What Dual Sport should Honda build next

itrack · 10-12-2012, 06:57 AM

I really like my CRF250L and plan to rack up some serious miles on it. In the near future 1-2 years I'm going to be looking for something a little more serious. I know there is no perfect bike. With the sales of the CRF250L being what they are I would imagine that Honda will be looking to build a bigger version in the future. The CRF250L has been a great seller so far due to the price vs performance. I would bet Honda would follow that same path for a bigger version. List what you would be looking for in a bigger bike let's say priced at 6,899.99.

Here is my CRF350L

30-35 whp on a dyno
FI
Low end torque
Dot trials tires
short ratio box with OD 6th for freeway riding
comfortable seat
low vibrations at 65-75mph
real suspension tuned for woods say showa twin chambers off a CR
maint schedule like the WR250R
electric start
low seat height
rear rack standard

I don't mind a steal frame as long as the weight is kept in check.

trailrider383 · 10-12-2012, 07:08 AM

CRF500L with a six speed, 200 mile range and enough subframe to support some camping gear.

GaThumper · 10-12-2012, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trailrider383

CRF500L with a six speed, 200 mile range and enough subframe to support some camping gear.

+ infinity if it weighs about 300#

I think a 500 would be a good size!

blake716 · 10-22-2012, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trailrider383

CRF500L with a six speed, 200 mile range and enough subframe to support some camping gear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullwinkle58

All they have to do is make the 450x fuel injected & street legal in CA. If they really wanted to make me happy, it would come with a transparent 3 gallon tank, 14t front sprocket, and a price under $8k. I'd have to do nothing to it. That's realistic, no?

Combine these 2 posts.

And they would hit the nail right on the head.

dirtydeeds · 10-12-2012, 07:09 AM

I'm thinking that they'll realize that it's time to give the ol' 650L a make over.

Or they'll look at tapping the 400cc market.

Either way, FI and a low seat will be top of the list. Don't count on any fancy forks or a reasonable price.

joec63 · 10-12-2012, 07:43 AM

The direction the Japanese four is going doesn't bode well for North America buyers in terms of a more techy bike. They're catering to the emerging markets with low cost entry level bikes and introducing them as world offerings. Keeps costs low. Or they just keep the status quo. Would love to see a something new in the 400-500 cc area with near 40 rwhp. I'm not holding my breath though.

ThumpnRed · 10-12-2012, 08:00 AM

What is really aggravating is the fact that they have the majority of the parts they need to build a darned good mid to large bore DS bike sitting on the shelf!

itrack · 10-12-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumpnRed

What is really aggravating is the fact that they have the majority of the parts they need to build a darned good mid to large bore DS bike sitting on the shelf!

Exactly, look at the CRF230 series bikes. The only good thing about that bike is the motor, weight, and seat height. If they had stuck the CR85 expert shock/USD forks on to begin with that bike would be a legend. If they aren't going to give us serious suspension so that they can meet a price point than at least make it easy for us to use the Honda parts bin to upgrade on our own. If the bike had a easy path to upgrades than people could make the bike more serious as they got the cash and Honda could go to market at a cheap price. If Honda offered a 300cc kit, HRC full exhaust, racks, upgraded forks/rear shock, factory "race tune", etc I would be saving for it right now. I can't be the only one that wants a little more serious bike for offroad work.

itrack · 10-12-2012, 08:00 AM

You don't think they would do good to have a progression of Enduro bikes for customers as their age and experience increase?

joec63 · 10-12-2012, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itrack

You don't think they would do good to have a progression of Enduro bikes for customers as their age and experience increase?

I do, just as they have with the trail bikes. They obviously have the data that shows it's not worth the effort, I can't explain it otherwise. The CRF250L is selling very briskly it seems. Maybe they will forge ahead on a larger bike.

Idle · 10-13-2012, 10:12 PM

I only see Honda DS bikes in the city. (true story) Stiff-arming it, white t-shirt, shorts or jeans, no gloves and some sensible old brown shoes.

They don't go on Adv

Bullwinkle58 · 10-12-2012, 09:30 AM

All they have to do is make the 450x fuel injected & street legal in CA. If they really wanted to make me happy, it would come with a transparent 3 gallon tank, 14t front sprocket, and a price under $8k. I'd have to do nothing to it. That's realistic, no?

SlowRide13 · 10-12-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullwinkle58

All they have to do is make the 450x fuel injected & street legal in CA. If they really wanted to make me happy, it would come with a transparent 3 gallon tank, 14t front sprocket, and a price under $8k.

^^^ This.

itrack · 10-12-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullwinkle58

All they have to do is make the 450x fuel injected & street legal in CA. If they really wanted to make me happy, it would come with a transparent 3 gallon tank, 14t front sprocket, and a price under $8k. I'd have to do nothing to it. That's realistic, no?

No its not realistic. The current price is 8,400, add all the blinkers, guages, etc and its a 10k bike. Add all the other crap you added and its a 11.5k bike. Not realistic and wouldn't be a huge seller so Honda will never build that. I'd like to see guys say, "If Honda built a CRF400L, with adjustable suspension, steal frame, weight low 300lbs, 6 speed, etc." Put some time into what your asking for. Maybe Honda will read this. I could care less what size motor it has as long as its in the 30-50 whp range and can go 30-50k miles.

SlowRide13 · 10-12-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itrack

No its not realistic. The current price is 8,400, add all the blinkers, guages, etc and its a 10k bike. Add all the other crap you added and its a 11.5k bike...... Maybe Honda will read this.

I'll come back to you Honda! You listening?
I've owned 4 XR600Rs and one XR650L, going back to the late 80's. I was a die-hard fan and converted lots of other guys over to Honda thumpers. But now? IMO they need to step up to date, price included. Why would anyone think a high performance dual sport should cost less than a MX bike?

10-12-2012, 06:57 AM	#1
itrack ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2012 Location: South Texas Oddometer: 104	What Dual Sport should Honda build next I really like my CRF250L and plan to rack up some serious miles on it. In the near future 1-2 years I'm going to be looking for something a little more serious. I know there is no perfect bike. With the sales of the CRF250L being what they are I would imagine that Honda will be looking to build a bigger version in the future. The CRF250L has been a great seller so far due to the price vs performance. I would bet Honda would follow that same path for a bigger version. List what you would be looking for in a bigger bike let's say priced at 6,899.99. Here is my CRF350L 30-35 whp on a dyno FI Low end torque Dot trials tires short ratio box with OD 6th for freeway riding comfortable seat low vibrations at 65-75mph real suspension tuned for woods say showa twin chambers off a CR maint schedule like the WR250R electric start low seat height rear rack standard I don't mind a steal frame as long as the weight is kept in check.

10-12-2012, 07:08 AM	#2
trailrider383 867-5309 Joined: Jan 2008 Location: NP, ID Oddometer: 2,530	CRF500L with a six speed, 200 mile range and enough subframe to support some camping gear. __________________ DO WHAT YOU LIKE - LIKE WHAT YOU DO Explain to me again why enjoying life when I retire is more important than enjoying life now?

10-12-2012, 07:43 AM	#6
joec63 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Olmsted Twnshp, OH Oddometer: 242	The direction the Japanese four is going doesn't bode well for North America buyers in terms of a more techy bike. They're catering to the emerging markets with low cost entry level bikes and introducing them as world offerings. Keeps costs low. Or they just keep the status quo. Would love to see a something new in the 400-500 cc area with near 40 rwhp. I'm not holding my breath though. __________________ ________ Semper Fi

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10-12-2012, 07:09 AM	#5
dirtydeeds I'm alive. Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Red Deer, AB, Can Oddometer: 1,825	I'm thinking that they'll realize that it's time to give the ol' 650L a make over. Or they'll look at tapping the 400cc market. Either way, FI and a low seat will be top of the list. Don't count on any fancy forks or a reasonable price.

10-12-2012, 08:00 AM	#9
itrack ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2012 Location: South Texas Oddometer: 104	You don't think they would do good to have a progression of Enduro bikes for customers as their age and experience increase?

10-13-2012, 10:12 PM	#11
Idle Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2011 Location: Northern California Oddometer: 411	I only see Honda DS bikes in the city. (true story) Stiff-arming it, white t-shirt, shorts or jeans, no gloves and some sensible old brown shoes. They don't go on Adv

10-12-2012, 09:30 AM	#12
Bullwinkle58 Adventurer Joined: Feb 2012 Oddometer: 26	All they have to do is make the 450x fuel injected & street legal in CA. If they really wanted to make me happy, it would come with a transparent 3 gallon tank, 14t front sprocket, and a price under $8k. I'd have to do nothing to it. That's realistic, no?