CHANGES OVER THE YEARS: Not has changed until 2022 with a new frame, subframe, swingarm, and bodywork for 7lb or 3kg less weight. Engine updates very lightly reduced maximum horsepower but significantly increased the midrange power. Dual exhausts changed to single exhaust for less weight. Suspension was revalved to be softer. The new frame slightly increased ground clearance. LONG TERM COMMENTS: Our test bike was part of the Traction eRag fleet, we spoke to their mechanic who essentially said the bikes are rock solid and he has not noticed any particular known issues over the years.
Bought this bike a few months ago. It is more bike than I need but part of my decision was because it was on the truck and other bikes weren’t being delivered. I have found that if I just trust it, it will take me up and over things I wouldn’t have dreamed of on my old Klx 300r
It's definitely not a gearbox suited for enduro or everyday dirt riding, Mark. And of course most cross country bikes in other brands will be unsuitable too... they are definitely set up for racing!
A good offroad bikes starts with the right gear box and suspension compliance and Honda got both wrong straight out of the gate. I don't think there is a better bike even today than the CRF250X and I still choose them over the FX, but the FX is definitely a better choice than the RX. And that fat tank.. it's like asking a supermodel to wear a moo moo.
I had a 450rx . Greatest bike I ever owned!! Light and flickable for a big 450. Mapping switch was a lot of fun to play with. .....broke my heart when some thieving maggot swiped it from my garage last month!!
Bummer! Insured? One of the guys had a 450RX in Canada a few years back but most of us didn't even try to ride it because of the nasty rocky terrain we were in. The guy was a pro level rider and had a ball, but did suggest most of us would find it handful if we wanted to try riding it in all the rocks.
Yeah mate insured. Arguing over the value with them now! I found the mapping switch helped a lot with gnarly terrain. Altho my muppetness slowed me down enough!
Looks fun. They all look fun. After watching this I find myself leaning more towards the enduro category and less towards cross country racing so probably wouldn’t buy one. Vids like this are super helpful that way. Thanks, ride on.
I might start using that motocross to dual sport spectrum more often as it might help guys fairly new to dirt riding from getting an inappropriate bike. 👍
@@crosstrainingenduro I believe it would help a lot of people. I’m less than 2 years with a dirt bike (so glad to have it in my life, a dear old 200 2-stroke). Your vid is timely for me personally because I’m thinking about adding another bike to the stable....
I’m bummed that KTM / Husky has gotten rid of their street legal 250 four strokes, those bikes are a blast and I’m seriously considering ditching my 300 two stroke for an enduro thumper. Especially since the modern four strokes seem to manage heat much better than the old carb-ed ones.
When did that happen? I'm almost sure I've seen 250 EXC models (here in the states, that's the street legal model). Last year KTM had 3 street legal displacements 250, 350 and 500.
By the look of it you had the 19 model, the 2020 had more bottom end power, I have the 2020 red moto crf300rx but was built up and mapped by motocross legend Dave Thorpes son who builds Tommy searles bikes this year. Mine has plenty of low end power and for what I have rode with it the suspension has been great, however I'm 17 stone and like to ride aggressive, I thought 1st was way to low and changed the front plus one tooth, it really needs another gear though for when you ride on the road between trails. I have some gopro videos of my crf300rx on my channel if anyone is interested. Nice videos by the way.
I have a 2019 YZ125x smoker. Do either of your riding groups Australian or BC ride one of these? If so I would love to see a vid about them. Obviously 125 is small, but what I like to explain to people, is, if they cant wring it out fully, why are they doubting. At anyrate if you have no riders in your group with experience on one thanks anyway. However if the opportunity comes along this Alaskin would love to see your thoughts on it. Its really light and flickable!
I found it took some adjustment to come to grips with the overall riding characteristics. Learning to lug Down from high rpm was key. It does not like lugging from the get go but can be fooled into working. If it was a bumped to 300 cc via longer stroke and given a wide ration trans it would be damn nice.
I remember Chuck saying he could do a lot with remapping to get usable grunt from it. And transform that overly stiff suspension. If the guys run with Hondas again post-covid it will be interesting to see what he can do.
@@crosstrainingenduro I'm sure with a few sleep overs at uncle Chuck's cabin the bike can be made loads better. Not that it is bad but it could be so much more.
@@metlmuncher We re-valved one at the end of the season and, for me, it made a big difference. I could ride it slow without feeling it in my wrists, elbows.
Sounds like you would suit a CRF250F better. I purchased the 22' KX250X and also feel that after some good hard enduro days maybe I would have been better on a CRF250F with an EJK, pipe and filter.
My first bike was a 2016 CRF250X and I loved it! I needed more of a race bike and wanted a 2 stroke, so I got a KTM 300 XC. If Honda had a current-ish 2 stroke I would ride red all day long
yeah unfortunately Honda will never bring another 2 stoke to the market, ever. they’re the reason in the first place that 2 strokes were phased out in both motogp / 500cc and supercross / motorcross. Mr Honda never liked the 2 stroke to begin with…
I bought a new leftover ‘17 CRF250X that I found sitting in a dealership last spring (2020). It’s such a great all around bike, less race tuned than the RX. A riding buddy bought a ‘21 Yamaha WR250F and while my bike is still very comparable to his Honda is once again missing the boat on not updating their lineup. There’s room for both the R, X and RX just like they have in their 450’s.
I don't know Brian, as far I can see they dropped it a few years back? Which is a real shame as I'd love to see a wide ratio gearbox, gentler clutch and more tractable engine for woods riding.
I live in Lao a wanted a decent Enduro Bike however it almost impossible to get a new machine however I managed to secure a used CFR450X with all the legal documents I pulled the machine down and rebuild it and set up for my riding style and the type of terrain available open dirt tracks mountains the lot the machine has probably too much power however I’m really enjoying it the cable clutch is a light as feather the machine is a little heavy for me otherwise it a great machine I’ve also just secured a used 2016 KTM250 EXC-F 6 days model loos like new again with all the documentation I’ve had a quick test ride so can’t wait to get it and try it out the great thing about Lao is that you can ride anyway with no hassle so it’s paradise for Dirt Bike adventures...!!!
Is that in Laos, Colm? I've got a standing invite to ride there with Vietnam Motorbike Tours but it's a massive 14 day ride and I don't think my old spine injury would cope at the moment.
Hi yes it’s in Laos some fabulous terrain the issue in Laos is that it’s difficult to purchase a new machine if your lucky and keep an eye open eventually you’ll pick something up the Government restrict motorcycles to 250cc and there’s really no Dirtbike dealers KTM where here for while but had to close I recall trying to buy a new KTM Enduro a few years back however the price was crazy at approx15,000 USD I’ve managed to secure a used KTM 250 EXC-F well once the documents are sorted out and recently picked up a Honda CRF450X which is pretty good for what I do I’m not a professional but can get from A to B just love the sport if you ever come to Lao I’ll guarantee you’ll love it Cheers Colm
It handled great for you only cause you were riding with your 2-stroke gloves on, right? Colorful 2-smoke colored gloves will always help with the 4-stroke powerband 😉 works for me when I’m riding on my dark side Beta DS machine...
Good video. Honda guy here. Like working on Honda’s (which is rarely (Maytag repairman)). Like a low gear. Don’t need a 6th gear. Looking at new WR250. Looks good. Along with online mapping. We will see, since most riding is on track, and venturing into xc area (it’s scary out there)...
You have love good old Honda reliability. The eRag crew ran a bunch of 20 Hondas over the summer and not a single mechanical issue (ignoring things broken in crashes).
If you rode track and want to venture into enduro. I woukd highly recommend the yz250fx. It has the wr250 gearbox with more motocross power. Its also tuneable like you mentioned. Best 4 stroke all around bike currentlg
I’m 6ft, 300lbs and I ride one for single track. Has plenty of power to take me where ever I want to go. Suspension is obviously soft for my weight, but with some compression, rebound and sag settings changed, it has worked good so far. I did move the bars to the second setting forward on the triple tree for better stand up ergonomics. Definitely a bike I have to feather the clutch with at slower, technical areas. Going to get a fork and rear spring upgrade soon for my weight.
Yeah I own one, I destroyed one lol after a year and a bit of riding the shit out of it I completely blue the engine, currently waiting on a new one to be built right now, brand new outter shels and inwards.. it did definitely have a over heating problem when going slower, all-round a great bike tho I've passed some sweet canam outlanders barried in a swamp 4ft of soup mud and I just cruised right bye them on my honda crf 250rx
As I was watching this I got to thinking about the 80% rider/ 20% bike mantra and it makes sense when trying to go fast on a slower bike but what about the opposite? If you are riding a faster performance bike and don't have the skills to do so, it becomes more like 80% bike and 20% rider...or maybe I just shouldn't be thinking during your videos!
Hard to say, Dave. A beginner on a fast bike could really hurt themselves badly e.g. whiskey throttle into trees (I've seen it happen 🤔). But if they are very careful on the throttle you've usually got good suspension, light weight and great handling which might help.
@@TractioneRag Ha! I think all the time...when walking "left foot, right foot, left foot' right foot, stop, chew gum, stop chewing gum. left foot, right foot...and afterwards...breathe in, breath out, breathe in, breathe out... I've heard that it keep your mind sharp to think. LOL
I ride a Husaberg FE250 but always wanted to try the RX250 as I love Honda’s (my first bike was a CRF230F). I would really want to hop on my Berg for a couple trails and then switch to the RX to see the differences. I mainly ride trail and a bit of hard enduro but for the days I want to hit a track it would be nice to have that Honda.
I bought a new 19 back in 2020 I have no complaints so far as it fits my riding style my brother in law has the 250r and you can definitely notice the differences in suspension and mapping biggest complaint I hear is people believe the tank is really wide but when you ride it you barley notice it in my opinion even my brother in law said it doesn’t feel as big as it looks
I to have a 19r and bring a fuel can w me. I do have a recluse clutch because I hate stalling here in Colorado mountains. Decent bike but would rather a wr
My nephews both ride these bikes so I have spent time one them.. they went one tooth down on the front sprocket and after that the bikes are great! I’ve spend lots of time on them and Have no complaints about them at all (coming off a ktm 250xcw)
I enjoyed the challenge of getting it through some snotty terrain, but yeah it's happier on the flowing stuff with that type of gearbox, engine and suspension.
On vaca in Florida now...I stopped by a dealership today to kick a few tires and was all over a 2021 WR250F they had out😎 Wow what s*x machine!!!... All my buds are pushing for me to go 2T but I'm a 4T guy at heart and that WR-F just tickles my tingles .... If you ever review one I promise to watch it 😇 oh? was there a Honda in a video somewhere around here?
@@carbonbasedlifeform8100 ..I'm back home in CT now.😑 90% of the trails I ride here(New England) are tight, rocky and rooted ST with hills everywhere. I worry about riding a high strung 4T in it. Believe it or not, the GTX FSE I'm riding is all low and mid power and still it still takes whole lot of clutch finessing to to get through... Its not even in the same ball park as the 2T 300 and 250cc guys I ride with.
I have no brand loyalty but if I was honest I’d say I always had a thing for Honda. I’ve owned several and the last was stolen from me - so it’s not like I got rid of it because I wanted to. I want to like this bike and I do but as with anything some things will need addressing. My local KB5 industries could easily make a woods bike out of that suspension. Since I never have a need to do 80 mph on a dirt bike I’m sure playing with the gearing could sweeten up the low end of things. Even closed course events here need spark arrestors.. wtf Honda - now you make us buy twice the amount of silencers needed to get one since there isn’t one for the stock can.
I grew up on Hondas so still have a soft spot for them. If Traction eRag gets another fleet of Hondas post-COVID, they've got a list done up for the RX mods. Softer springs, revalved, an easy-pull clutch and tune the engines for more grunt.
Honda choose ktms way with xc series and motocross transmissions for america market. Europian bikes seams to be the only way for technical enduro these days...
I know there are lots of guys who are very happy with the YZ250X, and rightly so. But many of us hoping for an enduro model were just disappointed Yamaha didn't put the effort in for this to happen. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-h4Gtt4FZtqQ.html
@@crosstrainingenduro yz250x was almost cheat... Tryed to sell 2005 bike as a new one... Dispate lots wanna buy it anyways just because its yami yami better color
A big problem here in Australia was they didn't price it much cheaper than a full blown 300 enduro bike, so of course it flopped. If it was a few thousand dollars cheaper that would have helped.
I have a 2020 with over 100 hours. Runs like a champ and not problems whatsoever. Only complaint is that it is a little hard starting sometimes. Other than that I love it for semi technical trails
I enjoyed punting it through some slow terrain, Aidan. But I think I would want to make the clutch easier to pull and soften up the suspension for slower riding.
I have a 2021 250 rx, got the suspension resprung for my weight, and lowered it an inch. (I am Meg's size). The amount of clutch work in the slow stuff is a hand work out. Put on a Magura Conversion kit, it helped. It is a smooth bike, responds well, would like to see it thinner around the tank. Also agree that a wide ratio clutch system would be better. On the plus side if your a slower rider you can stay in first nearly all day. After 20 run hours on mine, picked up a G2 throttle tamer and moving the rear sproket up to a 50T. Over all it is a great cross country or some simpler trail riding. Pretty fun at the track too!
Great to hear you are enjoying it, Carrie. It would be great to see wider gear ratios, more compliant suspension and a softer clutch on future models... it would be good competition for the YZ250FX then.
Hola From Mexico. I loved the "numeros" in Spanish, I have been looking for the perfect light trail bike and i think this is it, great review without complications. This will be my new bike.
I own an 05 crf250x and my only complaint would be the suspension. As you said, it is too firm for enduro riding. On the other hand, from 2005 - 2012 they had wide range gearboxes and 1st gear is low enough. It would be better lower, but with some adjusting to your clutch technique it works just fine.
I like, and completely understand that MX > XC > ENDURO > DS > SNORE scale. Where would you put the Beta 200rr and 300rr? That would help me greatly in reading this.
They are both Fully fledged Enduro Bikes. Beta currently do not provide a dedicated cross country model. They make Enduro/Trial and Alp bikes. But the Betas suspension set up is a little more suited to faster riding than other fully fledged enduro machines like the Sherco and KTM. The Beta is very well suited for Tough technical riding but will more than hold its own on quick Trails
@@crosstrainingenduro Excellent, just what I thought. Now I've "calibrated" your scale in my mind. FYI, I resprung the 300rr to my weight and use it in the more open places that I can take advantage of its extra "giggle power" and am shipping the 200rr suspension to BETA USA to have them completely gut/revalve plush/softer for tighter, more technical (big root/rock) areas where my tiny balls slow me down. Roxie and Theresa take Megs' class next weekend. Sure wish I could have gotten in with the pink Tutu, but again I draw the line at lipstick 🤣
I owe a 2020MY RX 300cc by Athena Redmoto and completely agree with you. Honda is awesome for MX and XC but not for Enduro 😩 Even with the 300cc cylinder is far better but lacks of momentum for the technical sections. I’m not a fast rider but very technical and experienced one and on the stones I’m three steps backward than with my last 2019 250 tpi 🤷♂️ This Honda claims a heavier flywheel or the Hinson steel momentum basket, both things impossible to get in Europe.
I wonder how it compares to the Beta 200rr? Sounds like they are close to the same weight. What about against the legendary 1983 XR200? I think I'm going to stick with my Beta
Also think the klx300 is in this vein. Do you all agree? Would love to see a review on it. I think there is a huge market for these for people who just want to enjoy a trail ride. Certainly room in my garage beside my TX, YZ, Kdx and XR100. Need a bike for sons teenage friends who aren’t experienced riders. I’m sure I’d ride it plenty as well.
@@crosstrainingenduro Damn, I must be in an alternative universe. The stopped selling them our side many years ago, at least the 2 stroke WR's and those things were bulletproof. Always envied them. They were the KDX's of Yamaha and seems to be top tier.
Guaranteed extra five horsepower right there! I stopped listening to those crazy Canadians who said matching riding gear does nothing for your performance.
I've never owned a modern 4 stroke, but on paper it seems the yz250fx is the best of both worlds. It's not detuned like the WR, reviews say it has great low end grunt, and it has the WR transmission.
I rode the FX for a week in Tasmania and loved it. Amazing suspension, wide ratio gearbox, peppy engine. It definitely suited me more than the CRF250RX which seemed to much more of a dedicated race bike with that firm suspension and narrow ratio gearbox.
I work at a Honda dealership and I really upset everyone when I refused to buy any of the Honda bikes. Was even given a 250RX to try for a weekend. Still bought a pre TPI KTM 250 when getting my hands on a Sherco 250 proved to be futile.
How was the maintenance on it? Do they still use separate chambers for engine and transmission oil? I recall they had valve issues when they first came out. Has that been rectified? I enjoyed the review, thanks for posting!
I think they are separate... this was over the Canadian summer so our support crew did all the oil changes. Valve issues were fixed quite a few years back. 👍
I bought a 2012 crf 250x about five yrs ago at the tender age of sixty. To fast for technical terrain, drop to 13 drive still faster at idle than Ktm so went to 12 tooth sprocket. Bought few products from trail tech before Polaris bought they and ruined another company. Radiator fan, heavier fly wheel so it could tractor up hills,and vapor for keeping track of hours miles for maintenance skid plate TMD excellent protection. And lowered with Kouba link now can touch without tipping over lol handle bar risers for anyone who has had back surgery Hoping to ride again recovering from rotator cuff surgery this summer fortunately here in Montana have to wait for warmer weather As we get older it’s alright to tell the youngsters 18-55yrs I ’m not going to try that ,it’s better to be able to ride tomorrow. Oh the front shocks bounce me off every rock so backed them almost all the way off still bit hard for slow old fart. Keep riding👍
Good to hear you are still at it, Wayne, I'm just a couple of years behind you and I"m also learning to say no to certain obstacles and tricky bits. Hope you have a 100% recovery...
Just picked my self a Honda cre 250 up, just wanted to know if you had ever rode one or even came across one as they were only produced in Italy 🇮🇹 and had it imported to England
Why haven't I bought a new honda bike you ask? THERE ARE TOO MANY FUCKING OPTIONS!!! The R, the X, the RX, the F. On top of that, each have multiple map choices and each year have different tweaks and corrections to flaws. Man, WTF...
The question at the front of my mind is who will lend you a Yamaha Teneré 700 for a proper evaluation. Someone in Oz please step up (I'm assuming that's where you are, of course)
If offered I would probably ride one but I'm not really keen on the heavy adventure bike e.g. once they are over 170kg or so. And I've ridden so few of them I probably couldn't do much of a review.
It's a close ratio gearbox though. Gear it down for slow trails and in top gear it will be revving its head off. Gear it up for open trails and you've got a crazy high first gear.
I doubt Honda will answer, they haven't in the past so we usually don't bother trying more than once. I only got to test this one as I rode it for several weeks in Canada.
@@crosstrainingenduro that’s a bummer I had the new R model before I went back to the 450 this fall and the new chassis is amazing and I heard they fixed the bottom end grunt on the RX and X as well.
I some serious issues with mine 3 days after I rolled it off show room floor missed half a season of racing the plug I got for it wasn’t hot enough for the bike so before I got half way threw a ride it would foul on me .. I put a -8 plug in it quit doing it just finding the plug was a real pain in the butt
A friend of mine has one that one that keeps putting out a map/ poor performance code and stalls at low revs even after Tokyo mods Ecu reflash. Any ideas? He can’t find any other complaints of this
@@TractioneRag yes very happy with the fmf vortex combo. 5 settings with traction control. I use the enduro grip unless it’s drag race then I click it over to full power. I need the handle bar switch for wank factor. Lol
I have one of these bikes, stock map, + 2 teeth in the rear. Like these guys said, it needs to be ridden aggressively in hard terrain , covering the clutch. It is not a trail bike.
Is the YZ250FX available? And at a similar price? You get the wide ration gearbox then, and also that incredible KYB SSS suspension. I reviewed one four years back. It's probably a bit less competition oriented so less adaptation needed. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Rkl25cls7g4.html
138 hours on my '22 now and love it. It is a track bike with a bigger tank and an 18" rear wheel amongst other small changes. For years I rode single track on CRF's fitted with a bigger tank and an 18" hoop I laced to the stock hub and absolutely loved that set up for fast paced woods riding so the RX was a no-brainer Honda Please listen , CRF300 RX with the exact transmission ratios as the 250 but I beg of thee to add a 6th gear for the transition sections. KTM would be pissed.
@@crosstrainingenduro yes, I mean RX in this review. Do you have some experience with kawaski klx 250? I'm consider buying SWM 300RS . Klx is little bit to weak for me. But I don't need a motocross :)
Would like to suggest reconsidering the three-channel audio mix (engine braap + speak + music)? I would love it even more with just the braap and the voiceover.
Thanks Claus, it's been suggested over the years by a small minority but I've regularly checked in with my supporters who say they really like the current setup. It seems to work fine on the majority of home sound systems, but I suspect people trying to watch the vids on their phones or small devices might struggle at times with tinny little speakers?
Don't forget that the aluminum frames are very stiff, so even with suspension work it'll still feel like riding a razor compared to the euro steel frames. It's the most noticable thing when just riding on the pegs.
I don't feel this way. I like the predictable rigid feel of the bikes structure(with proper suspension setup) compared to the flex and feel of steel. not a deal breaker for me anyway.
@@TroNPopz209 of course it's preference, the point is the bike will always have a stiffer feel over the euro frames, and some may not like it no matter what suspension mods you do because it is torsional and lateral stiffness.
I have the 250rx and test rode a rental wr250f. Completely different bikes, wr250f has very plush suspension and the power comes on more like a moded drz400s. Love the snappy power of the rx and the suspension for desert riding. Thanks for the great content as always!
One more thing I've been looking at these bikes for 3 months to buy one but your video is convince me not to buy I like slow technical riding and the gearing brings back bad memories of owning motocross bikes and trying to do this sort of riding before thank you you're the only RU-vidr that's has addressed this problem
I did have a quick look at it looks like the usual approach of just making the usual mods to turn it from a mx bike to a cross country racer, Chris. I still think the Japanese are making good reliable bikes but they have largely left real innovation to the European brands the past 20 years.
With all the bikes being so close, why would I buy something where the manufacturer makes me buy two spark arrestors and increase the likelihood of damage since I can smash both sides now. So stupid. Honda if you think your engineers are smarter then everyone else, why did they come up with this turd? Enough already!!
