When I bought my 300L I was 6’5” and 250 lbs. I’m now down to 220 lbs. I haven’t managed to get any shorter but this has been the best power mod I’ve found for the bike.
Yes, I'm 6'5"+ and about 215 lbs. in full riding gear. People often forget that it is the total weight of the machine, rider and all gear which counts. That is why diets are such an inexpensive performance upgrade as are lithium batteries, tubeless tires etc.
without a doubt, your 30min+ bike reviews are not only really enjoyable to watch but also educational. I watch almost every review, even bikes that dont interest me because its from you. Keep it up!
The front brake line has a PVC sheath…..where it slides up & down through a slider on the left side of the dash. Use a heat gun….gently heat the PVC sheath and bend it slightly to curve forward. When it cools the PVC sheath will retain its forward bend and the brake line will remain out of your way and not block your view of the dash. It only takes a slight curve forward and it will be out of your way.
Thanks for the great review. The CRF300L Rally is at the top of my list. I’m a novice rider, 5’ 10”, 180# and I live in the Wasatch mountains in Utah. I sent messages out to all the Honda dealers in the state a few days ago asking about price and availability. I got a call back the next morning from a smaller town dealership down south. A guy had cancelled his deposit on a Rally ABS the evening before. I’m going to pick it up on Saturday. 👍
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I think someone is falling in love with smaller displacement bikes lately :) Can't blame you, I'm the same. Light is right.
I’ve watched Itchy boots use this on her adventure and I’m amazed at how well it works for her. She is a skilled rider, she is a tiny person and she did change the suspension. I am none of those things so last week I bought A 2022 CRF450RL. Time will tell if I made the right choice. Just ordered the Throttle Tamer and the Seat Concepts Comfort XL so LET THE MODS BEGIN! Woot Woot
Just spent a day course in a quarry. Most of the street legal bikes were KTM but there was als a CRF300L. The KTM are way more aggressive, fun but also harder to control. The CRF300L is super easy to control and super confidence inspiring. Absolutely awesome bike, especially considering the reliability and the price. I yet have to get my hands on a Husky 701.
5 days now I am proud to be an owner of this bike. I am 75 kilos and 1.73 cm and the bike fits amazing on me and the suspension feels great! I haven't done any serious off road but believe me the greek cretan roads where I leave are very bad.. before his I owned a kawasaki kaze r115 and the and the deference of course is chaotic. I rent the previous model 250l for a couple of days before I purchase my 300l and the experience you get is by far far better. The way it delivers its power its amazing.. bravo honda ! This bike is epic! Amazing video kepp up!!
@Enzo Moresi yes yes.. its true. Because when you sit the suspension is very soft. So as a result the half of my both feet touch the ground. Also the bike is very light and weight handling is never a problem
Im in my 50s and have been riding Honda my entire life. Always my fav n always will. They have always been great from generators to small bikes n 3 wheelers to my 230..❤️
I've owned mine since Sept and ride it on logging roads and single track. New tires are mandatory and make a world of difference. I also upgraded front spring and dropped a tooth on front sprocket. Love that it's basically zero maintenance. Also replaced bars and of course a skid plate
Are these suitable for daily light road commuting? Or are the tires going to make it significantly more expensive than a sport/naked? 😯 My bad if he answers this in the video I'm still near the beginning lol
Another great review Ian, thanks. Comparison notes, or two cents, from a 190 pound 6' 2" tall KLX300 owner: Suspension, suspension, suspension is the difference. Keeping the wheels on the ground I have never bottomed the suspension on my KLX, and this is at stock settings. The KLX gives you rear rebound, compression and preload and front compression adjustments for more aggressive riders. And on highway speeds, my KLX300 at sea level easily pulls 80 mph (GPS adjusted) even with a light headwind. I still wouldn't want to play with the tractor trailers for more than a couple of exits but I can play in traffic at 70 mph and have a bit of power left over on the KLX. So after watching this review I'm glad I went with the KLX. And a note on seats, the KLX came with what felt like a 2x6 board for a seat. It never felt bad on the trails but when I sat for an hour or more road riding it was kinda horrible. But Seat Concepts, for only $219, was the perfect cure. All in all thanks again Ian for another great review and I hope the leg heals up quickly.
Hey I'm same height and weight and have been leaning toward the KLX300 because of the suspension. Sounds like you are a satisfied customer but any regrets or immediate upgrades you would do? Did you do any in depth thinking about this bike CRF300L or DRZ40 or some other equivelant? I'm still making final decisions but seems like the suspension is really a huge factor and ultimately may be what might put me over the edge on the KLX.
I was seriously considering this bike, but after seeing the freeway test I know it's not going to be the right motorcycle for me. Very useful review of this bike because it gave me the information I needed. Thanks!
Some basic mods to this bike would up the power significantly, while lowering its weight overall. All bikes require some mods to make it right for you and how you ride. Don't be chased off because of one reviewer.
@Dave C. we used to put around on forest service roads with an old DR250. We weren't trying to win any races, we just enjoyed exploring together. I put on a bigger back sprocket, a pipe that breathed a little better, and beefed up the suspension. It was great until we discovered a DR650 that we could ride TO the trail on and didn't have to load and unload the thing from the pickup. We sold the 650 years ago because we started a family.
I had the 250L and loved it. I sold it and bought an Africa Twin. I really liked it also BUT the weight eventually got to me. I replaced it with the 300L Rally. Yes, it is under sprung, however, I replaced the rear shock and front fork spring with K-Tech for my weight 255 lbs). Rear Shock $545. Front spring $93. Makes a big difference. I am not a real aggressive rider, I just like to explore. You can do the replacement work yourself, just take your time and one step at a time. Also, for the shorter rider, KoubaLink makes a lowering link ($179) that should resolve the height issue. Tusk makes at least three different soft luggage options for this type of bike. So, there it is, you buy this bike and invest a grand and your off on your own adventure exploring. Well worth the money. I wish I would have done this when I was much younger. P.S. Throw in a skid plate and handguards, another $250. Now you can go anywhere!
Luv my 300 Rally! Seat concepts seat was the best mod I’ve made so far. I couldn’t ride for more than an hour and half without my rear end getting soar. Swapped the handlebars out and added bark busters. When I get the extra cash I’ll upgrade the suspension, but I’m fine with it for right now. Just gives me something to look forward to.
I just reserved a Rally and am planning on the K-Tech suspension. I agree $650 total for suspension puts this bike at the top with all the other aspects of the bike. Do you have any reservations on K-tech at all or are you completely happy with it? Not many reviews out there so I'm wondering why so many go with more expensive options.
@@dylanyoung3911 I suppose it depends on what kind of riding you are planning to do. I am not a hard enduro highly technical type of rider. I like a little bit of a challenge but I like exploring off the beaten path. I think the Rally was designed for a little more distance (bigger gas tank than the 300L standard model), bigger brake rotors, a little bit more weather protection, etc. Mainly I upgraded the suspension because my size and weight definitely put the OEM suspension to the test. I decided on K-Tech due to value, other reviews that I have found (check some of the 300L forums). The K-Tech seemed reasonably priced. Yes, there are more pricier options with all the adjustments you need and more. But if you are going to ride hard and fast on technical woopy stuff and beat it on single track the CRF300L Rally may not be the bike for that type of stuff. I would think the DRZ, KTM or Husky would be more fitting. On the other hand, if you're going to pack a small bag, head out with no destination in mind I think the 300 Rally with the K-Tech upgrade will handle anything you come across. I hope this answers you question, yes I am happy with it. But, that's me. It's definitely night and day compared to stock.
I too have a 300L and just bought K-Tech front spring and complete rear shock. Looking forward to seeing the difference. I’ll try to report back when I get some time on the new suspension.
I rode my XR650L from Prudhoe to Ushuaia and just changed the front sprocket as needed and changed out tires too. I rode mostly 80/20 tires even on the Dalton and Ruta 40. Really liked the simplicity reliability of the Honda. I tried a CRF250L for a thousand miles but just not enough grunt.
I really want the 300l to be good enough to replace my xr650l. I absolutely adore my red pig but she is heavy, chugs gas, and no abs(can't tour well can't technical well) The freeway review of the 300l has me thinking it's not enough. I want the reliability and power of the XR with the weight and modern stuff of the 300l.
@@pfcokellysame exact predicament. The 650 is a good bike, but after three years I still can’t get over the height and weight. I rode a dirt only XR 250 for years as a kid, so the 650 was bought out of nostalgia mostly, and thinking I could deal with the weight and being taller than my old 250. Now I’m looking at a 300L and saying goodbye to the big red.
@@TheMotorman116 I'm having similar thoughts..owned the XRL 15 years.. now nearly 60, getting hard to sling my leg over the seat and weight is getting difficult to manage..have a little XT225 for solo camping trips and use it more often, in fact just put 300mi on it in Moab last week, but lacks road speed to connect forest roads..let us know if you get the 300L and your thoughts on it..
Thanks for posting this excellent review and I hope you're feeling better soon! After initial 600 mile oil and filter change, manual recommends oil change every 8,000 miles, filter every 16,000 miles. I'd do both every 4,000.
Nice and thorough review. I own a CRF250L and have 20K on it since 2019 and I'm looking at a 300L or 300R. From your review, I gather that the ride on the 300L is very similar to the 250L. I've been riding almost 60 years. Weight 170. I find the very soft suspension ideal. With a bad back, hips, knees, and neck I find the ride of this bike the only one my body can handle. I spend little time off-road and mostly ride back-roads in the country. Maybe they designed it for aging-out boomers and beginners in mind.
Went with the KLX, had the suspension tuned and dropped by the magicians at Noleen. It’s an amazingly perfect trail bike now. The suspension even though dropped two inches is so perfect that I don’t miss the ground clearance one bit. The suspension is perfectly balanced and allows for a lot more carry speed. Being lowered, it is so much more enjoyable on the tight stuff. Added the amazing Fasstflex bars to it and bigger pegs. Perfection.
How about the CRF300 from your house through Death Valley and then to Vegas for room and great meal and then back home the next day. I am strongly considering the 300 or maybe the KTN 390. I am only after FUN.
Uwielbiam tą pasję z jaką Paweł opowiada o motocyklach. Ogrom wiedzy eksperckiej praktycznie o każdej maszynie jest imponujący a bagaż doświadczeń podróżniczym godny pozazdroszczenia. Kto wie, może i ja kiedyś dorosnę do HD 😊
Was original planning on buying a cheap dual sport, and this was one of my choices. But now I’m leaning towards the Rally, 500x or the 390Adv. Thanks for the content brother, KEEP FEEDING US! 👌🏽
Check out FortNine's video on the 390 adventure before spending money on one. I had a 2018 500x but it had the 17 inch front and rear tires. not the best selection of tires for it, plus it was quite top heavy when trying to do any trail work. I'm now on a 2014 CRF250L to get better at off roading and trail work before going to something bigger.
I have the KTM 390 Adventure and will take it over the Honda CB 500X I did up grade the hand guards and bash plate to the better KTM ones. also went with the Dunlop TrailMax Mission tires. Just over 10,000 Km and loving it, and the tires are only down 2mm another 8mm to go. I use it on Paved, gravel, and dirt roads and some trails. It is much more off road than you would think. the ground clearance is lacking but the suspension more than makes up for it. The KTM also retunes it at the first service, and that makes quite a difference, so them that are testing it before the first service do not know what this bike will do. Good luck on what ever you get.
@@clutch2315 The FortMine's video on the 390 adventure is a joke there are some that actually take the 390 Adventure on some pretty gnarly trails and it does them no problems. I wonder about these guys who take a bike around the parking lot and then think they know what the bike is capable of. You do need to up grade the bash plate but you can get it form KTM. I have mine set up as a ADV bike but there is a girl who has hers set up for off road and dose mostly off road on it. Main difference would be the tires. After the first service they reset it and then you find out what the KRM 390 Adventure will do ring its neck and it gets up and moves out, Has to be one of the most fun bikes I have had, in over 55 years of riding. And I have ridden the CRF 500 X so I do know the difference. Off road the CB dose not come close to the KTM and not much difference on the highway. and a plus is that on a 14.5 liter gas tank I get as many miles as the Honda with a 17 liter gas tank.
Man, you do a great job with your reviews. I really appreciate the opinions that are logically based. No frills and no BS. You’re delivery is really well received.
Had a DRZ that I rode off road for 6 years including the OR dual sport series. It was heavy, had brittle engine cases, and needed a 6th. And, it sounded great. Like all Suzukis, it was bullet proof & the suspension was OK. I replaced it with a KTM 450 EXC which was higher maintenance but much better all around.
Have 6xxx awesome miles on the CRF including a 1100 mile trip on the BRP and Dragon area in TN. It’s brilliant. This and a GS is the perfect combo. Mine will do 84 mph on a flat road w no wind, but it isn’t fun and not what it’s designed for. It’s a simple cheap last forever dual sport.
I was going to buy the 300 rally but bought a used KTM 690 Enduro after researching the power and suspension upgrades I would eventually do. Does seem like a nice bike for the price.
That's exactly what I did too. Had a 300L on order, it was delayed several months, and while I was waiting I scored a '19 690R at a good price. Couldn't be happier.
I have the Husqvarna 701, 2016 so a bit less powerful than the 2017 and later versions. I'm very pleased with my choice but it is not a novice ride. I got it as a novice and it bit my arse a fair few times. Mine has a Rally Raid screen and a Seat Concepts seat, so it is a light ADV. I've done a lot of miles off road on it and it is pretty good on road, for a big single. I'm not tempted by the 300.
In my opinion the rally is kinda a bad option. It's a terrible adventure bike and a bad dirt bike. The L makes more sense. It's not pretending to be something it's not
@@TonyHerson watch this and tell me the 300 Rally isn't almost an unfair advantage vs the KTMs and Huskies in Aus/NZ adv riding. He's got upgraded suspension on his 300 Rally, as have I on my 250 Rally. I paid US$4200 for mine, brand new, on the road (a 2019 model bought in March 2020), and spent $900 on the suspension, so I'm in for $5100 all up. They have plenty of power when the open road speed limit is 100 km/h ua-cam.com/video/MhSKCH3aWbg/v-deo.html
Nothing better than being on a dual sport out in the kootney's mountains. Those logging roads will take you hundreds of km Through some of the prettiest country you've ever seen in your life.
Big Rock Moto, my casual observation: It looks like this bike suits you better than other bikes you owned, such as the KTM 690, WR250, and maybe even the Tenere if you care about low mpg, quiet, smoothness, low weight, and easy seat height, etc. Suspension, brakes, and tires are easy to fix.
I had a 1985 Honda XR-350. The single carburetor model. Probably my all time favorite motorcycle. Very reliable, did the suspension mods for my weight, with heavier springs. Never burned oil once I went to Mobil 1 synthetic 4T motorcycle 10w-40 with my oil changes. Just a great bike, I kept it for a long, long time. Honda has come a long way, with this bike. So much improvement.
I ordered the race tech suspension, new handlebars and hand guards, seat concepts seat and have the R80 bags. In central and south America you really don't need more than this. With livestock, horse carts and dogs chasing you, 60mph is plenty. Hope you feel better Ian, thanks for the review.
Quality review on this bike. I appreciate the amount of work and how thorough you are on all your bike reviews. The suspension is totally inadequate…You are remarkably forgiving on the review for a bike that is not rideable by many looking for a dual sport. Suspension components cost a lot which negates one of the best features of the bike. So if you have the know-how and are willing to spend the money for a quality rear shock & spring and front fork springs this is really a $6500 - $7000 motorcycle. Do that and you have a great $7000 bike… A better question is why reward Honda by buying this? Maybe the KLX300 or DRZ400 aren’t that bad of a choice. Also as you approach that $7000 price point it really opens up other possibilities to, “What can I get for the same amount of money?”.
I believe stock tires on this bike are IRC not Dunlop, there have been many videos on this bike where people complain about the stock tires. I personally do not find them to be that bad. I don't use this bike on highways, and didn't get it expecting it to be a highway cruiser. Overall I would agree with your review of this bike. I just got back into motorcycling after having dirt bikes as a youth, so I find this the perfect bike for my needs and pocketbook. Thanks for the review, and I hope you heal up quick.
Having owned my Rally for a while now (I bought it before the craze began). I think your review is spot on. As a new and relatively light rider (165lbs.), I have not had issues with the suspension and I can upgrade as my skill increases. The bike has enough power to cruise at 70 to 75mph, but it does not feel particularly stable at those speeds, especially with a cross wind. For me the biggest negative is a snatchy throttle which is really noticeable doing slow speed maneuvers in 1st gear. Even with a Throttle Tamer I have not been able to fix it.
I'm a Honda guy. I have a VTX 1800 that is wonderful. I went back and forth but decided to buy the KLX300 in 2021 mainly due to the suspension. I didn't care about the fuel indicator as my VTX doesn't have a fuel guage as well. I'm used to it. I live in a niche area. I drop into downtown Boise, Idaho and in 10 minutes, I'm on a dirt road. In 20 more minutes, I'm up in the trees and riding pretty spectacular trails. The small dual sport bike is perfect for my area. I changed sprockets in order to get a better 2nd dirt gear and I've been happy with my results. I also lowered the bike 1.5 inches. Perfect for my 5'8" frame. Having said this, I'm sure I would have been happy with the Honda as well but made my choice on the data available to me. I think it was the right choice for me as I have not had a Kawasaki. I'm pretty convinced thise Japanese bikes are all great machines. Ride on!
Advice to you.... You often say "Me being honest" Of course, that's what we want & looking for, from people like you & that's why we keep coming back. We see too many UA-camrs working for the company and/or bikes that they are reviewing & We, the general public get it after a few reviews. When the trust is lost, there is no turning back, because we will never know when he is telling the truth or he is flattering who is working for, and Unfortunately there are too many doing it. So my advice to you, keep telling us your truth base on your experiences, and we will always come back for more. In my opinion your truth will not be always right, as no one is perfect, but honesty and the willingness of doing good, will always win even though we may be wrong at times. Cheers!
Not sure what is available easily in the States but in the UK a simple £240 YSS shock and rider matched spring is easily fitted and transforms the bike. To be honest anyone buying a CRF should budget for this simple upgrade👍
Thanks Ian. Great work. I think honda had a set market in mind with this bike. If it had 350cc or above engine and a bit bigger fuel tank and better suspension. It will be damn close to perfect dual sport.
Yea that's why I've given up waiting and bought a 1993 dr350s. They had it right back then. Hopefully we are a 350-450cc dual sport in the near future.
Excellent Review. I own one and I agree one pretty much everything you said. Although, for me, the suspension is not an issue. I've owned an enduro before and yes, the suspensions was not even comparable. But the crf300l, being lower seated, a plush suspension, it can go everywhere. I went in some path that only jeeps could go. The first gear is so low and the engine is so torquy, I don't have to touch the clutch lever in hard terrain. It is not an enduro, it's a go everywhere bike. When I intend to go far and hit the highway for long distances, I take my KTM 1190r :)
Awesome review as always. This bike really goes to show that you just can't have everything. Power=weight, power + light weight= $$$, offroad capable= sacrificing suspension for hiway, offroad + hiway supension= $$$$. I think if I was looking at a Honda CRF I would be asking myself just what I'm looking for. If I'm riding mainly offroad I would look at the 250. If I'm doing more road/hiway miles or I was looking at a SuMo bike? I would probably spend the extra money for the 450L which a lot of ppl forget about.
I don't know about people forgetting about the 450L; it's more that it really isn't an L-class bike. If it was, it would be a bigger hit. Instead, it has much higher maintenance intervals and cost.
One of the best 300L reviews Ian and I have watched them all. I also own a 300L with a ton of mods, suspension incoming. I have seen a lot of your videos and enjoy the content, would love to see you smile now and again though :)
You should increase rev limit from stock 7.5k to 9.5k if you did your initial oil change. It will help with top speed on the highway (not much but it will help). Procedure is described in the manual…
I am planning on my first dual sport (first motorcycle actually) and just he mentions at the beginning, the dualsport is what attracted me to getting a bike in the first place. For the moment my #1 choice is the crf300l rally. This review was amazing and earned a subscribed even if it was the first videos ive seen from him. 5/5 quality review
I love the way this video starts, the music and the bike riding are top notch.. although i always wonder why dual sports cost so much more than the similar spec naked bike.
A lot of money for junk. You did a good job on the review of this motorcycle. And by the time you do all of the mods that will need to be done it becomes a $9000 or more dollar motorcycle. my brother bought one smaller that the 300 and He spent $11000 on his
Ian, once again excelling at thorough, thought provoking, and factual summary of another bike. So many folks have, and are still, reviewing this bike but you've captured the broad strokes and some nuance details in one stop. Thanks much. I'm still on the Rally waiting list (only 2 ahead of me at the local dealer though!) - maybe swapping tags in July!
Great Review Ian! A friend of mine is looking to purchase the CRF300L. You really can't beat it for the cost and durability. Problem is, they sell them out as soon as they arrive at the dealerships. Enjoyed the outtakes and I hope your leg is feeling much better. Cheers!
My local dealer says this years limited supply will only be sold to deposited buyers. None will be available for "showroom display". Several nearby dealers say the wait list is already out to Sept./Oct.
It was a close race between the KLX and the CRF for me - I ended up getting the KLX because the cost of the suspension upgrades would have been far more than the difference in price. However, yes, the instrumentation is ancient on the KLX. I'm happy with it though - I also like the slightly lower weight.
@@elindenstein the instrumentation on the crf300l is perfect, everything you need and nothing that you don't. Not like you have to scroll through thousand of things to try to find what you're looking for. Kawasaki really should have done a better job with that. Honda did much more than kawasaki going from the 250 to the 300. Literally the only thing kawasaki did was up the displacement...other than that it looks identical to the 250. I'd personally rather get the honda and just upgrade the suspension, but good luck with the kawasaki!
I hear the mpg and range of the honda is much better. Pretty wild how different it is. Its easy to change the suspension but almost impossible to gain 15mpg.
Excellent work Ian. I love dual sports; 2019 XT250 owner here. I sat on the "rally version" of this bike and the seat heat intimidated me a little bit as a newer rider but now I've come to appreciate the 300L extra displacement and 6th gear. I doubt i'd ever give up the XT though as I've invested too much in aftermarket goodies and spare parts- love that bike ;-D
I was a little bit intimidated by the 300 Rally’s seat height at first, but I started getting use to it , and by the time my seat concepts low pro seat came in, I was pretty much use to it, but was super happy to get that new seat. Not because it was lower, but because it was so much more comfortable. The stock seat was absolutely horrible... The new seat only gave me about 1” difference, and that was barely noticeable
@@JohnnyBoy919 hey John, i spend a lot of time on the asphalt getting to dirt, so the added fairings and windscreen are welcome additions. The tiny tank on the non-Rally was a deal breaker for me. Aftermarket will probably address this but it hasn't happened yet and I've enjoyed the bigger tank for 8777 miles already. The other differences are icing on the cake (larger front brake rotor, better pegs, no front brake line moronically in front of the dash).
Due to the sand tracks we have locally, my choice was the DRZ400E model. Having ridden a WRF280 in sand, it had had adequate power for sand, but it was frenetic to ride for long distances with any comfort. I had tried Honda XR250, DRZ250, KLX300 and of those the KLX300 was more stable in sand and had adequate power. The problem with the KLX is the tank size is limited by the perimeter frame. You can adapt an Acerbis 20L petrol tank to either of the XR and DRZ 250's. My question is have Honda made the rear subframe strong enough for taking luggage weight. I have spent 5 years riding a Tiger 800XCx and while it was a great all road tourer, the size and weight does limit where you choose to ride it. I am back to riding the DRZ400 now. Yes the gearbox ratios are weird ( I fitted a ACT gear set to simulate a 6 speed box spread), the suspension needs stiffening, but there are a lot of after market products to suit the bike. Lack of fuel range would limit this bike in countries which fuel stations are 300-400 km apart.
Dude, you have really hit your stride with your bike reviews. Think that you create & present some of the best & most interesting motorcycle videos on youtube, balancing the provision of detailed information with much appreciated entertainment - I've yet to watch a bike review that didn't that didn't put a smile on my face whilst moving my imminent adventure bike purchase decision forward. Plus, the intro and accompanying music on this video was all by itself worth the visit to your channel. Big Rock Moto Rocks...Big!
Wonderful review. It has helped me finalize my motorcycle directions with the details you provided. In my younger years (early '70s), I road only Hondas. My first was the That XL250 was wonderful and fit my needs to go on trails and also the highway. One time I had my younger brother on the back and we cruised along the Vermont interstate getting up to almost 75 miles per hour if we tucked in. Unfortunately, I sold it while in college. (I did recently find a 1974 XL250 - needs a bit of work.) I was motorcycle-less until about 15 years ago. He sold me his 1986 BMW R80 RT after he bought his first brand new touring BMW. The bike was fun enough to ride, but just wasn't right. I traded with his cousin for a 1982 BMW R65. It had less of the touring "stuff" on it but still wasn't quite right - several wear and tear issues. In April 2017 preparing for my retirement, I bought my second new motorcycle - a 2016 Africa Twin. I considered the CRF250 but I now weigh as much as my brother and I combined back in 1974. The CFR 250 would not quite do it as my only motorcycle. I also consider the CB500X, but it did not have the current features back then. The Africa Twin is a tall motorcycle for someone with a 30 inch inseam - and in reality a returning rider with rusty skills. I almost dropped the Africa Twin on the initial ride home when I stalled it at a traffic light with a left turn and railroad tracks. The OEM seat was already in the low position. Honda's low seat was on order. The low seat helped but my built-in cushioning wanted more on the Africa Twin. Ultimately, I purchased a Sargent low seat. It has more cushioning. Both the Honda low-seat and the Sargent seat have me at best close to the balls one my feet - tip-toe is probably a more accurate description. On the highway and local roads, I have no real issues with the seat hight. The Africa Twin handles the interstate so smoothly that I found myself in the fast lane at speeds I could never approach with my XL250. A State Trooper even verified the degree of excess speed. Afterwards I looked at my GPS tracks that showed me a bit slower. I suspect that when I took my helmet off and he saw my white hair and beard, he was probably expecting a younger person. He gave me a warning. (I believe my veteran plate also helped.) I had been considering selling my Africa Twin. It has very low mileage since I road very little during Covid days and with some health issues just before that. But I would miss the the highway and back road capabilities of the Africa Twin. The CFR300 would be fun for trail riding. I can lower the suspension an inch more which would allow me to be solidly on the balls of my feet. I decided that I need to get that 1974 XL250 running again for those short off road adventures and enjoy them like Noraly. Thank you for your in depth review. Hope that leg healed quickly.
Sorry about your leg Ian . Seems like a decent little bike . The one motorcycle that keeps coming to mind is the KTM 690 . With all the kinks figured out I think that bike is about the closest thing to what people are looking for . 350lbs ish 60 something hp good suspension decent brakes can carry some luggage good offroad etc , man all I need to do is ride one now lol .
Ian, great to see the review, likely one of your most anticipated reviews. I could feel your pain on the bottoming out areas! It would be really interesting like you said to try that bike with a good suspension upgrade. The 300L is a great bike though for sure. Funny 😁 the outtakes, I can see you saying "I love my job" , ride safe! Thanks
Why don't people talk about the DR650 as a great dual sport bike? Thanks for the great review on a bike I was thinking about. Hope you feel better and didn't hurt your leg too bad.
That front bake cable has to be there like that. It’s because of the suspension travel. It allows it to not tear. So when the suspension compressed it just rises. There’s videos on why dusk sports and dirt bikes have their brake line like that.
I had an XT225 when I was younger, and I loved to take it just about anywhere. This is a much more capable machine that I would have loved even more, but I have a WR250R now that I'm sure it's much more capable at more aggressive off road riding. It's good to have options for all kinds of riders.
Extremely calm..candid ,concise and precise..nothing left...this is the bike for me living in Africa..honda company makes bullet proof engines be it cars or bikes..but the compromised suspect is okay for a 6 ' 7 feet midget like me weighing 175 pounds
@ A long stroke 400 to the tune of a liquid cooled XR400 would be a dramatically different bike from a 450RL. Not everyone wants a retarded fast bike that you have to change oil every 20 minutes and rebuild every 6000 miles. The worst thing the Japanese ever did was make MX bikes 4 strokes. I can rebuild a 250 2 stroke in an hour for $125.
Just bought a 2020 CRF 250 L with 900 miles on it the guy did everything exhaust airbox modification EJK and it does 70 miles an hour all day long but I like 65. I’m never gonna ride crazy off-road bc I’m 63 and not an aggressive rider. Just want to explore and see the sites.
It sounds like what the market really needs is mildly updated DRZ 400 with fi and a 6 speed or a big brother to the CRF300L. I really like the CRF450L that Honda gave us but I can’t help but think a cheaper version 450l based on the 300l would be just about perfect for a lot of people. BTW I hope your leg got better quickly.
My buddy and I have been saying the same thing for months. A 450l rally with the same service intervals of the 300 would be much closer to "perfect". Heck, throw the 500x twin in a 450l rally even.
Yeah, it's curious that no manufacturer has made that bike. I mean, they see the success of the DRZ, right? And listen to any owner and they bemoan the missing 6th gear and wonder why FI hasn't been brought on yet. Still, I also wonder why my mid-2000s XT225 is ~250lbs wet, and these "newer" dual-sports are over 300lbs. It isn't the small increase in engine cc's. A late 90s XT350 weighs less than this modern 300cc bike. Why?
I appreciate your review. I’m a first time on-road bike owner, and I just bought a brand new 2022 300LA, I absolutely agree with your assessment and I Am extremely happy with my purchase so far, even though I live in the northeast, and I won’t truly be able to enjoy it till about the middle of the month of may. Thanks!
Another great review. Your review are always half hour but seems so short…means you do a great job. Tks! I’m still lost and I ‘m sure ( I really hope 😉) at the end you will make the comparison between the 3…CRF300L, KLX 300 and DRZ. I’m an experienced on road rider, start slowly Forest road with my Strom 650 but really need a dual sport who will be exclusively for off road, Forest road and easy single trail. Problem, I’m a big guy, 6’3 for 240 so which one…..I like the idea of the 300 rally but it will need 1000$ of upgraded suspension and now we are in the price range of the DRZ and XR650L . Ian! Help me..😅. More seriously, keep doing amazing job and fast recovery.
I'm feeling your concerns at 6'4" 245#. I'm hoping a $150 shock spring replacement will suffice if I ever get the Rally (I've got deposits at 2 dealers).
@@got_to_roll i made some search and to upgrade suspension, it’s around 1200$. For that, you have a new rear shock, a front spring with new valves. All of that customized to your weight, height, type of riding.
Finally! I've been hanging out for you to review this bike Ian as I'm thinking about buying it or the Rally version. I've been wondering when you'd get around to it! Thanks for another great, informative review! I hope your leg has a speedy recovery.
I owned a 250 Rally for a year. I loved it. Light versatile and I didn’t find suspension too bad. I think there are some notable spec differences between crf 300 and the rally version not mentioned in the video.
Can’t like this one enough I have a rally! I was a early adopter and am loving it biggest thing I love is my friend got a L and now for relatively cheap we have a hobby again at 38 most people have to wait for kids to be gone this gets you back out there in my opinion.
Also where I’m at same weight 80 is easy to achieve I see semis where having trouble keeping speed on the hills you where on where you are at and what you expect of the bike make a difference but I don’t want people to write this off because the freeway test makes it look bad. It is a great bike and for the money and what it does I’d say there is nothing close to it.
It will do a 6 second 0-60 that’s not bad keep up the videos and keep in mind what you have access to vs. people that this could be all they can afford and it gets them back out there.
Also for others looking watch mad tv review of the bike to compare. I don’t like the guy but he is pretty honest about it and it’s doing some big things in Australia with there terrain and riders.
I really wish they would work on combining the best aspects of the 450L and the 300L. The maintenance interval, initial price, and ecu+exhaust mod requirement are the biggest cons of the 450L. You can pick up the 450L used for under $8k now. Getting close to a better value with more power and better suspension. I am so torn between the 300 and 450. I am looking to make a lightweight ADV build as an alternative to my heavy Africa Twin.
If the CRF300L is set up for a 120 lb rider (like the average Thai customer? beginning teenagers? who's the target?), I imagine that heavier fork oil and an aftermarket shock would make it OK for 160 lbs for $300.
Yes, a lot of Japanese bikes are sprung for 120 lbs riders. That seems to be a common weight over there. All you need is to replace the springs with heavier ones, which is probably less than $200 for two fork springs and one shock spring if you do it yourself (like I did on my bike). No need to buy a completely new shock or change the fork oil.
I have a Rally for NE gravel roads and putting on fire roads in the Black Hills. Perfect for that and easy to load in the back of my pickup. Seat is fairly high on the rally at 35 inches. I am 6 2 195 age 58 and I don’t ride aggressive enough on this bike to bottom out. I have 3 other motorcycles if I want to go on the freeway.
I was impressed at how it looked at 70+ on the highway. Looked more stable than my KTM690EnduroR. I’m pretty sure that is due to the off road bias tires that are on the 690 at the moment. I’m going to have to look into more of a 50/50 tire and see if that makes a difference in road manners at speed.
@@humzilla707 yeah I’m saving for a Scott’s steering damper for it to see if that helps out. My 690 is steady as a rock till speeds above 70 though and like I said I think it has a lot to do with the tire on the front
I’m sort of surprised at the highway performance of the test bike. I took the highway route 100 miles home the other day and my crf300l was pretty comfortably cruising at 75(gps). I still had a little go left and saw 86 on the gps on a slight downhill. Stock gearing and tires on mine. Still a kinda lousy highway bike but I didn’t feel like I was taking my life in my hands.
@@BigRockMoto I have installed a Scott’s damper with the BRP rubber mounted risers on my ktm 690 and it seems to have cured the shaky feeling it had when speeds reached above 70 mph. I’ve taken it up to 85 mph (don’t feel the need to ever go faster than that) and it was steady as a rock so the Scott’s damper was definitely worth the investment. I really enjoy your channel 👍 Your bike and gear reviews are my favorites. I feel like I’m getting an honest opinion.
Thanks again for a great review. This is actually one review I was really looking forward too. I am so confused right now! I want a lighter bike for adventure type rides. I was considering this bike in the rally configuration. So, I was going between the 300 Rally, KLR, Tenere 700, KTM 390. So far I think I am going to lean towards the Tenere. I have a super tenere for 7 yrs now, and I just love the sound and power on the hwy. I was going KLR, owned 5. But it is not going to be a whole lot different. I appreciate the time you take on your reviews. This has really helped me come to terms with the type of bike I am searching for. Cheers! Hope heal up quick.
I'm gonna get the 300 rally, I think it's the best lightweight adventure bike. Count an extra 1000$ to upgrade the suspensions to your weight, 1000$ to get new exhaust and ecu (550 performance) to make the engine a lot more alive and torquey and then just some barkbusters and handlebar risers and you got an off road weapon that is still more affordable than any other options...
As mentioned the T7 is a LOT heavier and really in the Middle weight class and $5000 US more than the CRF300L. The KTM 390 Adv has a lot more horsepower,is over a $1000 more and has a smaller front wheel. I have a Tenere 700 on order and I own the 890 Adv R so I’m looking for a smaller more “Flickable” bike. At this point I’ll probably get KTM 390 Adv.
@@glossblack1098 I owned a 690 for a couple yrs, thinking the same thing. I enjoyed it more as a dirt bike. I did not like the gear ratios. I actually preferred my wr250r over it.
@@PapaDougsAdventures01 I do have a 350exc, looking for something to replace the super tenere. the t7 is over 100lbs lighter. still a little more than I would like.
THANK YOU!. I pretty much thought your review would be exactly what it was and I'm not surprised at all you chose the CRF over the KLX. Coming off of a CRF1000 and weighing 230lbs I was really hoping for a better outcome but I grasping straws doing so. Maybe I need to find the mad scientist to hack a CBX500 motor into a CRF300 Rally. 😂🙏 Thanks again for your unbiased review. 👍
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When doing highway test , what gas do you use, 89 regular or super 93?
Did you say you have to pull the shock absorber to screw the preload up???!!
Which ones engine is more relaxed at 65 miles an hour the 300L or the DRZ400
When I bought my 300L I was 6’5” and 250 lbs.
I’m now down to 220 lbs.
I haven’t managed to get any shorter but this has been the best power mod I’ve found for the bike.
Yes, I'm 6'5"+ and about 215 lbs. in full riding gear. People often forget that it is the total weight of the machine, rider and all gear which counts. That is why diets are such an inexpensive performance upgrade as are lithium batteries, tubeless tires etc.
That’s awesome. Dirt biking is the best exercise!
👏🏻👏🏻😎 I'm 6'4" and down 20 pounds to 243 this year. Can't wait to actually get my 300 Rally to see how much more I can lose!
Nice drop in wait. Congrats.
Well done! Its tough losing 30lbs. I bet you feel way better as well
This guys reviews are genuinely 5 out of 5 very well done
thanks
So true
He is the Excellence of Execution!
Reviewing the reviewer eh?
Agreed, I love all of them. I can't afford any, but love them all the same.
without a doubt, your 30min+ bike reviews are not only really enjoyable to watch but also educational. I watch almost every review, even bikes that dont interest me because its from you. Keep it up!
The front brake line has a PVC sheath…..where it slides up & down through a slider on the left side of the dash. Use a heat gun….gently heat the PVC sheath and bend it slightly to curve forward. When it cools the PVC sheath will retain its forward bend and the brake line will remain out of your way and not block your view of the dash. It only takes a slight curve forward and it will be out of your way.
😮😮😮bro you just saved me sooooo much trouble
Great tip! You can also add an extended bolt for the left guide loop off Amazon. It will help move the line forward.
Thanks for the great review. The CRF300L Rally is at the top of my list. I’m a novice rider, 5’ 10”, 180# and I live in the Wasatch mountains in Utah. I sent messages out to all the Honda dealers in the state a few days ago asking about price and availability. I got a call back the next morning from a smaller town dealership down south. A guy had cancelled his deposit on a Rally ABS the evening before. I’m going to pick it up on Saturday. 👍
I think someone is falling in love with smaller displacement bikes lately :) Can't blame you, I'm the same. Light is right.
Me too.
I'm 200lbs and love riding my 125 2 stroke. The lighter the better
At 64, undoubtedly me too!!!
Unfortunately this little gem is not yet available in my country....
Yeah 205 love riding my tricked out 2003 ktm 125 sx
So fun
I’ve watched Itchy boots use this on her adventure and I’m amazed at how well it works for her. She is a skilled rider, she is a tiny person and she did change the suspension. I am none of those things so last week I bought A 2022 CRF450RL. Time will tell if I made the right choice. Just ordered the Throttle Tamer and the Seat Concepts Comfort XL so LET THE MODS BEGIN! Woot Woot
One of the best , most honest reviewers I have ever experienced, look forward to every review you do, Great Work!
At 65 years old, I'm looking for my final enduro. The suspension is a deal killer here. Thanks for the review.
What did you get? I suggest a tw200 or a vanvan.
I am giggling like a 18 year old with the news of this legend coming to our shores in India. I am so so so excited man, Itchy boots fan here ..
Just spent a day course in a quarry. Most of the street legal bikes were KTM but there was als a CRF300L.
The KTM are way more aggressive, fun but also harder to control.
The CRF300L is super easy to control and super confidence inspiring. Absolutely awesome bike, especially considering the reliability and the price.
I yet have to get my hands on a Husky 701.
Don't sleep on the KLX 300 and the 2023 in black camo.........JS
5 days now I am proud to be an owner of this bike. I am 75 kilos and 1.73 cm and the bike fits amazing on me and the suspension feels great! I haven't done any serious off road but believe me the greek cretan roads where I leave are very bad.. before his I owned a kawasaki kaze r115 and the and the deference of course is chaotic. I rent the previous model 250l for a couple of days before I purchase my 300l and the experience you get is by far far better. The way it delivers its power its amazing.. bravo honda ! This bike is epic! Amazing video kepp up!!
@Enzo Moresi yes yes.. its true. Because when you sit the suspension is very soft. So as a result the half of my both feet touch the ground. Also the bike is very light and weight handling is never a problem
Noraly is actually doing what many of us would love to.
Ted Simon was my man back in the day.
Im in my 50s and have been riding Honda my entire life. Always my fav n always will. They have always been great from generators to small bikes n 3 wheelers to my 230..❤️
I've owned mine since Sept and ride it on logging roads and single track. New tires are mandatory and make a world of difference. I also upgraded front spring and dropped a tooth on front sprocket. Love that it's basically zero maintenance. Also replaced bars and of course a skid plate
I love how you tucked the brake wire underneath the crossbar. Bad design from Honda
Are these suitable for daily light road commuting? Or are the tires going to make it significantly more expensive than a sport/naked? 😯 My bad if he answers this in the video I'm still near the beginning lol
Another great review Ian, thanks. Comparison notes, or two cents, from a 190 pound 6' 2" tall KLX300 owner: Suspension, suspension, suspension is the difference. Keeping the wheels on the ground I have never bottomed the suspension on my KLX, and this is at stock settings. The KLX gives you rear rebound, compression and preload and front compression adjustments for more aggressive riders. And on highway speeds, my KLX300 at sea level easily pulls 80 mph (GPS adjusted) even with a light headwind. I still wouldn't want to play with the tractor trailers for more than a couple of exits but I can play in traffic at 70 mph and have a bit of power left over on the KLX. So after watching this review I'm glad I went with the KLX.
And a note on seats, the KLX came with what felt like a 2x6 board for a seat. It never felt bad on the trails but when I sat for an hour or more road riding it was kinda horrible. But Seat Concepts, for only $219, was the perfect cure.
All in all thanks again Ian for another great review and I hope the leg heals up quickly.
thanks for sharing
Hey I'm same height and weight and have been leaning toward the KLX300 because of the suspension. Sounds like you are a satisfied customer but any regrets or immediate upgrades you would do? Did you do any in depth thinking about this bike CRF300L or DRZ40 or some other equivelant? I'm still making final decisions but seems like the suspension is really a huge factor and ultimately may be what might put me over the edge on the KLX.
I was seriously considering this bike, but after seeing the freeway test I know it's not going to be the right motorcycle for me. Very useful review of this bike because it gave me the information I needed. Thanks!
Some basic mods to this bike would up the power significantly, while lowering its weight overall. All bikes require some mods to make it right for you and how you ride. Don't be chased off because of one reviewer.
@Big Daddy I agree. But my wife likes to ride 2-up with me. No replacement for displacement!
A 550 performance tune, aftermarket exhaust, and high flow air filter would all help
@@demetriuscooksey7147 It's a 300lb dirt bike. 2 up riding is stupid in this class. Putting 300lbs+ of meat on a 300lb bike was never an option.
@Dave C. we used to put around on forest service roads with an old DR250. We weren't trying to win any races, we just enjoyed exploring together. I put on a bigger back sprocket, a pipe that breathed a little better, and beefed up the suspension. It was great until we discovered a DR650 that we could ride TO the trail on and didn't have to load and unload the thing from the pickup. We sold the 650 years ago because we started a family.
I had the 250L and loved it. I sold it and bought an Africa Twin. I really liked it also BUT the weight eventually got to me. I replaced it with the 300L Rally. Yes, it is under sprung, however, I replaced the rear shock and front fork spring with K-Tech for my weight 255 lbs). Rear Shock $545. Front spring $93. Makes a big difference. I am not a real aggressive rider, I just like to explore. You can do the replacement work yourself, just take your time and one step at a time. Also, for the shorter rider, KoubaLink makes a lowering link ($179) that should resolve the height issue. Tusk makes at least three different soft luggage options for this type of bike. So, there it is, you buy this bike and invest a grand and your off on your own adventure exploring. Well worth the money. I wish I would have done this when I was much younger. P.S. Throw in a skid plate and handguards, another $250. Now you can go anywhere!
Luv my 300 Rally! Seat concepts seat was the best mod I’ve made so far. I couldn’t ride for more than an hour and half without my rear end getting soar. Swapped the handlebars out and added bark busters. When I get the extra cash I’ll upgrade the suspension, but I’m fine with it for right now. Just gives me something to look forward to.
I just reserved a Rally and am planning on the K-Tech suspension. I agree $650 total for suspension puts this bike at the top with all the other aspects of the bike. Do you have any reservations on K-tech at all or are you completely happy with it? Not many reviews out there so I'm wondering why so many go with more expensive options.
@@dylanyoung3911 I suppose it depends on what kind of riding you are planning to do. I am not a hard enduro highly technical type of rider. I like a little bit of a challenge but I like exploring off the beaten path. I think the Rally was designed for a little more distance (bigger gas tank than the 300L standard model), bigger brake rotors, a little bit more weather protection, etc. Mainly I upgraded the suspension because my size and weight definitely put the OEM suspension to the test. I decided on K-Tech due to value, other reviews that I have found (check some of the 300L forums). The K-Tech seemed reasonably priced. Yes, there are more pricier options with all the adjustments you need and more. But if you are going to ride hard and fast on technical woopy stuff and beat it on single track the CRF300L Rally may not be the bike for that type of stuff. I would think the DRZ, KTM or Husky would be more fitting. On the other hand, if you're going to pack a small bag, head out with no destination in mind I think the 300 Rally with the K-Tech upgrade will handle anything you come across. I hope this answers you question, yes I am happy with it. But, that's me. It's definitely night and day compared to stock.
I too have a 300L and just bought K-Tech front spring and complete rear shock. Looking forward to seeing the difference. I’ll try to report back when I get some time on the new suspension.
thanks for the info
The front brake line is routed that way to allow for full suspension travel without excessively flexing and stressing the brake hose.
I bought one of these yesterday. I felt comfortable doing so because of the quality of this review.
I rode my XR650L from Prudhoe to Ushuaia and just changed the front sprocket as needed and changed out tires too. I rode mostly 80/20 tires even on the Dalton and Ruta 40. Really liked the simplicity reliability of the Honda. I tried a CRF250L for a thousand miles but just not enough grunt.
That's cool
Little difference in new price between the two as well.
I really want the 300l to be good enough to replace my xr650l. I absolutely adore my red pig but she is heavy, chugs gas, and no abs(can't tour well can't technical well) The freeway review of the 300l has me thinking it's not enough. I want the reliability and power of the XR with the weight and modern stuff of the 300l.
@@pfcokellysame exact predicament. The 650 is a good bike, but after three years I still can’t get over the height and weight. I rode a dirt only XR 250 for years as a kid, so the 650 was bought out of nostalgia mostly, and thinking I could deal with the weight and being taller than my old 250. Now I’m looking at a 300L and saying goodbye to the big red.
@@TheMotorman116 I'm having similar thoughts..owned the XRL 15 years.. now nearly 60, getting hard to sling my leg over the seat and weight is getting difficult to manage..have a little XT225 for solo camping trips and use it more often, in fact just put 300mi on it in Moab last week, but lacks road speed to connect forest roads..let us know if you get the 300L and your thoughts on it..
Thank you. An excellent and insightful review. Much appreciated.
Thanks for posting this excellent review and I hope you're feeling better soon! After initial 600 mile oil and filter change, manual recommends oil change every 8,000 miles, filter every 16,000 miles. I'd do both every 4,000.
Isn't that amazing?! 8000 miles, like it is a Civic running down the interstate
Nice and thorough review. I own a CRF250L and have 20K on it since 2019 and I'm looking at a 300L or 300R. From your review, I gather that the ride on the 300L is very similar to the 250L. I've been riding almost 60 years. Weight 170. I find the very soft suspension ideal. With a bad back, hips, knees, and neck I find the ride of this bike the only one my body can handle. I spend little time off-road and mostly ride back-roads in the country. Maybe they designed it for aging-out boomers and beginners in mind.
Went with the KLX, had the suspension tuned and dropped by the magicians at Noleen. It’s an amazingly perfect trail bike now. The suspension even though dropped two inches is so perfect that I don’t miss the ground clearance one bit. The suspension is perfectly balanced and allows for a lot more carry speed. Being lowered, it is so much more enjoyable on the tight stuff. Added the amazing Fasstflex bars to it and bigger pegs. Perfection.
Simply not enough power for Cali freeways. I love Honda. I’d buy a Drz400
How about the CRF300 from your house through Death Valley and then to Vegas for room and great meal and then back home the next day. I am strongly considering the 300 or maybe the KTN 390. I am only after FUN.
Uwielbiam tą pasję z jaką Paweł opowiada o motocyklach. Ogrom wiedzy eksperckiej praktycznie o każdej maszynie jest imponujący a bagaż doświadczeń podróżniczym godny pozazdroszczenia. Kto wie, może i ja kiedyś dorosnę do HD 😊
Was original planning on buying a cheap dual sport, and this was one of my choices. But now I’m leaning towards the Rally, 500x or the 390Adv. Thanks for the content brother, KEEP FEEDING US! 👌🏽
Check out FortNine's video on the 390 adventure before spending money on one. I had a 2018 500x but it had the 17 inch front and rear tires. not the best selection of tires for it, plus it was quite top heavy when trying to do any trail work.
I'm now on a 2014 CRF250L to get better at off roading and trail work before going to something bigger.
I have the KTM 390 Adventure and will take it over the Honda CB 500X I did up grade the hand guards and bash plate to the better KTM ones. also went with the Dunlop TrailMax Mission tires. Just over 10,000 Km and loving it, and the tires are only down 2mm another 8mm to go. I use it on Paved, gravel, and dirt roads and some trails. It is much more off road than you would think. the ground clearance is lacking but the suspension more than makes up for it. The KTM also retunes it at the first service, and that makes quite a difference, so them that are testing it before the first service do not know what this bike will do. Good luck on what ever you get.
@@clutch2315 The FortMine's video on the 390 adventure is a joke there are some that actually take the 390 Adventure on some pretty gnarly trails and it does them no problems. I wonder about these guys who take a bike around the parking lot and then think they know what the bike is capable of. You do need to up grade the bash plate but you can get it form KTM. I have mine set up as a ADV bike but there is a girl who has hers set up for off road and dose mostly off road on it. Main difference would be the tires. After the first service they reset it and then you find out what the KRM 390 Adventure will do ring its neck and it gets up and moves out, Has to be one of the most fun bikes I have had, in over 55 years of riding. And I have ridden the CRF 500 X so I do know the difference. Off road the CB dose not come close to the KTM and not much difference on the highway. and a plus is that on a 14.5 liter gas tank I get as many miles as the Honda with a 17 liter gas tank.
Man, you do a great job with your reviews. I really appreciate the opinions that are logically based. No frills and no BS. You’re delivery is really well received.
After changing the springs on my DRZ for my weight (230-240), I will always do it as an early mod. Makes a huge difference.
Sell it to someone who weighs similar to you
I finally got my 300L! Easily my unicorn dualsport given my countryside riding environment. Nearly perfect 👌🏻
Had a DRZ that I rode off road for 6 years including the OR dual sport series. It was heavy, had brittle engine cases, and needed a 6th. And, it sounded great. Like all Suzukis, it was bullet proof & the suspension was OK. I replaced it with a KTM 450 EXC which was higher maintenance but much better all around.
The GOAT of motorcycle reviewers
Have 6xxx awesome miles on the CRF including a 1100 mile trip on the BRP and Dragon area in TN. It’s brilliant. This and a GS is the perfect combo. Mine will do 84 mph on a flat road w no wind, but it isn’t fun and not what it’s designed for. It’s a simple cheap last forever dual sport.
Very honest and detailed... probably the best review of CRF 300 ever.
I was going to buy the 300 rally but bought a used KTM 690 Enduro after researching the power and suspension upgrades I would eventually do. Does seem like a nice bike for the price.
That's exactly what I did too. Had a 300L on order, it was delayed several months, and while I was waiting I scored a '19 690R at a good price. Couldn't be happier.
I have the Husqvarna 701, 2016 so a bit less powerful than the 2017 and later versions. I'm very pleased with my choice but it is not a novice ride. I got it as a novice and it bit my arse a fair few times. Mine has a Rally Raid screen and a Seat Concepts seat, so it is a light ADV. I've done a lot of miles off road on it and it is pretty good on road, for a big single. I'm not tempted by the 300.
Right choice!
In my opinion the rally is kinda a bad option. It's a terrible adventure bike and a bad dirt bike. The L makes more sense. It's not pretending to be something it's not
@@TonyHerson watch this and tell me the 300 Rally isn't almost an unfair advantage vs the KTMs and Huskies in Aus/NZ adv riding. He's got upgraded suspension on his 300 Rally, as have I on my 250 Rally. I paid US$4200 for mine, brand new, on the road (a 2019 model bought in March 2020), and spent $900 on the suspension, so I'm in for $5100 all up. They have plenty of power when the open road speed limit is 100 km/h ua-cam.com/video/MhSKCH3aWbg/v-deo.html
Nothing better than being on a dual sport out in the kootney's mountains. Those logging roads will take you hundreds of km Through some of the prettiest country you've ever seen in your life.
Big Rock Moto, my casual observation: It looks like this bike suits you better than other bikes you owned, such as the KTM 690, WR250, and maybe even the Tenere if you care about low mpg, quiet, smoothness, low weight, and easy seat height, etc. Suspension, brakes, and tires are easy to fix.
I had a 1985 Honda XR-350. The single carburetor model. Probably my all time favorite motorcycle. Very reliable, did the suspension mods for my weight, with heavier springs. Never burned oil once I went to Mobil 1 synthetic 4T motorcycle 10w-40 with my oil changes. Just a great bike, I kept it for a long, long time. Honda has come a long way, with this bike. So much improvement.
You definitely make the best motorcycle reviews on UA-cam, I went with the klx300 after your review on it and I’m glad I did! Thank you! 😎
Great to hear!
I ordered the race tech suspension, new handlebars and hand guards, seat concepts seat and have the R80 bags. In central and south America you really don't need more than this. With livestock, horse carts and dogs chasing you, 60mph is plenty. Hope you feel better Ian, thanks for the review.
Quality review on this bike. I appreciate the amount of work and how thorough you are on all your bike reviews.
The suspension is totally inadequate…You are remarkably forgiving on the review for a bike that is not rideable by many looking for a dual sport. Suspension components cost a lot which negates one of the best features of the bike. So if you have the know-how and are willing to spend the money for a quality rear shock & spring and front fork springs this is really a $6500 - $7000 motorcycle. Do that and you have a great $7000 bike… A better question is why reward Honda by buying this? Maybe the KLX300 or DRZ400 aren’t that bad of a choice. Also as you approach that $7000 price point it really opens up other possibilities to, “What can I get for the same amount of money?”.
I would buy the Honda and upgrade.
This review is garbage. A lot of bad information
I believe stock tires on this bike are IRC not Dunlop, there have been many videos on this bike where people complain about the stock tires. I personally do not find them to be that bad. I don't use this bike on highways, and didn't get it expecting it to be a highway cruiser. Overall I would agree with your review of this bike. I just got back into motorcycling after having dirt bikes as a youth, so I find this the perfect bike for my needs and pocketbook. Thanks for the review, and I hope you heal up quick.
Having owned my Rally for a while now (I bought it before the craze began). I think your review is spot on. As a new and relatively light rider (165lbs.), I have not had issues with the suspension and I can upgrade as my skill increases. The bike has enough power to cruise at 70 to 75mph, but it does not feel particularly stable at those speeds, especially with a cross wind. For me the biggest negative is a snatchy throttle which is really noticeable doing slow speed maneuvers in 1st gear. Even with a Throttle Tamer I have not been able to fix it.
thanks for the info
I'm a Honda guy. I have a VTX 1800 that is wonderful. I went back and forth but decided to buy the KLX300 in 2021 mainly due to the suspension. I didn't care about the fuel indicator as my VTX doesn't have a fuel guage as well. I'm used to it. I live in a niche area. I drop into downtown Boise, Idaho and in 10 minutes, I'm on a dirt road. In 20 more minutes, I'm up in the trees and riding pretty spectacular trails. The small dual sport bike is perfect for my area. I changed sprockets in order to get a better 2nd dirt gear and I've been happy with my results. I also lowered the bike 1.5 inches. Perfect for my 5'8" frame. Having said this, I'm sure I would have been happy with the Honda as well but made my choice on the data available to me. I think it was the right choice for me as I have not had a Kawasaki. I'm pretty convinced thise Japanese bikes are all great machines. Ride on!
Stock tires on my 300L were not Dunlops, I think they were IRC tires, fyi. (Virginia, USA)
Advice to you....
You often say "Me being honest" Of course, that's what we want & looking for, from people like you & that's why we keep coming back. We see too many UA-camrs working for the company and/or bikes that they are reviewing & We, the general public get it after a few reviews. When the trust is lost, there is no turning back, because we will never know when he is telling the truth or he is flattering who is working for, and Unfortunately there are too many doing it. So my advice to you, keep telling us your truth base on your experiences, and we will always come back for more. In my opinion your truth will not be always right, as no one is perfect, but honesty and the willingness of doing good, will always win even though we may be wrong at times.
Cheers!
Not sure what is available easily in the States but in the UK a simple £240 YSS shock and rider matched spring is easily fitted and transforms the bike. To be honest anyone buying a CRF should budget for this simple upgrade👍
Best motorcycle reviews on UA-cam. Great work, thank you.
Thanks Ian. Great work. I think honda had a set market in mind with this bike.
If it had 350cc or above engine and a bit bigger fuel tank and better suspension. It will be damn close to perfect dual sport.
Yea that's why I've given up waiting and bought a 1993 dr350s. They had it right back then. Hopefully we are a 350-450cc dual sport in the near future.
i'm hoping for a WR350R on the same 250R chassis if it come
@@andrewcannon587 that would be incredible
just get a husq
@@racerx3669 husq=ktm=high maintenance+high cost+high problem
I was just about to purchase the Crf but I watched your review on the KLX and went with it. Great bike. Both bikes are very good.
Excellent Review. I own one and I agree one pretty much everything you said. Although, for me, the suspension is not an issue. I've owned an enduro before and yes, the suspensions was not even comparable. But the crf300l, being lower seated, a plush suspension, it can go everywhere. I went in some path that only jeeps could go. The first gear is so low and the engine is so torquy, I don't have to touch the clutch lever in hard terrain. It is not an enduro, it's a go everywhere bike. When I intend to go far and hit the highway for long distances, I take my KTM 1190r :)
Awesome review as always. This bike really goes to show that you just can't have everything. Power=weight, power + light weight= $$$, offroad capable= sacrificing suspension for hiway, offroad + hiway supension= $$$$. I think if I was looking at a Honda CRF I would be asking myself just what I'm looking for. If I'm riding mainly offroad I would look at the 250. If I'm doing more road/hiway miles or I was looking at a SuMo bike? I would probably spend the extra money for the 450L which a lot of ppl forget about.
I don't know about people forgetting about the 450L; it's more that it really isn't an L-class bike. If it was, it would be a bigger hit. Instead, it has much higher maintenance intervals and cost.
One of the best 300L reviews Ian and I have watched them all. I also own a 300L with a ton of mods, suspension incoming. I have seen a lot of your videos and enjoy the content, would love to see you smile now and again though :)
Wow, thanks!
You should increase rev limit from stock 7.5k to 9.5k if you did your initial oil change. It will help with top speed on the highway (not much but it will help). Procedure is described in the manual…
I am planning on my first dual sport (first motorcycle actually) and just he mentions at the beginning, the dualsport is what attracted me to getting a bike in the first place. For the moment my #1 choice is the crf300l rally. This review was amazing and earned a subscribed even if it was the first videos ive seen from him. 5/5 quality review
I love the way this video starts, the music and the bike riding are top notch.. although i always wonder why dual sports cost so much more than the similar spec naked bike.
A lot of money for junk. You did a good job on the review of this motorcycle. And by the time you do all of the mods that will need to be done it becomes a $9000 or more dollar motorcycle. my brother bought one smaller that the 300 and He spent $11000 on his
Ian, once again excelling at thorough, thought provoking, and factual summary of another bike. So many folks have, and are still, reviewing this bike but you've captured the broad strokes and some nuance details in one stop. Thanks much. I'm still on the Rally waiting list (only 2 ahead of me at the local dealer though!) - maybe swapping tags in July!
Reviews are getting really good
Great Review Ian! A friend of mine is looking to purchase the CRF300L. You really can't beat it for the cost and durability. Problem is, they sell them out as soon as they arrive at the dealerships. Enjoyed the outtakes and I hope your leg is feeling much better.
Cheers!
My local dealer says this years limited supply will only be sold to deposited buyers. None will be available for "showroom display". Several nearby dealers say the wait list is already out to Sept./Oct.
Thanks!
It was a close race between the KLX and the CRF for me - I ended up getting the KLX because the cost of the suspension upgrades would have been far more than the difference in price. However, yes, the instrumentation is ancient on the KLX. I'm happy with it though - I also like the slightly lower weight.
Do You have a gas gauge?
@@airadaimagery692 No, but I just refill at 100 miles. Easy peasy.
@@elindenstein the instrumentation on the crf300l is perfect, everything you need and nothing that you don't. Not like you have to scroll through thousand of things to try to find what you're looking for. Kawasaki really should have done a better job with that.
Honda did much more than kawasaki going from the 250 to the 300. Literally the only thing kawasaki did was up the displacement...other than that it looks identical to the 250.
I'd personally rather get the honda and just upgrade the suspension, but good luck with the kawasaki!
I hear the mpg and range of the honda is much better. Pretty wild how different it is. Its easy to change the suspension but almost impossible to gain 15mpg.
@@Weltbummler23 Yeah if I were commuting or world traveling, I would have picked the CRF Rally, but this is just for practice and trails
Just bought myself a Honda CRF 300 rally 2023 left over. Love it 😊
Excellent work Ian. I love dual sports; 2019 XT250 owner here. I sat on the "rally version" of this bike and the seat heat intimidated me a little bit as a newer rider but now I've come to appreciate the 300L extra displacement and 6th gear. I doubt i'd ever give up the XT though as I've invested too much in aftermarket goodies and spare parts- love that bike ;-D
I went from an XT250 to 300 Rally and these are almost two different bikes. I like the CRF a lot, but also wish I had the XT.
I was a little bit intimidated by the 300 Rally’s seat height at first, but I started getting use to it , and by the time my seat concepts low pro seat came in, I was pretty much use to it, but was super happy to get that new seat. Not because it was lower, but because it was so much more comfortable. The stock seat was absolutely horrible... The new seat only gave me about 1” difference, and that was barely noticeable
Night fury how tall are you? Also I believe the standard 300l is slightly lower and more similar to your xt250.
@@randypower why did you get the rally over the standard 300l? The 300l would feel more like your xt250.
@@JohnnyBoy919 hey John, i spend a lot of time on the asphalt getting to dirt, so the added fairings and windscreen are welcome additions. The tiny tank on the non-Rally was a deal breaker for me. Aftermarket will probably address this but it hasn't happened yet and I've enjoyed the bigger tank for 8777 miles already. The other differences are icing on the cake (larger front brake rotor, better pegs, no front brake line moronically in front of the dash).
Heyyy NORALAY! I am watching this because i first saw her with it haha
Due to the sand tracks we have locally, my choice was the DRZ400E model. Having ridden a WRF280 in sand, it had had adequate power for sand, but it was frenetic to ride for long distances with any comfort. I had tried Honda XR250, DRZ250, KLX300 and of those the KLX300 was more stable in sand and had adequate power. The problem with the KLX is the tank size is limited by the perimeter frame. You can adapt an Acerbis 20L petrol tank to either of the XR and DRZ 250's. My question is have Honda made the rear subframe strong enough for taking luggage weight. I have spent 5 years riding a Tiger 800XCx and while it was a great all road tourer, the size and weight does limit where you choose to ride it. I am back to riding the DRZ400 now. Yes the gearbox ratios are weird ( I fitted a ACT gear set to simulate a 6 speed box spread), the suspension needs stiffening, but there are a lot of after market products to suit the bike. Lack of fuel range would limit this bike in countries which fuel stations are 300-400 km apart.
Dude, you have really hit your stride with your bike reviews. Think that you create & present some of the best & most interesting motorcycle videos on youtube, balancing the provision of detailed information with much appreciated entertainment - I've yet to watch a bike review that didn't that didn't put a smile on my face whilst moving my imminent adventure bike purchase decision forward. Plus, the intro and accompanying music on this video was all by itself worth the visit to your channel. Big Rock Moto Rocks...Big!
Wonderful review. It has helped me finalize my motorcycle directions with the details you provided.
In my younger years (early '70s), I road only Hondas. My first was the
That XL250 was wonderful and fit my needs to go on trails and also the highway. One time I had my younger brother on the back and we cruised along the Vermont interstate getting up to almost 75 miles per hour if we tucked in.
Unfortunately, I sold it while in college. (I did recently find a 1974 XL250 - needs a bit of work.)
I was motorcycle-less until about 15 years ago. He sold me his 1986 BMW R80 RT after he bought his first brand new touring BMW. The bike was fun enough to ride, but just wasn't right. I traded with his cousin for a 1982 BMW R65. It had less of the touring "stuff" on it but still wasn't quite right - several wear and tear issues.
In April 2017 preparing for my retirement, I bought my second new motorcycle - a 2016 Africa Twin. I considered the CRF250 but I now weigh as much as my brother and I combined back in 1974. The CFR 250 would not quite do it as my only motorcycle. I also consider the CB500X, but it did not have the current features back then.
The Africa Twin is a tall motorcycle for someone with a 30 inch inseam - and in reality a returning rider with rusty skills. I almost dropped the Africa Twin on the initial ride home when I stalled it at a traffic light with a left turn and railroad tracks. The OEM seat was already in the low position. Honda's low seat was on order.
The low seat helped but my built-in cushioning wanted more on the Africa Twin. Ultimately, I purchased a Sargent low seat. It has more cushioning. Both the Honda low-seat and the Sargent seat have me at best close to the balls one my feet - tip-toe is probably a more accurate description.
On the highway and local roads, I have no real issues with the seat hight. The Africa Twin handles the interstate so smoothly that I found myself in the fast lane at speeds I could never approach with my XL250. A State Trooper even verified the degree of excess speed. Afterwards I looked at my GPS tracks that showed me a bit slower. I suspect that when I took my helmet off and he saw my white hair and beard, he was probably expecting a younger person. He gave me a warning. (I believe my veteran plate also helped.)
I had been considering selling my Africa Twin. It has very low mileage since I road very little during Covid days and with some health issues just before that.
But I would miss the the highway and back road capabilities of the Africa Twin. The CFR300 would be fun for trail riding. I can lower the suspension an inch more which would allow me to be solidly on the balls of my feet.
I decided that I need to get that 1974 XL250 running again for those short off road adventures and enjoy them like Noraly.
Thank you for your in depth review. Hope that leg healed quickly.
Sorry about your leg Ian . Seems like a decent little bike . The one motorcycle that keeps coming to mind is the KTM 690 . With all the kinks figured out I think that bike is about the closest thing to what people are looking for . 350lbs ish 60 something hp good suspension decent brakes can carry some luggage good offroad etc , man all I need to do is ride one now lol .
Ian, great to see the review, likely one of your most anticipated reviews. I could feel your pain on the bottoming out areas! It would be really interesting like you said to try that bike with a good suspension upgrade. The 300L is a great bike though for sure. Funny 😁 the outtakes, I can see you saying "I love my job" , ride safe! Thanks
This bike is definitely on my list of desireable bikes, thanks for another great review (from the UK)
Why don't people talk about the DR650 as a great dual sport bike? Thanks for the great review on a bike I was thinking about. Hope you feel better and didn't hurt your leg too bad.
After all these years it's still hard the beat the DR with a few mods.
Ya I had one. 96. Awsome bike
Heavy…and tall
That's a beautiful area you're filming at. Looks like the Big Bear/Arrowhead/Crestline part of California. Beautiful scenery. Enjoy!
I'm 6'2" . Feels high for me . I can't imagine someone under 6' feeling comfortable. Upgraded the suspension after 1100 km. What a difference!
I'm 5'9" and seat height is perfect for me.
and I'm 5'"6 😂
Less than 4% of men are over 6’ 😂
Ha! 5-6 and riding an XR650L!
That front bake cable has to be there like that. It’s because of the suspension travel. It allows it to not tear. So when the suspension compressed it just rises. There’s videos on why dusk sports and dirt bikes have their brake line like that.
I had an XT225 when I was younger, and I loved to take it just about anywhere. This is a much more capable machine that I would have loved even more, but I have a WR250R now that I'm sure it's much more capable at more aggressive off road riding. It's good to have options for all kinds of riders.
Extremely calm..candid ,concise and precise..nothing left...this is the bike for me living in Africa..honda company makes bullet proof engines be it cars or bikes..but the compromised suspect is okay for a 6 ' 7 feet midget like me weighing 175 pounds
I’m sure emissions is the reason, but this bike should have been a 400cc bike. The EPA and their Euro counterparts ruin everything.
That would cannibalize their 450RL model
@ A long stroke 400 to the tune of a liquid cooled XR400 would be a dramatically different bike from a 450RL. Not everyone wants a retarded fast bike that you have to change oil every 20 minutes and rebuild every 6000 miles. The worst thing the Japanese ever did was make MX bikes 4 strokes. I can rebuild a 250 2 stroke in an hour for $125.
@@0UT3RL1M1T5absolutely not two different markets.
it should have been an honest 300cc.
it is only 286cc.
Was watching a different review as soon as I saw BRMs video instant click. Always superior.
Man... I LOVE this bike! But... I really want a 50 hp version!
KTM makes one, but it’s 12k!
Just bought a 2020 CRF 250 L with 900 miles on it the guy did everything exhaust airbox modification EJK and it does 70 miles an hour all day long but I like 65. I’m never gonna ride crazy off-road bc I’m 63 and not an aggressive rider. Just want to explore and see the sites.
It sounds like what the market really needs is mildly updated DRZ 400 with fi and a 6 speed or a big brother to the CRF300L. I really like the CRF450L that Honda gave us but I can’t help but think a cheaper version 450l based on the 300l would be just about perfect for a lot of people. BTW I hope your leg got better quickly.
Well stated, excellent comment. The bike you describe would dominate the market and be fun to ride by most perspective buyers.
Former CRF450L owner here and I agree that a 450 Rally with fewer service intervals would sell like hot cakes.
My buddy and I have been saying the same thing for months. A 450l rally with the same service intervals of the 300 would be much closer to "perfect". Heck, throw the 500x twin in a 450l rally even.
@@skylerlovell1780 Yea, the only problem would be getting your hands on one as they would backed up for years with the demand.
Yeah, it's curious that no manufacturer has made that bike. I mean, they see the success of the DRZ, right? And listen to any owner and they bemoan the missing 6th gear and wonder why FI hasn't been brought on yet.
Still, I also wonder why my mid-2000s XT225 is ~250lbs wet, and these "newer" dual-sports are over 300lbs. It isn't the small increase in engine cc's. A late 90s XT350 weighs less than this modern 300cc bike. Why?
Best review on UA-cam. You never let us down
Excellent review, Ian. Really hope that quad heals up without any complications or surgery needed. Thank you so much for your amazing channel!
I appreciate your review. I’m a first time on-road bike owner, and I just bought a brand new 2022 300LA, I absolutely agree with your assessment and I Am extremely happy with my purchase so far, even though I live in the northeast, and I won’t truly be able to enjoy it till about the middle of the month of may. Thanks!
Another great review. Your review are always half hour but seems so short…means you do a great job. Tks!
I’m still lost and I ‘m sure ( I really hope 😉) at the end you will make the comparison between the 3…CRF300L, KLX 300 and DRZ.
I’m an experienced on road rider, start slowly Forest road with my Strom 650 but really need a dual sport who will be exclusively for off road, Forest road and easy single trail. Problem, I’m a big guy, 6’3 for 240 so which one…..I like the idea of the 300 rally but it will need 1000$ of upgraded suspension and now we are in the price range of the DRZ and XR650L . Ian! Help me..😅. More seriously, keep doing amazing job and fast recovery.
I'm feeling your concerns at 6'4" 245#. I'm hoping a $150 shock spring replacement will suffice if I ever get the Rally (I've got deposits at 2 dealers).
@@got_to_roll i made some search and to upgrade suspension, it’s around 1200$. For that, you have a new rear shock, a front spring with new valves. All of that customized to your weight, height, type of riding.
Finally! I've been hanging out for you to review this bike Ian as I'm thinking about buying it or the Rally version. I've been wondering when you'd get around to it! Thanks for another great, informative review! I hope your leg has a speedy recovery.
I owned a 250 Rally for a year. I loved it. Light versatile and I didn’t find suspension too bad. I think there are some notable spec differences between crf 300 and the rally version not mentioned in the video.
The only problem is it is easier to get a tenere 700 than the Honda 300l or klx 300 and as you know it's near impossible to get a tenere 700 right now
Can’t like this one enough I have a rally! I was a early adopter and am loving it biggest thing I love is my friend got a L and now for relatively cheap we have a hobby again at 38 most people have to wait for kids to be gone this gets you back out there in my opinion.
Also where I’m at same weight 80 is easy to achieve I see semis where having trouble keeping speed on the hills you where on where you are at and what you expect of the bike make a difference but I don’t want people to write this off because the freeway test makes it look bad. It is a great bike and for the money and what it does I’d say there is nothing close to it.
It will do a 6 second 0-60 that’s not bad keep up the videos and keep in mind what you have access to vs. people that this could be all they can afford and it gets them back out there.
Also for others looking watch mad tv review of the bike to compare. I don’t like the guy but he is pretty honest about it and it’s doing some big things in Australia with there terrain and riders.
I really wish they would work on combining the best aspects of the 450L and the 300L. The maintenance interval, initial price, and ecu+exhaust mod requirement are the biggest cons of the 450L. You can pick up the 450L used for under $8k now. Getting close to a better value with more power and better suspension. I am so torn between the 300 and 450. I am looking to make a lightweight ADV build as an alternative to my heavy Africa Twin.
Such a shame they sold the 450L with a throwaway tank and seat. That adds another $1000 to the price for riders to pay after purchase.
You do the best motorcycle reviews on youtube
If the CRF300L is set up for a 120 lb rider (like the average Thai customer? beginning teenagers? who's the target?), I imagine that heavier fork oil and an aftermarket shock would make it OK for 160 lbs for $300.
Yes, a lot of Japanese bikes are sprung for 120 lbs riders. That seems to be a common weight over there. All you need is to replace the springs with heavier ones, which is probably less than $200 for two fork springs and one shock spring if you do it yourself (like I did on my bike). No need to buy a completely new shock or change the fork oil.
Yeah. I'm not a 7th grader anymore.
I have a Rally for NE gravel roads and putting on fire roads in the Black Hills. Perfect for that and easy to load in the back of my pickup. Seat is fairly high on the rally at 35 inches. I am 6 2 195 age 58 and I don’t ride aggressive enough on this bike to bottom out. I have 3 other motorcycles if I want to go on the freeway.
I was impressed at how it looked at 70+ on the highway. Looked more stable than my KTM690EnduroR. I’m pretty sure that is due to the off road bias tires that are on the 690 at the moment. I’m going to have to look into more of a 50/50 tire and see if that makes a difference in road manners at speed.
690 has about the twitchest frontend ever.
@@humzilla707 yeah I’m saving for a Scott’s steering damper for it to see if that helps out. My 690 is steady as a rock till speeds above 70 though and like I said I think it has a lot to do with the tire on the front
I’m sort of surprised at the highway performance of the test bike. I took the highway route 100 miles home the other day and my crf300l was pretty comfortably cruising at 75(gps). I still had a little go left and saw 86 on the gps on a slight downhill. Stock gearing and tires on mine. Still a kinda lousy highway bike but I didn’t feel like I was taking my life in my hands.
Great point!
@@BigRockMoto I have installed a Scott’s damper with the BRP rubber mounted risers on my ktm 690 and it seems to have cured the shaky feeling it had when speeds reached above 70 mph. I’ve taken it up to 85 mph (don’t feel the need to ever go faster than that) and it was steady as a rock so the Scott’s damper was definitely worth the investment. I really enjoy your channel 👍 Your bike and gear reviews are my favorites. I feel like I’m getting an honest opinion.
Sold!!!
I ve got one coming in the future. Maybe 6 months it's fine I keep telling myself.
Thanks again for a great review. This is actually one review I was really looking forward too. I am so confused right now! I want a lighter bike for adventure type rides. I was considering this bike in the rally configuration. So, I was going between the 300 Rally, KLR, Tenere 700, KTM 390. So far I think I am going to lean towards the Tenere. I have a super tenere for 7 yrs now, and I just love the sound and power on the hwy. I was going KLR, owned 5. But it is not going to be a whole lot different. I appreciate the time you take on your reviews. This has really helped me come to terms with the type of bike I am searching for. Cheers! Hope heal up quick.
I'm gonna get the 300 rally, I think it's the best lightweight adventure bike. Count an extra 1000$ to upgrade the suspensions to your weight, 1000$ to get new exhaust and ecu (550 performance) to make the engine a lot more alive and torquey and then just some barkbusters and handlebar risers and you got an off road weapon that is still more affordable than any other options...
Consider the KTM 690 too. Same hp as T7 but 50 kg lighter and better suspension.
As mentioned the T7 is a LOT heavier and really in the Middle weight class and $5000 US more than the CRF300L. The KTM 390 Adv has a lot more horsepower,is over a $1000 more and has a smaller front wheel. I have a Tenere 700 on order and I own the 890 Adv R so I’m looking for a smaller more “Flickable” bike. At this point I’ll probably get KTM 390 Adv.
@@glossblack1098 I owned a 690 for a couple yrs, thinking the same thing. I enjoyed it more as a dirt bike. I did not like the gear ratios. I actually preferred my wr250r over it.
@@PapaDougsAdventures01 I do have a 350exc, looking for something to replace the super tenere. the t7 is over 100lbs lighter. still a little more than I would like.
0-60 flat. 60 to 0 quick as possible (flat). With all the cycles you get to ride, CHANNEL WILL SORE. Do it. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the tips!
I see you're "enjoying" the stock suspension as much as I did 😂
It’s heartbreaking isn’t it ? If Honda charged more but had decent suspension, it would have sold more.
THANK YOU!. I pretty much thought your review would be exactly what it was and I'm not surprised at all you chose the CRF over the KLX. Coming off of a CRF1000 and weighing 230lbs I was really hoping for a better outcome but I grasping straws doing so. Maybe I need to find the mad scientist to hack a CBX500 motor into a CRF300 Rally. 😂🙏
Thanks again for your unbiased review. 👍
Exactly what I was thinking with that 500 motor! I currently have an AT (1000) and looking for something lighter.