Is the CRF250L a worthy adventurer
 

So I've wanted an Adventure bike since 2004 when I fell in love with Ewan, Charlie and the R1150GSA. Now is the time to get away from work and life and start riding again.

I almost bought a R1200GS late last year until I realised it will cost a fortune to service and I don't want to be that middle aged guy at breaking point trying to pick up his 250kg bike in the middle of nowhere.

Here's bikes I considered in order:
KLR650 - was perfect when I wanted fire trails but I think I want to get more off piste
DR650 - crappy range (upgradeable) and more capable than the KLR but still heavy
690 Adventure - probably a great bike but getting old
DRZ400S - getting lighter, probably great but seems expensive and rare used examples in VIC
WR250R - Looks like fun but $2k dearer than the CRF250L
CRF250L - my latest suits me bike

So the CRF250L looks interesting - it's a reliable dual purpose bike light enough for me to brush up on my off road skills. The 6spd box and wide ratios I am hoping are enough to commute to dirt.

My idea for the next 12-24 months is to ride 50kms of tar from my house and explore the dirt roads of South Gippsland, The Yarra Ranges National Park and into the Victorian High Country. I'm sure there will be additional stretches of tar between destinations including he Princes Hwy/Eastlink home from places like Traralgon and Seymour after long days off road when the sun is getting low.

Is the CRF250L a sensible choice with an upgraded tank and/or RotopaX fuel cells for the above riding?

NB: I'm not really aiming to be the latest MX hero but more load up my lightweight collapsable fishing rod and lightweight gear and do long day trips and the odd overnighter exploring the state. I don't need every last HP but I don't want something completely gutless either.

Feedback appreciated.

2 video off road
1 Video on road

You make up your own mind 3 videos was take in the last 2 weeks in North Thailand.

Steph seems to think so.
http://www.stephmoto-adventurebikebl...blog-page.html

Leonie and Peter from Amsterdam to Anywhere - Wereldreis op de motor - Avontuurlijke reis van 3 jaar, meer dan 100.000 km op 5 continenten | Amsterdam to Anywhere – Wereldreis op de motor seem to have been pretty happy with them for almost 3 years on the road.

The Honda is fine. But the Yamaha (WRR) has better spec. Either way, it's a good choice if you're not experienced off road. I'd stay clear from anything large to learn (we made that mistake learning to ride off road in Qld). The DRZ-E is an awesome trail bike but it's a trail bike. The S is a little different, but I think the gearing is the same. Different suspension and carb. The gearing on the road is a compromise. I'd take the E over the S any day. The reverse on compromise is true with the CRF and WRR which are adventure bikes by nature.
It is counter intuitive to think of those 250's are adventure bikes, but they really are. Small bikes on the road? Yup they made it work. You don't need a bigger bike for that. If your balance is more like 90% road (paved or unpaved) and 10% tracks then a 650 makes sense. Or 80-20. But I really don't find the 250's a burden on the tar. Fun on the twisties. Motorway is not their terrain but short 100km stretches is fine.

Yep, nice little bike, used one for 7 weeks doing Northern Thailand and Laos.
If I had a gripe it would be that its is a little underpowered, but hat could just be me because I owned a CRF250X in the UK at the time for my Enduro riding.
Once I get settled in Thailand I will be getting another L

Wayne

I'll be selling mine after a year of riding 95% off-road.
Not too happy with the bike except for the price I payed.

Out of the dealer floor it's really pathetic and under powered,
so I had to change front and rear sprockets, change air filter,
put on folding gear lever, put bash plate as stock one is a joke.
Also adjusted TPS to get more life from it. Suspension is very soft
so only relatively slow trail/track riding is possible. I was planning to upgrade the suspension but decided not to as the bike is very heavy for what it is and
I knew it's not a keeper for me.

But, for a smaller person or a women this bike is not that bad for commuting or relaxing trail riding. For a long adventure rides not really, unless somebody is very patient :scooter:

A 250 will be about the best if you're re-learning off road riding. Not great on longer tarmac sections but fine for an hour or so. The CRF is a good starter bike but the Yamaha WR250R is the better off road bike ... and has the most potential overall. More expensive, yes, but the better bike by quite a margin among 250's. Only the KTM,Husqvarna or Beta are better, but quite expensive.

If your off road ends up just being dirt roads ... then I'd go with one of the 650's. The DR650 being by far the best for the money. If you ever get out of Oz and actually follow the path of your heroes, you may want to re-think your bike choice but for now, just going dirt riding close to home, the 250's are great. Your learning curve will go up fast.

If your budget is high, you could go with one of the new Huskies or KTM's. More maintenance but SUCH great performance. Up to you. I've ridden the CRF, not that exciting but will get you there.

slippy red ruts full of water... My least favourite kind of off-roading.

They didn't look like they were running knobblies either !

The Red stuff can be hard work.
Was running (IRC) factory standard Knobblies all round

The CRf250L is a great bike that still weights 320lbs (what an older Honda 600 used to weight). The DR 650 SE weights 320 lbs too. Swap the heavy muffler and replace by anything else and you shave 6 lbs. Ditch the heavy steel fuel tank and replace it by an Acerbis or Safari to reduce weight and increase range.

If weight is the ennemy, then there are a few European bikes that weight around 250lbs. Look for KTMs and Huskies.

All'n'all, the best way to decide what bike you'll prefer is to try them. ;-)

Weight is only half that story. Size is the other half. The laws of physics say that the distance impact of the mass away from the centre of mass is squared.
I stripped my F650 to about 180 kg wet, too me about a year to do with custom carbon fibre parts etc, but it didn't really feel any lighter due to this.
I would think long and hard about considering an enduro bike for a long trip. Lots of additional logistics with that.

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I rode a Kawasaki KLX 250 from Germany to Vietnam. My Trip will end in Malaysia.

The weight of the bike is just awesome. You can ride bad/offroad sections much easier than with big bikes. Unfortunately the KLX 250 has a lack of power once you hit the highway or ride at high altitude. So the perfect bike for me would be Japanese bike under 140 KG and 350-450 cc for a decent price :D

I "downgraded" from a heavy 750 Africatwin to a CRF250L. For adventure traveling I would now call it an upgrade!

On a 250 your really can go anywhere! After a long day of heavy offroad you are still smiling instead of exhausted from manhandling the heavy monster.

I recently came back from a 3 year 110.000 km rtw trip on the CRFL. They are very smooth and dead reliable.
Also a point to consider is that it is a very quiet bike. Traveling on my Africatwin with Leonvince pipe became very tiring and annoying, hearing the loud pipe all day everyday, not to mention drawing to much attention arriving in small villages.

Cheers,

Peter


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So true. Not only will a big bike exhaust you off road ... it can also result in serious injury if you're unlucky or try to "over-ride" the big bike. Very hard to pick up and if it falls on you ... not good! :helpsmilie:

I struggled with my DL1000 Vstrom on several long rides into Baja, Nevada and mainland Mexico including Copper Canyon. Once things got rough the Vstrom was a real liability for me. Deep sand very tough and nasty rocky tracks were a no go on the big Vstrom. A buddy riding the same terrain on the lighter DL650 Vstrom also struggled in these conditions.

Since then I've ridden most of this on either my XR250 or my WR250F. Both now sold. :( The XR was the better bike over long distance and great just about every place.

The Vstrom could cruise highway all day at 90 mph ... and I miss that, but the trade off is well worth it if you intend any sort of serious off road riding.

Also, the 250 will allow your off road skills to improve quickly. This is quite important. More skills means less stress and more FUN! Toughest thing for overland on a 250 will be packing in all the gear and spares. bier

believe me, crf250l is heavy enough to hurt you badly. Had one accident off-road when my leg go twisted under this bike and couldn't get out easily. After that I decided I wanted something lighter for offroad.
Almost over 150kg fully fueled with some luggage can hurt you as well as over 200kg bikes when it falls on you. More powerful bikes have one advantage though, they have enough power to allow you escape sometimes or save it from close calls. crf250l weight to power ratio is dangerous IMO.

Know the bikes limitations and you will be fine.
Justed completed a 5000km in Laos in 13 days with 50% on road and 50% off road found the bike great in all conditions.

Sure, any bike can hurt you ... even a bicycle. But in general riding OFF ROAD, lighter bikes are BETTER, EASIER (and safer) than big, heavy bikes. You are much more likely to fall when riding a BIG, heavy bike. Small, light bikes are easier to handle, especially for novice rides.

The idea a big bike's power will help you is spurious at best. Yes, a full on 450 race bike or 500 KTM would be good ... as they are nearly as light as a 250 yet have 3 times the power. Nice. But most are not ideal travel bikes. Most novices end up going too fast on the 500's and killing themselves.

On road is a different world and there ... POWER is nice to have. But you can certainly survive fine on a 250cc bike if you pay attention and stay OFF fast interstate highways.

If you ride with Hard panniers on your bike then you always risk your legs being trapped by the panniers. Seen this in person many time with my KTM and Big GS riding buddies. Lifted many a big bike off a trapped rider. Luckily,
no broken bones but not a pleasant sight.

Even at 68 I'm still strong enough to lift a 250cc bike off me. A 650? or
1200cc GS? Not a chance. HELP! :helpsmilie:

Off road riding the big heavy bikes can be tricky for novice riders. Riding ruts is tricky for many riders and slippery mud also take many riders down.

Steep UP and DOWN grades stop a lot of riders on big bikes. MUCH easier on a little 250 or even smaller. But go under 250cc, you find you can't make it up some steep up hill sections when carrying a full load.

I rode a 125cc two stroke all over Thailand and a bit in Cambodia. Scary on the fast highway, great on back roads, water crossings and mud.

:scooter:

exactly, that's why I said crf250l is too heavy. You just repeated my point.
But - if bike is heavier then it better have more power as well. not like crf.

Why? How does having more power help?

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strange question :rolleyes2: never been riding in deep sand or deep dirt? try do power slides etc in such conditions on crf250l...not gonna happen with factory setup. In dirt steering is mostly done with rear wheel :)

Or, ever had to quickly ride away from charging rhinoceros?
you need some power to be safe.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-.../i-MqJJMSF.jpg
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XR250 at a wide spot on this Wood's trail. More fun than riding a 650 here.

Firstly, you won't be doing power slides riding tight single track trails. Wide open Desert? Sure ... and easily done on a 250 ... if you know how.
(try speeding up!)

Riding through tight woods trails a 250 is far superior to just about any bike. Turns quick, light and agile allows higher speed. bier


More power is NICE in deep sand but the added weight of a 650 has the front plowing in more than a good 250 will do. The small KTM's and Husqvarna's simply FLOAT over deep sand ... very stable. My WR250F and XR250R were LESS good in deep sand ... but still easier than a big 650. (for me)

mollydog of course knows better :) I'm saying clearly about riding in deep sand etc and he is posting pictures of flat surface. I'm talking about crf250l and he is showing XR250 which has way more power and is lighter by 15kg doh

anyway whatever makes you happy man bier

True. I own the WRR, but I don't think there is much difference in that. About 5HP. Never had a problem with power in Queensland sand and mud and Baja sand on single trail. Breaking traction is easy. Depends on how much hero juice I had in the morning if what you can call what I do a power slide.
Didn't like the gearing there but that's different.

Got chased by a mad 3 legged dog once in China got away ok on my CRF?

could have been 2 legs because the dog was moving like shit out of hell.

:oops2:

Not seen many rhinoceros in Beijing lately but will keep my eyes open

Pedants make me happy! :blushing:
No ... you were talking also about "power slides", claiming you could not do it on a 250. I did say more power is better in deep sand. You should go re read the previous posts. PS: we typically don't do power slides going UP HILL. It's a flat track technique. I learned it when I raced at Ascot park in L.A. (google it) at age 14 riding my Bultaco Pursang.

Yes, XR 250 is lighter and has more power ... but I could power slide the CRF250L just as easy. Before Ascot, I learned power sliding riding a Honda 50. :mchappy:

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.

Sure, but I'm debating why that would hurt you and power would be the savior. Sounds to me like it needs better riding technique to make it work.

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Requirements for a new potential overland bike:

- Overall reliable characteristics
- Range of at least 400 kms
- Fair luggage options
- Comfortable seat and sitting position
- Good handlebars and footpegs
- Ability to perform power slides....

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. :thumbup1:

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. doh

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! bier (power slides required of course! :smartass:)

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.

The OP does not say his/her location. Some bikes are not easy to find in Europe vs what is available in OZ, US etc… I will still throw my two cents on this.
We downgraded from 2 BMW 650GS (the original single) around South America, in 2007/2008 (long list of problems) for much smaller bikes.

We spent 3 weeks in Vietnam (in 2010 or 2009) on two rented YBR125s.That was an eye opener moment! They were so light and easy to ride on really hard technical trails.

For our UK to Mongolia trip (and back) in 2014, we rode 12,000 miles on two Hondas XR125. They were too slow and lacked in power. But they managed!

Last summer we rode again across Russia and Central Asia, on a TTR250 (husband) and an XT250 (me). The TTR needed an Acerbis tank (which causes problems and means more expenses). I did no modifications at all on my XT. It has about 10l fuel tank and I can do a minimum of 300kms. I also carried a 5l fuel bladder (that I never used or needed!).

We had to fiddle with the TRR as it is carburetted, for high altitude, in Kyrgyzstan. I did nothing to mine as it was FI.

OF all the bikes I had on many trips (bought, rented etc…) I think for me the XT is the ultimate bike. It is super light (lighter than the TTR – don’t trust the brochures!) and very easy and forgiving on trails/mud/sand. Also it requires minimal preparation. It is also incredibly tough. As my husband keeps saying, bikes have a very hard life in my hands! I only replaced the original handlebars (the original bends immediately! Oops! ) for Renthal. I had few crashes, (including running over a cow in Kyrgyzstan!) the bike had nothing. Not a scratch. The same cannot be said of me L

There is of course a compromise to make: they are a pain in highways. So we usually take the back roads and go off the beaten track. But small roads and trails are much more pleasant, when exploring a country!

Next we plan to go to the US, ride the TAT and mainly tracks and small roads, for few months (subject to visas). Originally we wanted to buy two XT250 over there but we may instead ship our TTR and XT instead. So even in the US we will still ride our 250s as it gives us so much more options to ride any road and track.
So yes, small bikes for long trips ... it can be done!

°my 2 cents°

With around 40 years of riding experience I'd say I'm a fan of my CRF250L (2013MDL) it's the perfect stablemate to my 03 BMW R1150GS, both bikes are compromises to a degree but function very well. For me the both fill a niche, I'm not a MX Rider nor will ever be... the CRF however it reminds me of my 1977 Honda XL 250 as a fun reliable capable bike putting miles of smiles on my face! It's been a great learner bike for my son and well.

I find myself taking the little CRF more often for running errands, and it's just a great for a little too wheeled therapy as well. Don't get me wrong I love my R1150GS and I love it equally; they are however, just for slightly different. For a first bike and learner it great, for a fun just get on and rip around urban commuter/explorer/trailie bike it's awesome. I've ridden plenty of 650 thumpers: Kawasaki KLR, Suzuki DR650 SE, BMW F650GS (single) and they were a compromise as well... I prefer the CRF.

Do I wish the CRF had more power like that of a MX bike - yes.
Am I happy maintenance is in the thousands of KM's vs. hours - absolutely! It's just a fun, easy bike to ride and like, the initial cost is affordable, build quality and reliability are typical Honda, accessories are plentiful. And as for me, well I'm happy with mine and for now it's a keeper!
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