The 2012 CRF250L thread

[eakins]

Originally Posted by Toshito

I was at the Motorcycle Show in Montreal today and there was a CRF250L at the Honda booth. I asked questions but they said that they received it just a couple of weeks ago and didn't have any specs yet.

Price was said to be about 5000$.

I asked him why it was more expensive than the CBR, and he said that it was because of the "advanced motocross suspension"...

It looks real good in person, all components looks top notch and fit and finish is great. It kinda looked bigger than I expected.

It was behind a fence so we could not sit on it (they let us sit on the 20,000$ goldwing but not on the cheap dual sport?)

Now, anybody want a slightly used 2008 XT250?

5k canadian wow.
that means 4s in the US.
sure under cutting the wrr...could be 2k less ($6500 for wrr).
yamaha is gonna crap there pants if honda brings it @ $4500.
the 230L was 5k.
guess we'll see if that's labor savings or low spec parts bin savings.
amazing pricing honda has.

wonder what honda is waiting for? the last year listed on the 230L is 09.

[rockinrog]

Originally Posted by eakins

5k canadian wow.
that means 4s in the US.
sure under cutting the wrr...could be 2k less ($6500 for wrr).
yamaha is gonna crap there pants if honda brings it @ $4500.
the 230L was 5k.
guess we'll see if that's labor savings or low spec parts bin savings.
amazing pricing honda has.

wonder what honda is waiting for? the last year listed on the 230L is 09.

I like your exchange rate, but I think right now 5000 canadian is a little over 5000 US.

[rivercreep]

Originally Posted by Llamaha

If I recall correctly the DRZ400 was originally designed as an enduro bike but they missed the boat as far as technology goes

Agreed!,
But, as far as technology is concerned when it comes to off road capable bikes...I'd still take the simpler is better philosophy.
I've seen too many liquid cooled bikes puke their guts off road and suffer smashed radiators that led to them having to be trucked home to ever want a L.C. dualsport, myself. (I have to ride far to get to the good spots and don't own a truck or trailer to get a bike to the good spots...I have to be able to ride it there AND back again)



As much as I like the thought of there being another small displacement D.S. bike out there, I'm very dissappointed that it has such a small tank. Still, I'm glad to see there MIGHT be some hope for Hondas ability to give us something interesting.

[jon_l]

Originally Posted by rickypanecatyl

- riding it along side the old, but extremely popular Kawasaki Ninja 250 the Ninja pulls better on the bottom but the CBR probably takes in on top. That's actually quite impressive as the Ninja twin is an amazing engine.

I can't be sure about a bike I have not ridden, but my wife used to have the previous generation Ninja 250 (2007) so I know how it rides (I liked it).

I don't believe that the Ninja twin engine has better low RPM torque than a modern, FI, 250cc single. This is contrary to comparisons between the CBR250R and Ninja 250.

Bike magazines' opinions are not the ones that really count, but...

From http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/114/91...omparison.aspx

In reference to the CBR:
“It definitely helps that the thing has a bit of torque off the line. It makes it a little more friendly to get off and running as compared to the Kawasaki,”

and

"Get the new little CBR moving and you will instantly notice how dialed the fueling is at low rpm. The throttle response is right on the mark and initial pick-up straight off the line is slightly better than the Ninja. This makes the bike easier to use when navigating traffic-laden city streets. The six-speed transmission is also geared noticeably lower than the Kawasaki, aiding in the initial jump off the line compared to the Ninja which requires a bit more clutchwork to get it rolling from a stop."

Not dissing the Ninja, the comparison favored it, and it's a great little bike. Just suggesting your assessment flies in the face of logic and the general consensus. I am pretty confident the Honda 250cc single will have more low-RPM torque, and the Kawi twin will leave it in the dust once it spools up to 9,000+ RPM.

A 250 dual-sport with less torque at low RPM than a Ninja 250 would be useless.

[jon_l]

Originally Posted by rockinrog

I like your exchange rate, but I think right now 5000 canadian is a little over 5000 US.

Your math is right, but that doesn't help us in Canada. Historically we get hosed to the tune of maybe 20% on MSRP. We've seen some improvements this past year, but there is still a bigger difference than seems reasonable.

The WR250R MSRP just dropped by $1,000 to $6,999

The CBR250R is $4,499, and the ABS model $4,999

[yyz]

I hope it comes to Canada. The WR is too tall, the Klx has horrible carburation. The crf looks just right, efi and a reasonable seat height.

[The Rizz]

Subscribed. Would love one of these to replace the DR650.

[strongbad]

I found these short videos of a heavily blinged CRF250L at the Osaka Motor Show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcy3w...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=OQKfIUi2VdY

[jon_l]

Originally Posted by yyz

I hope it comes to Canada. The WR is too tall, the Klx has horrible carburation. The crf looks just right, efi and a reasonable seat height.

Looks like it is coming - see Parigi's post #106
http://advrider.com/forums/showpost....&postcount=106

[rockinrog]

Originally Posted by jon_l

Your math is right, but that doesn't help us in Canada. Historically we get hosed to the tune of maybe 20% on MSRP. We've seen some improvements this past year, but there is still a bigger difference than seems reasonable.

The WR250R MSRP just dropped by $1,000 to $6,999

The CBR250R is $4,499, and the ABS model $4,999

I see what you mean... comparing the XR650L 8199can 6690 us...you guys really do get screwed on pricing.

[Parigi]

Originally Posted by Toshito

I asked him why it was more expensive than the CBR, and he said that it was because of the "advanced motocross suspension"...

Hopefully that means adjustable suspension, but from what I saw so far, there isn't.

[FreckledAvenger]

Originally Posted by rockinrog

I see what you mean... comparing the XR650L 8199can 6690 us...you guys really do get screwed on pricing.

Considering a WR250R here is around $10K Australian "ride away" (about $11K US for a comparison) the Canadian's are not the only ones getting screwed. Mind you the "recommended retail price" here is $12K Australian (I kid you not).

I really hope Honda brings the bike to Australia and prices it a little more reasonably. The CBR250R is much more reasonably priced here - ABS version has a rec retail of $6K for example - so here is hoping.

[eakins]

Originally Posted by rockinrog

I like your exchange rate, but I think right now 5000 canadian is a little over 5000 US.

not straight rate math, but more the fact the exact same bikes cost more in canada than the us.

[Toshito]

Originally Posted by yyz

I hope it comes to Canada. The WR is too tall, the Klx has horrible carburation. The crf looks just right, efi and a reasonable seat height.

It is coming to Canada, see my earlier post. I saw one "in the flesh" at the Montreal Moto Show, and the dealer has received a couple of bikes to be sold in the coming weeks.

[yyz]

Honda dealer in Burlington, Ontarfio confirmed the bike was coming to Canada, looking forward to seeing the actual bike and trading in my KLX250.