Educate me on 250 dualsports

[Jack Giesecke]

I'm SO out of it on new motorcycles. Holly got me ANOTHER subscription to Motorcyclist which I really didn't want, but she did it without telling me. Anyway, I was reading the newest rag and they mention the new CRF250L Honda 250 dualsport, new watercooled engine, decent performance, sounded neat and the price is below 4k which is always a bonus. I'm thinking future, here. I don't do a lot of open road motorcycling now that I'm quitting my part time job and we've moved out of that rat hoe Corpus. I could use a little more off road capability (called LIGHTness) than the KLR.

But, that article doesn't answer questions for me. How would it work on short highway jaunts into town, perhaps a longer jaunt like 70 miles on back roads? It SHOULD run the speed limit I'd think. Some of the older 250 air cooled bikes strained at 70. What kind of gas mileage could I expect?

Anyway, anything anyone would like to tell me about the highway capabilities, or any other capabilities, of the newest water cooled 250cc dual sport wonders is welcome.

[ed29]

It will do all of what you ask including the 70 mile back road and the occasional freeway blitz.

A couple of folks have already taken delivery. I hope they see this and chime in. Its specs are so close to those of my WRR that I would think the riding experience would also be very similar and very positive.

I get around 70 MPG in mild riding and as low as 50 MPG when I flog the WRR. Again, the red bike should be very similar.

I don't fall into the "My bike is best" trap anymore. Had the new Honda been out when I was looking for an upgrade from my XR it would have gotten a serious looking at from me.

[hizzo3]

http://rickramsey.net/WR250RvsCRF250L.htm

From what I take from it crf perspective:
Less HP, more torque.
heavier.
Slightly less salt output
Way cheaper.

How much is that extra 2.6 grand worth to you is all you have to justify between the two models. Also the wrr has more aftermarket like big bore & stroke kits that will get you up to 306cc. Crf will have to wait a while. Not sure on rack and other options yet. From what I hear the yam has a good suspension outta the box. Not sure on the honda.

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[plugeye]

Originally Posted by hizzo3

http://rickramsey.net/WR250RvsCRF250L.htm

Also the wrr has more aftermarket like big bore & stroke kits that will get you up to 306cc. Crf will have to wait a while.

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another plus for the honda

[SilverBullet]

Would be a great choice for the uses you described. Price is not under $4K as you stated though, figure on $4.5K + TTL. Still a bargain and it's a Honda!

_

[RollingJ]

I rode the CRF250L for a few miles the other day and was very impressed. Unless you are going to jump it often, the suspension is more than adequate and the weight is un-noticeable. This is from stepping off of my Fire-Breathing-Dragon, the CRF450X, which is 20 lbs lighter but much taller. The trans and shifting is super smooth, as is the cold idle (FI!) . I did not get to check top speed, but itrack just did 500 miles on his and a bunch was at 75mph.

It will be my next bike.

[Jack Giesecke]

Originally Posted by SilverBullet

Would be a great choice for the uses you described. Price is not under $4K as you stated though, figure on $4.5K + TTL. Still a bargain and it's a Honda!

_

Yeah, I was looking at that new 150cc Honda scooter reading about it to Holly and got the price mixed up.

How much is that extra 2.6 grand worth to you is all you have to justify between the two models. Also the wrr has more aftermarket like big bore & stroke kits that will get you up to 306cc. Crf will have to wait a while. Not sure on rack and other options yet. From what I hear the yam has a good suspension outta the box. Not sure on the honda.

If I wanted a 350, I'd buy one. But, the rack IS important to me. One great thing about the KLR is the HUGE rack. I can stack 2 or 3 50 lb bags of corn on it, strap 'em down, no sweat. The bike would have to work for its livin'.

I rode the CRF250L for a few miles the other day and was very impressed. Unless you are going to jump it often, the suspension is more than adequate and the weight is un-noticeable. This is from stepping off of my Fire-Breathing-Dragon, the CRF450X, which is 20 lbs lighter but much taller. The trans and shifting is super smooth, as is the cold idle (FI!) . I did not get to check top speed, but itrack just did 500 miles on his and a bunch was at 75mph.

Well, I've jumped worse for fun, TTRs and XR100s. Not supercross style, mind you, but I was amazed the frame came out in one piece more'n once. All for fun, of course, play riding with friends and such. Only dirt I've ever competed on is flat track. Oh, there was a TT race in Baytown with a jump. I was running mad dawg class on my 150cc "fire breathing" XR100 Frank Nye mad dawger. But, I kinda like the little bikes, put it that way and can live without a ZX14R on the street. Seriously, though, sounds like the suspension will do a decent job for what I'm planning to do with it. As to the extra pounds, well, I'll be steppin' off a KLR. The KLR is fine in the mud on a dirt path, but it is limited by weight in what I can do with it off road. I don't think anyone can't understand THAT. The CRF will be SOMEWHAT limited compared to a lighter bike, but I can handle a 300 lb dirt bike, had a XL600R for a while, big chunka iron that it was.

EFI sounds really cool. I have YET to own a fuel injected bike. My SV650 is a 2001, year before EFI. Drumboy owned my KLR before me, don't know if HE did it or the guy he bought it from, but that KLR idles and carburets flawlessly. It's bone stock and, I guess, the KLr carb is pretty well known in the KLR community, so that would help. I've never been able to get a carburetor jetted that perfect. My old XR had some intake and exhaust mods and, try as i might, I couldn't jet it such that it wouldn't die at an intersection at a reasonable idle if I was there long enough. THAT bike was kickstart only, too, what a pain! Nice to know the CRF is good to go, won't need a Power Commander and map downloads bone stock.

So, sounds good to me so far if I can get a rack for it.

[M38A1]

Re: highway cruising, the gear table in the above link shows calculated MPH... On the Honda250, 8000rpm translates to 66.8mph.


.

[Jack Giesecke]

Sounds like if I wanna use it primarily to run to the store or something, I might wanna stuff a tooth taller CS sprocket in it, though that always compromises dirt capability some.

[KenH]

A mildly tuned 250 is all just about anyone actually needs in a dualsport. That is why so many old timers eventually end up riding mildly tuned 250 dualsports after playing with pklated fire-breathers and big adventure bikes. The size and type simply works without a bunch of muss and fuss. Of course, wants often take precedence over needs.

[plugeye]

Originally Posted by KenH

A mildly tuned 250 is all just about anyone actually needs in a dualsport. That is why so many old timers eventually end up riding mildly tuned 250 dualsports after playing with pklated fire-breathers and big adventure bikes. The size and type simply works without a bunch of muss and fuss. Of course, wants often take precedence over needs.

i guess i'm one of these old timers
rode big street bikes forever
then a dr650
now a dr350
a 250? oh yeah count me in

[TwoSmokeDS]

Modern 250 DS are so heavy. Might as well get a DRZ400. Weights about the same. Don't have to rev to the moon for power.

[hizzo3]

Originally Posted by TwoSmokeDS

Modern 250 DS are so heavy. Might as well get a DRZ400. Weights about the same. Don't have to rev to the moon for power.

I'd love a FI, 6 speed Drz 300/400. Would the perfect ultralight adventure bike. Get some quick release rear racks and remote pre load rear....

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[primate]

Did not read all the replies, but I can tell you that my sweeties crf230l is flawless. Cranks over no prob every time, even after sitting, no leaks, runs, drips, or errors. Will wheelie even w my 190 lb butt on it, if you talk sweet. Would make a Honda commercial if they asked.

[hizzo3]

You know, if I see another thread on the crf250l, I may just give up on my wrr search

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[primate]

Originally Posted by hizzo3

You know, if I see another thread on the crf250l, I may just give up on my wrr search

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Well at least I mentioned a 230.

EDIT>>>do they still make them???

[hizzo3]

Originally Posted by primate

Well at least I mentioned a 230.

EDIT>>>do they still make them???

Yes, not sure why. They are so close in class and role they fill... its like in the 60-70's when you had 20 different variants of the same car.

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[TwoSmokeDS]

I don't think Honda make anymore 230 L. They're just leftover from 2009. If you look at Honda's website, the 230 L is listed as 2009/2008 model. Once they are gone, they're gone probably forever. Sad. It's one still made in Japan. I guess that's why the 230 L is so expensive. The 230 F made in Third World Countries.

[Jack Giesecke]

Originally Posted by TwoSmokeDS

Modern 250 DS are so heavy. Might as well get a DRZ400. Weights about the same. Don't have to rev to the moon for power.

That's a REAL good point.

[primate]

Originally Posted by TwoSmokeDS

I don't think Honda make anymore 230 L. They're just leftover from 2009. If you look at Honda's website, the 230 L is listed as 2009/2008 model. Once they are gone, they're gone probably forever. Sad. It's one still made in Japan. I guess that's why the 230 L is so expensive. The 230 F made in Third World Countries.

Didn't know they were expensive, traded a four wheeler for hers.