What Replaces the CRF250L?
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- Life has been more than hectic lately, so I've been lying awake at night daydreaming about what bike could replace the 250L if any. Out on the single-track, I recorded a VLOG discussing options and what bikes I had in mind. Ride along and enjoy Dayton trails and leave a comment with what you think.
Bike: 2014 Honda CRF250L
CRF250L Long-term Review: • Honda CRF250L Long-ter...
Camera: GoPro Hero 8
Microphone: Purple Panda
Mount: Dango Designs
For me and for the type of riding I’m doing at present: my 250l is perfect.
I’ve recently upgraded the suspension but that aside from slip on exhaust she’s basically still stock. No gearing no ecu and I love it. As my skills progress I may or may not play with the gearing. I do a lot of adventure touring on mine, camping/riding/exploring. I’m a Honda guy as well but of the bikes you’ve mentioned the 701 seems to be the popular choice in my area. A lot of the 500exc guys have switched over to the 701 because they’ve found it more suited to their adventure riding style. I think when it comes down it, the right bike is the one that’s right for you so it takes a little searching but once you’ve found it you know it.
Nailed it. For sure. Funny... maybe I should just upgrade the springy bits... maybe that’s an even better project... get some long travel forks for this beast... 🤔
I’ve thought a lot about this, daydreaming much like yourself. I could really see myself on a 450L. I’m not in the position in my life to be able to take a week or even weekend long trips, but I still like that option or capability. I’m mostly constrained to off-road trails (I’m in Dayton too), but like to have a bike to take a spin on some country roads or an overnighter. I certainly can’t justify both an adventure bike AND a trail/race bike. I just can’t allocate the funds or the time to justify it to myself.
Right now, my ‘94 XR250L fits the bill much like your CRF250L does for you, but it sounds like you want more capability on both ends of the spectrum. A 450L seems to meet that. Much more highway speed umph, better trail prowess. Downfall is fuel range, which can be solved multiple ways. It would make one sweet trail eating adventure bike with some of the accessories people are making for it.
I really need to look into DDR. Transit time is a big reason I don’t ride more than I do and that would be just about eliminated by riding out there.
Keep the vids coming! I like following a fellow Daytonian!
450L and 500 EXC feel like top competitors for me. Maintenance interval vs something like a CRF300L or WR250R are my only concerns. I really want to say, take a 4-5 day vacation, pack the bike and ride to PA, NJ, or SC and race a rally or something on Sunday, then ride home, the long way. That's the goal right now. I know it sounds insane for most, but even then, just imagine wild camping and running something like the Trans America Trail, seems like a good time on a light bike. The KAT in itself would be fun on such a bike, you could do all the hard sections and still camp (ideally).
DDR is no joke, lots of hard stuff hidden in there, but a great place to learn new things. Assuming COVID doesn't screw things up this year, I expect new membership will open in May.
The "best bike" for me is the bike I am willing to ride and is able to get me to the places I want to go.
Solid answer
I've had similar thoughts. The maintenance aspect is a huge factor for me and not needing to have have large shop on the road to do valves etc. I think finding something that is low maintenance (not hourly intervals) and then redoing the entire suspension is thw ticket. For freeway hauls you swap the front sprocket and racing you swap back down. Train to ride a heavy bike like a light bike. The new crf300 with redone suspension could be the ticket, or if you're an old school guy, the dr350 could be a good choice with a similar amount of work. I have an exc-f 350, xr400, dr200 had a dr350 and street bikes. I'm still searching for a nice happy medium that I can rock. Thinking the new 300s (or whatever yamaha comes out with) may be it but waiting a bit to pick one up. The excf is super fun but I wouldn't do a weekend 1200 mile ride on it.
I just sold the 250L this weekend. With stuff going on at home a 350xcfw makes the most sense for me right now but that bike isn’t permanent either. I suspect I’ll have a KLX300R at some point.
For sure man makes sense. Those bikes are legit! If you're willing to travel colorado has some really good deals on some Street legal xcf-ws. I'm in NM and monitor bikes in the surrounding states ha.
@@justinwhite7863 the whip is getting the job done for now. The big test comes in 3 weeks for Red River Scramble 2021
250 l makes excellent desert racer.
Enjoyed the video. Interesting topic to think about for sure. I have similar thoughts. I keep coming to the same conclusion that you did. It’s a pretty darn capable bike. There’s a better off road bike. There’s a better on road bike. But is there a better dual sport? Not sure... Is that place you ride private property or is it accessible to the public?
It’s tough. I could probably get a small bump without sacrifice buy getting a WR250r... but there’s not much else out there without larger sacrifices.
This is Dayton Dirt Riders, it’s a members only, bikes only, club here in the gem city.
You said Clay City! I got chills.
The beatings will continue until traction improves.
I mean, if you want to race it and actually be competitive, you need a dirt bike. Just use the tool for what it is designed for. If you want to live off the bike, travel and do some off road... just stick with a heavier bike, it will be fun on the off road stuff, and you do not have any race to win
That's the rub right there. You're dead on. I have no expectations for being competitive. I'm a 38 year old dude that starting "Racing" last year. I'm not going to have sponsors beating down my door in this lifetime. That said, my sadistic view of "fun" says, I'd like to vacation on a motorcycle.... and probably race it on Sunday and still ride it home... The CRF250L has raced, but never ridden to a race. If that 320# pig can race, a 350# 701 could also do it... "would it be fun?" yeah... that's the question indeed. A T7 could easily do all the touring I want to do, but would probably be the impossible race bike (in my layman's hands). But anything on par with the 250L could probably do the job. What's your Dirt bike & dual-sport bike of choice (2 part question)?
@@MotoAdventurer Well, I don´t know if I can serve as a reference for your situation, mainly because I am Argentinean, and the market options and economy here are WAY different than over there.
Nonetheless, I am a non-competitive rider (more of a hobbyist) 25 years old, and currently own a '99 Suzuki DR350 which I use on the trails and some light mx tracks. On the other hand my main way of transportation is a 2018 Yamaha Tenere 250 dual-sport(it is close to the CRF250L, just a little more heavy and underpowered). I´ve bought the DR a couple of months ago, and before that i´ve used my lil tenere on the trails (too heavy for the track tho).
For the US market and economy options, I would probably go with a XR650L or modded DR650 for the ultimate racing dual-sport
@@jaime7890 thanks a lot for chiming in. It’s really awesome to get global perspectives as well. You’re dead on, US budgets and whatnot make things weird. We also have an extensive high speed highway system here which leads to folks wanting the bigger bikes for speed and comfort. I need to go ride one of those 350s. I hope more of those come out. Yamaha would be wise to punch the wr250 to 350.
Watched a lot of Lyndon Poskett's videos, he's his own man, eh. From the bikes you mentioned, I'd have thought the 701 was closest to the sort of thing. Or one you didn't mention, the AJP PR7 if it's available to you in the USA.
701 would definitely do anything I wanted and look gorgeous doing it, except perhaps racing... then again, that might make it more interesting ay?
I need to do some homework on AJP. Not sure where I can get one locally. Ideally part sourcing wouldn’t be too painful
Awaiting the wr300r that hasn’t even been announced
Solid point. 2021 450L is 291#... the WR250R is only 4 pounds heavier 🤷♂️
@@MotoAdventurer 450L is a beautiful bike but not 10k beautiful 😂
@@nosyjoe very little is 10k beautiful in my world... and nothing is 10k beautiful after I’ve owned it for a week...
You ridden the 300L yet ?
No sir. Really looking forward to it. I really want to ride the rally as well