HONDA CRF250L VS BETA Alp 4.0 

I'm from Malta too and have been looking for a bike to ride what little single track and green lanes we have. I had a 250L Rally and sold it because it was just too bulky and top-heavy for that (and I'm just 5"6 with a 30" inseam) So I've been looking at either getting a small, hybrid enduro bike like the Beta X-Trainer or KTM Freeride or else, something slower but more reliable like the Alp200 or the Alp4.0. The 'dog' part of my brain wants the X-Trainer or the Freeride, while the rational part is pulling towards the Alp200. Alp4.0 seems to sit somewhere in between. On one hand, I like its extra power, on the other, I'm put off by its larger size and weight. At the end of the day, what I really want is a bike that can take me anywhere without much hassle and the Alp200 seems to be perfect for that. I've read its a proper mountain goat and I like that you can convert it very easily to something like a trials bike. All top enduro riders honed their skills on trials bikes first. The extra power offered by the X-Trainer and the Freeride does make them tempting (and costlier) options though. What fuel range do you get with the Alp200? I've also been looking at the Sur-Ron electric bike which tops only at 80km/h but weighs just 50kg and is completely silent. What's putting me off that bike though is its range of about 60km when ridden offroad.

xibilfc21 60km of range is nothing , unfortunatley its the biggest drawback for electric bikes, before i got the alp200 i was also opting for a Xtrainer or a freeride , i also took in consideration a GasGas txt250 but the extensive maintenance is too much on all 3 options, pistons , cylinders , top ends etc that have to be done after 100hrs or less is too much. The xtrainer was very tempting but since i live in the southern part of Malta and normally i make more than 20km onroad before i take any trails i was afraid that i would strain the engine, i wished they had fourstroke engines on Xtrainers. The gasgas perfect to go practically anywhere, super super light and well build, BUT the fuel tank is very small, its geared as a trial bike so are looking at about 45km/h top speed on the road Max and it comes only with a two stroke engine. it doesnt have oil injection so you have to carry two stroke oil in case you fill it up at the station. On the alp 200 i manage to make about 130km before i hit the reserve, top speed is about 120km maybe a little more if your lighter, but speed its not her thing. Yes , its trully a mountain goat, its geared low and on the street its like riding a 125. The 200cc Suzuki engine , altough only 15hp has good low end torque. 1st gear it goes like a tractor, climbs everywhere with the right technique,The only limiting factor is the rider. Its very narrow and has a wet weight of 118kg, ( my pcx 125 almost weights 130kg wet!) seat height is about 33inches and its perfect for short riders. Ground clearance is about 2 inches less than a proper enduro machine, so is plenty enough. The seat is very hard like most beta’s 1/2hr on the saddle on you need to take a break ( unless you have used to hard saddles) but its getting a bit better after 5000km of use. One other drawback is that its carburator instead of EFI, so if you drop it and let it rest on the ground for some time dont expect that its starts immediately after the push of the electric start, Luckly it has also a kick start. One big thing that i don’t like is the access to the battery and air cleaner, on the CRF it was much much easier. But overall its very easy to maintain, i do all the services myself and the engine is very easy to work on. I think mine is the only one on the island, so far it has about 5800km and i enjoyed every single km. Another one that you might consider is the sherco ty125.

@@ripmax333 Thanks for the detailed review! I'm saving this as each point you mentioned is very useful to me! I totally get you about being reluctant to put road hours into what is essentially a racing engine. I feel the same too and to be honest, I just want a motorcycle to explore and get away from people. I'm not looking to race. In fact, one of the things I like about the Alp's engine is that it's air-cooled. That means fewer things to break or bend when a tip-over happens. The fact it's carburated, for me, is a drawback. But you can't have your cake and eat it. We're talking about an air-cooled, very reliable engine here. Perhaps it's biggest 'enemy' will be the Euro 5 regulations coming into force next year. One thing riding my Yamaha YBR125 off-road has taught me, is that you don't need tons of power for off-roading. Hell... You don't even need a lot of suspension travel and ground clearance as long as you're willing to ride slow and pick your lines carefully. Today I decided to take take a risk and go about 1/3 down the Selmun hill with my YBR. I thought it struggle for traction (with street tyres) and power on the way up. But it carried my 75kg body up the steep, loose hill without even breaking a sweat. Honestly, it surprised me. And then, that got me thinking what more I would be able to do with a bike like the Alp200, and the new places I could go. :)

thank you, a perfect report & comparison, missing max speed of the CRL which a suppose should be around 125 & how the motor feeling is in comparison...

@@alex-rx2vu Top speed of the CRF250L was sbout between 125 and 130km/h depending on rider weight and luggage, the engine of the CRF is very smooth compared to the Suzuki DR200 engine which is installed on the ALP200. The CRF engine is the same engine used on CBR250r which since its an engine based for an On road motorcycle it does have a counter balancing shaft which makes the engine way more smoother than the ALP. At idle the mirrors on the alp will shake and you have that old school feeling on a Motorcycle, the Alp is very Raw compared to the CRF. The CRF engine is much more bulkier and heavy compared to the Alp engine but that is also because its a water cooled motor, it dissipates less heat during traffic scenarios but then the biggest drawback is the radiator. The radiator of the CRF is installed on the left had side just in front of your ankle and tigh and once the fan kicks in all the heat will blast on your left leg which I didn't found fun at all.

yea the crf dont like to be jumped

so the Honda is more reliable than a Suzi DR motor?? ??

what one?

@@BigPezza Both, the CRF250M is a peach for on road, especially in Thailand and the 'L' is just right for the muddy stuff. Both are very simple to work on and light. 😁✌

I've thought about this and my answer is NO- I don't think so - bc it's a taller engine.. This is even more pronounced in the latest Chinese engined bikes - raising the CoG which is rubbish for this type of bike

they lock the tube in place so you dont tare the vavle off when you ride at lower pressure

@@BigPezza I thought they locked the tyre in place?

@@davexs Yep. I mean they _do_ hold the tube in place but only because they hold the tyre in place..

not sure i know its a suzki engine or engine design and its a 350cc

@@BigPezza it's a DR350 engine. Just bought one and I am looking forward to trying it in t'lake district. You're right about the seat on the Beta.... luckily my arse has the padding to compensate.

yes - all suzuki

well that's subjective - how can he or anyone know YOUR parameters? He asked the questions - it's up to YOU to give YOUR answers

@@CosmicSeeker69 i didnt ask him to tell my parameters lol, i wanted his opinion wich he did not give.