Who rides motorcycles?

[Kyle_in_Tex]

So what's your first impression of the Honda...power, handling, etc. - compared to the XT250?

Yes, how much better is it? It has many years of technology in it compared to the venerable XT250.

Is the seat height much higher? Is the higher seat height worth it?

I'm wondering about the long term dependability. I know the XT is rock solid, and all the high powered 450's require much more frequent maintenance including parts.

 

[scootr]

Well, the CRF300L Rally is supposed to be the unicorn of lightweight DS bikes. The seat is higher. It weighs a little more. And rides like a bigger more refined bike even though they run the same size tires... CRF has more hp and 6th gear. That being said, the 5 spd XT250 is good to go right out of the box. XT just needed a skid, plate handguards, stuff like that. The CRF needed that and more. The CRF power increase is hampered by added weight, gearing is about the same as the XT with 6th gear being OD. So an aftermarket ECU was sourced that boosted power. That was a relatively inexpensive PnP upgrade. I fiddled around with increasing the airbox intake and reducing backpressure. I'm happy with the way it pulls dirt hills in 3rd gear now (XT would be in 2nd) and it can accelerate in 6th even up moderate inclines. I feel like the power issue was easily sorted.
The CRF suspension was really soft. I weigh 200 pounds with full gear and supplies. I upgraded the rear suspension which as a side effect reduced the seat sag and thus the reach to the ground. I'm 6ft and I flatfoot it but somebody 5'8 might have trouble with the way it sits now but don't worry there is a lowering kit for vertically challenged peeps.
If you ride moderately you could enjoy the soft ride. It can bottom out if you are hitting vertical changes at speed, hence the up grade... plus I like modding the bikes almost as much as riding them.
Side by side the CRF is taller, heavier, harder to work on. It has a gas gauge! It's water cooled. It's more capable and comfortable at 60 mph however the XT still has a lot going for it.

 

[FullMetalBucket]

I can say that the crf300 is a way different animal engine wise than the crf250 I previously owned. The crf250 version was a dog. I think I could out run it on foot. I live in a hilly area and it was painful on the 250 and the reason I sold it. I liked everything else about it, even with the slightly soft suspension. I don’t know what they did to the 300 but I’m not having the same issues. Feels way more torquey and I don’t have a problem keeping up with traffic. Not going to win any races against a street bike but it’s not built for that.

 

[scootr]

Try the 550 Performance ECU for your 300L. I got the lowly 87 octane stage 1 and I can tell the difference in power.

 

[scootr]

I can say that the crf300 is a way different animal engine wise than the crf250 I previously owned. The crf250 version was a dog. I think I could out run it on foot. I live in a hilly area and it was painful on the 250 and the reason I sold it. I liked everything else about it, even with the slightly soft suspension. I don’t know what they did to the 300 but I’m not having the same issues. Feels way more torquey and I don’t have a problem keeping up with traffic. Not going to win any races against a street bike but it’s not built for that.

Additionally consider putting a bigger rear sprocket on it too if you do ride mostly hills and can sacrifice a few mph top speed. On the XT I went 1 tooth smaller on the front so the engine could have a small advantage over the tire but knowing a little more now I'm putting a couple of extra teeth on the rear of CRF to do the same without potentially increasing chain wear.

 

[LouNY]

And to think that it wasn't that long ago I thought I was sitting in high cotton on my fancy new XL250

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

And to think that it wasn't that long ago I thought I was sitting in high cotton on my fancy new XL250

My brother and I grew up and went thru the full range of DP bikes.
SL100, XL125, XL350, TT500, XT550, XL500,XT600, XL600.
The Japanese realized that we rode bikes for fun and power, besides transportation.
He had bought his TT600, and I wanted a street bike.So I bought an RD 400. He challenged me to a race after work one night and I blew him away. LOL.

 

[scootr]

And to think that it wasn't that long ago I thought I was sitting in high cotton on my fancy new XL250

You may still be when you consider enjoyment per $. There will always be a new bigger better faster bike. But do you really need it? No. But I understand, go ahead and get it
P.S.
I'm drooling over 2025-6 Honda Transalp reviews

 

[kirkkw]

If you need to repair or replace the seals on an air operated (pneumatic) lift (Handy, Direct Lift, Derek Weaver, APlus, Atlas, Black Widow etc.) I can help.

I sell seal kits and can help you get your lift going again. Even if I don't sell a kit for your model of lift, I will help you locate the kit or advise as to its availability.

You can email me at motorcycleliftseal@gmail.com

 

[scootr]

If you need to repair or replace the seals on an air operated (pneumatic) lift (Handy, Direct Lift, Derek Weaver, APlus, Atlas, Black Widow etc.) I can help.

I sell seal kits and can help you get your lift going again. Even if I don't sell a kit for your model of lift, I will help you locate the kit or advise as to its availability.

You can email me at motorcycleliftseal@gmail.com

I have a cheap used HF manual pump lift...and it works just fine. I have thought of converting it to air as we tend to believe everything should be push button operated these days... is there really any need to do this? Or should I just stick with the pump pedal which is working as designed and enjoy the exercise? One advantage I could see about converting to air would be the elimination of the trip hazard operation pedals

 

[Bocephous]

And to think that it wasn't that long ago I thought I was sitting in high cotton on my fancy new XL250

The bigger brother of your XL, my latest acquisition, received a Warp 9 wheel with a cush hub and a lowering link the other day.

 

[Mi-Troll]

Anyone have one of these, 1999 ATK 605? How often do you change the cam drive belt and do/did you have issues with it idling??

 

[scootr]

This is you when you're snowed in and can't ride

 

[Tomtint]

I can say that the crf300 is a way different animal engine wise than the crf250 I previously owned. The crf250 version was a dog. I think I could out run it on foot. I live in a hilly area and it was painful on the 250 and the reason I sold it. I liked everything else about it, even with the slightly soft suspension. I don’t know what they did to the 300 but I’m not having the same issues. Feels way more torquey and I don’t have a problem keeping up with traffic. Not going to win any races against a street bike but it’s not built for that.

I have a 2022 KTM 300xcw.. My 2nd one. I like the power on that bike..300cc never really runs out of power. I rode a friends CRF250.. Had the same opinion as you.. Gutless and the front forks had a strange "click" when the front wheel came off the ground. You could feel it in the bars.. Drove me nuts

 

[Bocephous]

The CRF250F is what is is, a simple trail bike. For me, it's fun and easy to ride. 20hp gets me anywhere I need to get to on our property.
I'm sure I would enjoy a 300 2 stroke, however.

 

[deserteagle71]

I'm sure I would enjoy a 300 2 stroke, however.

I had a Yamaha IT465 two stroke for a few years. Much lighter than any of my 4 strokes, amazing low end torque, and handled really well. But it didn't like the altitude changes around here - our valleys are around 4000 feet in elevation but the trails in the mountains go up to 11,000 feet. If I set it up to run well in the valley it would blubber all over itself in the mountains and foul spark plugs. I used to carry several extra spare plugs with me and change them out when it began blubbering. The 4 strokes weren't affected by the altitude nearly as much.

 

[Bocephous]

I can say that the crf300 is a way different animal engine wise than the crf250 I previously owned. The crf250 version was a dog. I think I could out run it on foot. I live in a hilly area and it was painful on the 250 and the reason I sold it. I liked everything else about it, even with the slightly soft suspension. I don’t know what they did to the 300 but I’m not having the same issues. Feels way more torquey and I don’t have a problem keeping up with traffic. Not going to win any races against a street bike but it’s not built for that.

Are both CRF's you're talking about the "L" model, or the "F" model? I might have missed that in a previous post.

 

[HammerGrips]

I've had motorcycles for the last 20 years. My fist was a Suzuki SV650.Great little bike, but it has undergone some modification to make it better for me.

Then I bought a Suzuki Vstrom 1000 thinking I could travel as well as off-road with it. It's heavier and taller than the SV, so quite a handful in sand, mud, etc. I keep it on actual roads now.

I also have a '73 BMW R75 and '73 Triumph Bonneville. (wife has put her foot down, no more bikes unless I sell one)

 

[Bocephous]

I had a Yamaha IT465 two stroke for a few years. Much lighter than any of my 4 strokes, amazing low end torque, and handled really well. But it didn't like the altitude changes around here - our valleys are around 4000 feet in elevation but the trails in the mountains go up to 11,000 feet. If I set it up to run well in the valley it would blubber all over itself in the mountains and foul spark plugs. I used to carry several extra spare plugs with me and change them out when it began blubbering. The 4 strokes weren't affected by the altitude nearly as much.

View attachment 4783685

That is such a cool pic. Great, classic '80's dirt bike and the old shacks. Do you know any of the history of those shacks?

 

[deserteagle71]

I also have a '73 BMW R75

Post a pic of that thing! I'd love to see what yours looks like. I bought a 1973 new in September of that year and rode it for many, many years.

Here's a pic of mine taken in the spring of 1974, before I got the fairing and bags, hauling groceries back to the bunkhouse:

Fully dressed in 1975, touring the Canadian Rockies: