Thread: Honda CRF250-L

Good to hear that you are pleased with it on the whole!

I'm really looking forward to getting on mine! Unlike you I probably won't be able to leave it alone as I have a habit of messing with anything I own car or bike wise.

I've been looking in to it and good gains are available with basic mods! The exhaust is supposed to be very restrictive as apparently it needs to coincide with Californian emissions regulations and they put the same exhaust on all of them regardless of the market.

If you look at the link below:

DUAL SPORT REPORT: HONDA CRF250L HOT ROD MODS | News | Dirt Bike Magazine

With basic mods of an exhaust, airbox mod and fuel controller its running 24bhp which is a bit better, I'd imagine it makes it nicer to ride in general too.

Something I'd like to do with mine also is get a spare set of supermoto wheels as I'm generally going to be riding on the tarmac.

Originally Posted by Bung

I got the Triumph to throw money at and drool over. Fooking thing owes me a small fortune.

I still never quite understood why you got rid of the KLX250s and never installed the 331 kit in that.
Now you're not satisfied with the CRF250, well duhhh! It's an even cheaper mass produced econobike. All the reviews I read say it doesn't quite cut it next to the KLX250S. The only advantage is that it's a Honda and the Honda dealer network.

Since you seem to be reasonably solvent, instead of wasting money on these half assed bikes just step up and get a bike that can truly set your hair on fire....or make you shit your pants!
If I had the money to throw around I'd get this:
2012 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO - Top Speed


Or even just a KTM690. You want a bike will some balls? Then get one!

I cant afford the Duc or a Katoom, so I figure on a KLX250 with a 351 kit massaged might be satisfactory.

What are you on about? I have never owned a KLX 250. I said my last dirt bike was a KTM 450.

I don't need a Ducati thanks.

The kTM 690 is nearly 700 k. Good luck to you if you have enough money to pay that much for a dual sport bike, thr CRF 250 is good value for what it is.

Oh and can you post some links to where they say the KLX is better than the CRF?

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

so I figure on a KLX250 with a 351 kit massaged might be satisfactory.

What are the performance gains?

Originally Posted by Bung

What are you on about? I have never owned a KLX 250. I said my last dirt bike was a KTM 450.

250 is good value for what it is.

Oh and can you post some links to where they say the KLX is better than the CRF?

Sorry, I thought that was you on rideasia who sold a fairly new KLX250S and a 331 kit on the side still in the box.

Anyway I don't think there really is a consensus as to the Honda being overwhelmingly better.

After 1 week and 1500km with 3 CRF, 2 KLX and 20 years and many many km with the KLX, race, tours and hardenduro (4 years and 70000km with the FI Thaimade KLX), I do(n´t) know who is winner. The engine in the CRF fells much stronger with a better torque. But...... Surprise, also when I gave her all their horses, the KLX was always direct at my backwheel. The curves in mountain are little bit rounder and the line is very clean with the CRF. A pleasure! The tail is very hard and uncomfortable and has no sensibility. The KLX is much more comfortable with a better suspension and a good looking finish. Very nice handycraft work in a high level quality on shifts and levers. The CRF looks simply poor in this case. The DID rims can not equalize these ugly brake and gearshifts. Both bikes use steel, which you can bend after a crash. I like the smaller tank/knee combination in the KLX. It is more surprising, when you realize, that the KLX has 2 radiators and the CRF only one. The fan in CRF works thatswhy very offen, in the KLX nearly never. The headlight in the KLX is a champion, it works in the CRF sure. But there is a galaxy between. Airfilter control in CRF is great, easy work with a paperfilter. The KLX = a horror! This is what PINK means in "Dear Mr.Predident", " You don´t know nothing about about hard work". And it much more worse, when you installed a rack. The winner in the offroad tracks is the KLX. The KLX goes uphill, the CRF slides uphill and the hard tail with the hard seat makes a tour to torture for your bump. We change a few times and everybody said the same. The CRF has a fantastic engine, but I like the KLX more. The whole conzept is a better choice. Is it worth for a 12000 Baht higher price? I guess Kawasaki surprises us with a 2014 modell.
Spareparts are cheaper by Honda, the availability is better by Kawasaki (Chiang-Mai only).

http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-f...oot-out-6.html


The Honda is good but so is the KLX250S, Also small details like better wheels and stronger spokes are privy tot the KLX, along with a slightly stouter suspension.

I'm leaning towards the KLX250 for my next bike because I want to make a minimalist travel bike out of it. The stouter components and the larger aftermarket lends it better to that purpose. Renazco racing makes some fine aftermarket seats.
Also the KLX250 engine has been around much longer, it has two radiators and two fans making it better for the heat, me thinks.

When the CRF first came out it was 98000 baht, but now there isn't much price difference. Also when you look at them closely the fit and finish on the KLX appears a bit better, nearly up to Yamaha standards IMHO.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

how much?

Thanks to all the contibutors in this thread. Think i'm going to grab myself a KLX250S.

It appears there are some good performance mods available for the crf now

2013 Honda CRF250L | Best Dual Sport Bikes

I may go for an ECU and filter when they are available and get a local exhaust. I reckon local companies like YSS will have a rear shock in the works as well.

I'm going to rip off the spark arrestor off the air filter today and see how it goes.

That would make it go.

Got myself one of these now and really pleased with it!

I've only had it two weeks and nearly time for the 1st Service after which I'm going to do a few mods It's completely standard at current apart from a modified seat which I had done yesterday for the princely sum of 70,000 Kip! It's now considerably more comfortable as well as being slightly higher which is a positive point for me as I am 6ft 1.

Lots of options for exhausts in Thailand but non in Laos where I am so am going to order one from Thailand.

Also want to go for an ECU as you mentioned however again I shall be going for a Thai made one as with the exhaust.

Take a look at

API Tech Shop

They do an ECU For the CRF which I've read very good things about! It's also much cheaper than the FMF Or similar from the USA.

Also check out:

CRF Thailand - Index

It's obviously all in Thai but a really good source of info! If you join and then buy an API ECU You get a 30% Discount being a forum member!

Other things I want to do are either some airbox mods with a replacement filter or possibly bin the airbox and go for a cone filter? Some decent handlebars with raisers and get a spare set of wheels to supermoto it for day to day use on the street.

Endless mods which I have in mind but will see how it goes? I've read about using a CBR250R Throttle body and ECU Which gives it a better top end apparently. I've also seen a 300cc Big bore kit from a company in the USA Which looks good!

The CRF 250 L Is apparently 18bhp at the rear wheel, if you went to full hog and added 300cc Big bore, CBR ECU and throttle body, aftermarket cam, API Piggyback ECU etc... I reckon you could get 30bhp which would make it considerably more fun!!! Anyhow will see how everything goes and what money is available.

I will post up pics of my bike later.

I've had my CRF250L for a month now and here's my take and general comments;
BTW I am 6', 70kg and an ex moto x rider from NZ. I ride all my bikes pretty hard and reckless.

* Heavy but surprisingly easy to handle. You are not fighting the bike.
* Soft suspension. I bottom out both ends constantly on every ride.
* I've thrown away the gargantuan exhaust and replaced the entire system with a Stage 1 PowerCore4 from Best Dual Sports Bikes. It totally rocks and gives you a new kick ass 250. This included a new ECU, header bomber, air box mods, folding gear lever and the 13 tooth front sprocket which I haven't tried yet.
* I'm also ditching the rear shock for a RaceTech G3S and rebuilding the front shocks with new springs from the same company.
* I've noticed nothing strange with the brakes. A number of posts on other sights have bagged the brakes but I fail to see why, BTW I know how to brake and lock either wheel depending on what is happening.
* I've got 100's of km here on dirt roads, single track, uncharted etc, with the odd quarry thrown in for good measure. I don't give a monkey's about road creds (get a road bike which i have) but so far I've had nothing but tons of fun on the old (new) girl. I'll send pics on my next post and stand by for the suspension upgrade report.

Boxy.

Ordered myself a Ben 740 Exhaust and API Tech ECU now I cannot wait to get them! I'm having them delivered to Nong Khai and going to pick them up as otherwise I will get charged import tax

The bike is really good and I am very pleased with it! It just feels a little bit 'Weezy' I.e. restricted so I'm hoping that the pipe and ECU Will sort this out.....

The cam also feels very conservative so I shall also look in to any options for this?

It should make a big difference. You'll have to upgrade the suspension as well. If you go to RaceTech.com it will tell you what shocks you need for your weight, height, riding ability etc. I've just ordered my lot. Don't you still get stung by customs even if you go and pick it up? Customs won't release it until the duty is paid I thought.

No I wont have any duty to pay because the parts are from Thailand. The ECU is made in Bangkok and the Exhaust in Nan (Near Chiang Mai) I am in Laos so if I ordered them in the post to here I would have to pay tax however I am getting them delivered to Nong Khai and then collecting them from there. I will simply walk back over with them and avoid any tax

As for the suspension upgrades has it made a big difference yeh? I will admit that I am not a hardcore off roader and actually quite fancy getting some supermoto wheels for mine! Post some pics of your bike up on here.

Other mods I want to do are some nice handle bars and Acerbis handguards and also maybe a different headlight such as the Acerbis Cyclops. I had one before and it was so bright!

I am interested in possibly purchasing a supermoto, Honda crf 250/450 x, I believe.
I don't want a trail bike, as not enough response / power. Are these available from dealers in Phuket /Thailand ?

Originally Posted by Rambling Man

Are these available from dealers in Phuket /Thailand ?

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=ap...KoisrAehzYG4Dw

Thanks

Does anyone have the email address or the telephone number of the fabricator who produces the Ben 740 exhaust system for a CRF250M?

Thank you in advance for your help.