Traveling, adventuring, in a vehicle is like watching a movie. Traveling, adventuring, on a motorcycle is like starring in the movie. Same roads, completely different experiences!
I am 79, rode many motorcycles, got hit by inattentive driver, went over the handlebars, $4600 damage to bike. Hit a deer going while I was going 50mph.,counter steered about 4 times and kept it up. Killed the deer, broken neck. Still love motorcycles. I flew HG for 13 years and now in my 16th year of paragliding. What I love about both is the ZONE where my total focus is on that moment.All daily going ons and troubles are absent and I am looking for that best line off roading or looking for the lift to make my float up to the clouds.
D606 rear and Pirelli MT 21 front is the best combo. I've put down around 20k dual sport miles on different bikes and it's always what I ended up going back to.
Mike, I must say you are excellent at what you do! - Thank you. BTW - I am 62 years old and very critical. I have the CRF450L, R1250GSA, and recently acquired the 300 Rally - for the very reasons you speak of - the BMW is very good for long distance travel, the 450 is very good for more serious off road and limited road use, and the little 300 is a very manageable road/ adventure bike. Suspension sucks for me at 6'4" and about 190 but I plan on finding better options. Thank you again for your content and delivery!
You bought the right bike. I've ridden 500lb adventure bikes offroad, have owned a 340lb XR650L that I rode in technical offroad situations and have 250lb Enduro bikes. For offroad, the lighter the better and the CRF300L Rally is the featherweight in the ADV bike world. I'm planning on riding the NM and CO BDRs next year and am considering the Rally, T7, or older 650 thumpers. T7 is nice but is a bear to pick up if dropped. I'm not sure I want to deal with a bike even that heavy in long multiday dirt rides.
Bought my 2021 last spring, pretty happy overall with it. I have been riding my entire life (I'm now 60) and I'm 6' 2" about 175#, and I lowered mine 1.5". It's much more comfortable (for me) and the type of riding I do. I have dirtbikes and ATV's and didn't buy this to offroad, just putt around by the lakes where I live and maybe hit a fishing spot. Would I change some things, absolutely; but as a package the 300 Rally is a pretty good starting point.
@@jtaylorb88 Without a temp gage it's hard to know but removing the plastic will definitely let heat escape more effectively and access to the engine would be nice too. Exhaust heat could become an issue without the plastic tho.
Yep, you will find the T700 a good step up in 12-18 months. You will find it just as tall and much heavier. I sold mine to buy the 300 because I ride alone a lot in rough country and wouldn’t have been able to pick it up alone if injured myself in a crash. You are on the right track!
I still havent seen the bike upclose or even sat on it and i had that fear of not being able to touch the floor since im 5'8ish, and when you said you are 5'6 i was relieved :D Thank you for that information!
Wise words in general regarding folks buying bigger bikes than they can handle! You made the correct choice with the D606 on the rear but look at a MT21 for the front.
Great video dude. You seem very level headed, I've just ordered one, it'll be a couple of months before it comes, I'll be mostly on roads, but have always like the tall gangly bikes. The price, service intervals and mpg got me onto this bike. I've had a KTM 950adv previously and it seemed a bit high maintenance, and I could never use it to it's full potential, this big little dude should be enough fun, even on the roads, I don't go as fast these days, I will miss the rapid acceleration at any speed but will get used to it.
Thanks you! I have had friends in the past who were Moto Techs and they all said KTMs were high maintenance and difficult to find parts. What were some of your issues?
As for the plastics, I like the way yours look WAY more than the factory stuff. Can you just remove them? Or is there actual modifications need to be made to them to make it look like that?
Hey Mike air pressure makes a big difference in the tires the way they handle off-road on road so it’s just like your jeep less air for off-road more air for street if that helps you
@@Mike.A.Hernandez Mike start off by running 15 pounds front and back and then if the front feels still a little sketchy drop it down to 12 pounds you can do the same to the back you can lower it down to but it depends on the conditions of the dirty riding in or sand also don’t forget if running that low pressure you need to install rim locks front and back so you don’t spin the tire which means rip the valve stem and then you’re dead in the dirt with a flat tire, it takes time with off-road riding good luck.
A very refreshing review. Welcome to the world of two wheels. I am curious if you demo'd a Kawasaki KLX300 or KLX300SM before you bought the Honda? Seat height is fairly low. I did a Kawasaki demo day last Friday, December 3rd. I tested the 900RS, the KLR650, the Versus 650, and the KLX300SM. I was very impressed with the power and the SOUND of the KLX. It was a blast! The KLR650 I test rode was the the full touring model with the bags and fog lights. That bike was, to me, the star of the show. I actually rode it twice. I'd take that touring or as an everyday rider over the Versys or V-Strom any day, all day. I've owned a 650 V-Strom. Both Kawasaki and Suzuki compete head to head with this 650 bike and to me they're over-price and heavy for what you get. I also highly recommend you test a Hymalayan. SUPER fun bike. Low seat height. Problem with the 300 class is the pipe is high so baggage is not a good option for camping, etc... The true utilitarian bikes, IMO. are the KLR and the Hymalayan. Cheap and awesome bikes. The KLR is only a 5-speed. The gauges? Well, you have a fuel gauge and speedometer basically... But you can relax a bit more on it than you can on the Hymalayan - talking highway speeds. The KLR also sounds awesome.
Going to put up my BMW 310gs for sale and get this instead as a companion for the mt-07. Can't find a tenere to save my life and the BMW which it really isn't keeps throwing a service light that pisses me off. Especially since my MT-07 is bomb proof that engine is the best ever!!
Why do people who make motorcycle road tests/reviews always have to have a drum banging away in the background, if I wanted that I'd go on to a rock channel, all I want is the sound of the bike and the riders comments, unless of course that is the noise the bike makes a cacophony of bangs and cymbals.
Traveling, adventuring, in a vehicle is like watching a movie. Traveling, adventuring, on a motorcycle is like starring in the movie. Same roads, completely different experiences!
100%
I am 79, rode many motorcycles, got hit by inattentive driver, went over the handlebars, $4600 damage to bike. Hit a deer going while I was going 50mph.,counter steered about 4 times and kept it up. Killed the deer, broken neck. Still love motorcycles. I flew HG for 13 years and now in my 16th year of paragliding. What I love about both is the ZONE where my total focus is on that moment.All daily going ons and troubles are absent and I am looking for that best line off roading or looking for the lift to make my float up to the clouds.
D606 rear and Pirelli MT 21 front is the best combo. I've put down around 20k dual sport miles on different bikes and it's always what I ended up going back to.
Mike, I must say you are excellent at what you do! - Thank you. BTW - I am 62 years old and very critical. I have the CRF450L, R1250GSA, and recently acquired the 300 Rally - for the very reasons you speak of - the BMW is very good for long distance travel, the 450 is very good for more serious off road and limited road use, and the little 300 is a very manageable road/ adventure bike. Suspension sucks for me at 6'4" and about 190 but I plan on finding better options. Thank you again for your content and delivery!
Thank you! I appreciate that!
Great video sir. I’ve got 36xx miles on my 300L in 100 days today. It’s brilliant for what it is.
Thank you, I agree!
You bought the right bike. I've ridden 500lb adventure bikes offroad, have owned a 340lb XR650L that I rode in technical offroad situations and have 250lb Enduro bikes. For offroad, the lighter the better and the CRF300L Rally is the featherweight in the ADV bike world. I'm planning on riding the NM and CO BDRs next year and am considering the Rally, T7, or older 650 thumpers. T7 is nice but is a bear to pick up if dropped. I'm not sure I want to deal with a bike even that heavy in long multiday dirt rides.
agreed!
Bought my 2021 last spring, pretty happy overall with it. I have been riding my entire life (I'm now 60) and I'm 6' 2" about 175#, and I lowered mine 1.5". It's much more comfortable (for me) and the type of riding I do. I have dirtbikes and ATV's and didn't buy this to offroad, just putt around by the lakes where I live and maybe hit a fishing spot. Would I change some things, absolutely; but as a package the 300 Rally is a pretty good starting point.
Agreed
I bought the same bike this year and I've been thinking of getting rid of the side plastic just to help it run cooler.
💯
Does it run hot? I've been impressed with my MT-07 dealing with heat especially around town although in the summer I wouldn't ride without boots.
@@jtaylorb88 Without a temp gage it's hard to know but removing the plastic will definitely let heat escape more effectively and access to the engine would be nice too. Exhaust heat could become an issue without the plastic tho.
After making the mistake of drinking the Africa Twin kool-Aid. I reeeeealy didn’t want to like this bike, but here I am. I want one of these bikes!
its a great little bike!
Yep, you will find the T700 a good step up in 12-18 months. You will find it just as tall and much heavier. I sold mine to buy the 300 because I ride alone a lot in rough country and wouldn’t have been able to pick it up alone if injured myself in a crash. You are on the right track!
I think you are the first person I have seen that sold the T7 for a 300.
@@Mike.A.Hernandez there's quite a few now, people selling t7's and Africa twin's
I still havent seen the bike upclose or even sat on it and i had that fear of not being able to touch the floor since im 5'8ish, and when you said you are 5'6 i was relieved :D Thank you for that information!
haha! I showed the size a little more in the first ride vid too.
Wise words in general regarding folks buying bigger bikes than they can handle! You made the correct choice with the D606 on the rear but look at a MT21 for the front.
Cool, thanks for the recommendation!
Great video dude. You seem very level headed, I've just ordered one, it'll be a couple of months before it comes, I'll be mostly on roads, but have always like the tall gangly bikes. The price, service intervals and mpg got me onto this bike. I've had a KTM 950adv previously and it seemed a bit high maintenance, and I could never use it to it's full potential, this big little dude should be enough fun, even on the roads, I don't go as fast these days, I will miss the rapid acceleration at any speed but will get used to it.
Thanks you! I have had friends in the past who were Moto Techs and they all said KTMs were high maintenance and difficult to find parts. What were some of your issues?
As for the plastics, I like the way yours look WAY more than the factory stuff. Can you just remove them? Or is there actual modifications need to be made to them to make it look like that?
Thank you! I cut them, I’ll be doing a vid on it ASAP.
Hey Mike air pressure makes a big difference in the tires the way they handle off-road on road so it’s just like your jeep less air for off-road more air for street if that helps you
Good point, thank you! tire pressure is at 20psi.
@@Mike.A.Hernandez Mike start off by running 15 pounds front and back and then if the front feels still a little sketchy drop it down to 12 pounds you can do the same to the back you can lower it down to but it depends on the conditions of the dirty riding in or sand also don’t forget if running that low pressure you need to install rim locks front and back so you don’t spin the tire which means rip the valve stem and then you’re dead in the dirt with a flat tire, it takes time with off-road riding good luck.
A very refreshing review. Welcome to the world of two wheels. I am curious if you demo'd a Kawasaki KLX300 or KLX300SM before you bought the Honda? Seat height is fairly low.
I did a Kawasaki demo day last Friday, December 3rd. I tested the 900RS, the KLR650, the Versus 650, and the KLX300SM. I was very impressed with the power and the SOUND of the KLX. It was a blast! The KLR650 I test rode was the the full touring model with the bags and fog lights. That bike was, to me, the star of the show. I actually rode it twice. I'd take that touring or as an everyday rider over the Versys or V-Strom any day, all day. I've owned a 650 V-Strom. Both Kawasaki and Suzuki compete head to head with this 650 bike and to me they're over-price and heavy for what you get.
I also highly recommend you test a Hymalayan. SUPER fun bike. Low seat height.
Problem with the 300 class is the pipe is high so baggage is not a good option for camping, etc... The true utilitarian bikes, IMO. are the KLR and the Hymalayan. Cheap and awesome bikes.
The KLR is only a 5-speed. The gauges? Well, you have a fuel gauge and speedometer basically... But you can relax a bit more on it than you can on the Hymalayan - talking highway speeds. The KLR also sounds awesome.
Thank you! I didn’t get a chance to ride a KLX. I’d love to add one to the collection.
You 100% correct about the internet generation. The outdoor physical world has no interest for them. Sad
Going to put up my BMW 310gs for sale and get this instead as a companion for the mt-07. Can't find a tenere to save my life and the BMW which it really isn't keeps throwing a service light that pisses me off. Especially since my MT-07 is bomb proof that engine is the best ever!!
💯
I just received my 300L! What tires are you running? Thanks!
Niiice! Running Dunlop D606’s
Nice review!
Thank you! Cheers!
Where did you get that front bumper?
The front fender? Its a Super Moto Acerbis.
Why do people who make motorcycle road tests/reviews always have to have a drum banging away in the background, if I wanted that I'd go on to a rock channel, all I want is the sound of the bike and the riders comments, unless of course that is the noise the bike makes a cacophony of bangs and cymbals.
What do you mean by “people” Duncan?
What's the MPG ? Tank range ?
Still working out that video. I’m estimating 68mpg 200mile range.
How fast on hiway ?
About 85./80 200 lb
Great vid. Aloha
Thank you! Aloha
When can we get a Vid of the plastic cutting ? Nice job !
Saludos de la Baja México
Check out Itchy Boots on You tube
One of my favorites