Spending 2021 with the Honda CRF300 Rally | MCN
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.ค. 2024
- #Honda#CBR300#Rally
Senior Designer, Simon spent 2021 with the Honda CRF300 Rally. You can read his full long-term report here: www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn-mo...
You can read our expert review of the bike here: www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-r...
We'd love to hear your views so get them down in the comment section.
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Noraly of Itchy Boots fame is smashing this bike all over South America. And she's a loyal customer of Honda, I think she has done more for the brand than the brand has done itself. In my opinion Honda need to sit up and take notice of the TH-cam Vloggers as they are the ones reaching a wider audience and influencing peoples choices on motor bike sales and branding.
They made the bike.
She has a 250l and as for the above statement bit exaggerated
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I absolutely love this series, just honest, humble, no BS stuff and packed full of useful information that you just can’t get from a 30 minute to an hour test ride. Can’t wait for the next one. 👍😎🇦🇺
Agreed 👍
Itchy Boots is putting this bike to a real test. So far it is holding up really well.
agreed!
What "real" test?
@@IAmYourReflection You have to watch her channel for that answer.
She put new tyres on then next day got stuck in the mud LOL , But yea proper test as you say
She cant ride worth a flip. Real test hah
I retired to Wales 6 years ago and came with a 1290 SAS & Z1000SX, I now ride a 250L, a 500F and just bought a 300 Rally, which has only done 500 miles, a great bike, at 65, I no longer have the need for speed, but want the ability to go off and explore this great environment I live in and my 2 trailies are great for this, I agree with Simon on most counts, this is a very good bike !!
Great stuff. Do you miss the performance of your SAS and Z1000sx on the road ? I have a Ninja 1000 and thought about getting a 300 Rally to complement it. The Ninja is wonderful, but I suspect not that useful offroad 😋
@@TeslasSecret TBH, No, I'm 66 now, had 95 bikes, anything from moped to superbike with about 45 sportsbikes inbetween, ex traffic cop and now my CB500F is all I need for the road, the Rally is great for some off road work, and my 250 has been replaced by a Meteor 350, even more relaxed and fun, but I do live in very rural wales, no dual carriageways for 40 miles, and hardly ever use A roads, so for my own personal circumstances, I'm chilled with what I currently own. BUT if I had to do long distance rides, I'd definitely go back to a 1000cc + bike, horses for courses, thanks for the question.
Using Itchy Boot's riding alone on back roads in South Africa using a CRF-250L in exploring the country on back roads and racing in a five day rally that she completed. She's back in South America on back roads on a CRF-300 Rally continuing her journey to Alaska. Her biggest advanced with the bike is they are light and she can pick them up if she drops it.
I'ld pick it up for her , wink wink .
@jhdg it's tested, it's also good for her weight. If you were heavy and planning on riding this thing hard, you'd probably upgrade the suspension anyway
This video made me smile, seeing how enthusiastic Simon is about the bike. I've got no real need for it but I kind of want one now!
seems a genuine guy, no BS
Simon's mention if his XL250S brought back nostalgic memories of touring Central Oz back in the day. Wonderful bike too.
Next for my shed will be this Rally.
Dang, keeping every bike since the first! That’s everyone’s dream!
Love my Crf300l rally, I’ve parked my 690 enduro since purchasing.
I had an MZ125. So glad I didn't keep that :)
oh do tell... i have a 701 supermoto. thinking about the Rally for an enduro/offroad bike in-betweener
did you get the ABS or non-ABS
@@misterchuck6866 non ABS. I’ve since been through two dirt bikes after realizing I prefer some pretty tough off roading.
Loving these real life reviews guys. More please
Really really enjoyed this, got to be one of the most informative videos on the Rally thanks for doing it :)
These are the best reviews. Truly informative and no melodramatic music and crap. Good stuff.
did he say whether this was ABS or non-ABS?
Picking mine up on Saturday- 1st ever new bike!
Someone won’t sleep very well tonight! Congratulations and all the best with your new bike 👍
@mihai cheers Mihai.
Had a 250L myself a few years ago that I then replaced with a Bmw G310GS, bit more poke than the 250 at 34 bhp, but even that, could have done with a touch more. The seat and tank capacity were also improved. , Sounds like the 300 Rally is a good improvement over the old 250L..and it looks great. Loving these videos! 👌👍
Excellent video! I have the Rally too and I love it.
Brilliant video, great upgrades!
Simon is perfectly correct. I had the 250 changed to a 300 Rally last May. The 300 is just so much better in so many ways. More mid range power and better spaced gearing. I’ve taken my 300 to Spain as well as doing parts of the TET. It’s a great all round bike ans so much fun. I changed the silencer on my 250, yes it sounds good but the noise gets wearing after a while,so kept the standard on the 300. Getting a K-tech shock fitted next week, the standard spring is too soft.
I have the 2018 250 rally with ECU from 550 performance & slip-on exhaust. I seem to really enjoy my 250 I don't think I would have a need for the 300 my bike does everything I need to do I mostly do Street riding tho... I won't lie I would like to try out the 300 but I have so much fun on the 250 I can't see needing another bike lol 🤷🏻💯% fun
And I hope you enjoy your new shock
@@honda116969 New shock makes a big difference. I did put a big bore kit on the 250 from CRF’s only, it didn’t make much difference riding off road. I then dumped the bike in a river and ruined the eco unit beyond repair!
@@ultimatepu5h Very well thank you, it does make a big difference to the bike with an 85kg rider and the bike does not ride up as much when you get off. But it’s a relatively expensive upgrade at over £500 and as the bike weighs over 150kg it will never make it an enduro bike. But for me it makes riding so much more pleasurable.
@@ultimatepu5h No. too much money!
I´m actually in the verge of trading my WR450 2004 for the L version. I´ve seen the maintenance cost and I´m sold to say goodbye to the powerhouse 450 and go slower but further with one these. Thank you for the take MCN!
I think one of these is my next bike purchase!
I have the 300L and I think the best way to describe it is a bike that is not very street worthy, but sufficient to get to dirt, but when it hits the dirt, if you "get on it" you can have fun for a 286cc. I love 4th gear in the dirt bc I can't wind it too high in 3rd which is a fun gear to ride. But again, you have to get on this bike if you want any rush.
Need to try one of these. Love it so much. Love a small capacity bike as I need a new XL until I can fix my XL 😂
I've got the 2018 - 250cc version and still loving it. Next year 2023 I will likely sell or trade it for a 300 Rally. It truly is so much better than my previous heavy adventure bike. When I purchased my 250 I wanted the power of the Yamaha WR250 but the bigger bike roominess feel without the excessive weight penalty of the CRF250 Rally. It won me over. Still happy with my purchase.
How goes it 2 years later?
I've one coming in July. Will have all the extras ready to throw on. Suspension options. Will have to wait and see.
You can tell he loves it can't blame him it's a cracking bike. I was going to get one but the 300cc wasn't available back then and I find banana seats don't pair well with my derrière. 👍
Genuinely one of the nicest guys I know. What he doesn’t know about bikes, ain’t worth knowing.
What an inspiring interview and infectious, he made it an irresistible machine to have. Best one so far 😺👍
You should please. I have crf250LR 2019 and she is something else.
Really like this sort of down to earth stuff from people with real experience! Would have liked to hear if there were any niggles not sorted by the mods already made as well as a disclosure on who's paid for the mods. I believe transparency in such regards brings it up a level or two, my 2 cents.
Thank you! 👍
This is a really interesting bike category. It's taken decades for manufacturers to achieve what they did in the 90's with 2t trailies. I appreciate the progress in refinement, suspension and the like but the 4t's are still behind when it comes to ooomph. I know these bikes are selling like hot cakes in Aus.
I have a DT 230 and CRM 250, might make an effort to compare with the CRF.
Great review, cheers
ItchyBoots likes hers
Itchyboot has the wrong one for what she has been doing. It is a girls motorcycle.
😍😍
@@firstamendmenttshirt4768 No its not, its a mint bike,. Don't talk wet. 👎
She should get sponsorship from Honda, what a testament to that bike, well done her, great review lads... 👍👍👍😁
@@johnmac.6760 yes it is an a automatic. Real bikes have a foot shift lever. Honda junk, she not taken it off 5, 10 foot drops. She fell in the rocks of Nevada that bike not ment for rocky terrain.
Ive had mine 3 weeks
Love it
Suspension needed badly but im enjoying it in stock form
Almost 10K on my 250 rally now.. Never a problem , just change oil and filters . Just got new tires at 9K.
Im still riding an XL250SB. Hard to imagine spending 6 times the price just for some better brakes and suspension. Will be interesting to see how the frames hold up over the next 20 years.
I am always amazed how the Long way round made the GS so popular. To me it looked like the worst advert for a bike ever. Ridiculously heavy, frames that snap, suspension that fails, too complicated oh and too heavy.
Even after that some people say to Itchy Boots, 'Why not take something like the GS or the Africa Twin 😂 I mean she couldn't pick it up once, never mind every 5 minutes riding through energy sapping sand. In South East Asia the only people you see on a big bike is white tourists. If I went around the world I'd probably choose a this Honda or similar.
Oh, I ride a 1200 GS! Just not off road.
You know.
can say after years of supersports 600s and 120mph b roads I needed a slower bike and just brought a cb500x and what a great bike.
and looking at this I might add this to my to buy list.
looks the part and with honda stickers we know it will last a very long time.
Great stuff, I’m waiting for the long termer who absolutely hated their bike and had to suffer for a bit, as you all see to have way too much fun.
I love this guy. I was hanging onto every word he said.
that or the 250 its looking more likely to become my next motorbike for the great mpg commuting and also the ability to go on little weekend adventures as and when
What is the brand/model of the GPS mount?
Great video. Stirs the wander lust adventure spirit!
This is like a perfect all rounder bike.
Is it not to weak for that?
As the man said, the singlets biggest improvement for these bikes is to sort the suspension, as the existing gear is nothing short of dreadful, with an experience to match. That way, you'll find it will actually steer into and around corners. I'd go so far as to say that if you have limited budget, better buying a 250 and doing the upgrade rather than simply buying a new bike and not being able to afford the upgrade.
I've got the 300l great bike
Sat on one last weekend. I did feel like at 6'3", it was still a little too cramped with my knees.
Buy one you'll love it.
What size Dunlops did you go for? And which rear spring rating did you get? Many thanks!
13/42 sprockets and fmf exhaust and ejk makes the 250l more pokey 😇
Still on hill hold, my 2018 GS was as you say quite reluctant to disengage and as others have said it was best switched off by dabbing the brake, but my 2020 GS is much much better and unless the hill is really steep you don't seem to have to give it any more revs than when pulling away without using it.
"It will dig its way out", that's what other reviews don't talk about, thanks
Such a pity we can't have a long-term review every week. Or can we?
I hate (not) this series - every bike they speak about I want! Seem like a pleasant bunch of chaps and chappettes @ MCN who genuinely like and know know bikes. Thanks.
Love the look of it. Might buy one to put in the lounge. 😉
imma come steal it
@@joecamel6835 😂😂
im here because of itchy boots
Especially with respect to suspension, how does the Honda compare with Kawasaki KLX 300?
hi what Garmin do you use and what bracket do I need ,just orderd one thanks
I have a T7 love it but I really like going off-road and at 57 it is getting harder to pick the bike up because every drop is different. I feel a lighter bike to go for light off-road would be better for me. I just can't decide between the 300L or the 300L Rally, I plan on keeping the T7.
rally
🤘🏻
There's a aluminium plate attached to the air filter, if you remove that then you might like it. I did to my crf250LR 2019 with delkevic exhaust/with no spark arrestor, my bike loves it like my dog love me.
🌻
To get more airflow?
After putting the pipe on did you have to get ecu controller?
So, the guy changed the whole suspension, changed the tires, installed an expensive exhaust and makes a review of the bike? I mean - it's pretty much a different bike like that lol
Thanks much for this review.
May I ask what the seat height is with that new suspension? And also…..might there be a possibility to lower the bike with a custom suspension rather than just using lowering links (by up to 2”)?
Thanks again.
For lowering the front you can always just open the triple clamp bolts and slide the fork up, for the rear Wilbers makes shocks that are shorter. You can get them in lengths that lower the bike by 30mm or 60mm (1,2" or 2,4"), however, the cheapest one is 500€, so lowering links are much cheaper.
Rally Raid makes a lower suspension.
Itchy boots has one these bikes which she is currently travelling to alaska Look on youtube for her adventures
讚!!
81 forever!
OMG! Look at the state of the chain!
Though it is not his cup of tea, riding impressions from Michael Neeves would be interesting.
A warter cooled XR,I'd rather go quick on a smaller than slow on a big bike
The best real world long term review of this bike is currently being run by Itchy Boots [check her on TH-cam, currently about to cross the Darien Gap]
like so many of these bikes, when i taller person buys it a whole lot of money is spent reconfiguring it to suit the rider.
Oh wow a 'light weight' adv bike that is only 200kg instead of 225+kg, nope that ain't it. Definitely need more bikes like these.
Which Garmin model?
An inch makes a big difference! 😂
Itchy Boots bike😇🤩...
All we need now is the 450 version.
@9:28 - "Let us sell crap suspension that will be thrown away rather than giving the choise between different levels of quality" - motorcycle manufacturers motto.
Please get subtitles
why dont honda make their suspension catered for the EU market? always too soft and bottoms out. I would love a CRF300 but with crap suspension out the box i wont touch it
I'm really tired of hearing about the awesome 300L that isnt available anywhere.
Great bike. But gosh that blurb: Honda feeling, Honda engineering... wtf :)
Somehow the headlight make me think of “The Beagle boys” . Scrooge MC Duck be aware of this bike!!
Did they ever pry his hands off the bike? LOL
Std tyres are IRC. Truely aweful...everywhere. Completely vague.
This bike is really something!!!!! Not perfect but actually perfectable...
How did you go getting those handguards on without it hitting the front screen?
With 1-inch risers
Is it better than the WR250R though?
Can you buy a wr250r new though?..... I bought a used wr250r cos I didn't want to wait the 6 months for delivery for the honda. I think the wr250r would kill the crf off road but I doubt the wr could match the comfort of the rally for long haul black top.
Looks like a great bike but with all of the additional gear that was replaced, wouldn't it be better to just look for something you wouldn't have to upgrade so much?
The problem is, there isn't such a bike... Not new or at the price point.
Compare against KTM 390 Adventure. The lighter the bike more fun in the dirt
390 adventure is a street bike dressed for a bit of gravel/ off-road... crf is true dual-sport.
They didn't stroke the 250. It's a street bike engine
true
“The 250 Honda CRF didn’t have enough power.”
This isn’t much better!
It’s not the power that gets criticism, it’s the weight.
147Kg About 40 kg more than a KTM EXC 🤔
Also a lot less maintenance... but of course less weight would be nice.
Better then review of brand new 100km'sh motorcycle.
Hmm I need to be able to cruise at 90mph, living in Utah USA. Dang it! Otherwise I’d get this bike.
I am a big dude... I wonder if it would struggle with me on it.
Manufacturers need to bring back the 600cc thumpers. This is a nice bike, but with a modern 600cc thumper I'm convinced this would smoke the tenere 700 in sales.
What, you mean like a KTM690 Enduro or Husqvana 701?. They do smoke Tenere 700s. I did a rough power to weight calculation Vs the CRF1000L Africa Twin with a 100kg of rider. By my calculations, they are roughly the same. Only the new CRF1100 just nudges ahead!. Go buy one, twice the price of a Honda 300L, but then it has nearly 3 times power, so it’s still worth every penny.
Itchy boots seems to like hers . . . 8 mins 17, hello Mr Rusty as fk chain :)
50% of people say its a better street bike, 50% of people say its a better dirt bike. So what is it really? I can only buy one bike and I'd like a Honda. I have to many hobbies that demand a lot of $. I want to be able to drive on road mostly and just hit a trail, and dirt when I feel the want to.
Sorry , can't stay awake. But , I'm still gonna get a new 300 and keep my '18 250 .
I'm in love with Itchy Boots - *sigh*
If you like this bike you will LOVE a TH-cam channel called ITCHY BOOTS, watch from the start n u will be hooked. Trust me!!!
i want one, should i go to honda chiswick ? they give apalling customer service - maybe as im brown :~)
did your guy just put some of his onw money on suspension and exhaust on a long term bike he will give back to honda ? really ?
Not very likely, is it? Would be interesting to hear the answer, for transparency nonetheless, don't you think? 😃
I do like the format and review!
He will probably just buy it off Honda.
I love this format.. super informative but I am just wondering ..
@@marksimpson5218 i hope so .. he seems to enjoy this bike a lot :-)
He would of kept the stock parts and will probably just swap them back and keep the upgrades for his own when he gets it.. if Honda don't just sell him the bike as it is
Very interesting, but putting 2000 miles on a bike is nothing
Thirty plus Motorcycles... Simon must not be married.
I believe that you are begging your wife to get.....
@@PP-wz7mpa pre-owned end-can. 🤨
I'm sorry to have to point this out but that chain is in a sorry state. The level of rust on that chain would make it un-rideable for me.
Question…when you have long term test bikes and you then modify them, who pays for the modifications? Because I’m assuming you don’t just hand back hundreds of pounds of ktech goodies to Honda? 😆
That was I’m thinking too.
I would like to know.
I'm guessing Ktech loan the kit. Certainly good advert for them.
Don't give the bike back - problem solved.