You will if you want to ride it on the road much. This is the strange thing - I keep seeing the comparison between these bikes, but I don't actually think they are natural rivals. The CRF is all off road, that can do road more comfortably than the standard CRF250L, for when you need it, the Versys-x is a road tourer that's remarkably good on unsealed roads. Do not buy a versys if you want to go off trail, don't buy a rally if you want to cruise down the highway lol - simples. Personally I think the natrual rival to the versys is probably the suzuki vstrom 250, though it does seem to have it prettty much beat, and the CRF rally is really butting heads with the other offroaders, deepending on how much road riding you need. Personally I'd sooner have my DRZ250 when it gets properly off road, but I'd much rather pop to the shops on the rally lol TL;DR: decide how much off road you'll do and how off-roud you'll be, then decide if you need to use on the road much and you'll have your answer.
Sierra Nevada it's tons of fun on dirt roads but it's still a bit underpowered for everything else. I've heard of power gains of %50 with simple mods. since it shares it's motor with the cbr 250 it seems that they made a sporty little motor and took the edge off. air box mod, fmf exhaust, ejk fuel controller really give the motor it's balls back.
Ryan does consistently produce good content, but these guys do consistently entertain with good content. Men that can multitask... fun and review !! Very good team to follow.
You for got the most important thing and that is how far you can go on a tank of gas. Adventure riding is about going where you mite not be passing a lot of gas stations. And as going over rocks just go around them. Honda is a much better off road bike but other than rock climbing, the Versys will take you almost any where. For long distance ADV riding I will stick with the Versys, But for off road riding the Honda looks pretty good but needs a much larger gas tank, if you want me to get one.
Entertaining review, gents! An adventure bike at sub-400 pounds (181 kg) is essential to be attractive to a large segment of the ADV crowd, where solo riding is common and, thus, picking up a downed rig is expected (and dreaded). If you're satisfied with a thumper then the CRF or similar (WR250R) wins but if the smooth power delivery for tarmac sections is desired, a twin wins. So IMHO, set up a Versys X300 with a Rally Raid kit like available on the Honda CB500X and test that for off-road capability. Yes, you're adding a couple thousand $$ for the upgrade but your still saving at least $10k from the cost of a "real" ADV rig. Plus stone-ax reliability of Japanese bikes tilts the scales in their favor. Just some thoughts from an aspiring adventurer.
Matts Channel it does. my dad's crf250l has a full system and it's a monster. It's running closer to 30 hp now. No exact figures but I almost killed myself on that thing so yeah. Fmf helps a lot.
Honda kinda blew it with the CRF450L - it is a near-race bike with lights, and it has a very short service interval. Instead of a 45 HP or so motor, they should have made a 35 HP motor with service intervals similar to the CRF250L - and offered a "Rally" version. Kept the better suspension, etc... and had a price around $8K or so and they would sell more than they can build... The 450L is higher-performance than most folks want, IMO. and not easily capable of long trips, as you have to work on it every other day...
If Honda would retune the CB300 engine for an updated CRF Rally, and allowed for wider, beefier wheels/tires, it'd be the perfect bike for me. I might only need one bike if it could be that one. As it stands, I have a heavily modified Yamaha TW200 for backroading and trails and a Honda CB500X with all the Rally Raid adventure/off-road stuff for when I need to sustain more than 60 mph (100 kph, roughly) for any length of time. Either a slightly upsized CRF250L Rally or a downsized, 300 cc CB500X (CB300X?) would probably do everything I'd want it to. Honda will probably build a CRF 450L Rally, but that's really more bike than I want/need, and I imagine the fuel range would be pretty lackluster as well as the seat height and weight higher than I'd want. I do love Honda's simplicity and reliability, and really would like to only own a Honda (though my TWs have proven absolutely anvil-reliable, they just won't do it all). Listen up, Honda! I can't be alone!
The motorcar world is looking at smaller engines in vehicles, I think the bike world is now following suit (about time too), I think the large engined Adventure bikes are on borrowed time, even the Dakar bikes are now only 450cc max, with engine technology the sweet spot will be 250cc - 450cc, even BMW have now offered a 310 GS, the writing is on the wall.... nice video
Writing from Europe I can say that between the lowering speed limits and the emission controls, can't go into cities with smoky bikes, these light weight babes are gonna kill it. My commute of 12 KMS has 4 speed radars and some traffic...
what's the difference between a crf rally and a crf 250L? oh i see, the windshield... Slap some Dunlop Trailmax tyres for the Versys when you're going to test it off road, and then street tyres for the CRF when you're going on road for the test. That's the only way to test how capable both are in each aspect. After all, don't we change the tyres to fit our riding purposes? why to blame it all on the bike when you can adjust the feeling by changing the damn tyres... Only Ryan F9 has done that, it seems like he's the only one that uses his head.
Kind of a pointless comparison. The Honda is na underpowered dual sport but is light and essentially a trail bike with fairings. It is not an adventure bike. The Versys is an actual small adventure bike. The Honda is not.
p0u1 15-20kg is a lot of weight. If the standard CRF would have 20kg less it would be epic, I take the standard one over the rally any day, the less weight you have the better off road, heavy and a tall seat height don't mix for me. The rally has to much plastic for show, the standard version is the better buy, with the price difference just install an aftermarket wind screen and upgrade the suspension.
The tall front makes them all look so strange. The Suzuki V-strom 250 is okay, but the Yamaha Tenere 250? Dreadful. Honda has a better looking small adventure bike though, the XRE 300.
Nice Video!! I have to agree that liter class adventure bikes are not for everyone, especially for men over 45! I like the light weight bikes with good power. KTM could have a winner here with 390 Adventure - Planned for late 2017 release.
Take off the horrible heavy plastic license plate holder and replace it with a 49 euro license plate holder that attaches right after the tail light. Not only do you save another 1.5 kg, it also looks sharper.
Go KTM, oil change everything 15 hours, yup, really great! (Honda: every 12 800km or once a year). I do know, of course, KTM are much more powerful but still, reliability isn't at the rendez-vous!
A friend of mine own a 350 EXC-F, oil change every 15 hours! And its a dual-sport/enduro bike! I really wonder which KTM model don't need so much maintenance!
The Honda is not value for money ! I could buy a second hand F800GS for the same money as the CRF250 and would kill it anywhere. Honda missed the pricing point. I would not pay more than R45k for it.
Versys is indeed a adventurer but it also is a touring bike with panneers low seat height.... Crf is like a dirt bike for all the riding in mud or dirt but wont be suitable for pillion rider or highways... LOL STUPID COMPARISON.... KAWASAKI SHOULD BE COMPARED WITH OTHER TOURING BIKES. LOL
you guy's are foolish, I own a x-300 and weigh in at 270 LBS and have taken my little v over rough terrain,(thank god for the skid plate) but I think you and you're fancy (trying to be funney) approach is not honest. nuff said.
Both bikes are really examples of the laziness and apathy from the Japanese with regards to this market. Heavy on looks and marketing, but chintzy, cheap, and underpowered. Sad, really, they don't seem to ever understand their customers.
175kg for the Kawasaki!!??! Well, I'm curently riding a CRF 250 Rally and it is quite heavy when you drop it in a mud hole in the woods, so I really don't imagine myself putting back up the Kawasaki!!!
I don't know about that, price is much higher then regular crf250l, very close to what wr250r used to be or MT-07 is! who would buy crf250l over MT-07?
How can you compare them. The Kawasaki is not an offroad and has to be one of the ugliest bikes ever made. Its gross. Even if it was better i could buy something that fugly
I think this is a real nice mix of comedy and actual competent information about the two bikes side to side.
That was a good one. Thanks a lot, folks. I want the CRF. Like it a lot, don't need more power.
39hp?
You will if you want to ride it on the road much.
This is the strange thing - I keep seeing the comparison between these bikes, but I don't actually think they are natural rivals. The CRF is all off road, that can do road more comfortably than the standard CRF250L, for when you need it, the Versys-x is a road tourer that's remarkably good on unsealed roads. Do not buy a versys if you want to go off trail, don't buy a rally if you want to cruise down the highway lol - simples. Personally I think the natrual rival to the versys is probably the suzuki vstrom 250, though it does seem to have it prettty much beat, and the CRF rally is really butting heads with the other offroaders, deepending on how much road riding you need. Personally I'd sooner have my DRZ250 when it gets properly off road, but I'd much rather pop to the shops on the rally lol
TL;DR: decide how much off road you'll do and how off-roud you'll be, then decide if you need to use on the road much and you'll have your answer.
There is something about using every bit of power a bike has to offer that kicks up the fun factor.
Anxiously expecting the arrival of baby Versys here in Brazil.
Thank you, gents.
I just bought a CRF 250 and totally love it, my other rocket ships dont get a look in now, this is real biking!!
I want one too, my super power street bike is more of a chore to ride. I want lightweight fun
Honda CRF more on off-road skills 👍
Sierra Nevada it's tons of fun on dirt roads but it's still a bit underpowered for everything else.
I've heard of power gains of %50 with simple mods.
since it shares it's motor with the cbr 250 it seems that they made a sporty little motor and took the edge off.
air box mod, fmf exhaust, ejk fuel controller really give the motor it's balls back.
Finally everyone's realised that the massive adventure bikes like the Tiger 1200 shouldn't really be off-road :)
Good job lads , a bit of lighthearted fun whilst getting the point over
It's like a minimal touring vs a street dirt bike
that's exactly right
Funny you guys do this just days after FortNine! Two of my favourite bike channels on TH-cam!
My thoughts exactly. Ryan's video is superior in many ways
Ryan does consistently produce good content, but these guys do consistently entertain with good content. Men that can multitask... fun and review !! Very good team to follow.
Great video..... A concise summary is at 8:15
great show as always. thanks. Would have liked to see if the next part was with the KLR650 lady who travelled Oman as well.
You for got the most important thing and that is how far you can go on a tank of gas. Adventure riding is about going where you mite not be passing a lot of gas stations. And as going over rocks just go around them. Honda is a much better off road bike but other than rock climbing, the Versys will take you almost any where. For long distance ADV riding I will stick with the Versys, But for off road riding the Honda looks pretty good but needs a much larger gas tank, if you want me to get one.
Great video guys!!
Which one is better to choose in between honda CRF 250L & 250 rally?
11 lakh barsa bro kasari kiinu yr 😂😂
Entertaining review, gents! An adventure bike at sub-400 pounds (181 kg) is essential to be attractive to a large segment of the ADV crowd, where solo riding is common and, thus, picking up a downed rig is expected (and dreaded). If you're satisfied with a thumper then the CRF or similar (WR250R) wins but if the smooth power delivery for tarmac sections is desired, a twin wins. So IMHO, set up a Versys X300 with a Rally Raid kit like available on the Honda CB500X and test that for off-road capability. Yes, you're adding a couple thousand $$ for the upgrade but your still saving at least $10k from the cost of a "real" ADV rig. Plus stone-ax reliability of Japanese bikes tilts the scales in their favor. Just some thoughts from an aspiring adventurer.
osimnod just fmf the crf and boom
Great show as always, cheers lads
What is a sword compared to the hand that wields it.Having fun is what it is all about.Thanks for posting.
Please put this price segment against second hand BIGGER bikes, which does one buy?
What were you referring towards the end, saying that Suzuki was coming out with one? Suzuki is coming out wit a new dual sport/adventure bike?
Very interesting and funny comparison. Thanks dudes! Honda is the winner ;)
Is there any way to increase the Hondas hp close to what the Kawasaki has?
Why the reverb? Sounds like the segment was done by the Canterbury Ghosts. You guys did survive this review, didn't you?
I would choose the Honda and add a fmf exhaust.
I think adding a full exhaust would help a little bit.
Matts Channel it does. my dad's crf250l has a full system and it's a monster. It's running closer to 30 hp now. No exact figures but I almost killed myself on that thing so yeah. Fmf helps a lot.
You guys are my favourite.
Honda pleaseeeeee build a slightly bigger 450cc version. Would sell like hot cakes
High Light THEY ARE ON TEST MODE SEARCH HONDA CRF RALLY 450 THIS BIG BADASS JAVE A 32LTS TANK
I agree
Your wish has been granted, a shame its $10,400 before any fees and thats msrp
Honda kinda blew it with the CRF450L - it is a near-race bike with lights, and it has a very short service interval. Instead of a 45 HP or so motor, they should have made a 35 HP motor with service intervals similar to the CRF250L - and offered a "Rally" version. Kept the better suspension, etc... and had a price around $8K or so and they would sell more than they can build... The 450L is higher-performance than most folks want, IMO. and not easily capable of long trips, as you have to work on it every other day...
Scott Edwards I couldn’t agree more
Always enjoying your reviews, wish I could try SA some time. Long way from Sweden though...:-(
i dont see how that's a problem...just a longer trip. seems like a bonus! ;-p
Plz compare these 2 and the gs 310 aswell as the duke 390 adventure when it's out :D
If Honda would retune the CB300 engine for an updated CRF Rally, and allowed for wider, beefier wheels/tires, it'd be the perfect bike for me. I might only need one bike if it could be that one.
As it stands, I have a heavily modified Yamaha TW200 for backroading and trails and a Honda CB500X with all the Rally Raid adventure/off-road stuff for when I need to sustain more than 60 mph (100 kph, roughly) for any length of time.
Either a slightly upsized CRF250L Rally or a downsized, 300 cc CB500X (CB300X?) would probably do everything I'd want it to. Honda will probably build a CRF 450L Rally, but that's really more bike than I want/need, and I imagine the fuel range would be pretty lackluster as well as the seat height and weight higher than I'd want.
I do love Honda's simplicity and reliability, and really would like to only own a Honda (though my TWs have proven absolutely anvil-reliable, they just won't do it all). Listen up, Honda! I can't be alone!
I just want Honda to release something between the CRF250 Rally and the CRF1000L Africa Twin.
Namely CRF500L Dominator?
(50hp twin @ 160kg?)
Johannes Carlsson CB 500 X
The motorcar world is looking at smaller engines in vehicles, I think the bike world is now following suit (about time too), I think the large engined Adventure bikes are on borrowed time, even the Dakar bikes are now only 450cc max, with engine technology the sweet spot will be 250cc - 450cc, even BMW have now offered a 310 GS, the writing is on the wall.... nice video
Great humor and review. Subbed
Writing from Europe I can say that between the lowering speed limits and the emission controls, can't go into cities with smoky bikes, these light weight babes are gonna kill it.
My commute of 12 KMS has 4 speed radars and some traffic...
I'm disappointed in honda not upgrading there 250cc bikes into the modern 300cc class . wasted opportunity.
@@travisdonaldstanley6420 I will have put the CBR 300 barrel and piston on by then!
what's the difference between a crf rally and a crf 250L? oh i see, the windshield...
Slap some Dunlop Trailmax tyres for the Versys when you're going to test it off road, and then street tyres for the CRF when you're going on road for the test. That's the only way to test how capable both are in each aspect.
After all, don't we change the tyres to fit our riding purposes? why to blame it all on the bike when you can adjust the feeling by changing the damn tyres...
Only Ryan F9 has done that, it seems like he's the only one that uses his head.
False: CRF 250L vs Rally: Bigger gaz tank, windshield, higher ground clearance and of course, head lights!
Kind of a pointless comparison. The Honda is na underpowered dual sport but is light and essentially a trail bike with fairings. It is not an adventure bike. The Versys is an actual small adventure bike. The Honda is not.
The Versys an adventure bike? Just a road bike with big wheels. For a real adventure-ride, I'll take the Honda.
why are they so heavy compared to a drz400
Much more plastic than the DRZ. Remember the DRZ doesn't have any form of wind protection.
TheGh02t true but were taking like 15-20kg difference between the drz and Honda.
p0u1 15-20kg is a lot of weight. If the standard CRF would have 20kg less it would be epic, I take the standard one over the rally any day, the less weight you have the better off road, heavy and a tall seat height don't mix for me. The rally has to much plastic for show, the standard version is the better buy, with the price difference just install an aftermarket wind screen and upgrade the suspension.
fukthegoog and its discontinued for 2017, did not pass from euro4 emissions. Same as the yamaha WR250r.
Please, do one of BMW G310GS
I've seen the Versys 300 for $4600.00 here in the US that a thousand less than msrp
How can you justify a review with two totally different bikes? What are the service intervals for the CRF250R
The service intervals for the CRF250L(Rally) are 12,000kms for oil changes and 24,000kms for valve checks.
someone bring back proper trail bikes with 400-500cc engines and get rid of all the plastics please
The Honda guy is not as good driver. Still respect
These bikes are slow if you have been riding motorcycles all your life but to the beginners they are marketed towards they are plenty fast enough.
I think these bikes would look better as stripped-down trailies. Why do they need screens? The Honda's headlights look dreadful.
Big Stan's legacy the 250 rally was developed from the crf250l which is basically exactly what you described.
It is indeed. I wish they made a 350 version.
The tall front makes them all look so strange. The Suzuki V-strom 250 is okay, but the Yamaha Tenere 250? Dreadful. Honda has a better looking small adventure bike though, the XRE 300.
I think the CRF looks okay, although I prefer the naked bike. This faux Dakar styling leaves me cold.
Nice Video!!
I have to agree that liter class adventure bikes are not for everyone, especially for men over 45!
I like the light weight bikes with good power. KTM could have a winner here with 390 Adventure - Planned for late 2017 release.
lovely. but you didnt test them on mud
Those 2 are like the new version of cheech and Chong I'm just saying
I see ghost pops and I immediately think Donovan is classy
Take off the horrible heavy plastic license plate holder and replace it with a 49 euro license plate holder that attaches right after the tail light. Not only do you save another 1.5 kg, it also looks sharper.
Couldn't you get two guys roughly the same weight, jumbo could hardly stand up on the Kawi and was winded after 200 yards
Are you stuck?
The view is beautiful.
I think with better tires and rims 21'' and 18'' he wouldn't
Great & fun comparison
Gravel Race?? Probably Versys wins
Thanks guys
Pura vida
That. Is. One. Big. License. Number.
It feels like they're trying to copy a bit of Top Gear with bantering that was remincent of Clarkson, Hammond and May.
Crf 70 % dirt ...
Versys..70% road..
Comparan motos totalmente distintas.
Please Harry, don't stop ranting!
Here in Canada Honda stuck an $800.00 dollar windscrenn on a 250L. Go KTM.
Go KTM, oil change everything 15 hours, yup, really great! (Honda: every 12 800km or once a year). I do know, of course, KTM are much more powerful but still, reliability isn't at the rendez-vous!
That's only true for the race bikes. Not the dual sports. And that goes for the Japanese race bikes as well.
A friend of mine own a 350 EXC-F, oil change every 15 hours! And its a dual-sport/enduro bike! I really wonder which KTM model don't need so much maintenance!
Probably the 690!
Honda should have made that a 400 to 450.
Ride RED!
Ek is lief vir die Kawasaki. 90% van die tyd, jy is in elk geval op 'n ordentlike pad. het net sy beperking.
The Honda is not value for money ! I could buy a second hand F800GS for the same money as the CRF250 and would kill it anywhere. Honda missed the pricing point. I would not pay more than R45k for it.
Es mucho mas versátil la honda.
2 completely different bikes
Versys is indeed a adventurer but it also is a touring bike with panneers low seat height.... Crf is like a dirt bike for all the riding in mud or dirt but wont be suitable for pillion rider or highways... LOL STUPID COMPARISON.... KAWASAKI SHOULD BE COMPARED WITH OTHER TOURING BIKES. LOL
Buy a versys. Change the suspension to that of 250l
＼(^o^)／
The Honda seat fitment is abismal
wr250r destroys them both. pity it's cancelled for 2018 :(
Not on the road, mate. And price difference?
Why would anyone compare a enduro dual sport vs an adventure motorcycle?
Ridiculous
you guy's are foolish, I own a x-300 and weigh in at 270 LBS and have taken my little v over rough terrain,(thank god for the skid plate) but I think you and you're fancy (trying to be funney) approach is not honest. nuff said.
Both bikes are really examples of the laziness and apathy from the Japanese with regards to this market. Heavy on looks and marketing, but chintzy, cheap, and underpowered. Sad, really, they don't seem to ever understand their customers.
175kg for the Kawasaki!!??! Well, I'm curently riding a CRF 250 Rally and it is quite heavy when you drop it in a mud hole in the woods, so I really don't imagine myself putting back up the Kawasaki!!!
Then you're one piss weak person.
Kinda easy to say hidden behind your keyboard.
BIN THE BLOODY ANNOYING BACKGROUND ''MUSIC'' .....
do people actually think these guys are funny?
any bike that is walled away from by a 300 Kawasaki is a turd.
I ride the 2017 CRF250L,, it's awesome. Check out my vids. 👍
nice acting bros!!
crf250 rally, what a stupid idea by honda. Heavy pig with gutless engine.
I don't know about that, price is much higher then regular crf250l, very close to what wr250r used to be or MT-07 is!
who would buy crf250l over MT-07?
Wild One well why dont you make your own. Adventure bike then 😂
You don’t get the idea. It is a hell of a bike
haha great review :)
Is this supposed to be funny?
BS…not the same class of bike.
How can you compare them. The Kawasaki is not an offroad and has to be one of the ugliest bikes ever made. Its gross. Even if it was better i could buy something that fugly
Irritating video. Drop the attempted comedy act and stick to reviewing bikes.
No come on! I found it fun! They explained the performances and the statistix of the bikes by adding sketches,
That's it :D
Have a nice day!
1990 its like the new top gear