well if we're talking about crf 18hp +/- then believe me 5hp more is significant difference plus again, wrr is lighter. I am riding now everyday on crf250l off-road and even with both sprocket changed to 13/42 and air filter mods quite often bike is shaking and baking in deeper sand or gravel. Can you ride like that? sure, but it's a pain and you'll get caught

I suggest whoever is expressing his opinion about crf250l here without actually riding this bike (stock) to go and take a test ride first.

Good advice!
I do agree that in the deep gravel and sand you describe that a heavy and under powered bike is a struggle, not ideal. You own a CRF so I defer to your opinion. But many others seem OK with the CRF, but I do get your point.

But good technique can help, but having a lighter bike with more power would be a better solution.

Sounds like you may be in the market for a new KTM 500 or similar. 3 times the power of your CRF at about the same weight. Plus, the KTM's geometry is very sand/gravel friendly. Quite easy to ride in your described conditions.

I've never ridden the CRF250L off road, only on road. It did seem a bit weak but as a travel bike I see many doing OK with it going RTW and other cross continent rides.

I rode 125's all over Asia and did OK, so once set up, the CRF might not be ideal, but price is good and good used ones are around here cheap.

The KTM's here are around $12,000 USD, around $8K to 9K used. If I trusted the KTM's or Huskies more, I would buy a nice used one for a travel bike. But so far, I'm not convinced.

So with the high price plus high maintenance, expensive parts and questionable long term reliability ...have to pass on Euro bikes for now ... as good as they are.

Among 250's the CRF250L would not be my first choice. After research I'm leaning toward WR250R. Lots of viable history of guys riding all kinds of tough situations, doing long highway and doing tens of thousands of miles mostly trouble free.

Would I prefer riding a Husky or KTM 350 in tough conditions? Of course ... but I don't fancy a rebuild mid trip either.
For now ... it's the Yamaha ... but always open to hearing about something better! (power slides required of course! )

you're right, soon my crf is going out and I'm looking for 450exc ktm or husky.
Regarding reliability looks like KTM has caught up with others now although for long journeys I'd feel still more comfortable on my xt660z.