

[@joshgreencorn7309]

Its too tall of a bike for me. My xt 250 would suit me better

[@jeffmorris9236]

Check out the CRF300LS. Essentially the same bike as the 300L, just a lower seat height.

[@timothym2241]

What are you liking for tires on that bike?

[@precipiceofgrind]

The Tusk D Sports have worked out very well on my 300L.

[@alexarana3689]

Where are you riding? 😎

[@precipiceofgrind]

Southwestern Utah, Dixie National Forest.

[@alexarana3689]

@@precipiceofgrind nice! I’ll be traveling to Utah and Arizona later this year, I’ll message you to see if you’d like to ride together. I’m on a Klx300

[@gabrielkopp2036]

Technically the bank owns it ha ha.. personally I'd rather have the rally

[@precipiceofgrind]

Yup, technically they do. I scoured the Southwest and couldn't find a Rally, absolute unicorn bike back in late 2021.

[@gabrielkopp2036]

@@precipiceofgrind I had a dealership in western Washington call last year and they had 3 rallys available but I had already put a deposit on a tenere so needless to say I'm a proud owner of a 2022 tenere 700

[@tarjas]

Heavier bike on the trail, more plastic to break, can’t maintain highway speeds with luggage up any incline. Don’t understand the obsession with the rally over the 300L. Effective marking I suppose.

[@6226superhurricane]

crf3300l could've been a decent bike if they didn't use the cheapest components on it. as it is a drz400 is lighter, better quality, better suspension, higher top speed about the only thing the crf does better is fuel economy. but they sell bigger tanks for the drz.