Honda CRF 250 L motorcycle test

Menus

• A little trail that sparkles
• The great Escape
• Presentation
• In the saddle !
• City
• Departmental
• National
• Paths
• Braking
• Duo
• Convenient
• Conclusion

A little trail that sparkles

The great Escape

You don’t like small cars? So be sure to read this article! Because after discovering this new Honda, you will now say that you don’t likeidon’t be in small cars. A little “i” that makes all the difference and shows that the potential of this bike is much greater than what we imagine.

Presentation

€ 4,090. What can we have today as a motorbike at this price? Not much of interest. An anemic 125 4-stroke, no doubt, a scooter, well in short, nothing exciting … a little trail that sparkles ! Finally, this is an introductory price, because on October 1, the price climbs to € 4,290. I can already see you mockingly ecstatic about the finish of this small engine made in Thailand, built in sheet metal and plastic, with the lowest-end accessories … Think again! When we see the CRF 250 L for the first time, we wonder how Honda manages to achieve such a feat! The rims for example: superb aluminum DIDs! The fork ? An inverted Showa 43mm in diameter, offering 250mm of travel. Admittedly, it is not adjustable, like the rear shock absorber, but, all the same, it already has a hell of a face. The rear suspension, it also does not save rods, because indeed, at this price, one could expect to find a shock absorber, shabby, mounted directly on the swingarm! Well no, here are the rods and a Showa that do the job! The swinging arm meanwhile, while aluminum foundry displays a superb mine !

We will see later, if the ramage of the suspensions is worth their plumage, but on paper, “there is no flight”. Of course, the frame is made of steel, some will grumble. Indeed, but it is very nicely drawn, and once again rather well finished. In addition, let us remind the skeptics that if steel is heavier than aluminum, it is also much stronger, so in the end we use less. As elsewhere, it is more resistant to fatigue and aging, it is used even less than aluminum. Moral, in the end it’s not a bad choice. For the record, yours truly and author of these lines, designed competition motorcycles equipped with steel frames weighing … 4 kg! Not sure that we do much better in aluminum.

But let’s continue our tour of the owner while still noticing some small signs of economy, like levers that do not adjust in gauge, or braided rubber brake hoses. But really looking at this 250, nothing looks cheap or "made in China", far from it. While the Thais are undoubtedly not as well paid as Europeans or Japanese, eternal problem of relocations, but in fact what allows Honda to contain this price, it is that this model is "worldwide" and that of share its capacity, and its price, it will be sold in a number of emerging countries and on all continents. It is therefore above all the volume, rather than the “non-quality” and the relocations that make the floor price of this 250. In short, seeing it, we do not want to run away at all, but rather to get on it and go with it. Go hop !

In the saddle !

875 mm high is a lot, but with such a narrowness, my 68 meter is more than enough to put both tips of my feet on the ground. Especially with only 144 kg (all full facts) balancing or maneuvering is really not a problem. Either way, it’s not just the bike that’s narrow, the saddle too. There is therefore a risk of having sore buttocks on the long stages. We are also worried about its firmness when sitting down, but in fact, in use, it’s just what it takes and after half a day of driving in several stages, we do not suffer. It must be said that the comfort of the long-travel suspensions also has a lot to do with it..

Under the eyes, the small dashboard, very readable, indicates the speed, but not the mode (tight price obliges). It still has a gauge, a clock and two trips. As well as visionaries, that is to say the essential.

The controls are very smooth. On the other hand, the left commodo annoys a little with its huge horn just above the turn signals. In fact, we often honk our horns instead of blinking. In the absence of Kick, the engine snorts at the first push on the starter. The PGM FI injection takes care of managing the choke and idling. RAS. The sound of the small mono is nice, a little more serious than a 125, not "moped". We have the impression of a rather full engine, which is a good sign for the future…

City

Even though we tried the CRF in the countryside south of Nantes, we still crossed a few towns as well as the Passage du Gois, which was quite overcrowded at the end of August, to leave the island of Noirmoutier. During these developments at low speeds, we appreciate the flexibility of the engine, which does not bang like a gromono. We also appreciate its pep from low revs, which confirms the feeling of a full engine that the exhaust sound gave us (stainless steel!), A little serious for the displacement. The controls are very smooth and the steering angle of 45 ° on each side allows you to squeeze in with ease (turning radius of 2.3 m).

Sitting a little high we dominate his subject, we can see in his mirrors. As for the featherweight, it facilitates maneuvering when you park and crutch. With a front wheel of 21, 25 cm of ground clearance and as many deflections, climbs of sidewalks, even the highest, are a breeze. Despite its rustic air, the CRF 250 L should prove to be an excellent city car !

Departmental

Two surprises await us here. A good one and a less good one. Let’s start with the worst. From the first meters at a little higher speed, one has the impression that the direction is frozen. Too tight? No explains Bruno Scotnicky of Honda France, who is a fine technician: “it’s the inertia of the 21 wheel. In addition, this bike is fitted with IRC tires with hard carcasses to avoid punctures on the roads. In fact the tires are a bit heavy and it shows ”. you can feel it…. at the beginning, because once you assimilate this little reluctance, you forget it completely. In addition, those who will do little or no off-road, can replace worn tires with more accommodating trail tires. This detail will then be permanently forgotten. I must also humbly admit that I had not driven a 21-inch wheel and real nipple tires for a very long time. Today, the standard on the trails is 19 or even 17 inch wheel and very road profile. this explains that.

The good surprise, now, is the engine! Incredible his length and his fishing. 23 horses ??? Looks like he has a lot more! Stitched to the CBR 250 and reworked, this little double ACT 4 valves (controlled by pawls, like gp engines!) Is a little marvel. It climbs up to 10,000 rpm and gives you times worthy of a larger displacement, well helped by the featherweight of the beast! Question comfort, the bumps are swallowed without jumping.

We have fun like crazy, the nose in the windshield, cutting and intersecting the trajectories of colleagues, in a collective delirium. Really not sad this small engine !!!

National

23 horsepower, it’s a bit soft on the knees to fit into traffic do you think? Well no, not at all !!! You have enough to double without problem. Sitting, the counter even borders on 140 km / h and lying down we reach 150, with motorcycles which still totaled only 250 km. No really it’s incredible the fishing of this little mono, and also his joy in climbing the towers. No problem if you use it for intercity connections, and on the motorway. You won’t be at the mercy of cars, let alone trucks.

Paths

We will pass the highway, although as we have seen, the CRF 250 L can do. She will be much more comfortable on the roads! Here we appreciate its lightness, the travel of its suspensions and the range of use of its engine. We can even do a lot more than just a long way. It turns out to be an excellent initiation machine, as we were able to judge at the “Merel oof road” test center, in the company of some of Michel Merel’s students. Here the little Honda reveals another face, always so nice.

She forgives a lot and makes the novice’s task easier. A bad trajectory? A good blow of gas and the rear swings around the front wheel to put you back in line, facing the obstacle. Here we appreciate the quality of the suspensions. The presence of rods at the rear which, guaranteeing a large shock absorber stroke, allow good control of traction and preserve comfort. Easy, predictable, pleasant, well suspended, not tense, therefore not tiring. The CRF L spins the banana. We just regret not having planned a real TT equipment to do more, because frankly there is potential, even for a perfect vegetable like me..

Braking

At this price … well no, there again! You have a pair of wave 256 front and 240 rear discs, like the real CRF 250 and 450, with a dual piston front caliper and a rear single piston. Braking is perfectly in line with performance. The set is worthy of what we are used to seeing at Honda. The only complaint is the absence of ABS, even as an option. A good front ABS like on some Peugeot scooters should be considered. It is an economical and effective option in terms of security.

Duo

Cleverly attached directly to the rear loop of the removable frame, the footrests save on a turntable … and that’s a shame. Indeed, the passenger’s feet hamper the pilot. In fact, he gets pushed around a bit and feels too much. The saddle is just as narrow as the front. Under these conditions, the duo is to be considered as an occasional breakdown service, but no worse than on a sports car all the same..

Convenient

A small housing, toolbox and four hooks for a cargo net … that’s meager in terms of practicality. Not enough to turn this CRF into a scooter. In everyday use, you will need a waterproof backpack to carry your belongings. However, a “practical” motorbike is also a motorbike that we use a lot, inexpensively and that lasts a long time! Here the FIU should be strong.

First, its floor price includes 2 years of guarantees and unlimited 24/24 km assistance, which can be extended to three years for one euro more. You are not going to deprive yourself of it! Its three-bearing engine, with a crankshaft offset by 4 mm to reduce noise and wear, requires only one service every 12,000 km (or one year). The clearance of the 4 valves is checked every 24,000 km and the single iridium spark plug lasts 48,000 km. What to push you a little further.

The 23 hp should not come too quickly to end the tires or the O-ring chain kit. In insurance, you will not go broke, nor in the purchase, nor in fuel. Honda announces 3.1 L / 100 on the homologation cycle. Count probably around 4 L in current use and 4.7 L at the maximum of the possibilities of the beast. The tank however only contains 7.7 L reserve included. By being a little careful, you should not end up on the straw, except to go to rest in the fields as this friendly CRF will know how to take you there so well..

Conclusion

A very pleasant surprise that this new Honda. Here is a 250 which reconciles us with the small displacements of yesteryear (250/350) so widespread in the years 70/80 and today replaced by more expensive 600. Worthy heir to the line of XL 250S started in 1972 and extended by the XL 250 R then XR 250 R, it adds significantly higher performance which makes it credible, even for a little distant getaway. Frankly, student, I would have dreamed of such an economical and fun machine. A success that shows that you can still ride a motorcycle on a low budget, having really fun and having every chance of keeping your license..

Strong points

• Purchase and maintenance cost
• Finishing / equipment
• Performances
• Ease / lightness
• versatility

Weak points

• Autonomy a little tight.
• Occasional duet only
• Non-adjustable levers
• The increase of 200 € on the first of October.

Competitors: Kawasaki KLX 250

Honda technical sheet

Price € 4,090 until October 1, then € 4,290, immediate availability, guarantee and assistance 2 years 24/24 included, 1 year of additional assistance for € 1 more.

Unique color: white and red.

Thank you to Michel and Martine Merel, Jeremy and all the team for their excellent welcome during this presentation. Nursery of cross and enduro champions,
the piloting center is open all year round and it also receives speed pilots to learn how to glide. The older ones have gone there: (Olivier Jacques, Regis Laconi, Alex Viera, Sylvain Guintoli, Stephan Mertens, etc …) as it used to be in the Roberts ranch … but better, according to those who have tested both !

Information: www.merel-offroad.com or 02 40 05 93 91

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