Devon TRF Group Forum

devondan · Champion

New 2012 Honda CRF250L

Steve H · Devon's Best

Saw one in a Honda dealers today.........................not impressed, it felt very, very heavy for a 250 and definitely a 'budget' trail bike
Quality was not a patch on the XR range of old
Cheap controls, brake and gear lever made of cheap steel and no bendy tips
Finish was very poor for a Honda, with loads of cheap steel in the frame
Disappointed

Have to say that I agree.

I stopped by Bridge today when I saw it outside. From a distance it looked quite nice but after closer inspection, and feeling how heavy it was, decided I prefer my WRR.

The sales lady also said the best colour, black with red as in the link above, isn't available to the UK market disbelief .

They had a demo outside with another bike inside, with a sold sticker on it, I think it was a girls name.

Anyone know who may have bought it? I hope they don't feel too disappointed if they read the fairly negative feedback on this forum. Everyones different, if we all liked the same bike there'd only be one type out there. (it'd probably be a WRR wink ).

Anyway, it may turn out to be a blinding bike for the lanes, it's not been tried yet biggrin .

Harty · Devon's Best

I found this Steve:

http://rickramsey.net/WR250RvsCRF250L.htm

Tim · Clubman B

Has anyone actually got one of these bikes? It seems that most are being quick to write it off. I sat on one today at Damerell's in Indian Queens and my first thought was that it felt lighter than my old XR250 Electric Start so must be stashing that weight low down in the frame. The XR250 Electric start was an import only beast that tipped the scales at 130Kg dry (according to the manual) and despite being a lot heavier that the trusty XR250R is still an excellent green laner.

It seems to me that CRF250L is probably a direct repacement for the XR250 E Start that Honda are exporting to the world, i.e. a proper trail bike aimed at genuine all round street/lane/commuting work. It's got a modern engine and components and, despite being built to the sub 4K price range, will probably turn out to be popular and capable in the lanes.

I ride a WR450 now but still miss my old Honda battle bus. We're increasingly obsessed by weight and performance, which is fine if you're an enduro god, but this is a trail bike and we should give it a chance before condemming it.

Steve H · Devon's Best

Harty wrote:
I found this Steve:
http://rickramsey.net/WR250RvsCRF250L.htm

Still prefer it in black biggrin wink

Steve H · Devon's Best

Tim wrote:
this is a trail bike and we should give it a chance before condemming it.

Steve H wrote:

Anyway, it may turn out to be a blinding bike for the lanes, it's not been tried yet biggrin

Bob Adams · Clubman A

Had a look at the one in Bridge today, boy what a lump, it's a road bike. Parked my Freeride alongside and the salesman came to to have a look. He wants a KTM now!

To be fair it is 2grand less but I wouldn't consider it for much more than gravel roads. Its pretty basic too.

RichT4 · Champion

I think, for my part anyway, is that we were expecting more from Honda....
This bike should be the perfect trail bike, afterall it's so late to the market that they have had time to learn from the feed back from the klx and the wrr. Looks more like they've built a bike to a price and not to a market.

brownie · Expert

i popped into torbay motorcycles this afternoon and took the crf250L out for a test ride,have to say it was better than i expected,

it feels just like my old xlr 250, smooth power,good brakes, didnt feel too heavy and bit of grunt, which would be better again after you have done the usual mods like opening the airbox and changing the exhaust .
the steering rake is not so steep so it is not so 'squirrelly' as the xr and although i only rode it on the road it seemed to pull well,a whole lot better than the crf230 in my opinion.
bit too small for me and if they brought out a 400 version i would definitely have one,but i think if you are on a 250 at the minute and thinking of upgrading you could do a lot worse.
long service intervals and the finance for this bike was amazing as well,

CRF250L £3,950
DEPOSIT £799
36 X MONTHLY PAYMENTS £99
TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE £4,362
8.5% APR FINANCE

Ming · Devon's Best

I have an MOT booked at the end of September for my CRF230 and Kev at Torbay M/Cs said I could take the 250 out for a spin. Looks okay but to be honest the Yam WR250R does the same job and feels the same weight plus they've been out for a few years so you can get one secondhand. Not sure I'd buy the Yam new (if you can find them) as they were set at over 5 grand whilst the Honda is under £4000.

The rear end needs chopping off as it's a road bike unit but that's the law for ya. By the time you've done the mods it needs ( rear light unit, sump and handguards, exhaust......it's bloody huge and very similar to the WR/R one) and replaced the tyres with better suited ones I guess it'll be okay....but by then you'll be nearer 5 grand.

If you absolutely need one bike that will handle extended mileage and tarmac as well as cope with the dirty stuff then it's down to the new Honda or a 2nd hand Yam WR250R or at a push DRZ400. I can't think of another electric start, low maintenance bike that is genuinely capable of trail riding on rough lanes by mere mortals. Yes, I know better riders out there will have tales of monowheeling up TallyHo on a Dominator but get real here confuse

I'll report back further when I've actually ridden it.

I'll be very surprised if the plastics take as much stick as the CRF230 ones before cracking though........ hmm

Ming · Devon's Best

Kev has contacted me to say he's taking the demo CRF250L to the TRF meeting at the Dolphin next week. You won't be able to ride it as they can't get insurance cover for anyone wanting a go but you are free to poke and prod it (and see who can lift it off its' side....)

jt · Powermonger!!

RichT4 wrote:
question though, why is it much heavier than the Yammy or the Kwacker?

Maybe cause its a cheapo bike built with cheap materials - then they whack a Honda badge on and hope thats all people notice......?

Like a lot of cars etc these days, reliant on the reputation of the past and the fact that folks will buy the badge and overlook the product. hmm

-- Edited by jt on Saturday 8th of September 2012 09:15:56 PM

snasher · Clubman B

Steve H wrote:
Saw one in a Honda dealers today.........................not impressed, it felt very, very heavy for a 250 and definitely a 'budget' trail bike
Quality was not a patch on the XR range of old
Cheap controls, brake and gear lever made of cheap steel and no bendy tips
Finish was very poor for a Honda, with loads of cheap steel in the frame
Disappointed
Have to say that I agree.
I stopped by Bridge today when I saw it outside. From a distance it looked quite nice but after closer inspection, and feeling how heavy it was, decided I prefer my WRR.
The sales lady also said the best colour, black with red as in the link above, isn't available to the UK market .
They had a demo outside with another bike inside, with a sold sticker on it, I think it was a girls name.
Anyone know who may have bought it? I hope they don't feel too disappointed if they read the fairly negative feedback on this forum. Everyones different, if we all liked the same bike there'd only be one type out there. (it'd probably be a WRR ).
Anyway, it may turn out to be a blinding bike for the lanes, it's not been tried yet .

I went in to look at this 2 weeks ago and the demo was sat outside and the sold one inside. Salesman Dan told me the one sold was px'd for a triumph boneville. Chap wanted a small bike to go on the back of his motor home and carry him and his wife to the shops etc.

I thought it wasn't quite of the quality I'd expect of a honda but generally 2012 hondas are not what they were in the late 90's when the yen was cheap against the pound. To test my theory put a 99 VFR800 against a new one - plastics better quality, fit and finish better on the old one.

£4k for a budget 250cc trail bike just sounds expensive to me but I'm starting to sound like my mum!

Also showing my age when I don't think 140Kg is too heavy my old CX500 was about 250Kg fuelled up. You're all just spoilt with your feather weight bikes.

That said the AJP200 PR4 is 95Kg and £500 cheaper than the CRF but probably more trail focussed and you couldn't plod off to London on it if the mood took you or maybe you could - confused ramble over confuse

Lost · Expert

For those new to our hobby ide like to add somthink, what we are looking at here is a very good [trail] bike much improved from the days of old when as younsters some used to ride TS250 suzukis DT 250 yamahas etc tech has moved on and now we have a new selection of trail bike to veiw and ponder but trail bikes all the same as a trail bike they are note not biult to with stand the regires of as say a modern enduro bike ,think the worst deepest muddest terrain and your modern enduro bike will laugh this off with a quick hose off afterwards ? today this type of steed is very much over built for the the intended use we put them through on the lanes they are also blessed with multi adjustable nearly everythink think ? wheels bearings sus bars brakes all are of a very very high standerd so with £4000 pounds in my hands ide be looking hyro clutch /nissan or brembo brakes ohlin paoli or showa sus estart akcron rims good chain sprockets at the least multi adjustable sus poss fuel injection ? a very light weight overall and a good near by parts supplier ?
now would you get all these from a local Honda kawazaki yamaha etc dealer near you over the counter with your brand new trail bike and how much are you going to loose in the first couple of years useing it in our lanes, remember there will not be any rep replacment plastics ave for these bikes ? for those that have purchased a newish excellent trail bike i hope you have many many trouble free miles ahead of you and wish you well .lost

L'orange · Devon's Best

Ming wrote:
Kev has contacted me to say he's taking the demo CRF250L to the TRF meeting at the Dolphin next week. You won't be able to ride it as they can't get insurance cover for anyone wanting a go but you are free to poke and prod it (and see who can lift it off its' side....)

Thats a nice touch, cheers mingo

RichT4 · Champion

snasher wrote:
I don't think 140Kg is too heavy my old CX500 was about 250Kg fuelled up. You're all just spoilt with your feather weight bikes.

How many times during an average days riding would you expect to have to pick your CX500 up?

I know most of the seasoned riders will only fall off a handfull of times per year but if your just starting out you can probably expect that many tumbles in your first ride. Actual bike weight only really matters to me when you have to pick it up, bike feel is more important when riding. If it can manage to feel light and easy at 140kg then well done Honda (should be bale too as 140kg isn't mega heavy) - question though, why is it much heavier than the Yammy or the Kwacker?

snasher · Clubman B

Yeah but - what do they know about real off road or green laneing. MCN is staffed with wannabe road racers. In the end the honda is probably a fine 2012 TTR bike equivalant but £1k over priced. So why not buy a TTR?

But as I said earlier Honda build quality ain't what it used to be. Yamaha now sets the bench mark. Crawl over a FZ800 and you will see what I mean.

-- Edited by snasher on Sunday 9th of September 2012 12:23:28 AM

D13dkt · Clubman A

I had a very close look at on of these today t G T motorcycles in Plymouth, the build quality looks very good, I think this will be a good bike to do everything well(which is what Honda are well known for) but nothing exceptional.
I wouldn't expect it to out class anything on a mx track but it will hold its own on most trails and be a great comuting bike.
I think if you want to rip 4th gear wheelies or fly round a mx track like Ryan villopoto then a 3 year old Ktm will be the same price.
But if you want something that will get you to work Monday to Friday and then have some fun on the weekends the crf250l is a very cheap bike.
I'm gonna go and take one for a test ride this week as I have the week off, I will try a sneaky lane or two, a nice easy lane like devils steps should give us a idea of how it goes. I will keep you posted.

jt · Powermonger!!

Good report in MCN I noted today.....

ERBS · Novice

Bumping the thread

Has anyone ridden or bought one yet?

opinions please!!!

D13dkt · Clubman A

Ok quick update, I took the little honda out today for test ride and I can say it is a very good bike, a couple of things to remember , I'm 6,2 and 18 stone. First getting on the bike it feels a little heavy at first but bear with me, turn the ignition and no fancy disco lights like the klx just the normal whizz of the fuel pump. Of down the road out of g t motorcycles and very suprised at how quick it got up to speed with no fuss and hondas legendary super slick gear change. I decided to give devils steps a miss but I did take it around a few lanes very close to it to see how it went, now on the road it was no slouch and not wanting to rag it to hard as it only had 128 miles on the clock, I went very well on the flat I got it up to 70mph without much fuss. Into the first lane which is a up hill rocky climb then goes into a little faster rutted muddy lane, no fuss with the little Honda just chugged away in 2nd gear a little bit twitchy due to tyre pressures being way to high and the O.E. tyres not being great but very capable just the same. Next lane is a downhill rocky lane again aside from the tyre pressures making it a bit uncomfortable great, front brake was lacking a little feel and bite but the bike is new.

Next lane a few of you will know it as "the overgrown one with all the tree roots in",I went up it with great ease, keeping a very straight line over the roots no problem.

One more stoney wet lane then back to the road, which is where this bike really is very good, cruiseing in top gear no problem even as low as 30mph. I would rate this bike very highly for anyone to ride novice and experienced alike. I am thinking of buying one as a great all round bike. There would be a few mods I would do, the bars a very low for me when stood up, the tyres would have to go and a mt43 rear is a must, along with that the rims have no rim locks in as standard. All in all great bike for the money.

-- Edited by D13dkt on Tuesday 11th of September 2012 05:17:07 PM

-- Edited by D13dkt on Tuesday 11th of September 2012 05:17:46 PM

russell11031967 · Devon's Best

Johnnyboxer wrote:
delvey91 wrote:
TTR wrote:
delvey91 wrote:
Im riding one next wednesday........
Have they got a demonstrator at Bridge or have you found one elsewhere Jack?
Bridge are getting some in on monday.....
Saw one in a Honda dealers today.........................not impressed, it felt very, very heavy for a 250 and definitely a 'budget' trail bike
Quality was not a patch on the XR range of old
Cheap controls, brake and gear lever made of cheap steel and no bendy tips
Finish was very poor for a Honda, with loads of cheap steel in the frame
Disappointed

They had one on show at the meeting tonight and I would agree with all the above and won't be swapping my CRF450X for one smile ITS NOT A REAL HONDA ITS MADE IN TIWAN

Pete · Devon's Best

I don't expect to own one for several years when they become affordable second hand. Honda will sell lots.
Did enjoy riding it round the car park later though.

Cubber · Expert

They look nice....... (cardboard an optional extra) ...............

................ but no side protection bash plate and no guards on handlebar levers.

Definitely Honda build quality though.

Martyn

Tim · Clubman B

russell11031967 wrote:
They had one on show at the meeting tonight and I would agree with all the above and won't be swapping my CRF450X for one ITS NOT A REAL HONDA ITS MADE IN TIWAN

CRF230s are made in Brazil, but no one seems to complain about that.

Johnnyboxer · Clubman B

russell11031967 wrote:
Johnnyboxer wrote:
delvey91 wrote:
TTR wrote:
delvey91 wrote:
Im riding one next wednesday........
Have they got a demonstrator at Bridge or have you found one elsewhere Jack?
Bridge are getting some in on monday.....
Saw one in a Honda dealers today.........................not impressed, it felt very, very heavy for a 250 and definitely a 'budget' trail bike
Quality was not a patch on the XR range of old
Cheap controls, brake and gear lever made of cheap steel and no bendy tips
Finish was very poor for a Honda, with loads of cheap steel in the frame
Disappointed
They had one on show at the meeting tonight and I would agree with all the above and won't be swapping my CRF450X for one ITS NOT A REAL HONDA ITS MADE IN TIWAN

£4k for that, with a 'chromed' plastic gas cap (now that really smacks of Chinese manufacturing)..............

or another £1500 (or less with a discount) for a CRF250X....................I know which I'd choose

Hell.... you could search out a mint <500mile or less XR250 or 400 from Ebay for £2k+ and save the rest

doug9270 · Powermonger!!

Good as a dual sport.

TTR · Powermonger!!

doug9270 wrote:
Good as a dual sport.

Absolutely right Doug.

Ride it to and fro work during the week (90mpg and 8,000mls service intervals!) and hit the lanes at the weekend. Whisper quiet so an ideal stealth machine wink

What competition has it got anyways?

Nowt wrong with a Taiwanese manufactured product - better quality control than on some stuff made closer to home. Remember the air box pop rivets falling into the CCM engines a few years ago??? cry

There are already plenty of enduro machines on the market and the CRF250L doesn't purport to be a competition machine so if you do H&H at the weekends it's not the bike for you....

TTR

Simmo · Expert

I really liked it. If I hadn't been to Paris a couple of weeks ago I might have walked out with one.

He'll take £3800 for cash wadge in his hand.

It is also a Honda and I like Hondas. Did feel a bit heavy but most of it's time would be on the road if I owned it anyway.

Plastic sump guard and the tools pack flap is a bit iffy. Do you think they have noticed yet.....? wink

Only paying £400 extra over 3 years finance on a bike that will be going up in price by probably more than £4000 is a bit of deal I think.

Or buy a scooter instead for more winter weather protection.....

Anyone want to buy some Herbalife? smile

(Keep an eye on Spotlight in a couple of weeks....)

-- Edited by Simmo on Wednesday 12th of September 2012 05:45:49 PM

RichT4 · Champion

TTR wrote:

Ride it to and fro work during the week (90mpg and 8,000mls service intervals!) and hit the lanes at the weekend. Whisper quiet so an ideal stealth machine
Remember - long service intervals are a marketing tool, not an engineering decision.
The DRZ S is 4,000 miles according to the manual but you'd be advised to do it at 1,500 to 2,000 for strict street use, and 500 to 1,500 lane use.
What competition has it got anyways?
KLX250 & *WR250R seem to be in the same catogory.

I do like the look of it for sure but I'm just not impressed by the weight or the steel brake & gear levers - price is better than it's competition.

CRF250L £3,995

*WR250R - seems to have been dropped as not shown on Yamaha website as a current bike confuse

KLX250 - £4,549

You could change the levers and buy the extra protection with that £554 saved over the KLX...

You can buy the WRR & KLX used though which will save you a few bob.

D13dkt · Clubman A

I think a great point with this bike aswell is £99 deposit and £99 a month.
Not many people in the current climate can stump up £4000 for a weekend toy, so in that respect I think the Crf is a great deal.
To be honest if I could find £4000 cash I wouldn't buy one, I would buy a 3 year old Ktm or a crf450.

russell11031967 · Devon's Best

TThat price is only an introduction price they have five more being delivered in October but after that they said the price would go up for sure

jt · Powermonger!!

I get the 'principle' of the bike - but if it were a Kymco or a Sym for £4K no one would even consider it and we would not be having this discussion. Its built in Tiawan like the 2 I mention, was built 'down' to a price - (did no one notice the brake pedal, the lever/mountings, etc etc???) However its got a Honda badge on the side so that makes it all ok? hmm

Kymco make engines for BMW bikes - how many BMW riders would have bought a G450X if it had a Kymco badge on the tank?

Look past the badge.........

Cubber · Expert

This is a LINKY THINGY to Ultimate MotorCycling's review of the 2013 Honda CRF250L in case anybody's not heard or read about it.

2013-honda-crf250l-review%201.jpg

2013-honda-crf250l-review%203.jpg

Martyn

Johnnyboxer · Clubman B

jt wrote:
I get the 'principle' of the bike - but if it were a Kymco or a Sym for £4K no one would even consider it and we would not be having this discussion. Its built in Tiawan like the 2 I mention, was built 'down' to a price - (did no one notice the brake pedal, the lever/mountings, etc etc???) However its got a Honda badge on the side so that makes it all ok?

Kymco make engines for BMW bikes - how many BMW riders would have bought a G450X if it had a Kymco badge on the tank?

Look past the badge.........

I did........... hence my earlier posts, I thought the controls were shockingly made and thought out, really shabby

I think Honda have really shot themselves in the foot here, with this bike

If you want to look at good built quality, look at Yamaha ............they are the best of the 4 Jap manufacturers at present and have been for a few years

Johnnyboxer · Clubman B

Simmo wrote:
Badges or where manufactured aren't important, it is the existensial knowledge that it is a Honda - that is good enough for me. Some people are KTM fanatics, Yamaha have too many letters and I like Hondas.

Based on that logic, you should ride a KTM

Because the name has fewer letters yawn

Simmo · Expert

Johnnyboxer wrote:
Based on that logic, you should ride a KTM
Because the name has fewer letters

Don't be silly. Never trust a TLA wink

(Three Letter Acronym)

jt · Powermonger!!

Johnnyboxer wrote:
Simmo wrote:
existensial knowledge
Gonna have to look that up now

Where did that quoted post go anyway?

Tigerman · Expert

This journalist seems pretty impressed.

http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-first-rides/first-ride-honda-crf250l-review/21256.html

Simmo · Expert

I seriously considered it but I've bought a GSXR1100 instead.

Ming · Devon's Best

Simmo wrote:
I seriously considered it but I've bought a GSXR1100 instead.

That'll be fun up Simms Hill confuse

jt · Powermonger!!

Tigerman wrote:
This journalist seems pretty impressed.
http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-first-rides/first-ride-honda-crf250l-review/21256.html

As is everyone who rides it....

See what it looks like after 12-18 months on the lanes and a winter on the roads wink if if still looks OK then maybe I'll be as impressed as everone else.

Tigerman · Expert

jt wrote:
Tigerman wrote:
This journalist seems pretty impressed.
http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-first-rides/first-ride-honda-crf250l-review/21256.html
As is everyone who rides it....

See what it looks like after 12-18 months on the lanes and a winter on the roads if if still looks OK then maybe I'll be as impressed as everone else.

I think it'll be fine, so what if its made in Taiwan or Thailand, so are some Triumphs!! Taiwan is the new Japan, and look what bikers where saying about Jap Crap in the 70's!! wink

jt · Powermonger!!

A I know what you say mate, and your probably right. It the badge that annoys me - I know what the japs did, but they stopped short of sticking Triumph, BSA and Norton badges on there bikes - if you bought one you knew it was a Honda, Kwak, Yam etc....not a triumph etc

In my eyes that Honda ain't no Honda hmm It looked more like a CCM 230 - Oh hang on there's another bit of badge bodgery

Tigerman · Expert

jt wrote:
A I know what you say mate, and your probably right. It the badge that annoys me - I know what the japs did, but they stopped short of sticking Triumph, BSA and Norton badges on there bikes - if you bought one you knew it was a Honda, Kwak, Yam etc....not a triumph etc

In my eyes that Honda ain't no Honda It looked more like a CCM 230 - Oh hang on there's another bit of badge bodgery

I was hoping you would'nt mention the CCM! wink Then again the red one did'nt give me any trouble, so the Honda copy might be alright! biggrin

TTR · Powermonger!!

ThumperTalk have given the bike its own forum which is interesting as they didn't bother with the WR250R/X. See here

The following is an interesting read - apart from a troll intervening at one stage to try and spoil the thread

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/982224-honda-crf250lgive-it-a-chancei-did/

Maybe the Honda will be seen on a Devom lane soon as Albion's demise seems to have blown AJP out of the local waters.......

snasher · Clubman B

Searching through thumper talk I found this site. Very informative and shows what can be taken off the CRF to make it lighter.

I am warming towards it as clearly folks are having a lot of fun on it.

http://rickramsey.net/CRF250L.htm

Thought the owner looked a little like our own Mr TTR - Are they related? biggrin

RichT4 · Champion

TTR wrote:
The following is an interesting read - apart from a troll intervening at one stage to try and spoil the thread
http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/982224-honda-crf250lgive-it-a-chancei-did/

I have just had a browse through this thread and it is interesting, true enough we haven't heard from anyone who actually owns and runs one yet. I am also guilty of simply slating it based on it's spec.

I must just say that the 'troll' in the thread is actually a very reasonable and level headed guy on other threads over at TT, he is also a promoter of the MT43 as an alternative to the knobbly which seems to be becoming more popular with DS & trail riders in the US. I don't think he really was being a troll, I think judging by the quotes the OP snapped back hard at him when he first posted a counter point and from there it went down hill for a while.

TTR · Powermonger!!

snasher wrote:
Thought the owner looked a little like our own Mr TTR - Are they related?

Good looking bloke eh? smile

So who is going to be the first DTRFG test pilot for one of these confuse

TTR · Powermonger!!

Just read Si Melber's review of the CRF250L in the latest TBM and am still reeling - probably the most positive I can remember him being about a non-enduro bike!

His comparison with the AJP250 is interesting.

TTR