How Reliable is the CRF250L? Review at 53,000 Km | Plus thoughts on mods 

The CRFL is one of the best values out there. With a true dual sport mind set this bike checks all the boxes. The term dual sport has been distorted (as much of the English language today). The "original" dual sports were exactly what the CRFL is, a road bike motor in mellow tune in a frame and wheel set that can ride well on pavement and dirt trails. Some how, today, we need a bike that can commute and win an MX race or it's junk.

Your relaxed style of presentation is great.

my 2014 crf250l just past over 250,000km last month. blew front fork seals 6 times (both fronts 3 times). rear caliper seized rear rotor was shot some bad corrosion on the rear rim/spokes and thats it. pretty good if you ask me for a quarter million km's.......

Canadians and Aussies do the best reviews

Great, love your review, especially the Angels gag. Thanks.

GREAT GREAT review. Simple, Honest, to the point. Thank you.

Great review, enjoyed it very much, so for I have totally enjoyed my 2014 CFR250L, I've done a few things as well, FMF muffler, Bars and protectors, small rack on the back, skid plate and I still have a few more mods to do before I'm done, and I'm gonna look into the TCT as you stated.

I bought a brand new 2018 CRF250L and I'm in love with my bike. I've put some extra on it and now she got style. Made a couple of vids on my channel. Good video thanks for sharing your thoughts✌🏽

Thank you for the coolant information. Loved the video.

You sound just like Ray from " Love your RV". Thanks for sharing and Happy Trails

I like your vids man, keep them coming.

Im glad i found your video great stuff, just about to get a 2020 black 250L. Not my first Honda but the 4th all of them where trouble free. 2003 CRF450 great - 2007 CRF450X great - 2012 VFR800 great - had enough of the speed now i want a nice smooth chilling ride and i think this will be perfect. Good luck with it I will be checking back on your future videos.

Thanks for the miles..I have the same bike only 13,000 ish miles. It's nice to know the reliability is there as I do a lot of middle of nowhere desert riding. Thanks!!!!

Thank's Scoot...another CRF250L lover here.

Hi from the BC coast, and a sincere thanks for your videos from a fellow mature rider. I hope I get that much trouble free mileage out of my XT250. It's been a dream so far (7000km in 2 years), and I'll be putting on the Shinko 700's that I bought on your advice (you have the only useful review video for the 700's BTW). I need to get them on before the rain hits this fall, down here on the BC coast, and my mostly worn DeathWings actually earn their nickname. It's going to be nice having tires that don't suck, vibrate and make me terrified to go around corners on wet roads, so thank you again for the detailed description of your experience. I won't go another winter on crappy tires. After watching your videos, I think the comparison to make between the XT250 and the CRF250L is something like this: the XT is older technology in every way, not as good performance wise in almost every way, but all together that makes it a slightly better trail bike, while making it a fairly less capable highway bike. It also simplifies the maintenance, being air cooled, but who knows if the engine will last as well as your bike has. I will also say the XT is about right as a stock bike, for people like us who aren't trying to race, jump or do vertical trials riding. There's not much that can be done to juice it up, without spending a ton on a big bore kit, and it's still not really going to get you where you wanted to be (a new XT350 does not exist, and that WR250 is way too tall). I personally appreciate starting off 30 pounds lighter, and an inch shorter to the seat than the CRF250L. Losing the better highway performance is not a big penalty for me, because I'm stuck behind ferries in every direction, so longer road trips are the very infrequent exception to me, whereas your area is endless roads in every direction. I just stick to the secondary roads when I'm out of town, unless I have no choice but to blast the freeways and wind it out full throttle to keep up 120. The scenery sucks on freeways anyways, I'm happier going slow exploring any stupid little shitty trail, including lots of single track crap and bush bashing that the XT is ideal for. That's also a serious reason I wanted an air cooled bike, because a stick through a radiator or hose means you walk home, and coastal clear cuts have sticks that will kick up and almost break your leg, that I've put through truck rads more than once. So, a question: how is the exposed chrome on the front fork lowers holding up? My last bike was a 1982 Yamaha SR250 (80's street style, did great for dual sport), cobbled together from 2 of them. Rust pits on the chrome were an issue that took out the forks on my first SR250, and before that also on my very first bike, an 1982 SR185. On my combined SR250 I added rubber accordion protectors, which should have been stock, in hopes not to lose a third bike to the problem. Part of my preference for the XT250 was the old-style upright forks with the rubber accordions stock, like a dirt bike should be. It seems like a serious concern, for four season riders like us, who intend to keep a bike for years. Maybe they've eliminated this issue on modern inverted forks, by making the chrome way thicker, so that regular fights with gravel just don't take any damage that actually gets through the chrome, preventing rust from ever starting. It may be that those 1980's bikes just had chrome that was too thin for the task. It's a question you may have an answer to, that would be nice to finally know. Thanks again for all the great videos, and happy riding :)

So I own a WR and have done a lot of touring on it. At 6'2 its still too tall. I have it lowered to about 35in. To me the WR is a more "dirt" oriented bike than the CRF, as the WR is built on the YZ chasis and stock the WR is better offroad, but not enough to swing the vote. However the WR sets nicely on the highway as well. I've also ridden the CRF250L a good bit and I believe they are both wonderful bikes. A person should be happy with either. Great video, cheers

Very good review. Thanks for sharing.

Immediately liked and subbed when you mentioned about protecting animals from toxic coolant.

Nice. I was hoping you would do an update on the bike. Glad to hear you are still enjoying the crf.

I have 70 miles on my 2018 Love the bike!! Great review!

Great vid, I have a crf250L 2014 and just a fantastic bike! real good review keep it up

Great video! I love yoshi exhausts, just put an r77 on my ktm 690 enduro r an now it sounds like a proper bike

Buying one of these tomorrow. I'm really excited about it.

The wr has the same issue with the cam chain tensioner from what I’ve read. Seems like a cool bike! I was looking at a ktm exc but I think this would be better. I don’t ride crazy. I mainly chill. Ride safe bro

Great video Thanks and carry on with your beautiful bike.

Awesome bikes, i would ride my 2017 cross country. At 240lbs i still have a 8 second 0 to 60 ( few mods, exhaust and air mod ). Holds up at high rpm's like a champ.

Thanks for the review, my dad wants a scooter, I'm trying to get him on a motorcycle like this one. 1 he would be more visible 2 though we both haven't ridden for over 20yrs we do have dirt bike experience in our past and I plus ten years street riding experience and 3 more per to get out of situations (or my concern to get into). Sending the link to him for your video

What a nice channel .... I am going to enjoy your vids ..... :) ROFL!

EPIC! awesome video.....

I love your extra capacity tank.. cool how you can see the gas level.

thank you !

My 2013 with 30 k miles . I let it sit for 3 years under a tarp . Last week I put a new battery in it . Dumped out the 3 year old gas put fresh in . It cranked on the first try and runs like new ! I was amazed . Now I’m putting new chain tubes tires and changing all the fluids renewing my tag and I’ll be back in business . I have been thru 2 cam chain tensioners other than that just normal ware

I've had mine since Oct of 2012, 30,000 km now. Rock solid reliable with the exception of consistently leaking fork seals over the last couple years. Looks like I'll have to bring them in to get re-sealed this winter. Other than that, reliable and most importantly a fun bike to ride (in most situations).

Your bike looks so good 👍🏾

I have 23000km on it and I hope it will hold for ever. Its sooooo much fun :) I also have a Honda NC750X but the crf is just pure fun

I bought a 2018 new recently. Just about at the break in 600 miles. Looking forward to riding this till i die.

I agree with everything u say I got mine and I don’t regret 👍🏻

Awesome! ✌🖖👍👍

You have not been broken because you drive with knowledge and common sense Also you are taking great care with your motorcycle. I think that perhaps the CRF 250 Rally model would be better for me because it is a little higher, it has a fairing, a fuel tank with 10.1 liters, etc. I am in doubt.

wow looking in to getting a cr250l and my surprise when you're driving 1 street over from me! I live on Richter!

After I have seen a quiet few videos on CRF250L, I think that's going to be my next bike. I have a 2006 Shadow 750 Aero, nice! But I'm not getting that feeling, adventure kind of thing. I decided, my next bike, CRF250L. Thank you guys, for the honest views on this one. At the beginning of my motorcycle quest, the dual sport was my goal. I don't know how I changed my mind. Hey, but that's ok. Let's get back on riding!

nice honest video

So many great reviews on different bikes it's difficult to decide. Today I've decided on a CRF250L. Yesterday it was the DRZ400. Tomorrow it will be something else no doubt. All the Japanese dual sport bikes are pretty good I think. Can't really go wrong with any of them. I think I'll just base my decision on the best deal I can find.

Good, honest review. BR from Poland.

great video sir, I hit the like button and subscribed and what year model is the bike? I just bought a new one 2020 model- always loved riding I'm in western Sydney Australia

I’m looking at the 250 L rally I like the adventure set up

Bike looks great. I have a 2016 CRF 250l. I'm moving to the Okanagan in 2023 it would be great to be shown around.

Great bike, I'm loving it as a first bike. My only complaint is the skid plate clearance is not that high and I've scraped across rocks a few times with it following my brother on his DRZ400S who cleared them no problem. Other than that though, no complaints at all.

Just found your channel, really enjoyed your experiences shared on the 250L. Noticed the bash plate on your bike, looks like the Moose plastic plate. Really would like to know what you think of the Moose vs one of the aluminum versions, would you go that route again? Am also very interested to know more about manual chain tensioner. Again, great video.

I'm hoping to purchase a second-hand one this week. Not sure I'm going to do much to it. I'd be happy to just ride it pretty-much stock. Hopefully I can secure the purchase. Can't wait. It's been a while since I last owned a motorbike (about ten years). :P

Good review sir. If I may ask whats the top speed on this. can it keep up on the freeway. Im looking at one of these as a cheep commuter bike. mostly on road back and forth to work in the spring & summer months. maybe a little of road now an then on weekends.

nice review! did any one told you that you sound like clint eastwood ?!

Nice review and bike. but that yoshi would drive me insane

Great vid I most definitely will get a new pipe

Just picked up a 2018 CRF250L last week. I have a massive 26 miles on it. What seat do you have on yours. I just subscribed to your channel. I will try to look around this evening to see if you have a video on it.

I just bought a 2018 CRF250L I have a 144 miles on it, so I have a way to go to catch you.

anyone?? engine heat problem?? I got crf250 rally 2017. if your town in almost 104℉ , it turn it off during middle of the road. not just onetime happen~ my dear said just let change several part. there's no information , so I planing auxility radiator on my bike .

I think your review along with some other eviews on this bike, I will go with the honda.

I HAVE 36,000 MILES ON MY CRF250L ...RIDE IT EVERYDAY AND IS RUNNING FINE!! OIL CHANGE EVERY 2000 (ROTILLA T6) THIRD SET OF TIRES, ADJUST THE VALVES, NEW SPARK PLUG, CLEAN AIR FILTER, AND 65 MILES TO THE GALLON!! ITS A HONDA!!

Hello mate. Thanks for this review. Really good one. I'm thinking of buying this bike for long trips. Would you say, that apart from the cam chain tensioner, there are no other issues? So, do you think it is better to replace the cam chain tensioner right after the purchase of the bike for peace of mind? Also, what is the size of this tank and what is the name of the producer? Thanks, Bartek

Are you related to Blast's from the saddle?😄 You sound exactly the same, the only reason I knew it was not him is cos his CRF has not got the white plastics and he has fmf pipe. Nice vid and bike, are you happy with that stock rear light and those huge flashers?😎👍🏻

How much petroil you need...how big is the tank...i didnt understand, what oil and cooling you use...thanks a lot for your nice video... I love this bike...but i would love it more, if it would have 40PS...

Good video thanks! Do you go straight coolant or do you mix it with water?

I like the step down seat who makes it what model is it? Also on that bike does the speedo and light move with the hamdbars?

Hi Scoot, What were your oil change intervals and brand of engine oil you used on your CRRF250L? Also did you ever check and have to adjust your valves?

Not surprised that red is reliable. Can you say 450 soon, I can. However, I disagree on the wrr comparison both are close but the weight advantage of the wrr once flowing air with same mods you mention makes the wrr the boss. Again I am talking a small differences. So who cares. The low maintenance sub 360 lbs fi dual sport gives only the two choices red or blue. Pick your color and cost near you and enjoy both are great bikes. No color loyalty here.

How did you get this color scheme? Looks great

I like the full gas tank. The weight should`nt effect the ride,,much. One thing i wish came on these bikes is a rpm tach. I know the 2017 up have tachs and 3rd partys make add ons. The 250l make 23 horse power. I get around 70 miles to a gallon. And use 10-50 oil. Keeps the engine noise down and doesnt get beat up as fast. The best thing one might buy is a honda factory service manual.

What tires do you like for commuting? Also what rear tire size are you currently running?

Great review! I have only one question how does the bike pull on a long incline with you and your gear? I ask because I'm 109kg and would like a light bike for riding to and from trails hear in Arizona USA but due to injuries I'm unable to lift a bike any heavier then the crf250l not if i fall but when lol... do you think it could Cruze about 65mph with my 109kg? Thanks

Great video man. I know its a bit late but how is it on the highway. Does it have enough power to pass?

Nice update, dont think ive seen any negatives from people that have used it for its purpose, which isnt really about racing full speed through off road terrain, even after lots of miles\km like you

Was that a Poodle that walked across the street at the stoplight??

I had a 2013. clocked 60000 km, with no issues whatsoever. Changed the oil every 5000, which in my opinion is a crutial matter for holding a bike for so many km's. Now I have 2017 ABS, which is a different bike alltogether, has 30000 km's' and again, no issues whatsoever. Long distance traveling of 500+ km's are not rare with this bike. I my opinion' one of the best all around motorcycles Honda ever made.

Just subscribed to your channel, really appreciate your riding attitude. I'm just retired (61), want to get back into two wheels after almost 20 yrs away, and it seems our approach is similar, ie. fire roads, back roads, not real aggressive but adventurous, maybe some overlanding or Lk Sup circle tour?.... I'm just south of you, btw, in NE Minn. and you have really spectacular views where you are! All that said, I'm on the fence with a '17 250L with about 2600 miles, adult mostly street ridden, or spending the extra $$ to a '23 300L and putting off so many of the great upgrades. I see you just transitioned to the 300L, so my question is: do you find enough improvement and differences on the 300L that, given the choice, is the 300L worth the reach and keeping it stock for a longer time? I appreciate the subjective nature of the question, but I'm really open to thoughts and opinions. And I welcome any and everyone's comments, too! Again, really enjoying your videos, discoveries, adventures, etc. Keep up the great work!

Good review, I’m ready to buy one, I’m 58 and want a small enduro that I can ride 15 miles to see friends and ride 300 miles to big bear or lake havasu, one recommendation I have is that u try using KLOTZ MX FULL SYNTHETIC OIL- IT COMES IN DIFFERENT VISCOUSITIES AND IS SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR ENDURO MOTORS. The MX 10-40 KLOTX MX ESTORLIN 4STROKE OIL WILL LOWER UR CRANKCASE TEMPERATURE AND U WILL NOTICE A QUIETER MOTOR, I use it in my X-R 650 and have a oil temp gauge on the fill cap/ dipstick, With the MOTOL 7100 FULL SYNTHETIC MY CRANKCASE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 240 DEGREES, WITH THE KLOTZ MX 10/40 ESTORLIN OIL (FULL SYNTHETIC) MY CRANKCASE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO 215 DEGREES!! Lower temperatures equals less wear!! Check it out at KLOTZ LUBE .COM, THEY ARE THE FIRST MANUFACTURER OF SYNTHETIC OIL - RIGHT BEFORE AMSOIL, I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED KLOTZ OILS , U WILL NOTICE A QUIETER MOTOR AND LOWER CRANKCASE TEMPERATURE AND MORE POWER, I know, ur thinking -right, more power from a oil?? But u will, not much but ur compression is more stable with Klotz oils, I’m not a rep or trying to shill for Klotz, I have ran it in all my bikes since my first RD-400 in 1977, I didn’t have to replace the top end on my RD for over 30k miles! It is the best oil , And has the racy Klotz smell-

I'am buying this bike in may, and i wonder if you could put a list of all mods you did to yours. And got a question how did you ride the bike after you bought it?

Moving to Kelowna next month and thinking of buying a 250L. Where I’m from there is riding but I assume it’s totally diffrent to Canada (Australia). Do you recommend any good local trails?

I need this seat!!! Could you please tell me where I could get one? I'm in the UK not sure if it's possible. Also I'm assuming your fuel gauge doesn't work with the acerbis tank fitted???

do you ride off road much? Looks so clean! I'm on a Africa Twin but would love to have one of these for some of the tougher off road stuff I enjoy, the AT is just way to heavy

Nice 👍

Very interesting. Thanks for the good work and sharing it. My KLX250 has 55000 km now and the only problem ever was the chain tensioner. Just like you had with the CRF. Now I've bought me a brandnew CRF250 Rally. My first ride was to Iceland this summer. Everything is fine except the steering head bearings. At km 5000 it started to get a serious notch and was hardly ridable any more. But I made it back to Germany. Now it is sitting at the Honda dealer and waiting for repair. No big thing I hope, but Iceland was hard on the bike. I wish you all the best. Svenja www.svendura.de

Wow...Kelowna is growing...I was hoping you were going to do the Knox Hill corners. :)

I have a 2017 bought it new could not beat the price of 5k out the door. I plan to ride a good bit this year. I changed the rear sprocket to sunstar 42t. Any recommendations on a good tail bag that won't break the bank?? I do have a rear rack. Ty

Very tidy. What seat brand are you using with the enlarged fuel tank. TX (2019 crf 250L)

Thanks for the great insight! Some questions I have. Which Acerbis fuel tank is that? What's your range this way? How tall are you? Can you comflrtably stand on the pegs? I'm 197 cm tall so it's an important thing to me.

So is it safe to say that you will notice when something is going wrong as in sounds or feels different when riding? Have about 2k miles on my 2016

Nice bike what kind of seat did you put on

Any plans to ever big bore the bike? Or u happy with where it's at now with the power mods?

What year is your CRF250L? How much HP do you think you are making, and also what is your average MPG? I have a 2017 CRF250L ABS with 7,700KM on it so I am just curious. Thanks!

I love how your bike looks, especially the color. I'm 5'2 do you think I could ride this?

What is that red plastic tube going into the gas tank ? And for what purpose ? Thanks.

Thanks for your insight. Are the black fins attached the Acerbis tank part of the original bike, part of the new tank, or a separate mod?

If Honda would sell an OEM version of this bike with the modifications you made, they’d have one hell of a dual sport.

Crf 250l is best i have one is park in philipines runs good only problems is front forks leaks im going to instal Race Tech fork spring and once replace starter relay coling fan gott so hot burn .I drove to river under water and i still a live no problem best bike

Hello mate. Please tell me what kind of oil do you use? 10w50 or 10w 60? Thanks.

I just bought a crf250L a few days ago, flash flood on the day I got it delivered, and a sudden leg problem is keeping me from putting even a single mile on it

What gear ratio have you gone with and been most satisfied with. I have a 13 tooth in the front, but I find second gear very tall in tight single track. Have you gone up on the back?

Try cutting the tensioner's coil spring by half an inch. Made 10,000 km after doing it, tensioner is still good.

Great looking bike, what year?