I don't know if there's a word or phrase that perfectly describes the feeling of waiting for something for so long that you start to forget about it. And when it finally happens, you're a little shocked that it finally happened. But I felt it earlier in the year when Honda announced the full 2021 CRF lineup and with it, the fully road-legal CRF450L.
For riders who prefer motocross, the event will not be akin to an earthquake, but for all other riders, this event will be like the heavens opening up and angels answering people's prayers.
A little drama
Now for some drama. KTM began producing registration-plate-legal enduro motorcycles in the mid-2000s. These were 520 and 450 cc EXC models. In fact, these were their four-stroke, off-road motorcycles with fairly large engines and they were quite popular. At the same time, the phrase dualsport evoked very unpleasant associations for any true off-road motorcycle riding enthusiast. This meant that a motorcycle designed for driving on public roads (editor's note - public roads) came to the world of off-roading with all the attendant disadvantages such as greater weight, greater comfort for traveling on asphalt rather than off-road. At the same time, Husqvarna had models of the TE line, which were approved for additional access, but also coped well with off-road conditions.
dimensions
Models TsRF 250 X and TsRF 250 R have the following overall dimensions:
- length – 2174 mm;
- width – 827 mm;
- handlebar height – 1261 mm;
- wheelbase – 1481 mm;
- saddle height – 958 mm;
- ground clearance - 346 mm;
- The departure angle of the front fork is 27.50.
Honda CRF 250
Enduro motorcycle from Honda
This short historical sketch gives us the necessary understanding of how off-road enthusiasts have patiently waited 15 years for a fully road-legal off-road motorcycle from a Japanese manufacturer. We're not saying that the XR, KLR, DR/Zs or WR/XT weren't good enough bikes, they're good enough in the world of dual-sport motorcycles as long as you don't talk about tight mountain trails.
honda crf 450l 2019
The fact that the CRF450L is based on the 2021 CRF450R is amazing in itself! Japanese manufacturers are very conservative, and if a bike falls into the line of approved motorcycles for additional access, then the whole point comes down to an incredible safety margin of the equipment and nothing more. The CRF-R and CRF-X, and now the RX, are competition machines designed with performance in mind. In the list of priorities in the production of these models, performance completely prevails over all other qualities. This is why service intervals have been significantly reduced. For all road models, including the XR650L, performance is still there, but safety and durability are prioritized. That's why Honda, and every other Japanese manufacturer, waited so long to make such a motorcycle.
Modifications and production history
Honda CRF250 is available in 4 specifications:
- CRF 250 X – enduro version;
- CRF 250 R – cross-country version;
- CRF 250L and CRF 250M are budget models for untrained pilots.
As already mentioned, the history of the production of devices began in 2000. Over such a long period, they would inevitably become outdated if not for periodic modernizations. Initially, all versions were produced with a carburetor power system. Since 2010, the Honda CRF 250R modification has received a PGM-Fi injection system with control electronics. Since 2011, the Honda CRF 250 begins to be equipped with a reinforced aluminum frame and updated suspensions. The CRF 250 X modification receives LED optics based on LED elements.
Honda CRF 250
Honda CRF450L suspension
I would like to start the review with the most interesting component of the Honda CRF450L motorcycle - the suspension. Honda did the right thing by maintaining very performance suspension settings, satisfying the demands for driving on special roads and off public roads. Typically, dual-sport bikes like the EXC-F have stock suspension settings that are too comfortable and have springs that are too soft. Thus, fast riders had to change the springs in the fork and rebuild the rear shock properly. But not in the case of Honda. The fork is practically no different in internal components from the R version, providing all the necessary features for off-road driving, and has a fully adjustable shock absorber.
The first thing I felt was that the fork was a little on the stiff side. I felt some deflection on tree roots and rocky surfaces and overall the fork was too active, as if there was too much rebound. During the break in the test, we adjusted the compression lower and tightened the rebound slightly to make the fork behave more predictably. There were no special complaints about the shock absorber and the fork settings gave excellent controllability and predictable behavior of the suspension. The overall feel of the CRF450L's suspension gives you a very lively feel and the desire to jump from rocks to tree roots, undulating terrain, allowing you to attack tight mountain descents and enduro trails of varying difficulty.
Driving performance
Acceleration to 100 km is 5 seconds. The measurements were carried out under factory conditions.
According to users, 95 is reached even faster, but the bike simply does not want to accelerate further.
Maximum speed
The maximum speed declared by the developers is 100 km/h . According to users, with the correct settings, the cross version can reach 150 km/h. True, the headwind interferes greatly.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption depends on road conditions, but with the right settings it does not rise above 4.5 liters. per 100 km .
Engine Honda CRF450L
Meanwhile, while the transmission is very close to the R version's box, the Honda CRF450L engine is a little more different from it. I expected a little more power from the L version, especially since Honda claims up to 70% of the power of the R version. But they had to make a lot of changes to make the bike street legal and pass their internal reliability tests. There is a different timing mechanism, higher crank inertia (12% higher than the R version), a 12.0:1 compression ratio, a three-ring piston design, different ECU settings, and a one-way exhaust system that meets the necessary environmental requirements.
And don't get me wrong, I was satisfied with the power characteristics, as well as the feel of its response, similar to the CRF450R. But overall, the Honda CRF450L enduro motor is smoother and has a more linear response, like a tamer version of the R. Which is a good trait for a dual-purpose bike. Honda's crossover motor is a beast of a motor and one of the most exciting motors in the 450cc category. Trying to ride downhill with such a motor will be frustrating and will completely exhaust you.
On the L version, you can still say you're on a 450cc bike, as it's easy enough to spin the rear wheel with a simple lift of the throttle. I can't say where the rumors about 25 horsepower appeared on the Internet, but I can say for sure that it is not true. Even though Honda doesn't release horsepower numbers, my built-in dyno in the rear tells me the L version isn't too far off from the R and RX versions. It's just that the L version delivers power a little differently and takes a little longer to get the meat out of the engine. There is plenty of torque at the rear wheel at low revs and it feels like the bike is sneaking around very quickly due to the fact that it is very quiet. The Honda CRF450L enduro motorcycle really loves low revs and mid-range. It doesn't shoot out at super high revs, but it doesn't need to. The mid-range was perfect for my ride, providing great feel on tight trails across all gears.
As I shifted gears, I realized that the six-speed gearbox was my favorite part of this bike. On other dual-sport bikes, there were huge gaps between the slow, low gears and the higher, faster gears.
For example on the XR650, if I remember correctly, first and second gears are very low and close to each other, and then there is a huge jump to third gear, which simply stops working in a measured off-road riding mode. Meanwhile, the CRF450L has a very smooth transition from first gear (a low enough gear to overcome serious obstacles almost on foot) to sixth gear (at a speed of 138 km/h on the highway without revving the engine to the point of roaring, and thanks to the quiet exhaust - it is quite difficult hear).
Analogues and competitors
The main competitors of the Honda 250 model are the following enduro motorcycles:
- Suzuki Djebel-250 XC and GPSver are universal models suitable for the city and off-road, but the level of cross-country ability is low;
- Suzuki DR-250R and Suzuki DR-250 are lightweight and durable motorcycles on difficult trails, but owners complain about insufficient lower traction;
- The Yamaha TT250R Raid is a station wagon, so this model does not have any special advantages; it is most often put on a par with the Honda XR 250 Baja, but, unlike the latter, it is not designed for difficult routes and jumps - the suspension will not hold up;
- Yamaha XT225 Serow is a light, passable, low motorcycle that is perfect for beginners, there are no negative reviews about it; with a power of 20 horsepower, this unit has good traction, which allows it to be used effectively in the mountains;
- Kawasaki KLX-250S is a motorcycle more suitable for riding on asphalt at low speeds.
- Honda ftr 223 - takes worthy attention in the motor market and attracts with its price.
It is worth noting that in terms of reliability of parts and structures, motorcycles from other companies are much inferior to the Honda XP 250 model range.
Handling Honda CRF450L
Despite the modified front fork angles in the trailing arms, the Honda CRF450L retains a fantastic amount of the capabilities of the R version. In particular, when negotiating a downhill path with narrow sections and running zones, the motorcycle reacts immediately to changes in direction and steering around trees, rocky areas and tree roots. Small bends of the track, fast ascents and descents on this motorcycle are just the bomb! However, when you need to slow down and turn the bike 180 degrees, there is a feeling that it is much heavier than the R version, and other exclusively off-road motorcycles.
The Honda CRF450L is simply heavier on its own. It doesn't turn in slower, it just requires a little more effort from the rider than a bike without a registration plate. But the stability is much higher than that of the CRF450R, which in some cases is very mobile and sometimes even nervous. The Honda CRF450L Enduro is rock-solid on dirt roads and even on very flat dirt roads that would be difficult to hold on to on any other bike. It's worth noting that we didn't ride on the stock IRC GP21/22 tires. Instead, we went with the Dunlop 606, which has a slightly more aggressive tread but is still geared toward performance riding rather than just off-road.
Video review of Honda CRF 250
The front fork is an inverted type, twin-tube, telescopic, Showa brand with a full range of adjustments. The Honda CRF 250 X has fork legs with a diameter of 49 mm and suspension travel of 310 mm. The Honda CRF 250 R has a 47 mm fork and 315 mm of travel. Steering column with Honda progressive steering damper.
The rear suspension is pendulum, with a progressive Pro-Link Showa monoshock absorber, which has a full range of adjustments. The only difference is the suspension travel: for the CRF 250 X it is 312 mm, and for the CRF 250 R it is 315 mm.
Front wheel with tire size 80/100 R21. The rear ones are different: the CRF 250 X has 100/90 R19, and the CRF 250 R has 100/100 R18. Aluminum rims with wire spokes. The front brake is single disc, with 2-piston caliper. The only differences are in the size of the disc: for the CRF 250 X it has a diameter of 260 mm, for the CRF 250 R it has a diameter of 240 mm. The rear brake is the same: one disc with a diameter of 240 mm and a 1-piston caliper. Both brakes are hydraulic, the brake pads are metallized.
The fuel tank capacity of the CRF 250 X is 6.5 liters, and that of the CRF 250 R is 7.2 liters. There are also slight differences in the curb weight: for the 250 X modification it is 105 kg, for the 250 R it is 115 kg.
Honda CRF 250
Honda CRF450L is ready for more
In addition to tuning spare parts, there are many spare parts unique to the CRF450L in the CRF line. To reduce the overall noise level of the motorcycle, Honda used a myriad of features to make the motorcycle more inconspicuous on the road. First of all, these are chain traps on the drive and driven sprocket, which remove noise from the chain. Protective engine covers are also used, which, in addition to protecting the engine, reduce noise from the operation of the engine internals. Finally, the swingarm is filled with urethane (something like rubber-plastic), which also reduces the overall noise from the motorcycle on the road.
Meanwhile, where any enduro bike can handle a bit of electrics and a little luggage, the CRF450L is ready for more. The aluminum yoke adds rigidity all the way to the rear fender, allowing the installation of a luggage rack for smaller loads. Also, a generator and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery are ready to provide operation of GPS navigation systems, additional lighting, chargers for your gadgets, heated pens, a coffee machine and a mini-fridge... Well, maybe we went too far with the refrigerator and coffee machine, but you understand us!
The Honda CRF450L's gas tank is made of titanium, as on the R and RX versions, but it has a volume of 7.5 liters, which will allow you to drive for quite a long time. We traveled about 160 kilometers during the day and only refueled our motorcycles at lunchtime. Even despite the annoying mistake (my motorcycle was not fully refueled in the morning and the fuel light came on after 19 kilometers of the trip), we added 2 liters of fuel and rode half the day without problems.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantage of the Honda XR 250 motorcycle is that it can be used for motorcycle touring in extreme conditions. As a matter of fact, it was designed for these purposes. Achieving optimal layout and balance is ensured by the following characteristics of the motorcycle:
- Long travel suspensions.
- Ease.
- Excellent quality even after forty thousand kilometers in Japan.
- Availability of lighting equipment and trip computer.
- Unsurpassed maneuverability, which is achieved through a well-thought-out design. The presence of a short base and a sharply installed fork.
- Good traction at the bottom.
- Wide range of engine capabilities, combined cooling.
- Ideal oil supply system. Moreover, in extreme cases, low-quality oil can be poured.
- Possibility of deep tuning.
Such characteristics of the motorcycle allow it to overcome significant heights and fit into the tightest turns.
Among its analogues, the Honda XR 250 is considered the most popular motorcycle because of its undeniable advantages: reliability, lightness, cross-country ability. It was on this enduro that an athlete from Hungary set a world record (still unsurpassed) when conquering a height of 6183 meters in the Himalayas.
Honda's disadvantages include:
- Small headlights. If you need good light, then it is better to choose the Honda XR 250 Baja model with additional large headlights.
- Use of original spare parts in repairs.
- High price.
- The electric starter can become sour when the car is idle for a long time.
- When used in harsh conditions, clutch discs wear out quickly.
- Slow acceleration.
- Suitable for solo riding only.
- No wind protection.
- Not suitable for short people.
Reviews
For the most part, judging by the reviews of bikers who rode enduros from different companies, Honda remains the undoubted leader. Users note the ease and convenience of operation, as well as the excellent quality of parts and overall design.
Operating experience. If you compare motorcycle experience stories from different users, they all say the same thing:
- behaves well off-road;
- in case of falls, almost everything remains intact or requires minor repairs, that is, the reliability of the structure is confirmed repeatedly;
- Users get great pleasure from the ride.
If for some reason bikers have to sell a Honda, then regret arises for everyone without exception.
Tuning
Tuning of Honda XR 250 motorcycles is most often used to improve performance and increase service life for off-road riding. To improve a motorcycle, they most often turn to specialists. The most used tuning elements:
- arcs and slides - to improve the strength of the structure, they are installed by welding;
- brakes made of composite materials to improve their sensitivity.
Appearance is also an important tuning detail. Various elements are used to decorate a motorcycle:
- front fender extension;
- side stand stands;
- protection of hands and control levers;
- protection of telescopic fork stays;
- protective anthers;
- steering wheel cuffs;
- universal palm-mounted cruise control;
- heated covers and grips;
- LED turn signals and adapters for them;
- mirror expanders;
- platforms for wardrobe trunks.
The design of the motorcycle can also be chosen to suit every taste. Airbrushing is very popular.
