The new CRF250 is supposed to have a bigger tank. I'm expecting 11.2 litres rather than 19, but it helps.

The weight is partly self inflicted (by the motorcycle community in general) and partly because the world cannot support 7 Billion people driving Ford Edsels.

ABS because we want to be safer in mass traffic. There isn't space for everyone to have enough stopping distance on cable operated drums.
Catastrophic perverters because we don't want St. Greta whining at us.
Masses of bodywork because we want to look like we are doing the Dakar
Electronics because rider modes, LCD displays and adjustable suspension sell.
Simple materials that are light and effective are banned because we want to use ten times the amount and they kill fish even in 1970's volumes.
Bikes are cheaper than ever because they are designed for manufacturer and rarely used extreme performance not everyday use.
We demand ever bigger numbers on the spec sheet.

I am currently restoring a 1973 CL350. It is superior in so many ways to my CB500X. The basic shape is everything I could want in a bike.

I would love Honda to make a modern one but know a physically small bike will be slated on ADV-rider, MCN and other clown sites. I would love MASH or one of the other Chinese front companies to sort themselves out on quality, but the market is too small for £6000 400cc bikes.

Andy

Yes, but would you purchase it with your own money, new from a dealer?

There are things people "know" and things that actually happen. "Clown sites" seem to love the 390 Adventure and the CB500X to death.

I change my modern bike every three years at most, so buying a Scrambler style CB300 type thing would make more sense than another CB500X or CRF250 or BMW310 or Himalayan or other offerings that failed to tick as many boxes back in April.

I'd actually want to pay more if they'd save me the hassle of replacing ****y OE tyres etc. but that definitely won't happen. They still don't see why a rider with 30 years riding experience and no huge limitations on funding won't buy an Africa Twin. You'd assume plenty do.

The CB500X is a nice enough bike, it does exactly what my F650 did 25 years ago with fewer break downs. In terms of current offerings I think its the best all-rounder. In terms of innovation it does what a rebadged Italian learner bike did in 1995!

Andy

I'm sure your dealer will happily take your money to let you take delivery on a bike with different tires.

They absolutely do. Anecdotally - last year in my moto marshal team, the most popular bike by far was an R1200GS. Now all those people have switched to Africa Twins (and some prior V-Strom 1000 and NC750X owners too).

ADV-rider is a "clown site"? Uh oh, I better stop going there to read the epic ride reports...

__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

ADV-rider a clown site !!! - now hang on a minute They've got the best girl on an old motorcycle section I've ever seen. Pity Grant doesn't have one here.

Is Gunz-gunz-gunz-and moar gunz still going?

Andy

I am down to a short list.
For a bike, not to be used for going around the world.
But for going to interesting places. Beyond the tarmac roads.
Where my touring bike is to heavy and clumsy.

This is my preference. Based on what I am going to use the bike for.
And what I already have in the garage.

Enfield Honda Yamaha
Himalaya NX 250 XT 350

Weight Dry/Wet (kg) 182/191 118/133 120/???
Seat Height (mm) 800 820 855
Fuel Capacity 15 9 12
Front Wheel (Inches) 21 19 21
Rear Wheel (Inches) 17 16 18
Ground Clear (mm) 220 250 275
Power (hp) 24 25 31
Torque (Nm) 32 24 29

Himalayan is a bit heavy, but has a low center of gravity.
So I find it easy to handle anyhow.

Honda has the lowest fuel capacity.
Can be upgrade. Or live with that restricition. Some spare fuel can be carried.

Yamaha is little too high. But I asume that I could lower it 25 mm, without any problem.

If I find a Yamaha XT350 or Honda NX250 in decent condition, close to where I live. I will go for that.

Else, I will go for the Himalayan.

==

Going even smaller. Honda Brazil produces nice bikes, like the Cargo.
And Indian bikes....
But in Europe we get what the market asks for.
And what the regulations decide.

I would also consider a Yamaha Serrow or Honda CRF230 (not 250) if you can find one.

You need to go to CS&M for the real fireworks.

you have all missed the best................. Yamaha wr 250r

930 mm seat height.
Useless

Too tall, I suspect.

Not sure about where you live but, here in the UK, the NX has non-regular tyre sizes so not easy to find and more expensive than standard when you do.

It’s a great bike though, light with a super smooth engine. Very small, which is a plus for some but the reason I sold.

I have just bought a 2nd hand MASH 650 x ride which looks like an XT500 but uses a Honda Dominator 644cc engine but now fuel injected (50mpg easy but 12litre tank) and only 500 mile on the clock for just over £3500 which I intend doing NC500 in scotland and later this year the marakesh loop.