The 2012 CRF250L thread

[rockinrog]

I called Honda Powersports American Div. today to see if they had any info.
They did not and said it if it comes to the usa it will be on the Website before they are even told about it where I called. He did create a ticket that I was asking for it and said that they do review these files to see what people are requesting.
So if you have a few extra minutes to burn it won't hurt to give them a call and tell them you would like to have this bike in the USA.
(866) 784-1870

[jon_l]

Originally Posted by 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.

Still nothing on Honda Canada website. What are they thinking? Surely they'd want to generate interest in a new product? Maybe they're hoping to sell off the 230Ls come the first sign of Spring, before the price is devalued by the 250L.

[TonyBKK]

Specs for the new Honda CRF250L have finally been released in Australia



CRF250L specifications

Engine Type 249.6cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke
DOHC 4-valve single cylinder
Bore and Stroke 76mm x56mm
Valve Train DOHC 4-valve

Carburation PGM-FI electronic fuel injection

Ignition CDl with electronic advance

Transmission 6-speed constant mesh
Starter Electric

Final Drive 520 a-ring chain

Front Suspension 43mm inverted fork
Rear Suspension Pro-link single shock

Front Brake Hydraulic disc
Rear Brake Hydraulic disc

Front Tyre 3.00 x 21 inch
RearTyre 120/80 x 18 inch

Dimensions 2,195mm x 819mm x 1,195mm
Wheelbase 1,445mm
Seat Height 882mm
Ground Clearance 258mm

Fuel Capacity 7.7 litres
Kerb Weight 147kg

--------------------------------------------------------

Less ground clearance and significantly more weight than the Kawasaki KLX250... I'm not terribly impressed...

[Llamaha]

147kg wtf? How is that even possible.

[bungie4]

I was very interested in this. I love my CBR250R. But a trailie suits me better.

But the weight, combined with the sub 8 litre gas tank. No thanks, I'll keep my CBR.

Honda does it again.

[NJ-Brett]

320 pounds is not that bad for a fuel injected water cooled electric start bike that is built strong.
Electric start, 20 pounds (at least), water cooling, 5 pounds at least, fuel injection adds a bit because the electrical system usually puts out more power.

I bet changing the exhaust/silencer will save 20 pounds.
My tu250 is 320 pounds and is a smaller bike, less suspension, smaller suspension bits, air cooling.....
You can't have a light bike and have it hold up to hard use.

[Reconstructed]

I know there are a lot of guys who look at this bike and say "it's not a street legal motocross bike, so I'm not interested.

This bike is plainly not a competition focused bike. Doesn't have to be to sell well. Look at your 650 class offerings from the Japanese brands. They all use proven technology. They are all reliable enough to go round the world on, so that is good enough for me.

The suspension can be fixed. The exhaust can be fixed. Any other little nit pick thing that is not just perfect for a specific person can be fixed.

I'm cool with any of the Japanese brands, whether red, yellow, blue, or green. I'm very interested in this bike because I am guessing it will have better torque than the blue bike (and a lower price tag?), it does have FI, unlike the green bike, there is not really a comparison to be made with the yellow bike, and hopefully will have a better price tag than the current offerings from red.

So, if this bike does make it to the states, I just may have to sign up for one.

Just my .02

[Kawidad]

Hmm. 35" seat height and 320 lbs. Sounds like we're getting into XRL650 territory. WTF?????

[Onederer]

At that weight, I won't even think about buying one.

Honda built a XL200R (factory legal dual sport) in the early eighties that wieghed less than 260lbs. I had one and while it lacked the power, suspension and brakes of new bikes, it was light enough that I really could go just about anywhere on it, even if that meant physicaly lifting it over a log or large rock.

The light weight of that fully factory legal XL200R is what made it attractive. Anything with that small of an engine should never come close to 300lbs. It was kick start only, but it had a 12v charging system and a battery.

[strongbad]

Originally Posted by NJ-Brett

320 pounds is not that bad for a fuel injected water cooled electric start bike that is built strong.
Electric start, 20 pounds (at least), water cooling, 5 pounds at least, fuel injection adds a bit because the electrical system usually puts out more power.

I bet changing the exhaust/silencer will save 20 pounds.
My tu250 is 320 pounds and is a smaller bike, less suspension, smaller suspension bits, air cooling.....
You can't have a light bike and have it hold up to hard use.

It's 324 lbs and the weight is a huge disappointment. Wet wet (full tank of gas) of the Yamaha WR250R is 298lbs. The only possible redemption for the Honda is extremely low cost and they have to do everything else (suspension) right. I think I just fell out of love with the CRF250L. WR250R and X owners can take some relief that this bike won't kill their resale.

I've often wondered what makes the CBR250R such a heavy pig. I guess we know now that it's the engine.

[NJ-Brett]

Add electric start:25 pounds: 285 pounds.
Add 50cc and water cooling, 20 pounds:305 pounds.
Add big thick forks and a big strong rear shock, 10 pounds: 315 pounds.

Remove a quart of oil, the rear sub frame, use expensive metals, skimp everywhere, charge 50% more money and you have a ktm?

Why we need electric start on anything under a 650 is beyond me.
With FI, anything is going to start with one kick every time.

Originally Posted by Onederer

At that weight, I won't even think about buying one.

Honda built a XL200R (factory legal dual sport) in the early eighties that wieghed less than 260lbs. I had one and while it lacked the power, suspension and brakes of new bikes, it was light enough that I really could go just about anywhere on it, even if that meant physicaly lifting it over a log or large rock.

The light weight of that fully factory legal XL200R is what made it attractive. Anything with that small of an engine should never come close to 300lbs. It was kick start only, but it had a 12v charging system and a battery.

[NJ-Brett]

Oh, and my 1969 Triumph Daytona was about the same weight as the crf250L and it was a 500cc twin with no plastic on the bike....rugged also...

[Onederer]

Originally Posted by NJ-Brett

Add electric start:25 pounds: 285 pounds.
Add 50cc and water cooling, 20 pounds:305 pounds.

I don't think either of those are something a small DS bike needs. Especially an affordable one. I could have put an XR250R fork on the XL200R and I would have been completely satisfied with the front end and probally not added more than 5lbs. I would have put spacers in the fork to keep the bike level. The short seat height was something else that was nice.

Originally Posted by NJ-Brett

Why we need electric start on anything under a 650 is beyond me.

Same here.

[TonyBKK]

Originally Posted by NJ-Brett

320 pounds is not that bad for a fuel injected water cooled electric start bike that is built strong.
Electric start, 20 pounds (at least), water cooling, 5 pounds at least, fuel injection adds a bit because the electrical system usually puts out more power.

I bet changing the exhaust/silencer will save 20 pounds.
My tu250 is 320 pounds and is a smaller bike, less suspension, smaller suspension bits, air cooling.....
You can't have a light bike and have it hold up to hard use.

But there are already road legal dirt bikes out there that are water cooled, fuel injected, electric start and weigh a lot less, like the KLX250 I just bought:



I was thinking maybe I should wait and see how Honda's new CRF250L would measure up to the Kwacker but seems I was lucky to jump on the KLX. Doesn't hurt that's it got a Bill Blue 351cc Big Bore kit either

[AZ TOM]

KLX great bike but not FI