Nearly 2 months with 2012 Honda CRF250L

Wozza · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 May 2008 Karma :

I'm thinking of getting an NC700X but I'd love one of these as a second bike.

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

Wozza · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 May 2008 Karma :

Yeah, I suppose that's the price you pay for having the storage compartment and lower CoG. Must be a way of rigging up some sort of quick-detaching luggage to help.

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

they just need to reposition the filler cap, it's on the side of my BMW.

nevnet · L Plate Warrior Joined: 27 Jun 2013 Karma :

nevnet · L Plate Warrior Joined: 27 Jun 2013 Karma :

bridgedino · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Oct 2012 Karma :

Hi,

Your post made me smile. I am same age, have the same dream of dirt bike and live in West Lothian!

I am on the cusp of making a purchase for my second bike and all roads seem to be leading to the Honda CRF250L.

For me at least the big appeal about the Honda is the dual nature of the bike. I like the fact that I could ride to the really fun spots off road and then not have to worry about a trailer etc. Not sure if i did use a trailer for transporting a bike that the it would be there when I got back... I recognise this bike is probably meant for the lighter terrain which is fine for exploring the odd trail. My risk appetite means I'm not going to start doing mad jumps etc.

Out of interest, were you able to get a deal from the guys at Phoenix Honda?

Also, any tips of good places to ride off road without incurring too much trouble with the locals?

I'm in Bathgate and found a quarry nearby which seems to have a fair amount of potential[/quote]

Hi

Phoenix Honda weren't the easiest to deal with sadly.

I took a test ride on the ex-demo they were selling but they really dragged their heels in tying up the sale. I think they were having difficulty in getting fresh stock in and bike I was buying was their last one so hence I had to chase them up weekly and practically drag the keys from their grip. My bike was missing the owners manual which they promised to replace for me. 5 phone calls and numerous emails failed. I had to buy it myself online.

So no, I didn't get any deals or anything that came close to acceptable service and I certainly won't be going back if I can help it.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=181180

I haven't found anywhere nearby for any off-roading although above looks like a place I wouldn't mind visiting if they are still operating.... even more so with someone who's new to it as well Wink

I have done over 6k so far, in all weathers including fresh snow and I have no complaints, even the seat is becoming comfier every day. I replaced my rear tyre myself at 5k as it was getting near the tread limit, changed the oil and filter at 4k and have just changed the soft steel front header pipe for a stainless steel one. The silencer is next on the list.

Happy Trails

nevnet · L Plate Warrior Joined: 27 Jun 2013 Karma :

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

Here is another video of me riding my CRF250L

apart from the silly tumble near the beginning this is about as fast as I ever ride my bike off road, I was only doing 35mph tops I think, I just don't ride it very fast and I don't think I'm ever likely to go much faster Smile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8dsicMiNdE

Wozza · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 May 2008 Karma :

I want one! Someone buy my CBR!

Do you find the radiator sticks out too far? Is it likely to suffer damage in falls?

Fladdem · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2011 Karma :

I do like the CRFL's like a modern TTR or XR, does everything you point it at. I average about 30mph when I go offroad I reckon, my speedo rarely dips below twenty, I had it reading about 55 once, it's in KMH and inaccurate but the gearing ratio just so happens to work out at 60kmh is 30mph, 80kmh=40mph, etc. And mine was reading 113kmh once, that was scary, the suspension was reacting to stuff half a mile ago.

I've had drops like that before, most annoying.
____________________
Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

Wozza · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 May 2008 Karma :

I've gone and done it. I've put down a deposit on a new CRF Very Happy

bridgedino · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Oct 2012 Karma :

Good to hear. Be interesting to hear your review

Wozza · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 May 2008 Karma :

I test rode a 250M last week which I found very fun, but was still after the L so I tried one on Thursday. Took my CBR along on the off chance they might give me a half decent trade-in price and they gave me an offer I couldn't refuse!

My initial thoughts are that in general the L is more capable on-road than I was expecting. Front brake could be a bit stronger, I have ordered some HH pads to try, if that's not enough I'll get a braided line, if that's still not enough I'll look into a bigger disc but I know that will not be ideal for off-road. Power is adequate but not overly exciting, so I will look to fit an EJK plus exhaust and air filter mods. I've also ordered a cheap tach meter for it. Other things like handguards I will probably add over time.

doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

Managed a few miles on and off road with mine the last two evenings, it's not bad at all even on badly eroded rutted tracks but if it was wet it would be a struggle.

Where it's really fun is bumpy single track roads which would have you going very steady on a road bike for fear of crushing a vertebrae in the next pothole.
Roads like that can be ridden at some speed with great feeling of confidence and grip - suspension soaks up almost everything thrown at it.

Incidentally I was impressed with Carole Nash who insured mine for just an additional £25 on a Multibike policy with my BT1100.
The pair TPFT is just £120 including breakdown Thumbs Up

With years tax at £37 and 80mpg+ it's cheap fun.

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

yeah it's not great in wet mud

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

better tyres needed

better tyres, and a mental adjustment

my XR had knobblies and hadn't just cost me £4,000 plus insurance, so I was less up tight about dropping it Laughing

doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

First really good run out with mine this afternoon.
I think it was more fun in two hours than the last two years biking TBH.

It's a pleasure riding half decent forest tracks which we have loads of round here.
It easy to catch the horn when using indicators. Embarassed

On main roads it's fine keeping up with traffic at about 65mph.

Topped up fuel tank and could not get £5 in, it worked out at 70mpg which includes at least 10 miles of quite rough tracks in 2nd gear.

Green Lane that is still Green
https://s6.postimg.org/toqn9na4d/IMG_1240.jpg

It didn't much like some sections here which are a bit like riding on tennis balls.
https://s6.postimg.org/t9fdgmo71/IMG_1225.jpg

These reasonably well maintained forest roads were ideal for trolling along in 3rd at about 25mph.
https://s6.postimg.org/ac4ch49vh/IMG_1248.jpg

https://s6.postimg.org/424hgdl31/IMG_1257.jpg

https://s6.postimg.org/rrtx52jgd/IMG_1263.jpg

https://s6.postimg.org/z43yocr25/IMG_1283.jpg

Monster ant hills
https://s6.postimg.org/56yjlr7jx/IMG_1275.jpg

Bit more adventurous
https://s6.postimg.org/ugtb8uebh/IMG_1291.jpg

https://s6.postimg.org/4jzmw8anx/IMG_1309.jpg

Final pose to end with
https://s6.postimg.org/51usc308t/IMG_1303.jpg

stevenatleven · L Plate Warrior Joined: 02 Dec 2013 Karma :

Hi
I have just joined the forum,mainly because it seems to have quite a few crf250l owners.
I am interested in how folk are getting on with them as I am thinking of buying one.

bridgedino · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Oct 2012 Karma :

From the point of view of a daily work horse I am currently using mine for my daily 100 mile commute , 500 miles a week, mostly motorway. Sits happily at 75mph without complaining and the wind protection isn't as bad as you might think. Not ideal but certainly well within its capabilities

Tank range is still a pain though

stevenatleven · L Plate Warrior Joined: 02 Dec 2013 Karma :

Hi bridgedino
thanks for the info.500 miles a week is quite alot you must have a few thousand miles on it by now.
Another of the questions i wondered about was the 8000 mile service cost are you there yet ?

bridgedino · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Oct 2012 Karma :

Almost reached 12k. Still on the original pads with plenty life still left in them. One new chain and sprocket set fitted by myself. Split link chain makes it a nice and easy DIY job.

Original front tyre has still got plenty life in it and I'm half way through my through 2nd rear tyre, again that was easy enough as a DIY task to buy and fit myself. It was my first DIY tyre change and although I nicked and punctured the inner tube, I got it right on the 2nd attempt with no issues. YouTube is an excellent place to learn 'how to'

I'm changing the oil and filter myself every 4k through habit which is easy enough.

So far I've not had to visit my local mechanic for servicing and I intend to keep it that way if I can. It's an easy bike to work on although tools are needed for a simple bulb change. Something I could do tool free on my previous bikes.

stevenatleven · L Plate Warrior Joined: 02 Dec 2013 Karma :

Thats great info,I have been posting on all the forums asking about a small bike for touring.This is probably what I will buy sounds like it is an easy bike to maintain. Very Happy

The valve clearance is bucket and shim which kind of puts me off,and i thought you needed them looked at 8k to keep the warranty up.
Is the warranty 1 year only ?
Did you ever get a rear carrier ? mpg ? range ?
sorry for all the questions but really keen to buy one I have seen and don,t want to overlook anything

bridgedino · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Oct 2012 Karma :

Off the top of my head im certain the warranty is 2 years. The 7.5 litre tank range isn't much more than 100 miles or so, filling it is £7

I got my rear rack from USA off of ebay. In fact any of the decent accessories seem to be only available from there