NOTE: the seat cover in the video is the Coleman MadDog comfort pad: www.amazon.com/Coleman-MadDog-GearComfort-Ride-Protector/dp/B006JMK7N8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536259717&sr=8-1&keywords=coleman+maddog+comfort+pad
Nice review ! Well said, I also am running my sprockets 14 - 42 and it works great. Wow 22,000 Miles . I have 12,000 on mine now and have never had and issue ! Thanks for the review !
Oh man, I just went to Mo, and rode with Frank and his son for 3 days, When I got back to camp after the first day, my sena audio pack had disconnected and I lost all audio, So i get it buddy, It happens. I did ride one of the honda 250L while i was there, this is a very capable bike and a great bike for the money. I really loved it and I witnessed this thing go through some pretty impossible terrain and made it look easy. It is a great bike. Thanks for sharing and have blessed week.
+Heartland Dual Sport That must have been gut wrenching to discover you had no audio of that day's video. More so if the video was real good. Glad you had a chance to ride a 250L. Thanks :)
+BlastsFromTheSaddle hehehe, yes sir, I was less than pleased, but with any adventure improvise and make the best of it, I am already working on audio to go with it. ehehehe. Thank you sir.
Nice video. I just bought a CRF250L 2 days ago. I am looking forward to putting some miles on it and having fun in the dirt. I have already started some of the upgrades I want to do to it. I have a luggage rack a skid plate and hand guards ordered for it. And I have already put on a windshield to help with the buffeting. I will subscribe so I can keep up with your videos.
Thanks a lot man, you’ve been very clear and your pronounciation is very good even for the foreign listeners! I was asking myself if I should pick up this or the wr 250r 🤔
Scoot Toots, you know what? Probably I’ll choose the CRF even cause the WR production stopped in 2013 and I think it would be harder to get one in very good conditions...I saw some used CRFs with 1 or 2 years of age and probably are the wiser choice!
At least here in North America (not sure where you're from) the WR 250R is still produced. But, you won't go wrong with the CRF. The WR has a bit more power in stock form though.
hi, wow 35k! great job! still happy that I bought one last year after watching your videos, thanks again. mine has 3k on it now. my next upgrade will be the acerbis tank. hope you don't live to close it the Forrest fire's. greets!
+knarfmedvro Cheers :) Glad my videos were inspiring. You will enjoy the Acerbis tank. And thankfully, no, we are not near the fires you hear about. The fire season began early this year. We have to be vigilant.
Nice Vid, :-) Got mine 4 days ago, made 250 km so far. I'm impressed how much fun you can have with that small amount of power. But since everyone claims that the power mods are really good, I believe that my CRF will have to undergo the classic mods, airbox, gearing, EJK and FMF exhaust .. after the breaking in
Good, I'm glad that you are satisfied with the bike, and thanks for sharing. Honda's are definitely my preference since their build quality make them pretty bullet-proof. (I've had the CBR900RR, RC51, CR125R (2-stroke), and a couple of CR250R's (again 2-strokes), and yet I love them all with their shortcomings). Having said that though, I've made many compromises in many of my past motor vehicles (cars or bikes), mostly due to given budget (what you pay is what you'll get). One thing that peeves me is having the need to do so many mods to make them work properly for you. (I've done an awful lot of mods before, just short of engine swaps)... that's it becomes NOT the original vehicle. Simple customizations/mods to cater to personal preference I can accept. I am saying this because I am also interested in the 250L, but then there's so many things that need to be changed. Well, I know for me personally, my ideal on-off street-legal bike right now would be a street-legalised CRF250R with an aftermarket tank. However easy this sounds, the paperwork process would make this almost impossible.
And forget about engine mods/swaps, and suspension mods, I'm a little tired and it's not worth my trouble. Furthermore, with this 'straight-forward' process, I'll lose the hefty 80 pounds from the 250L, without breaking a sweat. Seriously
Would the service intervals have you spending (or laboring) as much as modding a 250L? The mods aren't really that much for the core performance improvements. You really don't need an aftermarket exhaust. A slightly modded stock exhaust (I did a video on that), an EJK fuel controller to slightly enrich the mixture ($225), aftermarket air filter ($70), make a larger snorkel ($5), hand guards ($80), and a folding shift lever ($40 to $80). Just some thoughts.
Of course, if you are prioritizing dirt and dirt bike performance, then the 250L is not a good choice for you anyway, but if you ride highways a fair bit to get to trails and want to use the bike as a true dual sport, CRF250R may not be that good.
Yes, I understand what your're saying as we both have some personal differences in performance objectives. I used to do all sorts of mods (which normal people don't do) to existing vehicles, and after 25+ years, I've gotten simply exhausted from it. It's just me. I now believe in the inherent design and engineering, for the specific vehicle that's all. For example a Toyota 86 is a fun vehicle but it's not meant to have the basic performance of say for example, a stock BMW M3. Yes, you can spend time and money on suspension and engine (intake, exhaust, chip, turbo, or whatnot). It's just not going to be. It is what it is. Hence I said minimal mods for me now. Let alone the major engine differences of the L and the R, the 80 pound difference, is simply ridiculous, especially if one's objective (for mods) is to have it perform better in the dirt/trails. Once you've been on a 250R, you cannot go back.
Vice video mate. I got to ride one of these just recently and thought it was a great bike, very confidence inspiring and stable. But on the hard enduro style terrain we were riding I could see the weight and power eventually becoming a limiting factor as the riders skill grows. A very good bike none the less.
+Moto Tayls Yes, the weight and power limit it on tough stuff where you are pushing it hard. The suspension also. It's not designed for that, though it's fun to try :)
I appreciate the review, Honda's have always been good to me.You are defeating the purpose by putting a restrictor in your muffler.You should tell your viewers that the exhaust upgrade will make the bike much louder than stock.Those exhaust systems are very expensive.If you can't handle the noise don't replace it.You can't have it both ways.
Maybe I didn't explain it properly. The Yoshi RS4 full system exhaust comes with a factory installed restrictor (low volume insert). In order to run with their optional spark arrestor for riding in the bush, you must remove the Yoshi restrictor. My mod simply brings the decibels and back pressure back in line with Yoshi's factory ratings designed for this bike.
What engine oil do you use or recommend?Bought my 250l brand new and I’ve heard after so many miles to switch to a full synthetic. I still have less than 1000 miles on it
Hope you know that after you changed the gearing your speedometer shows more than it really is. To know how much it's good to compare with sat nav. Cheers
Lol, yeah, I installed and calibrated a Speedo DRD with a Garmin GPS, to correct the speedometer reading, when I changed the gearing. The stock speedo reading was out by 10%. So you can imagine the error with the gearing change if I hadn't corrected it.
Excuse my ignorance, but can u just change the fuel tank simply or do you have to do any other mods, and how many more gallons do you get with the new tank, thanks
Yeah, Steph Jeavons has about 52000 miles on hers right now, has been most of the way around the world with zero problems. Tough little bikes, I really like mine.
+Peter Jowett Yes, I met Steph the other week. The only issue she has had is a twice broken sub frame, but the bike isn't built to carry heavy loads far back on the tail. She's switched to Giant Loop system now. Awesome fun bike :)
+BlastsFromTheSaddle Interesting, I hadn't heard about her sub frame issues. Makes sense though, that's a lot of weight to carry that far. I'm debating whether to "upgrade" to something a bit bigger for longer trips. Really torn.
+Peter Jowett Bigger is more comfortable and dependable for heavier loads. I guess it depends on how far and long you are travelling. If you do a long trip with substantial loads on the tail end of the CRF250L, then you should reinforce the sub frame prior to the trip.
Nice review, I bought one today and getting tomorrow. I'm so excited :D. I have a Honda Rebel as well and have put on 30,000 miles. Keep the reviews and vids coming I Subscribed.
Great review. Rule of thumb is 1 tooth on CS sprocket = 3 teeth on the rear sprocket. You can also experiment with different brands of rear tire as they are of differing diameters but thats an expensive way of finding a happy medium. You only really want 6th gear for the highway commute and its fortunate that it has a 6th gear. How big was the Acerbis tank and what range do get achieve from it now. Whats your height and weight ? How do you think your bike compares to the Rally version ? Do you think you would benefit from dropping a 300cc kit into it ?
The Acerbis tank is 50% larger than stock so you can calculate your particular range based on you MPG. I'm 6' 180lbs. I don't like the Rally version. Too much plastic and not enough extra power to make any difference. I wouldn't want to have a 300cc kit. It has enough power as is. I would swap it for a more powerful bike rather than go to that extent and risk a shorter engine life.
Did you take out the fuel controller? The black plastic piece thing that sits just above the engine, looks like you took it out. Dunno if it's just me. Nice video!
+Joshua Demko Perhaps you mean the evaporation canister? The Canadian model does not come with that. The USA model does. I did remove the PAIR Valve System though.
I can't see them ever making one as 250s are so popular in Asian markets. In the early 90s I lived in Tokyo and had a Suzuki DR250 which was lacking in the low-down torque compared to the DR350. However, it had upside down forks and a neat damper on the handlebar which when turned altered the seat height or, more accurately, the suspension height.
+TALLNDIRTY That's not an aftermarket seat. It's the Coleman MadDog Seat Pad. Just a cover. Works well. Those hand gaurds are the Zeta 'Bend' model. They are very tough!
considering this bike but I'm 5-11 285lbs Do you think this would still be a great bike to go around town and hit a few offroads with? Great Review thank you!
So here's the thing: the CRF250L is under-powered and over-geared in a lot of people's estimation. At 285, you'll find those issues are a greater problem. Still workable if you up the power and raise the gear ratios. Other bikes that might work better for you are the Suzuki DR650 and the Honda XR650L. The DR is the lower of the two, and the XR is more capable on dirt then even the 250L but is higher seat height (seat can be shaved) and more expensive. The DR650 can be had for almost the same price as the 250L. I would look at all three bikes closely and if possible test ride all three. The DR650 might be the best value and choice for you. Cheers :-)
Great review.. I are thinking of getting one of these crf250l just to do greenlaning on i have already got the crf 250 rally but i dont ride it off road..
Excellent video. From your first videos you have really changed it. what is the seat cover? Also you must have spent almost half the price of the bike on all the mods. Maybe i will do that too myself.
Thanks. Yes I have changed it a fair bit. It is now the way I want it. The most expensive mod was the exhaust system. I haven't spent that much really. Maybe $1900 USD. The seat cover is the Coleman Mad Dog comfort seat pad. I've since removed it though, as the adhesive on the Velcro I used to attach sections of it became all gooey and slipped. I wear padded shorts beneath my pants anyway, so comfort is still good :-)
My cost wouldn't be relevant as it was a some time ago and I live in Canada, etc. Best to compare prices on CRF's Only. I think they sell both systems. I paid about $750 CAD with the spark arrestor. The FMF systems are less expensive. The popular one is the Megabomb Header with the Q4 muffler. The Yoshi is a little more high end in some respects. Both deliver good results.
Depends on where you live. Currency exchanges can drive the price up, so it relative. In the US the pricing would be something like $1000 for the performance oriented mods (Full system Yoshi, EJK fuel controller, and K&N air filter), plus another $250 or so for the larger gas tank
I've been wondering, and i can't seem to find an answer to this, why do manufacturers restrict engine power in the first place, if it is apparently so easy to beef bhp again. Is it somehow just easier for them, or do they want to have better fuel economy? Is it in order to meet emission standards? Also when you break the restrictions, will the bike consume considerably more fuel? Thanks in advance!
Manufacturers restrict power to comply with emissions requirements and to advertise high fuel economy. And yes, uncorking a bike will usually result in higher fuel consumption.
That's a lot of reduction (over 4"). A Kouba link will maybe reduce it by 1.5 to 2". For more, you might go with a lower (less padded) seat, or do some custom work on the shock mount. Then of course you would have to lower the forks to keep the handling descent I would think. The reduced ground clearance though would be a problem, especially using it as an off road tour bike, likely laden down with baggage. Doesn't sound feasible to me.
Don't worry about it unless it begins to rattle loudly and never quits doing so. Most owners do not have these problems. Unfortunately, some owners have them consistently.
Thank you for the info! The only problem on mine was when I went down to 13T up front the chain would slip on me. Simply terrifying. I still have the 13T up front but I fitted the warp 9 supermoto set and its just too much fun to ride around los angeles.
I have a BMW 650 XChallenge. I recently also had a cam chain tensioner go. Don't worry...you WILL hear it and you will think the worst - as in..."is that the big end bearing gone!?" - the bige will ride fine but just the tensioner thats not working well. so the timing chain is loose and rattles in there.Do fix it asap though when it does start to make a noise.
The O2 sensor will allow the fueling to be adjusted only to a degree. Once you open the air box and free up the exhaust flow, the ecu will not be able to enrich the mixture enough, so the fuel controller is necessary for these mods.
Not sure. Of course my bike is a 2013 and the Rally wasn't made then. I have heard they use a different CCT in the rally. Honda knew abut the problem but didn't want to acknowledge it. Oh well. Mine is fixed now with the manual unit.
+Emre.D Yes, it's just a screw-on cap. I think there is a lockable cap made that fits; not certain though. I haven't been concerned about that. Might be a good idea though ;)
Well it depends on what you're looking at doing. Honda recommends oil changes at 12,000 km, valve inspection/adjustment every 25,600 km. Personally I change the oil roughly every 4000 to 5000 km. Other tasks of course need doing more often.
Nice bike. You may want to consider getting a Seat Concept’s seat cover. I ride a DRZ400 and it really makes a difference. Best mod I’ve done on my bike. Suzuki seats are the worst! Now I can ride all day 😎
Anymore, I feel comfortable on the stock seat. Guess I've gotten accustomed to it. Then again, I don't go on many super-long rides on the bike. Cheers :-)
Damn!! You live over a 100 miles from the nearest gas station?? That's a good reason for upgrading the stock tank.....by the way, is that a 5 gallon upgrade tank??
No, I I don't live far from gas stations, it's just one particular major highway out of town would require a larger tank to make it to the nearest station. The tank is a 3.1 gallon as opposed to the 2 gallon stock tank. Huge improvement :-)
11,000KM on mine, I've recently changed the rear shock with a Hyperpro unit and it's totally changed the bike in a good way you immediately feel in more control of the bike at speeds, especially at the rear, no bouncing of the rear wheel. today i dropped the bike again tough :-( no big deal and no damage but i dropped it in a very silly way. I've just couldn't touch the ground very well on a very slight incline to make a turn, the bike leaned to much and I couldn't make enough force to push it so down she went ...Again. I'm not on tippy toes but neither flat footed I only wished that Honda designed the frame differently to make the seat height at least inch less that's all. overall it's a damn fun bike to ride, hassle free and very easy and fun to work on, mod, experiment, and try different stuff.
+ripmax333 Yeah I've heard the shock and fork upgrade really improve the handling and feel. If you need the bike a tad lower, you could install the Kouba link then lower the forks a bit. Or I wonder if there is enough foam thickness on the seat to shave some off the top then recover; that way you don't decrease the ground clearance.
+ripmax333 Yeah, so maybe a thinner seat foam. Perhaps the foam can be replaced with a higher quality foam that can perform well but be thinner. Might be able to get an inch that way.
i was thinking about seat concepts, but it's kinda expensive for me even for just ordering the foam alone, with that money I can upgrade the fun suspension.
I wouldnt say its a crap bike, it is what you pay for. I have a 2016 250l. I also race cr500's so i know something about bikes . What bike for what purpose, the 250l is really a cbr250, same engine same frame, just different plastic. The 250l is very forgiving, just dont expect it to be a 10,000 dollor duel purpose package. I wear out tires fast, mostly front tires. Dont know why. Pro taper bars, moose racing rack, a led headlight, cut off that ugly rear fender. The stock seat gets pretty hard after a few miles, i get 70 miles a gallon, i ride the crap out of my bike 15,000 miles. It is what it is,,,a low cost, very dependable and easy to ride bike. Not to tall so woman can ride with no worries also. 23 horse power, folks
Yup, it ain't gonna win any races, but it'll get you where you want to go for a low buy in price. It's a fun dependable dual sport you can put some cash and creativity into to make it yours.
I have no trouble cruising at 100 to 110kph and that is with 14/42 gearing which is a bit lower than stock, and I'm in mountainous terrain. That said, I have full stage one mods. In stock trim, it will do fine in flatter terrain or if you don't mind gearing down to 5th for slight inclines.
+Mike Zobrest No, I haven't seen a DNA filter in the lfesh. I like that K & N did not just make a street oriented filter for this bike though. They designed it with the methods they use for off road filters so it will cope with extreme dust, etc. The fit is perfect. Really well-made.
+738firewall They are Shinko 700's front and rear. I've had Dunlop D606 on the rear but didn't like it. Kenda K270's front and back were great. The shinkos are more planted on asphalt, great on dry hard pack and rock, and not so hot in soft stuff and mud.
+Michel P I need to ride on the Shinkos a lot more to say if I would buy them again. They are awesome on the asphalt (for a dirt capable tire). Since I ride a lot of tarmac, that is important. So far I have used the Shinkos in some soft stuff and mud, and I got through it okay, so maybe it's just a matter of getting used to handling them in the soft wet stuff and enjoying them in the hard packed and tarmac surfaces.
The spark arrestor is a legal requirement for off road, and no it doesn't restrict the flow, in fact with the spark arrestor installed the flow is freer, as you have to remove the insert the muffler comes installed with to install the arrestor. Re: the gas tank, it holds 50% more gas than stock. How far it takes you depends on how you ride, but 50% more roughly :-)
I just bought a used Honda 2013 CRF250L and I'm loving it. Ready to make a few mods and enjoyed learning from your helpful reviews. Thanks. I noticed between your TCI Borrego rack was gone. I was planning on making that one of my first mods. Any reason you took it off? You said you thought it was a good rack.
It is a great rack because it holds quite a bit and is versatile in attachments to the rack. I removed it to streamline the bike as I found I could get by with a much smaller tail bag. I keep the rack to re-attach for any longer trips. Great rack!
Here it is: www.amazon.com/Coleman-MadDog-GearComfort-Ride-Protector/dp/B006JMK7N8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1529595331&sr=8-1&keywords=coleman+comfort+seat+pad
That's my $6 tail bag. I bought a used all purpose bag at the second hand store, then put a stiffener in the bottom and installed grommets to facilitate fastening. I used Paracord to tie it down. Sure beat paying $100 for a motorcycle bag. It expands upward as well, plus it has two compartments. Perfect really.
Tinnitus perhaps, LOL. I just had a close listen and cannot detect any background noise other than traffic, etc. Maybe local to your situation somehow. Thanks for mentioning though.
I added a pinned comment withe the link. I'll insert it here as well: www.amazon.com/Coleman-MadDog-GearComfort-Ride-Protector/dp/B006JMK7N8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536259717&sr=8-1&keywords=coleman+maddog+comfort+pad
Yes I do, however it absorbs water like a sponge, so if it rains while you're having coffee you're in for a wet butt. I don't use anymore. I have the Spiral Step seat now. after breaking in it's more comfortable than stock. But yes the pad works fairly well if you only ride in dry weather.
+HJZ75driver I met Steph Jeavons the other day. She has about 50,000 miles on hers, and no mechanical problems so far. She just had her first valve adjustment the other week.
Thank you.Could you solve the vibration problem on the saddle,,foot pegs and handlebar? I can't do more than 150 km s my butt gets completely numb after a while
+megalo Dan I have ridden two up on mine. 7 day trip to 2nd highest mountain in myanmar. My wife weighs 50kg. Only mod is a 13th front sprocket. worked remarkably. we used tape to add layers of towel to the seat. I had 15kg in bags on the back too. Its fun.
I've got the acerbis , same as shown here except black. Ok, but the attachment of bleed hose to handle bar is pretty cheesy and acerbis screwed up dimensions for the mounting bolt hole locations on each side toward the rear of the tank. If you look at the gaps where the two plastic body work sections meet on this video you can see that the gaps are wider than they are on a stock bike, particularly on the right side. I did not send the acerbis back but I would try something else if starting from scratch.
It's a strange issue. Several viewers have told me that but it's limited to a certain few vids. I have never been able to duplicate that experience on my three systems, and I've had friends view those videos and they have not heard it either. May be a UA-cam glitch. I have not had any indications from viewers on the more recent videos. I also have new camera and mic eqiupment, so that may have been part of the solution. Thanks for the feedback Glen.
@@Scoottootsgiggle. .. i live in kelowna and just happened to stumbled apon your channel moments ago google searching... I have gone down some rabbit holes lately looking at adventure and dual sport bikes... I'm still unsure on what bike i will purchase... many to choose from... i am a new rider... road maybe a total of 5 hours on an xr 80, 30 years ago... i currently own BWS 50 for the last 3 years... but think on getting my license next spring... i really like the look of the new BMW 310gs and the Honda CFR250 Rally... but the price is a little steep brand new... so I'm looking online for a second hand machine. Take care... nice little channel you have here.
Thanks buddy. Yeah, just keep looking at the for sale ads. You can pick up a great bike for a good price at this time of year. Most people don't actually 'ride' their bikes. They sell them with very low kilometres on them.
Well, some of the compromises on the design and build to make it handle well on the road detracts from it's off-road abilities. Most dedicated dirt bikes will out-perform it offroad. The advantage in the CRF250L is that you can legally ride FSR's and tarmac to get to the trails, plus once there, the bike performs excellently for a dual sport. It will handle the roughest of terrain with no problems. A actual dirt bike will handle the same terrain easier and at greater speed no doubt, but you are limited where you can ride them and have to truck the bike to the trails. Decisions. If you only want to ride trails and are willing to truck your bike there, then a proper dirt bike is by far your best choice.
BlastsFromTheSaddle well i have a 04 crf 450 but honestly the thing has just to much power for trail riding and i see this as a option being cheap and not crazy powerful and i do get frustrated at having to haul my bike everywear
The sound was a hard knock/slap in the exact area of the cam chain tensioner. So it sounded like the chain was arcing up and slapping. I suspected it would go because the rattling at steady throttle (city speeds) was excessive. When it went, the knock was very audible and could be felt as a sharp rap in the bars also. The Honda mechanic confirmed the unit had completely failed. Two other units failed after that, one per year. No worries after installing the manual CCT from Krieger CCT
In Honda's defence, the bike was made for the rider and the rides that match its performance. It's an exceptional bike 'as is.' Plus... it's a blank canvas for those of us who want more 'edge.'! Honda was right on target IMO.
great video sir thanks for taking the time and effort for this review, I have just bought a 2020 model, I hope Honda has revised the issues with the 2020 model. I found 2 web sites that have a lot of aftermarket products for road bikes, trail bikes and road trail-Duel sports #1 Banggood.com #2- AliExpress.com
Yes, I have ordered from AliExpress several times. A great way to save money on non-critical parts and accessories. You should also check out BikerzBits in Thailand. They have genuine Honda OEM parts at much lower prices, likely because the bike is built in Thailand. The price differences on most parts is amazing. You pay shipping but using the DHL option the price is reasonable and service is very fast. Here's the link to their CRF250L section: bikerzbits.com/honda/crf250/crf250l/
The audio is perfect at my end; no unintended noise at all regardless of volume. Maybe half a dozen viewers over the years have reported similar but I've never been able to find a cause. Could be a glitch from UA-cam now and then. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate the feedback; no pun intended, lol.
NOTE: the seat cover in the video is the Coleman MadDog comfort pad: www.amazon.com/Coleman-MadDog-GearComfort-Ride-Protector/dp/B006JMK7N8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536259717&sr=8-1&keywords=coleman+maddog+comfort+pad
How many miles before that cam tensioner chain tensioner took a crap on you?
Nice review ! Well said, I also am running my sprockets 14 - 42 and it works great.
Wow 22,000 Miles . I have 12,000 on mine now and have never had and issue !
Thanks for the review !
+WOODZMAN Dual Sport Adventures
Cheers, guy. We love this bike for good reason :)
Oh man, I just went to Mo, and rode with Frank and his son for 3 days, When I got back to camp after the first day, my sena audio pack had disconnected and I lost all audio, So i get it buddy, It happens.
I did ride one of the honda 250L while i was there, this is a very capable bike and a great bike for the money. I really loved it and I witnessed this thing go through some pretty impossible terrain and made it look easy. It is a great bike.
Thanks for sharing and have blessed week.
+Heartland Dual Sport
That must have been gut wrenching to discover you had no audio of that day's video. More so if the video was real good. Glad you had a chance to ride a 250L. Thanks :)
+BlastsFromTheSaddle hehehe, yes sir, I was less than pleased, but with any adventure improvise and make the best of it, I am already working on audio to go with it. ehehehe. Thank you sir.
Just got mine. As a new rider, it seems like a good bike to start with. I enjoy your videos.
Cool. You're going to fall in love with this bike. Enjoy it :)
Nice video. I just bought a CRF250L 2 days ago. I am looking forward to putting some miles on it and having fun in the dirt. I have already started some of the upgrades I want to do to it. I have a luggage rack a skid plate and hand guards ordered for it. And I have already put on a windshield to help with the buffeting. I will subscribe so I can keep up with your videos.
Thank you.
You've gone over alot of things on this bike I was looking to hear.
I think I'll sign the dotted line on one.
You'll be happy with it if you enjoy the type of riding it's good at. Cheers.
Thanks a lot man, you’ve been very clear and your pronounciation is very good even for the foreign listeners!
I was asking myself if I should pick up this or the wr 250r 🤔
That's a tough choice. I guess the deciders will be price, seat height, and whether you have need for the adjustable suspension. Thanks :-)
Scoot Toots, you know what?
Probably I’ll choose the CRF even cause the WR production stopped in 2013 and I think it would be harder to get one in very good conditions...I saw some used CRFs with 1 or 2 years of age and probably are the wiser choice!
At least here in North America (not sure where you're from) the WR 250R is still produced. But, you won't go wrong with the CRF. The WR has a bit more power in stock form though.
im watching your video instead of going get my brand new CRF250 Rally. im so excited
Ah, that is exciting. Nothing like picking up a brand new motorcycle, especially one that won't cost you a fortune to maintain. Awesome :-)
hi,
wow 35k! great job!
still happy that I bought one last year after watching your videos, thanks again.
mine has 3k on it now. my next upgrade will be the acerbis tank.
hope you don't live to close it the Forrest fire's.
greets!
+knarfmedvro
Cheers :) Glad my videos were inspiring. You will enjoy the Acerbis tank. And thankfully, no, we are not near the fires you hear about. The fire season began early this year. We have to be vigilant.
+BlastsFromTheSaddle stay safe!
Oh Nice!! Certainly got them k's up!, im almost hitting 20,000kms only had the bike for just over a year, got it brand new !
+BRRAP
You've been doing some riding... awesome :)
- Thanks For a Great Video Man!
Nice Vid, :-) Got mine 4 days ago, made 250 km so far. I'm impressed how much fun you can have with that small amount of power. But since everyone claims that the power mods are really good, I believe that my CRF will have to undergo the classic mods, airbox, gearing, EJK and FMF exhaust .. after the breaking in
+Joel Michels
Yeah it's a fun bike -- even in stock form.
good video.thanks.i have the same bike and i like it a lotm havent modded it yet. just ride it stock. very dependable and easy to ride.
Thanks for commenting. Enjoy the bike. It's a fun one for sure :-)
thanks for the honest review. ride safe and enjoy more hassle free miles!
Cheers :-)
Good, I'm glad that you are satisfied with the bike, and thanks for sharing. Honda's are definitely my preference since their build quality make them pretty bullet-proof. (I've had the CBR900RR, RC51, CR125R (2-stroke), and a couple of CR250R's (again 2-strokes), and yet I love them all with their shortcomings). Having said that though, I've made many compromises in many of my past motor vehicles (cars or bikes), mostly due to given budget (what you pay is what you'll get). One thing that peeves me is having the need to do so many mods to make them work properly for you. (I've done an awful lot of mods before, just short of engine swaps)... that's it becomes NOT the original vehicle. Simple customizations/mods to cater to personal preference I can accept. I am saying this because I am also interested in the 250L, but then there's so many things that need to be changed.
Well, I know for me personally, my ideal on-off street-legal bike right now would be a street-legalised CRF250R with an aftermarket tank. However easy this sounds, the paperwork process would make this almost impossible.
And forget about engine mods/swaps, and suspension mods, I'm a little tired and it's not worth my trouble. Furthermore, with this 'straight-forward' process, I'll lose the hefty 80 pounds from the 250L, without breaking a sweat. Seriously
Would the service intervals have you spending (or laboring) as much as modding a 250L? The mods aren't really that much for the core performance improvements. You really don't need an aftermarket exhaust. A slightly modded stock exhaust (I did a video on that), an EJK fuel controller to slightly enrich the mixture ($225), aftermarket air filter ($70), make a larger snorkel ($5), hand guards ($80), and a folding shift lever ($40 to $80). Just some thoughts.
Of course, if you are prioritizing dirt and dirt bike performance, then the 250L is not a good choice for you anyway, but if you ride highways a fair bit to get to trails and want to use the bike as a true dual sport, CRF250R may not be that good.
Yes, I understand what your're saying as we both have some personal differences in performance objectives. I used to do all sorts of mods (which normal people don't do) to existing vehicles, and after 25+ years, I've gotten simply exhausted from it. It's just me. I now believe in the inherent design and engineering, for the specific vehicle that's all. For example a Toyota 86 is a fun vehicle but it's not meant to have the basic performance of say for example, a stock BMW M3. Yes, you can spend time and money on suspension and engine (intake, exhaust, chip, turbo, or whatnot). It's just not going to be. It is what it is. Hence I said minimal mods for me now.
Let alone the major engine differences of the L and the R, the 80 pound difference, is simply ridiculous, especially if one's objective (for mods) is to have it perform better in the dirt/trails. Once you've been on a 250R, you cannot go back.
Vice video mate. I got to ride one of these just recently and thought it was a great bike, very confidence inspiring and stable. But on the hard enduro style terrain we were riding I could see the weight and power eventually becoming a limiting factor as the riders skill grows. A very good bike none the less.
+Moto Tayls
Yes, the weight and power limit it on tough stuff where you are pushing it hard. The suspension also. It's not designed for that, though it's fun to try :)
great bike man. just goes to show if you take care of things. they will last long and stay in top shape.
+bgcw04
It'll have a long life I'm sure. I have no plans to sell it :)
I appreciate the review, Honda's have always been good to me.You are defeating the purpose by putting a restrictor in your muffler.You should tell your viewers that the exhaust upgrade will make the bike much louder than stock.Those exhaust systems are very expensive.If you can't handle the noise don't replace it.You can't have it both ways.
Maybe I didn't explain it properly. The Yoshi RS4 full system exhaust comes with a factory installed restrictor (low volume insert). In order to run with their optional spark arrestor for riding in the bush, you must remove the Yoshi restrictor. My mod simply brings the decibels and back pressure back in line with Yoshi's factory ratings designed for this bike.
you can have it both ways ...... just don't buy this bike....... it's shit
What engine oil do you use or recommend?Bought my 250l brand new and I’ve heard after so many miles to switch to a full synthetic. I still have less than 1000 miles on it
Lots of good oils out there. I use Motul 7100. It's an ester-based full synthetic. it's the best I've personally used.
I thought I was the only one who does not like loud exhausts. Good to know, I'm not alone.
I've gotten used to it now.
Awesome Job! Looks like a great bike. I have been looking into getting a dual purpose bike for a bit! Time to start saving up money!
Cheers, It's a fun bike for sure. Save that money and get one :-)
Hope you know that after you changed the gearing your speedometer shows more than it really is. To know how much it's good to compare with sat nav. Cheers
Lol, yeah, I installed and calibrated a Speedo DRD with a Garmin GPS, to correct the speedometer reading, when I changed the gearing. The stock speedo reading was out by 10%. So you can imagine the error with the gearing change if I hadn't corrected it.
Excuse my ignorance, but can u just change the fuel tank simply or do you have to do any other mods, and how many more gallons do you get with the new tank, thanks
Yeah, Steph Jeavons has about 52000 miles on hers right now, has been most of the way around the world with zero problems. Tough little bikes, I really like mine.
+Peter Jowett
Yes, I met Steph the other week. The only issue she has had is a twice broken sub frame, but the bike isn't built to carry heavy loads far back on the tail. She's switched to Giant Loop system now. Awesome fun bike :)
+BlastsFromTheSaddle Interesting, I hadn't heard about her sub frame issues. Makes sense though, that's a lot of weight to carry that far. I'm debating whether to "upgrade" to something a bit bigger for longer trips. Really torn.
+Peter Jowett
Bigger is more comfortable and dependable for heavier loads. I guess it depends on how far and long you are travelling. If you do a long trip with substantial loads on the tail end of the CRF250L, then you should reinforce the sub frame prior to the trip.
Nice review, I bought one today and getting tomorrow. I'm so excited :D. I have a Honda Rebel as well and have put on 30,000 miles. Keep the reviews and vids coming I Subscribed.
Cool. You'll love the bike. And thanks for subscribing :-)
Great review. Rule of thumb is 1 tooth on CS sprocket = 3 teeth on the rear sprocket. You can also experiment with different brands of rear tire as they are of differing diameters but thats an expensive way of finding a happy medium. You only really want 6th gear for the highway commute and its fortunate that it has a 6th gear. How big was the Acerbis tank and what range do get achieve from it now. Whats your height and weight ? How do you think your bike compares to the Rally version ? Do you think you would benefit from dropping a 300cc kit into it ?
The Acerbis tank is 50% larger than stock so you can calculate your particular range based on you MPG. I'm 6' 180lbs. I don't like the Rally version. Too much plastic and not enough extra power to make any difference. I wouldn't want to have a 300cc kit. It has enough power as is. I would swap it for a more powerful bike rather than go to that extent and risk a shorter engine life.
Did you take out the fuel controller? The black plastic piece thing that sits just above the engine, looks like you took it out. Dunno if it's just me. Nice video!
+Joshua Demko
Perhaps you mean the evaporation canister? The Canadian model does not come with that. The USA model does. I did remove the PAIR Valve System though.
Informative. Good mods. A good-looking bike. I think it's a shame they don't make a 350.
+1990
A 350 would be great, especially if they could shave some weight.
I can't see them ever making one as 250s are so popular in Asian markets. In the early 90s I lived in Tokyo and had a Suzuki DR250 which was lacking in the low-down torque compared to the DR350. However, it had upside down forks and a neat damper on the handlebar which when turned altered the seat height or, more accurately, the suspension height.
+1990
So true; the Asian market is a big influence on some of their models. Some countries restrict the cc's allowed.
Great Video! Could you tell which aftermarket seat you went with and also are those Barkbuster handguards?
Thanks.
+TALLNDIRTY
That's not an aftermarket seat. It's the Coleman MadDog Seat Pad. Just a cover. Works well. Those hand gaurds are the Zeta 'Bend' model. They are very tough!
considering this bike but I'm 5-11 285lbs Do you think this would still be a great bike to go around town and hit a few offroads with? Great Review thank you!
So here's the thing: the CRF250L is under-powered and over-geared in a lot of people's estimation. At 285, you'll find those issues are a greater problem. Still workable if you up the power and raise the gear ratios.
Other bikes that might work better for you are the Suzuki DR650 and the Honda XR650L. The DR is the lower of the two, and the XR is more capable on dirt then even the 250L but is higher seat height (seat can be shaved) and more expensive. The DR650 can be had for almost the same price as the 250L. I would look at all three bikes closely and if possible test ride all three. The DR650 might be the best value and choice for you. Cheers :-)
Great review..
I are thinking of getting one of these crf250l just to do greenlaning on i have already got the crf 250 rally but i dont ride it off road..
Curious as to why you would want a crf250l if you already have a crf250l rally. Pretty much the same bike.
Great review and congrats on the high miles, you have been riding that little rascal 👍 What were the fuel capacities before and after the tank swap?
I think it was 2 gallon vs 3.1 gallon (US measure) Thanks :-)
Excellent video. From your first videos you have really changed it. what is the seat cover?
Also you must have spent almost half the price of the bike on all the mods. Maybe i will do that too myself.
Thanks. Yes I have changed it a fair bit. It is now the way I want it. The most expensive mod was the exhaust system. I haven't spent that much really. Maybe $1900 USD. The seat cover is the Coleman Mad Dog comfort seat pad. I've since removed it though, as the adhesive on the Velcro I used to attach sections of it became all gooey and slipped. I wear padded shorts beneath my pants anyway, so comfort is still good :-)
@@Scoottoots google season KIA Cee'd
@@pauldiacono698 Nice car.
Sorry for asking this but how much did the exhaust system cost? I would like to compare it to the fmf system.
My cost wouldn't be relevant as it was a some time ago and I live in Canada, etc. Best to compare prices on CRF's Only. I think they sell both systems. I paid about $750 CAD with the spark arrestor. The FMF systems are less expensive. The popular one is the Megabomb Header with the Q4 muffler. The Yoshi is a little more high end in some respects. Both deliver good results.
Nice review. How much for the upgrades, included the fuel controller?
Depends on where you live. Currency exchanges can drive the price up, so it relative. In the US the pricing would be something like $1000 for the performance oriented mods (Full system Yoshi, EJK fuel controller, and K&N air filter), plus another $250 or so for the larger gas tank
I've been wondering, and i can't seem to find an answer to this, why do manufacturers restrict engine power in the first place, if it is apparently so easy to beef bhp again.
Is it somehow just easier for them, or do they want to have better fuel economy? Is it in order to meet emission standards?
Also when you break the restrictions, will the bike consume considerably more fuel?
Thanks in advance!
Manufacturers restrict power to comply with emissions requirements and to advertise high fuel economy. And yes, uncorking a bike will usually result in higher fuel consumption.
Thanks a lot for your quick answer! Appreciate your content, keep it up :)
they are shit bikes
Can the seat height be bought down to less than 30 inches? This bike looks like a good off road tour machine
That's a lot of reduction (over 4"). A Kouba link will maybe reduce it by 1.5 to 2". For more, you might go with a lower (less padded) seat, or do some custom work on the shock mount. Then of course you would have to lower the forks to keep the handling descent I would think. The reduced ground clearance though would be a problem, especially using it as an off road tour bike, likely laden down with baggage. Doesn't sound feasible to me.
I have this bike, whats the deal with a cam chain tensioner? Should I take a closer look at it?
Don't worry about it unless it begins to rattle loudly and never quits doing so. Most owners do not have these problems. Unfortunately, some owners have them consistently.
Thank you for the info! The only problem on mine was when I went down to 13T up front the chain would slip on me. Simply terrifying. I still have the 13T up front but I fitted the warp 9 supermoto set and its just too much fun to ride around los angeles.
I have a BMW 650 XChallenge. I recently also had a cam chain tensioner go. Don't worry...you WILL hear it and you will think the worst - as in..."is that the big end bearing gone!?" - the bige will ride fine but just the tensioner thats not working well. so the timing chain is loose and rattles in there.Do fix it asap though when it does start to make a noise.
Is it mandatory to have a new fuel controler or is there a sensor in the exaust so that the original one can adjust as necessery?
The O2 sensor will allow the fueling to be adjusted only to a degree. Once you open the air box and free up the exhaust flow, the ecu will not be able to enrich the mixture enough, so the fuel controller is necessary for these mods.
Hello Sir, would the Rally version have solved a lot of your 'problems'?
Not sure. Of course my bike is a 2013 and the Rally wasn't made then. I have heard they use a different CCT in the rally. Honda knew abut the problem but didn't want to acknowledge it. Oh well. Mine is fixed now with the manual unit.
Excellent review. Thanks.
Cheers :)
That gas tank looks like anyone can just open the lid and suck gas out of it. Is it possible? How do you make sure no one steals your gas?
+Emre.D
Yes, it's just a screw-on cap. I think there is a lockable cap made that fits; not certain though. I haven't been concerned about that. Might be a good idea though ;)
I plan to buy this bike around December. Is it true that scheduled maintenance for this bike is every 12,000?
Well it depends on what you're looking at doing. Honda recommends oil changes at 12,000 km, valve inspection/adjustment every 25,600 km. Personally I change the oil roughly every 4000 to 5000 km. Other tasks of course need doing more often.
This bike seems to be unstoppable. Another reason why I do wanna get it, maintenance seems to be very little which is great!
Yeah, it's an easy bike to care for, plus it has a lot of upside potential to make it suited to your particular use and preference. You'll love it!
Nice job blast. Thanks for the info
+TheFanaticalFan
Cheers :)
just bought a 2014 crf250l, what tires do you have on and what tires do you use in the winter?
I run Shinko 700's fore and aft all year long. They are great on the pavement for a tire that also is 'acceptable' off-road.
Nice bike. You may want to consider getting a Seat Concept’s seat cover. I ride a DRZ400 and it really makes a difference. Best mod I’ve done on my bike. Suzuki seats are the worst! Now I can ride all day 😎
Anymore, I feel comfortable on the stock seat. Guess I've gotten accustomed to it. Then again, I don't go on many super-long rides on the bike. Cheers :-)
Damn!! You live over a 100 miles from the nearest gas station?? That's a good reason for upgrading the stock tank.....by the way, is that a 5 gallon upgrade tank??
No, I I don't live far from gas stations, it's just one particular major highway out of town would require a larger tank to make it to the nearest station. The tank is a 3.1 gallon as opposed to the 2 gallon stock tank. Huge improvement :-)
Is that new seat or an add-on pad? The seat seems to be one of the common complaints....Joe
That was an add-on pad that I strapped to the seat, but I have since removed it. I find the stock seat fairly comfortable actually.
once i took the passenger handle off of mine, it was comfortable enough..
11,000KM on mine, I've recently changed the rear shock with a Hyperpro unit and it's totally changed the bike in a good way you immediately feel in more control of the bike at speeds, especially at the rear, no bouncing of the rear wheel. today i dropped the bike again tough :-( no big deal and no damage but i dropped it in a very silly way. I've just couldn't touch the ground very well on a very slight incline to make a turn, the bike leaned to much and I couldn't make enough force to push it so down she went ...Again.
I'm not on tippy toes but neither flat footed I only wished that Honda designed the frame differently to make the seat height at least inch less that's all. overall it's a damn fun bike to ride, hassle free and very easy and fun to work on, mod, experiment, and try different stuff.
+ripmax333
Yeah I've heard the shock and fork upgrade really improve the handling and feel. If you need the bike a tad lower, you could install the Kouba link then lower the forks a bit. Or I wonder if there is enough foam thickness on the seat to shave some off the top then recover; that way you don't decrease the ground clearance.
that is what I don't wish to do, decrease ground clearance or upset the handling by altering the geometry of the bike.
+ripmax333 Yeah, so maybe a thinner seat foam. Perhaps the foam can be replaced with a higher quality foam that can perform well but be thinner. Might be able to get an inch that way.
i was thinking about seat concepts, but it's kinda expensive for me even for just ordering the foam alone, with that money I can upgrade the fun suspension.
I didn't catch which sear pad/cover you are using. Can you identify it? Thanks.
That's a Coleman Mad Dog Comfort Seat Pad. Amazon sells them real cheap.
I wouldnt say its a crap bike, it is what you pay for. I have a 2016 250l. I also race cr500's so i know something about bikes . What bike for what purpose, the 250l is really a cbr250, same engine same frame, just different plastic. The 250l is very forgiving, just dont expect it to be a 10,000 dollor duel purpose package. I wear out tires fast, mostly front tires. Dont know why. Pro taper bars, moose racing rack, a led headlight, cut off that ugly rear fender. The stock seat gets pretty hard after a few miles, i get 70 miles a gallon, i ride the crap out of my bike 15,000 miles. It is what it is,,,a low cost, very dependable and easy to ride bike. Not to tall so woman can ride with no worries also. 23 horse power, folks
Yup, it ain't gonna win any races, but it'll get you where you want to go for a low buy in price. It's a fun dependable dual sport you can put some cash and creativity into to make it yours.
im looking to buy one of these, but is it good enough to ride like 60/65mph on the highways?
I have no trouble cruising at 100 to 110kph and that is with 14/42 gearing which is a bit lower than stock, and I'm in mountainous terrain. That said, I have full stage one mods. In stock trim, it will do fine in flatter terrain or if you don't mind gearing down to 5th for slight inclines.
Just curious if you ever compared the DNA filter with the K&N?
+Mike Zobrest
No, I haven't seen a DNA filter in the lfesh. I like that K & N did not just make a street oriented filter for this bike though. They designed it with the methods they use for off road filters so it will cope with extreme dust, etc. The fit is perfect. Really well-made.
I'd like to know what this particular bike gets in MPG (US) with upgrades and without. Please and thank you.
I think the MPG (US) is around 75 stock. There is no one answer to what it gets when modified. It all depends. Suffice to say... less ;-)
BlastsFromTheSaddle I understand, but what have you noticed on your bike?
are you still running the oem recommended tires or did you get something different?
Shinkos i think
+738firewall
They are Shinko 700's front and rear. I've had Dunlop D606 on the rear but didn't like it. Kenda K270's front and back were great. The shinkos are more planted on asphalt, great on dry hard pack and rock, and not so hot in soft stuff and mud.
Would you buy shinko 700 again. So you met Steph Jeavons, I have been following since she started. What a nice advantage she doing.
+Michel P
I need to ride on the Shinkos a lot more to say if I would buy them again. They are awesome on the asphalt (for a dirt capable tire). Since I ride a lot of tarmac, that is important. So far I have used the Shinkos in some soft stuff and mud, and I got through it okay, so maybe it's just a matter of getting used to handling them in the soft wet stuff and enjoying them in the hard packed and tarmac surfaces.
I don’t get why you get such an expensive exhaust then put a spark arrester in it , doesn’t that defeat the purpose of creating better exhaust flow?
You forgot to mention the increased litter amount of the gas tank and how far it can take you hello 👋
The spark arrestor is a legal requirement for off road, and no it doesn't restrict the flow, in fact with the spark arrestor installed the flow is freer, as you have to remove the insert the muffler comes installed with to install the arrestor. Re: the gas tank, it holds 50% more gas than stock. How far it takes you depends on how you ride, but 50% more roughly :-)
I just bought a used Honda 2013 CRF250L and I'm loving it. Ready to make a few mods and enjoyed learning from your helpful reviews. Thanks.
I noticed between your TCI Borrego rack was gone. I was planning on making that one of my first mods. Any reason you took it off? You said you thought it was a good rack.
It is a great rack because it holds quite a bit and is versatile in attachments to the rack. I removed it to streamline the bike as I found I could get by with a much smaller tail bag. I keep the rack to re-attach for any longer trips. Great rack!
Great review...thanks!
Cheers :-)
Nice Video i have the same lovley bike im just wondering where can i buy this black seat cover?
Amazon sells the seat cover. Quite cheap.
BlastsFromTheSaddle
I have looked and i cant find it. Can you please give me the link I would really appropriate it. Thank you
Here it is: www.amazon.com/Coleman-MadDog-GearComfort-Ride-Protector/dp/B006JMK7N8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1529595331&sr=8-1&keywords=coleman+comfort+seat+pad
BlastsFromTheSaddle
This item does not sale in UK. Very upset
BlastsFromTheSaddle
Nevermind i ordered it from anotherwebsite
Is the bike using any oil as the mileage increases ?
+stew tube
No, I never have to add any between changes, and I don't notice an drop in sight glass level.
Whats that rear Bag that you are using? I'm Looking for something similar for my CRF.
That's my $6 tail bag. I bought a used all purpose bag at the second hand store, then put a stiffener in the bottom and installed grommets to facilitate fastening. I used Paracord to tie it down. Sure beat paying $100 for a motorcycle bag. It expands upward as well, plus it has two compartments. Perfect really.
$6 Dollars!? hell yeah it's perfect, I want one!
Took me halfway through the video to notice, but there's a hitch pitched noise in the audio. Cannot be unheard.
Tinnitus perhaps, LOL. I just had a close listen and cannot detect any background noise other than traffic, etc. Maybe local to your situation somehow. Thanks for mentioning though.
Oh yea there is. It's not very loud but high pitched. Cannot unhear, oh jeez. Still liking the video though, thanks for uploading.
Yep, it's there.
I hear it too. Quite high....but its there.
100% hear that high pitch noise.
where did you get the seat cover can you buy it online?
+Hunter Cleveland
Yes, from Amazon. It's the Coleman MaDog Comfort Seat Pad. I did a video on it: ua-cam.com/video/NvFZrrtjDqo/v-deo.html
I am interested about that seat cover. how to make narrow enduro seats more comfortable. pls link it
I added a pinned comment withe the link. I'll insert it here as well:
www.amazon.com/Coleman-MadDog-GearComfort-Ride-Protector/dp/B006JMK7N8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536259717&sr=8-1&keywords=coleman+maddog+comfort+pad
*thanks. do you also feel, this seat "pillow" really works? if you ride 100-200 KM, does it makes a difference for your bottom? *
Yes I do, however it absorbs water like a sponge, so if it rains while you're having coffee you're in for a wet butt. I don't use anymore. I have the Spiral Step seat now. after breaking in it's more comfortable than stock. But yes the pad works fairly well if you only ride in dry weather.
What type of handle is that? its got a bar on the side?
+Thanh Ha
Sorry, I'm uncertain what you are referring to.
well done! Thanks!
Cheers :-)
That tank looks like nice idea...
I really appreciate the extra range from the Acerbis tank.
I'm only 10thou behind you bro.
+HJZ75driver
I met Steph Jeavons the other day. She has about 50,000 miles on hers, and no mechanical problems so far. She just had her first valve adjustment the other week.
What is the thing on the saddle ? Airhawk?
That's a Coleman Comfort Seat Pad. Nice but it absorbs water like a sponge. I have since removed it.
Is it comfy?
Yes, they are very comfy. They are also inexpensive on Amazon.
Thank you.Could you solve the vibration problem on the saddle,,foot pegs and handlebar? I can't do more than 150 km s my butt gets completely numb after a while
Yeah, give it a try. Won't cost much to find out.
@BlastsFromTheSaddle does it have passenger footpegs
Yes, but I removed them.
have you riden 2up on this bike and is it ok or difficult or what
No, I never have. Wouldn't want, but that's just my preference.
+megalo Dan I have ridden two up on mine. 7 day trip to 2nd highest mountain in myanmar. My wife weighs 50kg. Only mod is a 13th front sprocket. worked remarkably. we used tape to add layers of towel to the seat. I had 15kg in bags on the back too. Its fun.
thanks,im seriously considering this bike.or the drz400s or sm really torn between them by price, fuel injection power etc.
BTW acerbis is pronounced "A -CHAIR -BEES" not a big deal but thought you might want to know
Awesome. Thanks for the correction :-)
THANK YOU. I did not know that.
VERY Much APPRECIATED.
I have been trying to find a bigger gas tank but can't /:
Bigger than stock? Two companies make them; IMS and Acerbis. They are available from quite a few online retailers.
+BlastsFromTheSaddle yeah I wanted 3 gallons instead of the 2
CRF'sOnly is one of many sources. Here's a link: www.crfsonly.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/290_296/products_id/5576
+BlastsFromTheSaddle thanks for the quick reply :))
I've got the acerbis , same as shown here except black. Ok, but the attachment of bleed hose to handle bar is pretty cheesy and acerbis screwed up dimensions for the mounting bolt hole locations on each side toward the rear of the tank. If you look at the gaps where the two plastic body work sections meet on this video you can see that the gaps are wider than they are on a stock bike, particularly on the right side. I did not send the acerbis back but I would try something else if starting from scratch.
For some reason, there is a crazy high pitched noise on all your videos. Great review though.
It's a strange issue. Several viewers have told me that but it's limited to a certain few vids. I have never been able to duplicate that experience on my three systems, and I've had friends view those videos and they have not heard it either. May be a UA-cam glitch. I have not had any indications from viewers on the more recent videos. I also have new camera and mic eqiupment, so that may have been part of the solution. Thanks for the feedback Glen.
Hey this was filmed out by the airport in Kelowna.
Yup, it was :-)
@@Scoottootsgiggle.
.. i live in kelowna and just happened to stumbled apon your channel moments ago google searching... I have gone down some rabbit holes lately looking at adventure and dual sport bikes... I'm still unsure on what bike i will purchase... many to choose from... i am a new rider... road maybe a total of 5 hours on an xr 80, 30 years ago... i currently own BWS 50 for the last 3 years... but think on getting my license next spring... i really like the look of the new BMW 310gs and the Honda CFR250 Rally... but the price is a little steep brand new... so I'm looking online for a second hand machine.
Take care... nice little channel you have here.
Thanks buddy. Yeah, just keep looking at the for sale ads. You can pick up a great bike for a good price at this time of year. Most people don't actually 'ride' their bikes. They sell them with very low kilometres on them.
@@Scoottoots yeah I heard a good rule of thumb is under 5000km per year on the bike.
What seat cover is that?
That's the Coleman MadDog Gear Comfort Ride Seat Protector. Sells on Amazon for cheap cheap
Hmm as cheap as this bike is im wondering how good it could be if it was used strictly offroad on trails
Well, some of the compromises on the design and build to make it handle well on the road detracts from it's off-road abilities. Most dedicated dirt bikes will out-perform it offroad. The advantage in the CRF250L is that you can legally ride FSR's and tarmac to get to the trails, plus once there, the bike performs excellently for a dual sport. It will handle the roughest of terrain with no problems. A actual dirt bike will handle the same terrain easier and at greater speed no doubt, but you are limited where you can ride them and have to truck the bike to the trails. Decisions. If you only want to ride trails and are willing to truck your bike there, then a proper dirt bike is by far your best choice.
BlastsFromTheSaddle well i have a 04 crf 450 but honestly the thing has just to much power for trail riding and i see this as a option being cheap and not crazy powerful and i do get frustrated at having to haul my bike everywear
I think you'll be happy with the CRF250L then.
how could you tell the cam tensioner was going?
The sound was a hard knock/slap in the exact area of the cam chain tensioner. So it sounded like the chain was arcing up and slapping. I suspected it would go because the rattling at steady throttle (city speeds) was excessive. When it went, the knock was very audible and could be felt as a sharp rap in the bars also. The Honda mechanic confirmed the unit had completely failed. Two other units failed after that, one per year. No worries after installing the manual CCT from Krieger CCT
@@Scoottoots thanks!
TIRES?
I currently run Shinko 700's front and rear. I like them a lot as a good 50/50 tire.
looks like your in BC?
Yes indeed I'm in B.C. in the Okanagan valley :-)
BlastsFromTheSaddle greetings from Richmond BC
Just picked up my new CRF250L last week, thanks for your informative video!
Cool. Enjoy it. It's a great bike :-)
you know, the amount of modification and money you spent doing it, you should have bought a different bike to start with
I've spent far less than you might think. Plus, most people like me would modify most any bike they purchase.
He should have bought a CRF 650L for all that extra $ he spent
it's a pity manufacturer's can't do a better job at optimizing performance so buyers don't have to do so at extra expense
In Honda's defence, the bike was made for the rider and the rides that match its performance. It's an exceptional bike 'as is.' Plus... it's a blank canvas for those of us who want more 'edge.'! Honda was right on target IMO.
Those daggum canadians
LOL
All those mods to get more power.....just get the 650.
Those performance mods are fun to do and cost very little compared to buying the 650.
great video sir thanks for taking the time and effort for this review, I have just bought a 2020 model, I hope Honda has revised the issues with the 2020 model.
I found 2 web sites that have a lot of aftermarket products for road bikes, trail bikes and road trail-Duel sports #1 Banggood.com #2- AliExpress.com
Yes, I have ordered from AliExpress several times. A great way to save money on non-critical parts and accessories. You should also check out BikerzBits in Thailand. They have genuine Honda OEM parts at much lower prices, likely because the bike is built in Thailand. The price differences on most parts is amazing. You pay shipping but using the DHL option the price is reasonable and service is very fast. Here's the link to their CRF250L section: bikerzbits.com/honda/crf250/crf250l/
Holy shit my ears are burning! Something high pitch is going on in your video. Giving me a headache.
The audio is perfect at my end; no unintended noise at all regardless of volume. Maybe half a dozen viewers over the years have reported similar but I've never been able to find a cause. Could be a glitch from UA-cam now and then. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate the feedback; no pun intended, lol.
6:30 if you want to push it get another bike ..... and of course it will fell like a bicycle because...... it is a bicycle
it's a crap bike
How did you come to that conclusion?
How many liter are your new gas tank?
I think it is 13.1 liters. Best mod!