8k miles now on the rally. Perfect bike for me. No problems. Bike is worth a suspension upgrade. Thats it really. Range + Reliable+ MPG+ . Sold a 690 for it. 38 years riding experience.
I think people coming from kind of big bikes get sold for the adventure / dual sport spirit. Then they ride it on the streets and miss raw power. They don't understand that this is not made for speed runs, but to go anywhere for 40'000 miles - in moderate speeds.
I paid $8600 1 year on roadx including Mar 21. Now I'm looking @ $10000 crf300la August 23 (has to be abs in Australia. KLX 300 is not a dual sport here). I'm struggling with the increase ATM as I was thinking about buying one again. The LS version is perfect for me
Love my 300L because it is good enough. I think another reason is people are never content with what they have. Always wanting more, whatever that might be.
BINGO. I personally know one particular guy who has pissed away hundreds of thousands of dollars making up excuses why he needs to trade in or upgrade stuff he's had a year or less. The simple truth of the matter is most people out there are materialistic minded drones. They're searching for happiness in possessions, always in competition with the Jones's and buying things they don't even need to impress people they don't even like. I call them LOOSERS. Advertising and marketing actually works on people and that has always amazed me to no end. I know another guy that literally f**** things up as soon as he buys them. He starts messing with this that and the other thing... it's unbelievable to watch. The older I get the more infinitely stupid people seem to me.
@@rickhadfield1097 Well it's not a highway bike so...🤷 A dual sport is for taking scenic backroads to get to offroad riding locations, fun city errand run arounds and commuting to your close workplace to save gas money and have a kick before and after work.🤷 I don't understand what people don't understand about that.
@@phantomshtter a dual sport can be fun and have good power though… dr650 or even the drz400 uncorked are great. They rip and have great power, so much fun and are better offroad than the Honda too and for adventures and hauling gear…..The Honda and small dual sports are super boring because they have no power and are literally scooters. Boring. If you wanna accelerate slower than a prius and ride at 10 under the speed limit then go for the little dual sports, lol.
@@richarddevaottien7724 yes I tripped on a crack in the sidewalk and now I’m bed ridden for the rest of my life. Being my age I probably only have a year at the most. Whatever!
I always think to myself, imagine if this bike came out 30-40 years ago and how amazed people would be with its performance and capability. Buyer's remorse and Analysis paralysis are the two top reasons why people don't like the bike they purchased. In reality, almost any bike you choose for your desired riding in this day and age will be more than enough. Unfortunately, people prioritize the tool they are using above the goal they're trying to achieve.
Very true. Every time I see a video of some guy in South America on like a 1982 street bike flying up a trail that I’d be afraid to walk up, I think that I’m way overthinking my bikes.
I thought they were more off road capable stock (9000km before I sold her). Another buying factor was the price (now $1300 more than in mar 21 when I bought my first)
"it's great if you compare it to a ancient bike from 40 years ago!" has to be the worst way to justify parts of the CRF being poor lol. It may do the job but why wouldn't you want a better tool?
People also buy the wrong tool for the job. Look at the "I'm selling" videos and you'll quickly notice a trend. They compare it to a race 450 AND an Africa twin. Typically the comparison goes something like this: "I like my tenere/africa twin/KTM 890 adventure much better for logging 1000 miles over the weekend. So much more power and comfort. But the bigger letdown is that I can't hit off road on it like my yz450/crf450/rmz450. So I'm selling it" Or like this: "I have to ride off road ever day on my commute. Which is why I bought it, but I just don't like it for the rest of the commute" then they show their "off road" is a well maintained gravel road. That any bike could handle.
Great point, I daily drive a honda ruckus at the moment, it's by far slowest street legal bike you can possibly find, but I knew what my goal was when I bought it, and now when I move up to a 300 in spring I'll appreciate that much more
I am 60 years old and have ridden all types of bikes frlm Harley Davidson to kawasaki ,suzuki etc etc. I Bought a 2022 Honda 300 l and absolutley love it. Bought it to ride around trails or roads in the mountains of north carolina. The bike is pretty cheap and really is awesome to ride. Reached a speed of 72 mph on the roads . Honda has a great name and the bike is dependable as they come. Hell its not a racing dirt bike or a friggin Road king but it is a great bike period.
Great rundown on the topic. I haven’t put as many miles on my 300 Rally as I expected to, but I love it when I do get out on it and I plan to own it for a long time. 👍
Good points! I have been riding for 56 years. I can't think of a better way for a new rider to start off then buying a used 300L. The skills you learn in the dirt you do not get road riding and will someday save your bacon.
Bought my CRF this year and I agree with a lot of your points. I bought the CRF as a second bike to learn how to ride dirt and it's been a blast. It isn't the do everything bike that people hyped it up to be but I knew that going in. Put 1700 miles on mine already and won't be selling it until I feel I outskill the bike.
Great thoughts. You pretty much nailed the reasons I didn’t buy a 250L or 300L. I knew I wanted to do more highway/freeway miles. I also don’t prefer to buy new. I ended up with a 2012 F800GS and as you say, it’s the perfect bike for me in my space of life right now.
This bike! What can I even say, I feel like I am one of the ambassadors for people getting this bike. I personally love it, I love working on it, I love how little maintenance you need. Im on my second one lol first the L and now the Rally.
Cool to hear from you - love your channel 👍 I’m using a purple panda plugged into a GoPro 9 via the media mod. It’s mostly worked great. Still haven’t found the secret sauce for high speeds yet (I probably need a quieter helmet).
@@MotorcyclesOffroad I read your comment. I thought I was the only person considering getting the Rally when I already own the 300L 😂 The reason being I wasn’t planning on doing anything but local trail rides when I bought the L. Now I’m planning on riding all over the Philippines with it. I’d upgrade the L but getting some parts here is an issue. How do you find the Rally in comparison? My other thought is a Tenere 700 but I appreciate the weight of the Honda’s.
I do not own a 300L and have no desire to ever consider one (cruiser guy) but watched the entire video. You made a very good, pleasant to watch, video. Good job!
Also remember the riders that were sold by the initial reviews touting this model as the best adv bike; buying it to end up like those jeep owners that never been to Utah, but crawl mall on weekends!!! Plus everyone wanted to "" travel the world", Itchy Boots style, only to discover that they lack on the cojones to at least start with a trip around their state or country, let alone to go around the world, Alone!!....Gotta love Noraly Shoenmaker aka Itchy Boots!! ❤️ Valid points in this video. Love to everyone ride safe
Agree with all those scenarios! As a new rider my Rally is all I need at this time. It gets me to the Canyon to explore the trails on and behind Timp and just recently out to your area checking out those trails around Lake Mtn. Just have to use it for its intended type of riding, within its design limits. I'm having a blast with mine!
Right on dude I'm glad you enjoy your 🏍️💨 it's a badass bike I got the 250 rally & love this shit out of mine they're fun to ride comfortable, dependable & for me it has enough capability cuz I'm not trying to go all crazy, could it be better yeah I'm sure everything could be a little better LOL but like you said ride it within its intended purpose & the bike is a freaking riot to ride 💪💪💯🏍️💨
Not just low milage 300l's but high end fully loaded adventure bikes. Most say " no time or just never ride it as much as I thought I would". I loved my 300l but in the end I sold it because it was not exillerating to ride. I think a lot of people bought motorcycles during the pandemic that would have not other wise and found it wasn't what they thought it would be.
I agree. I was talking to the guys at my dealer, and they said people would come in who had never ridden before and buy bikes for their whole family. People were desperate to get out of their houses and do something, and many of them had money to burn after their big vacations had to be cancelled.
People bought bikes and kayaks the last two years from our store in DROVES. This past year was a lot of those people calling to see if we buy used bikes and kayaks. It's crazy how many people felt like and extra $1,000-2,000 justified buying a new toy.
Exactly, not exillerating to ride is spot on… it’s like riding a scooter, literally. It’s boring, no power no fun…. It will get you everywhere you wanna go for sure but it’s boring…
Interesting. People looking for the bike to provide the "exhilaration". The best experience is when the ride does that. I have a very fast sport bike that is exhilarating for sure, but it is a bit of a sugar high type situation. It gets old after awhile. I ride my big ADV bike a lot more, as it can go to far and interesting places in comfort and it can handle a dirt road much better as well. I still keep the fast bike around though, cuz sometimes ya just want to go on a quick 100 mile ride to a rural area and spin 'er up to 12,000 RPM...
Yep I agree with a lot of the points here. I think due to the popularity of the bike, a lot of people just go out and buy one not realizing that by going with a dual sport you have pretty much already sacrificed a lot of performance for both street and dirt riding to achieve that balance. Maybe more people buying this bike didn't realize what they were getting into compared to other more niche dual sport bikes where the customers are aware and accept the limitations but are more concerned with reliability and utility. The TW 200 comes to mind. Huge community that seems very happy with it. But I don't think they are your average dual sport customer.
@@HighDesertHills I had an XT250 but it was a terrible road bike with bad front end wobble above 60 mph. I know another guy near me with the same problem and I've seen it a lot on the forums. I tried all the "cures" (different tires, etc) to no avail so I got rid of it. I have an XR150 Honda on order now.
Great episode! I have an unplugged ‘04 XR 650 r w/ street legal kit, 6 gal tank, and lots of accessories and upgrades. In ‘06, I rode it to Chile, SA from Kentucky. She’s a gas hog but it runs like a bat out of hell! I once thought of selling it to get something newer with F.I. (Even with rejetting in Peru, I had trouble getting over the Andes Mountains), and electric start, but I just can’t do it. The motor is so good, and the bike fits my 6’5” frame. It’s nearly perfect for me, but it sure isn’t for everyone! You gave some good advice.
Great thoughts. I just did the 20k mile review on my RE Himalayan and that was so much of the theme. "This is probably not the bike for you". ( I love mine) More people need to look deeply into their actual needs and not ignore the shortcomings. Really good thoughts here... And yes I watched because it was a consideration. A great one
You made a lot of good points, which can be stated about anything in life. I was looking at the 300 rally, but ultimately went with a 2021 DRZ400S 2,000 miles on it for only $5600. I’m a tinkerer and a modder that’s how I get my stress release and like seeing a project come to life. For me being so far away from any real dirt at all or trails I needed the extra power over the 300. add in the suspension and ecu remap the 300 needs and The price starts to get outrageous. I’ve literally done every mod in the book to my DRZ400S at about half the price a modded 300 would be. Honestly, not worth the cost at all.
You can’t go wrong with the DRZ. Very tried and true platform. For me it was worth it to do the upgrades I wanted on the Honda, but from a purely “dollars to specs” standpoint, you’re right. Lots of less expensive ways to get there.
Every motorcycle is a compromise, and perhaps dual sports are the MOST compromised. I did 6,500 miles of dual sport travel across the western US on my brand new Rally 300. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the effect of the wind on the bike. Aside from that, you could hardly wish for a better travel motorcycle. Key for me, going into the backcountry by myself, was being able to pick it up when I dropped it, which of course happens. That and gas mileage make this a fantastic all-rounder. I threw a YSS shock on mine which made suspension adequate.
Great points, and I especially agree on being able to pick it up easily on your own. I had to pick up mine with a severely sprained ankle after a crash, and though it wasn’t exactly fun, it was at least doable. On a bigger bike, I would have been hobbling out of there on foot and calling for help.
For me my Rally is all of those problems and I knew it would be, but I wanted reliability and economy first and foremost and the rest I can put up with, it's "apparent" shortcomings when I use it for local shopping or 30 minute trips into our larger city nearby and all road use. So I have not had a bike for 30 years and the last was a DR600, this 300L has some great technology as a new bike and very throttle responsive. A great bike to use as a stepping stone to biking again. I modded immediately with the ECU, exhaust and it is just great. I've watched users on here thrash the tripe out of this engine and the result of it kind of sold it for me.
I think that’s the key to enjoying any bike - knowing it’s shortcomings beforehand. Of course for me it’s a little different. I came from an XT250, so a lot of the “shortcomings” of my Rally are a big step up from what I was used to.
Ha, Im am in literally the same scenario. Almost exact life details too and everything mirrored! haha. Im 49 and raced as a kid and getting this non -rally model after decades. SO ill take your Mod suggestions. But What would you get if you didnt get this?
For me, the 250L Rally was a great first motorcycle. Easy to learn on. Not to much power. Very refined transmission and brakes. It was the perfect short distance commuter and trail motorcycle. As my experience and skills increased, I was riding longer distances on tarmac to get to trails. I gravitated to logging roads and atv double tracks. On the trail, I find myself having to shift a lot because because the motor doesn't have enough low end grunt. There's not enough power to lighten up the front wheel for going over objects easily. And the suspension will require a lot of work for anything more than slow paced gravel roads. I still love the motorcycle and will keep it for around town and nearby trails. I'll be getting a T7 for my coast to coast travel.
The T7 is one of the bigger bikes I've had my eye on for a while. But, if I ever get one (or something else in that class), I'll be hanging on to the CRF as well.
@HighDesertHills No one is selling their Honda CRF300L/CRF300 Rally in droves like you mentioned. Adventure Undone still has his Enduro/Dual Sport bikes. Sure, some owners will "outgrow" this and other small bikes like it. People will buy a bike hoping that it is a "one bike for all" scenarios motorcycle. There's no such thing as a best bike for every road condition.
This review is completely right. I have a 250L and I’ve done pretty much every mod possible. It’s a blast to ride and super reliable. However, there are limits. It’s heavy off-road and not good on the highway. I mainly stick to back roads and the roads less traveled. When I eventually upgrade to another bike, I’ll keep the 250L for my kids.
KLX owner. Completely agree. A dirt bike it is not and for the most part I stick to the back roads cuz its definitely not a street bike either. Great for exploring and general hooliganing but it's not a "best of both worlds" situation. It's only "ok" at either. Although it's good for what it is. Which is why I get a chuckle when I see the ADV bike guys obsessing over the lightest and most offroad worthy 400+lb Adv bike. Since most of them are in for a rude awakening the first time they try do any serious offloading lol.
2020 CRF250L owner here. Bought during the pandemic lockdowns to keep my sanity. Gravel roads, old railway beds, easy trails and secondary roads. The 250L shines in this environment. Plan is to watch Honda progress the 300L over the next few years (suspension me hopes ... ) and then buy one
I've got a 2014 250l and love to ride it, not a highway crusher for sure, done most mods on it, I thought the the Transalp was going to be my next bike but it was a big disappointment. I think I'll just wait a couple more years and see where the 300l goes, maybe a 450l would be great and yes I know the have one now but that 450l is a race bike with turn signals and a head light.
@@mikedenton6485 , opinions sure vary on the 450's - from heavy Catalytic pig with poor throttle response to a race bike! And videos proving both points.
I absolutely LOVE mine, had it for 2 years and I mainly use it for trails and off road. I have 4 more bikes including a new KLR, my bike is pretty much maxed out on aftermarket stuff (suspension, ejk, bigger tank, better tires, sprockets and so on) now I'm on the market for a KTM 350 not cause I don't like the CRF but mainly cause I feel like I graduated to something more hard core
I felt the same way about my XT250. Loved it and had a blast on it (still do sometimes), but just felt like I graduated. Haven’t graduated from the 300L yet 🙂
...just right to load up on the hitch carrier....drive to park/ride/camp etc etc etc. ...can leave truck behind for 2/3 days....load and go further for more or home. Or....can take the '15 GSA for the long bike trip.
I love to find slightly used bikes that have been fully tricked out by the "Mod Guy or Gal". Leaves me with more time to do what i enjoy the most : RIDING. All good points you made, here's another, Dual Sport bikes are not the most exciting thing in the world to ride, i think some folks just get bored with them.
I agree - finding a bike that already has all or most of the upgrades you want is awesome. And yeah, I’m sure you’re right about the boring aspect, though I can’t personally relate to that one 🙂
I agree it's always a plus to get a used bike that's been tricked out by someone that just didn't ride it as much as they thought they would and is passing some savings on to you. And on the subject of dual sports being boring I'll say this from my anecdotal experience of riding motorcycles all my life both street and dirt. It's something that most all seasoned riders know. There are all kinds of riders out there. Those that want to push the envelope of the machine their on and that gives them the thrill their seeking. Those that are far more interested in the riding experience of traveling on a bike and far less concerned with what their riding, and there is lots more in between. So the key is to find out what kind of rider you are and then search out a bike that fits your desired riding style. And as seasoned folks know it might take a few bikes to find out what kind of riding you prefer and to get to the bike that suits your riding preferences best. But if your a beginner a dual sport that allows you to explore both street and dirt riding in a manageable package is often a great first bike as they are versatile and user friendly in most cases. And if ya like doing all types of riding and can only have one bike then a dual sport or possibly a newly coined adv bike would be the type Id chose. Of course I'm speaking to the choir I'm sure.
I have a 250l rally, I love it. I think it's a great first bike and I would think the 300l rally is similar. I can see how more experienced people would get bored of it though. It's sort of gotten the reputation of being a magic unicorn perfect bike. There's always trade offs with dual sports. I think this bike is perfect for new riders, and great for people who want a light weight adv and aren't worried about the power. Outside of those categories, I can see why people get bored of it.
Exactly this. I never get bored on my Rally, but I can see how some people could be. Especially if they were expecting something more/different based on all the rave reviews.
@@HighDesertHills thats the reason why you have no gripes. Im a professional powersports mechanic. My reasoning for the question and a warning i heed to you. Is that the engine in your bike is not designed for high rpm but as a consequence of being such low cc's its subjected to higher rpm due to speed limits on roads now a days. As it get up in higher miles. Say above 5k youll start to see what the real issue with that bike is. I suggest to you that you follow the service intervals religiously on your bike specifically the valve adjustments. It is very important that you regularly adjust your valves.
I'm 70 years old and as far as dual sports go, I've recently owned 3. I've owned 2 DR650s and a Yamaha XT 225. The DRs were nice, and I had the usual accessories, bigger tank, heated grips, better pegs, etc. but I rode the XT 3x as much as the 650s. It was just more fun, more nimble and 100 lbs lighter, 246 compared to 338 for the DR and the DR was 100 lbs lighter than a KLR. The XT also got 90 mpg. I put a 5.3 gallon tank on it and I had a range of 470 miles.
I just bought a 300 Rally last month. It's my first bike. Just passed 800 miles on it. Completely agree about riding it on the freeway. My usual work commute is 15 mins and the max speed is 55 mph. The bike is fine for that. However I took it on my first camping trip, about a 6 hour round trip, and I absolutely hated the stretches of the trip that I had to get onto the interstate. I still think it was the right way to go as a beginner but even as a complete noob to riding I'm already wishing it had more power.
Yeah, I really try to avoid the interstate. The rural highways around me are 65mph, but they’re not bad because there’s generally not too many cars on them.
Get a map not gps a real map. Stay off the interstate and use the bike like it was intended. There is always a side road to where you are going and it is guaranteed to be better than any interstate
I have been taking motorcycle vacations for 4 decades and have come to the realization(some time ago) that motorcycle trips are 1000 times better when you allow ample time and flexibility to take all back roads and I never ride past about 2 in the afternoon in real hot weather. I do this on my cb500x and just run a relaxed pace with many pull-over breaks and no rigid daily destinations...just maybe a final destination mid trip (for instance to visit my brother in Roanoke). Yes it takes waaay longer to get to the final destination but in the end it's all about the journey not the destination. I hope this helps, it has revolutionized my travels.
Many years ago, there was a type of off road bikes that were in the enduro category. They weren't great for pavement, and they weren't optimum motocross bikes. But bikes like the original Yamaha DT1 or the Bultaco Matador among some others beat the pants off of what was previously sold as off road. The Yamaha DT1 may have been the most important off-road type bike ever produced.
Great analysis. There’s one shop here where a lot of people go and mod out their new bikes. Im original owner of a 2014 CRF250M. It’s still all original, no mods. I ride it all over northern Thailand. It’s not the same as the KLR650, R1150GS, KTM450XE or the 1500 Goldwing I owned in the US and I knew that when I bought it. But it is a lot of fun and perfect for here, handles the small twisty mountain roads, dirt farm roads and limited trails and it’s the longest I’ve ever kept a bike. The only maintenance so far is replacing the fork seals. My fault as I rode the piss out of it and occasionally took my gf on a hard ride..lol. Occasionally I think I want and look at bigger bikes, but I enjoy riding smaller, lighter bikes now. I do want to get the 300 Rally next year. That bike I might put in the ECU mod and just maybe a shock upgrade, but only after I ride it for awhile. If I move back to Arizona or anywhere in the US I’d probably get another GS or Tenere. I do prefer off-road riding and exploring the desert and forests.
I have a late 80s XT350 that I don’t use for off road driving, but I like the ability to go over curbs and grass without getting stuck. From what I see the 300L is quite reliable and capable of the same things as the Yamaha. I’m considering to buy the 300L and am waiting for one to become available for a test drive.
Great conversation on the fence about getting a dual purpose motorcycle living in Hawaii and I think that will answer my knees, but I really felt like I’d shared a beer, a cuppa tea with a friend who given on his answers. Thanks.
my housemate just bought his 300l Rally new. has pumped an additional 4grand in all new suspension, aftermarket full exhaust, new cams, ECU reflashing, airbox mods ETC ETC. Absoluteley loves it. I personally think hes completely insane. I meran for what hes put into it he could get a fully sorted 690 enduro R which in every respect is a better bike both on road and offroad.
I get both sides really. If it was purely about money, then you’re absolutely right, but there’s something to be said for building your own unicorn exactly the way you want it from pretty much the ground up. It feels a lot more like “your” bike when you do it all yourself.
Agreed with everything. I have had a CRF300 Rally since October last year and love it. its not a sports bike or a motocross bike. I have a T7 for long trips road and dirt, an MT09SP for sports stuff. I feel people just buy the wrong bike sometimes. there are a lot of people putting out a lot of information on many bikes that probably can't ride or have little experience riding who shouldn't. I think some people get confused and buy or avoid buying bikes because of the misinformation. I have had loads of KTM's and enduro bikes which are great off road but no good on the road. The Honda is just a great all round trail bike. its also a cheap platform you can add things to get it how you like it, it does not need a service twice a month and does everything well. Great review I will be keeping mine until a 450 version comes out. Mick
That’s a great group of bikes you have. And if Honda has ever doubted the demand for a 450 Rally, they should come read the comments on this video. So many people waiting for one.
@@HighDesertHillssuch a shame they messed up the previous 450L, hopefully the Himalayan encourages them to bring out a decent low maintenance 450L. I had the 250L and sold it for a ktm 300, I could actually keep up with people riding ktms on my 250L but I had to rag it to its limit, ended up doing much more technical enduro on the KTM and got a 790 adventure for dual sport, it does on and off road much better than the Honda
Great video, I agree with all your points. I have a WR250R and I love it, does everything okay but nothing great. Suits me just fine. If I ever sold it and wanted another dual sport, I'm sure I"d be happy with a 300L. Occasionally I wish my WRR was better on the dirt and the street but you really need multiple bikes for that.
I've found my 250 L to be a great all round transportation bike.. And really that's what it was designed for.. Itchy boots beats the crap out of her bike for the whole world to see.. Reliability is what matters in the long run.. I'm willing to bet that three hundred is a lot better bike than ninety percent of the riders that buy it..
Nice! I love the features of the Rally for the type of riding I'm into, but I definitely see the appeal of the standard 300L. Lighter, thinner, and more nimble.
Yup. I picked up a 300 Rally a few months into covid. The previous owner had upgraded several things but not the suspension. I liked the bike well enough but I soon realized that I didn't look forward to riding it. I was considering upgrading the suspension (hint: $$$) when someone offered me $1000 more than I paid for it. SOLD! That left me without something to take on the trails but I really didn't mind. 4 months later I happened to be at the local Kawasaki dealer sitting on the few bikes they had in stock for a lark when a truck rolled up with two KLX 300s and a couple other new bikes on the back. The dealer was as surprised as I was but apparently inventory showing up out of the blue was how it was at the time. He had a long list of people interested in the bike but no one had plonked down a deposit so... Long story short I'm now a very happy KLX owner.
I really wish they were road legal in Australia but the reality is they are not. I bought first crf300la mar 21. They are ok but I had expected more off road capabilities with the advertising at the time. Enjoy your bike & stay safe out there 👍
I like my 300L I'm new to dirt riding, I think it will be a long time before I get decent on riding dirt, so I don't need a dirt bike with high power and speed. I also ride street bike's, had super sport bike's, naked, cruiser bike's. I perfectly happy with an sv650 I have a couple scooters I ride with my daughter's and my 300L I'm not trying to win any trophies, so I just enjoy the rides without being in a hurry to get to my destination, what matters is getting there safe and have fun.
I really wanted a 300L Rally, but my commute included about 25 miles of highway (75-80 mph). I bought a Tenere 700 instead and had a blast with it. I moved from Virginia to Thailand, so now I'm in the market for a 300L again. They are made here, so they are both cheaper and more available. The roads here are perfect for this bike.
As for the crf300LS... the waiting lists to get a new one are 20-50 people long. getting one on the West Coast is pretty impossible. From your thoughtful summary it sounds like people who are selling this bike in particular, it's because they are new riders or just entering dual sport riding, and so didn't know what to expect or didn't know what they actually need (what kind of riding they are actually going to do). Every bike has limitations... sadly... I've been on a fool's quest for the elusive Unicorn do-it-all bike for 25 years, and it doesn't exist. The answer is a minimum of 3 bikes. 😀
I’m looking to get a 300l for commuting and easy farm riding nothing crazy. The road I drive to work is a 55 mph road mostly flat with some small hills “KY” roads. I don’t care about speed or to pay 600$ to upgrade the rear shock at some point. With that being said would I be fine with the 300l strictly for low speed commuting?
You'll absolutely be fine with those conditions. I cruise at 70 mph without any issues, there just isn't much passing power at that point. On 55 mph road, you'll be great. The suspension should be fine for you as-is as well. I drove mine for a year on the stock suspension, sometimes on some pretty gnarly (for me) stuff. You just have to slow down a bit on the rougher terrain, and you'll be fine.
I've had a KLX 300 for the last 6 months, done quite a few mods, and really got it feeling great for most of what I do. But I think I'm going to be selling it by summer at the latest. Feel like I've graduated to something like a Beta 390 or maybe a Tuareg 660. I want to do BDR's and other longer range dirt-focused touring.
@@jamesadams2334 Beta 390 is lighter than a KLX 300. Tuareg is a whole different animal and certainly heavier but would be considerably more comfortable for long range while still quite dirt worthy on anything except single track and hard enduro type stuff.
The Beta 390 is a great bike. It reminds me a lot of my old KTM XCW400 which was a fantastic do it all bike. For me Honda missed the mark with the 300. Under powered and wimpy suspension.
@@user-se7vt5ow4e Yeah, I will never buy a bike lower than 350cc. But I also don't want anything bigger than around 700 if I'm going off-road. 350-650cc is the sweet spot.
As a new rider I think this is the perfect fit for me. I ride it off road 90% of the time and it doesn’t allow me to get into too much trouble. I will keep this for a long time since its two years old now and I only have 500 miles on it.
I have racked up 5,600 miles on mine since getting it new 4 months ago. I am 6'3" and 260lbs without gear. Has plenty of power for commuting and after adding Rally Raid Level II suspension it can eat up single track too. I feel a lot of people that are selling them were expecting Honda pricing and reliability with Tenere 700 performance, which isn't going to happen. Or they were older riders and realized they can't get around like they used to and after picking it up a few times they decided to get something lighter.
I am about the same weight but a couple inches shorter and the suspension is what worries me the most. Of course, I plan to lose weight and have slowly been working on that. Perhaps by next summer, I will be around 220-235 and it wont be so bad.
I'm a similar sized guy looking for my first bike. I knew suspension would be an upgrade I'd need sooner rather than later, but was worried when looking at the spring rates on the different suspensions that I would still be on the heavy side for the bike. The rally raid setup is the one I had been looking at the most, so I'm really glad to hear that it is working for you!
Entirely depends on your priorities, I'd love to have my 350 Ducati instead of my 999 sometimes. It weighd less than 300lbs and had a great revvy engine. In fact Honda 125s of yore still have a pull about them as do 250 singles. by Big H. Never their CB250/350/500s.Then again my bros Puch 50 scambled around the garden was great fun too. As you say depends what you want to do with it. To me the 300 Honda seems like a perfect one to get about town and have some old fashioned motorcycle fun with.
Where I live you can’t even find one. None for sale within 200 miles. I did find a Versys 300 at a good price and so far I’m loving it. I also have a big bike for longer trips.
Perfectly put on this Video, my 300rally is easy to ride and cheap to live with as opposed to my ex 950 adventure - awesome to ride but she was thirsty, heavy and expensive to date, none of em are perfect you just gotta know that fact and love what you got
@Manuel Urrego I had a bit of a gap between the two bikes... get a test ride first if you can Manuel, just so you know what you're getting power wise, I know you know but I miss that top end pull for overtaking anything above 50mph
I have a 300 Rally ordered for next year. Can't wait to get it and begin my offload adventures throughout Europe. The only thing that could tempt me to change my mind would be if Honda released a 450 Rally. It won't set the world on fire but it will get me there and more importantly get me home.
A 450 Rally with longer maintenance intervals than the current 450L would be an awesome bike, but I'm sure you're going to have a blast on your 300 Rally. I definitely have on mine.
Bought a 450L and I'm making some modifications - I'm one of those guys you mentioned in the video. The service intervals don't bother me because dropping the oil on a Honda is pretty easy. I'll try it out for a year and then decide whether to trade it for a 300L, which are really hard to come by.
The 500excf is an ideal rally bike, in EU you can easily get parts and easy to work on if needed. Look what the amateur Baja 1000 or Romaniacs choose to ride.
Well, the bike is perfect for many types of riders, Of course "Itchy Boots" sure has been a certain type of ambassador for this bike... Speed is NOT everything, and it would be a more mature rider, experience wise rider that can appreciate a bike like this. Many of us have had huge bikes in the past and we've zeroed in on what exactly works for them. Important factors like, bike weight, ⛽ mileage, dependability, keep it simple stupid type of thing. This Honda is a great bike!! The words shared on this particular video is smack on as far as I'm concerned. Very honest, and informative to many I'm sure. We must all remember that there are so very many types of folks out there, with different taste's in motorcycles that you can go crazy following any group out there... Most importantly, it's just all so darn personal. So, go with what you personally think is best for you. If you make a mistake, you live and learn and go move on. The most important is to get out and ride!! Geez, some cross the entire globe 🌎🌍 on a Vespa and live to tell their tale!!!😉👍
I am an Enduro racer and I race a YZ250X 52hp 2stroke beast, I am happy with my Rally,I call it my lil adv bike that could. Yes it's not as nimble and as fast as my 250x but with suspension done and skills I make it fun for me and keep up with all my friends on their 501s,701s 650s ect....on dirt yes is not as fast as the other ones on street but I make it work on the dirt and I have a blast on it!! I LOVE MY UNICORN 💪🏾😎
@@HighDesertHills Hey as long you having fun its what really matters, I ride with guys that are in their 70s and have Rallys also and they love the bike!!
These are perfect for everything except when you expect more. Freeway mine hit 154kmh (standard 300la led ABS in Australia) its ok but don't expect that a perfect bike off road or on road. Its a dual sport! I recommend changing tyres from day1 though
Another problem is that some people buy the 300L to go ride with their buddies who all happen to own KTM's or Huskys or Betas. Pretty soon they figure out that if they wanted to keep up they should have spent the extra money. In my 50+ years of riding off road I have found that a small four stroke motorcycle is fast enough to get you into trouble but not powerfull enough to get you out of trouble.
Gosh! The landscape is absolutely gorgeous! Where is it? I'm the southern part of Aurtalia which is also nice but nothing like this. Great to hear your opinion about the CRF300L / Rally. Could well become my second bike!I currently ride a Bonneville T100 black with dual tyres, great for gravel but nothing like this Honda. I rode XRs, DRs, KTMs and even CRs off-road, but I think this one would be great to cruise in the bush. Thanks for posting!
I had a CRF1000L I used it off-road, the reason I am looking into this bike is: almost in every country Honda has parts if I decide to go on a world tour. The second one I will not be tired picking this bike up for the 6th time. Also extremely easy to maintain and the maintenance interval is brilliant!
I liked my 300L, but I grew tired of it. It’s a good all round bike but the engine lacks some power when you really want to have fun in the dirt/gravel.
Sometimes fantastic bikes don't meet the needs or expectations of a buyer, case in point: I had powerful Suzukis for many years (Bandit 1200 & 1250 and a Busa) and loved the things but they were getting some age on them (and me too) so I started to slowly sell them off one by one and picked up a CB500x along the way. I think the CB is the best thing since apple pie but I kinda missed the big horsepower hits of the ole Bandits so I picked up a '22 MT09sp. Wow! it's a fantastic bike...but it wasn't doing it for me, nothing bad to say about the MT but I just didn't like it as much as I had hoped so I picked up a new 300 Rally 3 weeks ago and sold the MT 2 weeks ago. I'm already hooked on the 300 and fits me like a glove for where I'm at in my life. Live and learn.
I was gonna get this bike because I’m a first time rider at 49 but many experienced riders told me to go with the XR650L since I’m 6’-5” tall & 235 lbs. it was a tough bike to learn on but no matter what whether you get the 650 or the 300 it’s a Honda so reliability is there Ride Red, Ride Safe!!
Interesting comments from High Desert. Maybe the owners should live here in WI - the highest speed limit is 70 and 95-100 gets you jail time. As for so many for sale, that conflicts with the "unobtainium" status of supposedly none at the dealers and the above-retail prices on used ones.
Could not agree more I think these are great starter bikes that can do a lot. I am trying to help a friend find one of these or a KLX300 for a decent price. I am really excited to see what Kove can do to the market for dual sports.
I imagine that lots of 300L owners are selling their bikes because they got persuaded to buy one because of kinky boots and other RUclipsrs, but in reality they never go off-roading. Then they ride it on the road and realise how gutless a 287cc 4 stroke engine is.
I would add that there are those people who are out to flip a rare bike for profit. I've seen these bikes all the way up to 9000 bucks! Also, you can't test ride these things because they're so rare. So, plenty of people have bought the bike only to find out it's not for them.
Anyone who would buy a 300L Rally or the 300L to commute on freeways that speed is above 80 may have not done enough research before purchasing those bikes I’m happy with both on and off road capabilities I did my research obviously they didn’t do good research before purchasing one the reviews and thought are out there informative vid 👍🤟
Don't blame the bike, buy the bike appropriate for your riding preferences in the first place. There is no such thing as a "beginner bike", a bike is a bike and use it for it's intended purpose. I own three bikes, one born in 1982, one in 1991 and one in 2001 and together they suit specific riding purposes.
I had a 450L I put over 3k into. Such a waste it turns out. In almost 2 yrs I had it I put 996 miles on it. Picked up a new 300 Rally and love it. In 3 months I put just over 3000 miles on it. Can't wait to do some up grades. But, what I'm looking for may not be what you're looking for.
@Anders D . Well, to be fair it was part of my unrealistic expectation. After the up grades did very well off road. But, here are my personal issues. Putting that much money into an already expensive bike to operate how it should stock is wrong. Mostly I prefer to ride alone and cruise and explore. The 450 likes to go fast. Maintenance intervals. Even if doubled still aren't acceptable for me. (My fault). 450L could easily do a BDR. But...do I want to ride it home on the road afterwards? No thanks. It seems like many people had expectations like I did. Anyway, just know what you want. It can good but for a price!
I miss the old bikes like my 500 Triumph Tiger scrambler 1969 great all around bike 10 get you to 100 miles an hour fast but just great for putting around on the dirt roads and a little bit of Trail
Thank you for reasoning me out of the 300L, a bike I've been considering. I will travel some, but the day-to-day riding is up and dirt with only a few blocks of city in my way. I'd need suspension (it's a spongy one) and other mods right away. It jacks the price up quite a bit even if I do most of it myself. Even then, I know the bike is a bit of a dirt compromise compared to a similar bundle of cash for a slightly used KTM or Beta, which my riding buds say fits my style better. (I also like getting dirty and figuring things out) I like the 300L, though, always have. Many must because used ones are through the roof these days
I agonized over the decision about buying a 300 rally for months.After a ton of research, I realized that it was going to bother me too much that the stock engine and suspension are both inept and would have to be upgraded, etc. But that would cost about 2k. So, I bought a new 2022 Suzuki DRZ400s. It will do 100mph stock, and has great suspension stock. Its very torquey for instant power. It still feels anemic to me in the mid range to high revs but I'm still breaking it in. I have already spent a few hundred upgrading things but at least it's not a few thousand.
Nice. If the DRZ feels anemic to you at times, then you definitely made the right choice not going with the 300L. I did consider a DRZ as well, but the taller seat height scares me, and I’m also a big fan of fuel injection.
@@HighDesertHills Right. Carbs are more of a pain but I can tinker with it if theres a problem. I already bought the JD jet kit but I havent installed it yet. Only having 5 gears is a bummer too but there is no perfect bike really. KTM 690 Enduro is my dream bike but that's not exactly a unicorn either.
@@CoachSteve4u I sold my Dr 650 and got the drz400 just to realize that I was still missing the torque, the sound and the smoothness of the Dr 650, so I went back to the 6 xx segment and got a 690 it is an amazing modern dual sport, but now I have the 300l and fits my needs at least for the meantime but in reality all the bikes have their advantages and disadvantages
How does that bike compare to a 1980's XL 250S. I liked to ride on dirt roads that u were on here and highways( not freeways) and i want to ride with my partner with a combined weight of 120KG, is it to small when encountering hills.?
I would love to own one. I have a cr250r that makes me happy on the dirt tracks bud I live in the Spanish mountains and there are so many beautiful dirt roads to discover. And I think that a low maintenance bike should be perfect. I don't need adjustable suspension for that. Just a bike that's not gonna brake down. I also love the fuel capacity. And by experience I feel a lot more comfortable on a smaller bike doing some rough terrain than on a tank like the gs or a afrika twin. Personally I think you have to be a very good driver to control that big bikes in complicated situations.
I also believe there is one more thing. People that bought the bike outright compared to making payments. I think the people that are making payments on it are more likely to sell it fore the various reasons that you mentioned in the video. I myself enjoy it and have modified it to the max. I’ve probably spent $5000-$6000 in upgrades but it’s 100 paid for so I have no interest in selling it. I’m considering buying another bike to ride longer distances. I think it also depends on how much extra income you have to spend on multiple bikes.
Just sold my 300L after 20 months, a great restarter bike for offroad. I did 4,500 miles and had no trouble with it, just outgrew it and wanted a bit more offroad capability. For me I wish Honda would have made it a 350 or 390 just to to give it a bit more oomph. Did loads of mods, but in the end I could see it just wasn't going to cut it for my next level of enjoyment.
@Frank Bennett nice... I do like that bike, lots of Oomph! Possibly a bit too intimidating for my off road skills, but, maybe in the future lol. Enjoy!
![✔ 6 Months w/ the Honda CRF300L Rally ✔ [Brutally Honest Good & Bad]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kGevh1cUAKA/mqdefault.jpg)
![✔ 6 Months w/ the Honda CRF300L Rally ✔ [Brutally Honest Good & Bad]](/img/tr.png)
8k miles now on the rally. Perfect bike for me. No problems. Bike is worth a suspension upgrade. Thats it really. Range + Reliable+ MPG+ . Sold a 690 for it. 38 years riding experience.
I'm looking at selling my Africa Twin for it.
I’m off to get one this weekend. My first bike. Super excited.
I think people coming from kind of big bikes get sold for the adventure / dual sport spirit. Then they ride it on the streets and miss raw power. They don't understand that this is not made for speed runs, but to go anywhere for 40'000 miles - in moderate speeds.
@@wilkinson6212did you get it and how much out the door? Dealers are marking them up like crazy here in ca
I paid $8600 1 year on roadx including Mar 21. Now I'm looking @ $10000 crf300la August 23 (has to be abs in Australia. KLX 300 is not a dual sport here). I'm struggling with the increase ATM as I was thinking about buying one again. The LS version is perfect for me
The smart people who hold onto their 300's are those who've had bigger cc and more powerful bikes in the past and realise smaller is better
I love my 250 rally , black n silver.
Love my 300L because it is good enough. I think another reason is people are never content with what they have. Always wanting more, whatever that might be.
Very true. I’m guilty of that myself sometimes.
Most gutless bike on the highway but fun off road
BINGO. I personally know one particular guy who has pissed away hundreds of thousands of dollars making up excuses why he needs to trade in or upgrade stuff he's had a year or less. The simple truth of the matter is most people out there are materialistic minded drones. They're searching for happiness in possessions, always in competition with the Jones's and buying things they don't even need to impress people they don't even like. I call them LOOSERS. Advertising and marketing actually works on people and that has always amazed me to no end. I know another guy that literally f**** things up as soon as he buys them. He starts messing with this that and the other thing... it's unbelievable to watch. The older I get the more infinitely stupid people seem to me.
@@rickhadfield1097 Well it's not a highway bike so...🤷 A dual sport is for taking scenic backroads to get to offroad riding locations, fun city errand run arounds and commuting to your close workplace to save gas money and have a kick before and after work.🤷 I don't understand what people don't understand about that.
@@phantomshtter a dual sport can be fun and have good power though… dr650 or even the drz400 uncorked are great. They rip and have great power, so much fun and are better offroad than the Honda too and for adventures and hauling gear…..The Honda and small dual sports are super boring because they have no power and are literally scooters. Boring. If you wanna accelerate slower than a prius and ride at 10 under the speed limit then go for the little dual sports, lol.
I’m 67 yrs old and paid cash for my 300L. I don’t ride a lot but when I get the urge to take a ride I know it is in the garage waiting for me.
I'm 63 and just got mine 2 weeks ago, a great bike for old farts to putt around on ;)
One fall at your age and you're crippled for life😮
@@richarddevaottien7724 yes I tripped on a crack in the sidewalk and now I’m bed ridden for the rest of my life. Being my age I probably only have a year at the most. Whatever!
@@richarddevaottien7724
Well, clearly he is not a soy boy living in fear like you.
@@2shoestoo Don't do drugs! Like ever!
I always think to myself, imagine if this bike came out 30-40 years ago and how amazed people would be with its performance and capability. Buyer's remorse and Analysis paralysis are the two top reasons why people don't like the bike they purchased. In reality, almost any bike you choose for your desired riding in this day and age will be more than enough. Unfortunately, people prioritize the tool they are using above the goal they're trying to achieve.
Very true. Every time I see a video of some guy in South America on like a 1982 street bike flying up a trail that I’d be afraid to walk up, I think that I’m way overthinking my bikes.
I thought they were more off road capable stock (9000km before I sold her). Another buying factor was the price (now $1300 more than in mar 21 when I bought my first)
"it's great if you compare it to a ancient bike from 40 years ago!" has to be the worst way to justify parts of the CRF being poor lol. It may do the job but why wouldn't you want a better tool?
People also buy the wrong tool for the job. Look at the "I'm selling" videos and you'll quickly notice a trend. They compare it to a race 450 AND an Africa twin. Typically the comparison goes something like this:
"I like my tenere/africa twin/KTM 890 adventure much better for logging 1000 miles over the weekend. So much more power and comfort. But the bigger letdown is that I can't hit off road on it like my yz450/crf450/rmz450. So I'm selling it"
Or like this:
"I have to ride off road ever day on my commute. Which is why I bought it, but I just don't like it for the rest of the commute" then they show their "off road" is a well maintained gravel road. That any bike could handle.
Great point, I daily drive a honda ruckus at the moment, it's by far slowest street legal bike you can possibly find, but I knew what my goal was when I bought it, and now when I move up to a 300 in spring I'll appreciate that much more
I am 60 years old and have ridden all types of bikes frlm Harley Davidson to kawasaki ,suzuki etc etc. I Bought a 2022 Honda 300 l and absolutley love it. Bought it to ride around trails or roads in the mountains of north carolina. The bike is pretty cheap and really is awesome to ride. Reached a speed of 72 mph on the roads . Honda has a great name and the bike is dependable as they come. Hell its not a racing dirt bike or a friggin Road king but it is a great bike period.
Great rundown on the topic. I haven’t put as many miles on my 300 Rally as I expected to, but I love it when I do get out on it and I plan to own it for a long time. 👍
Good points! I have been riding for 56 years.
I can't think of a better way for a new rider to start off then buying a used 300L. The skills you learn in the dirt you do not get road riding and will someday save your bacon.
What do you think of the Suzuki DR650 for the first motorcycle?
Bought my CRF this year and I agree with a lot of your points. I bought the CRF as a second bike to learn how to ride dirt and it's been a blast. It isn't the do everything bike that people hyped it up to be but I knew that going in. Put 1700 miles on mine already and won't be selling it until I feel I outskill the bike.
Helpful to hear the thought process / musings of someone who has had a particular bike, for a while. Thank you.
Great thoughts. You pretty much nailed the reasons I didn’t buy a 250L or 300L. I knew I wanted to do more highway/freeway miles. I also don’t prefer to buy new. I ended up with a 2012 F800GS and as you say, it’s the perfect bike for me in my space of life right now.
Nice. BMW is the godfather of adventure bikes 👍
Still what a great bike and find. The best of all GS imo that can still slash pretty hard and cruise like nothing. Congrats!
I'm obsessed with my 2003 BMW Dakar...amazing, and can handle anything
This bike! What can I even say, I feel like I am one of the ambassadors for people getting this bike. I personally love it, I love working on it, I love how little maintenance you need. Im on my second one lol first the L and now the Rally.
Also side note, what mic are you using? It sounds great!
Cool to hear from you - love your channel 👍 I’m using a purple panda plugged into a GoPro 9 via the media mod. It’s mostly worked great. Still haven’t found the secret sauce for high speeds yet (I probably need a quieter helmet).
@@MotorcyclesOffroad I read your comment. I thought I was the only person considering getting the Rally when I already own the 300L 😂 The reason being I wasn’t planning on doing anything but local trail rides when I bought the L. Now I’m planning on riding all over the Philippines with it. I’d upgrade the L but getting some parts here is an issue.
How do you find the Rally in comparison?
My other thought is a Tenere 700 but I appreciate the weight of the Honda’s.
I do not own a 300L and have no desire to ever consider one (cruiser guy) but watched the entire video. You made a very good, pleasant to watch, video. Good job!
Thank you!
Also remember the riders that were sold by the initial reviews touting this model as the best adv bike; buying it to end up like those jeep owners that never been to Utah, but crawl mall on weekends!!!
Plus everyone wanted to "" travel the world", Itchy Boots style, only to discover that they lack on the cojones to at least start with
a trip around their state or country, let alone to go around the world, Alone!!....Gotta love Noraly Shoenmaker aka Itchy Boots!! ❤️
Valid points in this video.
Love to everyone ride safe
Yes but if they are just doing BDR's it's probably still one of the best bikes for it.
Agree with all those scenarios! As a new rider my Rally is all I need at this time. It gets me to the Canyon to explore the trails on and behind Timp and just recently out to your area checking out those trails around Lake Mtn. Just have to use it for its intended type of riding, within its design limits. I'm having a blast with mine!
Yeah, it doesn’t do everything, but it does what it does very well. I hope the trails out here treated you right 🙂
Right on dude I'm glad you enjoy your 🏍️💨 it's a badass bike I got the 250 rally & love this shit out of mine they're fun to ride comfortable, dependable & for me it has enough capability cuz I'm not trying to go all crazy, could it be better yeah I'm sure everything could be a little better LOL but like you said ride it within its intended purpose & the bike is a freaking riot to ride 💪💪💯🏍️💨
A great summary. I couldn't agree more with your thoughts and input. Continue enjoying your 300 Rally.
Thanks!
Not just low milage 300l's but high end fully loaded adventure bikes. Most say " no time or just never ride it as much as I thought I would". I loved my 300l but in the end I sold it because it was not exillerating to ride. I think a lot of people bought motorcycles during the pandemic that would have not other wise and found it wasn't what they thought it would be.
I agree. I was talking to the guys at my dealer, and they said people would come in who had never ridden before and buy bikes for their whole family. People were desperate to get out of their houses and do something, and many of them had money to burn after their big vacations had to be cancelled.
People bought bikes and kayaks the last two years from our store in DROVES. This past year was a lot of those people calling to see if we buy used bikes and kayaks. It's crazy how many people felt like and extra $1,000-2,000 justified buying a new toy.
I sincerely hope that's the case, because Rebel 500s are hard to find just now.
Exactly, not exillerating to ride is spot on… it’s like riding a scooter, literally. It’s boring, no power no fun…. It will get you everywhere you wanna go for sure but it’s boring…
Interesting. People looking for the bike to provide the "exhilaration". The best experience is when the ride does that. I have a very fast sport bike that is exhilarating for sure, but it is a bit of a sugar high type situation. It gets old after awhile. I ride my big ADV bike a lot more, as it can go to far and interesting places in comfort and it can handle a dirt road much better as well.
I still keep the fast bike around though, cuz sometimes ya just want to go on a quick 100 mile ride to a rural area and spin 'er up to 12,000 RPM...
Yep I agree with a lot of the points here. I think due to the popularity of the bike, a lot of people just go out and buy one not realizing that by going with a dual sport you have pretty much already sacrificed a lot of performance for both street and dirt riding to achieve that balance. Maybe more people buying this bike didn't realize what they were getting into compared to other more niche dual sport bikes where the customers are aware and accept the limitations but are more concerned with reliability and utility. The TW 200 comes to mind. Huge community that seems very happy with it. But I don't think they are your average dual sport customer.
All true. I also have an XT250 and that community is the same way.
@@HighDesertHills I had an XT250 but it was a terrible road bike with bad front end wobble above 60 mph. I know another guy near me with the same problem and I've seen it a lot on the forums. I tried all the "cures" (different tires, etc) to no avail so I got rid of it. I have an XR150 Honda on order now.
@@spydie Those XR150s look pretty awesome. Hope it works out well for you.
Great episode! I have an unplugged ‘04 XR 650 r w/ street legal kit, 6 gal tank, and lots of accessories and upgrades.
In ‘06, I rode it to Chile, SA from Kentucky.
She’s a gas hog but it runs like a bat out of hell!
I once thought of selling it to get something newer with F.I. (Even with rejetting in Peru, I had trouble getting over the Andes Mountains), and electric start, but I just can’t do it. The motor is so good, and the bike fits my 6’5” frame.
It’s nearly perfect for me, but it sure isn’t for everyone!
You gave some good advice.
What an awesome trip! Thanks for the comment!
Great thoughts. I just did the 20k mile review on my RE Himalayan and that was so much of the theme. "This is probably not the bike for you". ( I love mine) More people need to look deeply into their actual needs and not ignore the shortcomings. Really good thoughts here... And yes I watched because it was a consideration. A great one
The Himalayan is an awesome bike. Great choice 👍
Whew, I found that Himalayan just too heavy given its low power
You made a lot of good points, which can be stated about anything in life. I was looking at the 300 rally, but ultimately went with a 2021 DRZ400S 2,000 miles on it for only $5600. I’m a tinkerer and a modder that’s how I get my stress release and like seeing a project come to life. For me being so far away from any real dirt at all or trails I needed the extra power over the 300. add in the suspension and ecu remap the 300 needs and The price starts to get outrageous. I’ve literally done every mod in the book to my DRZ400S at about half the price a modded 300 would be. Honestly, not worth the cost at all.
You can’t go wrong with the DRZ. Very tried and true platform. For me it was worth it to do the upgrades I wanted on the Honda, but from a purely “dollars to specs” standpoint, you’re right. Lots of less expensive ways to get there.
Every motorcycle is a compromise, and perhaps dual sports are the MOST compromised. I did 6,500 miles of dual sport travel across the western US on my brand new Rally 300. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the effect of the wind on the bike. Aside from that, you could hardly wish for a better travel motorcycle. Key for me, going into the backcountry by myself, was being able to pick it up when I dropped it, which of course happens. That and gas mileage make this a fantastic all-rounder. I threw a YSS shock on mine which made suspension adequate.
Great points, and I especially agree on being able to pick it up easily on your own. I had to pick up mine with a severely sprained ankle after a crash, and though it wasn’t exactly fun, it was at least doable. On a bigger bike, I would have been hobbling out of there on foot and calling for help.
Very thoughtful commentary and advice for owners and prospective buyers. 👍🏁
Thanks!
Almost got CRF300L and ended up with new DRZ400SM. Built set of ADV wheels 17/19 with TKC80 and could not be happier.
For me my Rally is all of those problems and I knew it would be, but I wanted reliability and economy first and foremost and the rest I can put up with, it's "apparent" shortcomings when I use it for local shopping or 30 minute trips into our larger city nearby and all road use. So I have not had a bike for 30 years and the last was a DR600, this 300L has some great technology as a new bike and very throttle responsive. A great bike to use as a stepping stone to biking again. I modded immediately with the ECU, exhaust and it is just great. I've watched users on here thrash the tripe out of this engine and the result of it kind of sold it for me.
I think that’s the key to enjoying any bike - knowing it’s shortcomings beforehand. Of course for me it’s a little different. I came from an XT250, so a lot of the “shortcomings” of my Rally are a big step up from what I was used to.
Ha, Im am in literally the same scenario. Almost exact life details too and everything mirrored! haha. Im 49 and raced as a kid and getting this non -rally model after decades. SO ill take your Mod suggestions. But What would you get if you didnt get this?
If this bike was at least 400cc and 35 to 38 hp. Lots of people would have been happy.
I’m ok with the power, but if they made a 450 Rally, it would sell like crazy.
For me, the 250L Rally was a great first motorcycle. Easy to learn on. Not to much power. Very refined transmission and brakes. It was the perfect short distance commuter and trail motorcycle.
As my experience and skills increased, I was riding longer distances on tarmac to get to trails. I gravitated to logging roads and atv double tracks. On the trail, I find myself having to shift a lot because because the motor doesn't have enough low end grunt. There's not enough power to lighten up the front wheel for going over objects easily. And the suspension will require a lot of work for anything more than slow paced gravel roads.
I still love the motorcycle and will keep it for around town and nearby trails. I'll be getting a T7 for my coast to coast travel.
The T7 is one of the bigger bikes I've had my eye on for a while. But, if I ever get one (or something else in that class), I'll be hanging on to the CRF as well.
What's a T7 bike?
Yamaha Tenere 700
@HighDesertHills
No one is selling their Honda CRF300L/CRF300 Rally in droves like you mentioned. Adventure Undone still has his Enduro/Dual Sport bikes. Sure, some owners will "outgrow" this and other small bikes like it. People will buy a bike hoping that it is a "one bike for all" scenarios motorcycle. There's no such thing as a best bike for every road condition.
@@HighDesertHills
I've never heard people call the Tenere 700 bike....a "T7". That nickname by you makes me think of the Terminator movies. Lol
Interesting philosophizing when you drive on the great plain fields 😀 Really enjoyed it.
Thank you!
This review is completely right. I have a 250L and I’ve done pretty much every mod possible. It’s a blast to ride and super reliable. However, there are limits. It’s heavy off-road and not good on the highway. I mainly stick to back roads and the roads less traveled. When I eventually upgrade to another bike, I’ll keep the 250L for my kids.
Yep. For backroad exploring, these bikes are perfect. And I’m the same - if I ever get something bigger, I’ll keep this around for what it’s great at.
KLX owner. Completely agree. A dirt bike it is not and for the most part I stick to the back roads cuz its definitely not a street bike either. Great for exploring and general hooliganing but it's not a "best of both worlds" situation. It's only "ok" at either. Although it's good for what it is.
Which is why I get a chuckle when I see the ADV bike guys obsessing over the lightest and most offroad worthy 400+lb Adv bike. Since most of them are in for a rude awakening the first time they try do any serious offloading lol.
2020 CRF250L owner here. Bought during the pandemic lockdowns to keep my sanity. Gravel roads, old railway beds, easy trails and secondary roads. The 250L shines in this environment. Plan is to watch Honda progress the 300L over the next few years (suspension me hopes ... ) and then buy one
I've got a 2014 250l and love to ride it, not a highway crusher for sure, done most mods on it, I thought the the Transalp was going to be my next bike but it was a big disappointment. I think I'll just wait a couple more years and see where the 300l goes, maybe a 450l would be great and yes I know the have one now but that 450l is a race bike with turn signals and a head light.
@@mikedenton6485 , opinions sure vary on the 450's - from heavy Catalytic pig with poor throttle response to a race bike! And videos proving both points.
I absolutely LOVE mine, had it for 2 years and I mainly use it for trails and off road. I have 4 more bikes including a new KLR, my bike is pretty much maxed out on aftermarket stuff (suspension, ejk, bigger tank, better tires, sprockets and so on) now I'm on the market for a KTM 350 not cause I don't like the CRF but mainly cause I feel like I graduated to something more hard core
I felt the same way about my XT250. Loved it and had a blast on it (still do sometimes), but just felt like I graduated. Haven’t graduated from the 300L yet 🙂
...just right to load up on the hitch carrier....drive to park/ride/camp etc etc etc.
...can leave truck behind for 2/3 days....load and go further for more or home.
Or....can take the '15 GSA for the long bike trip.
I love to find slightly used bikes that have been fully tricked out by the "Mod Guy or Gal". Leaves me with more time to do what i enjoy
the most : RIDING. All good points you made, here's another, Dual Sport bikes are not the most exciting thing in the world to ride,
i think some folks just get bored with them.
I agree - finding a bike that already has all or most of the upgrades you want is awesome. And yeah, I’m sure you’re right about the boring aspect, though I can’t personally relate to that one 🙂
I agree it's always a plus to get a used bike that's been tricked out by someone that just didn't ride it as much as they thought they would and is passing some savings on to you. And on the subject of dual sports being boring I'll say this from my anecdotal experience of riding motorcycles all my life both street and dirt. It's something that most all seasoned riders know. There are all kinds of riders out there. Those that want to push the envelope of the machine their on and that gives them the thrill their seeking. Those that are far more interested in the riding experience of traveling on a bike and far less concerned with what their riding, and there is lots more in between. So the key is to find out what kind of rider you are and then search out a bike that fits your desired riding style. And as seasoned folks know it might take a few bikes to find out what kind of riding you prefer and to get to the bike that suits your riding preferences best. But if your a beginner a dual sport that allows you to explore both street and dirt riding in a manageable package is often a great first bike as they are versatile and user friendly in most cases. And if ya like doing all types of riding and can only have one bike then a dual sport or possibly a newly coined adv bike would be the type Id chose. Of course I'm speaking to the choir I'm sure.
@@duncdunc76 Great insights. And even though I literally do sing in a pretty big choir, I don’t mind being preached to 😄
I have a 250l rally, I love it. I think it's a great first bike and I would think the 300l rally is similar. I can see how more experienced people would get bored of it though. It's sort of gotten the reputation of being a magic unicorn perfect bike. There's always trade offs with dual sports. I think this bike is perfect for new riders, and great for people who want a light weight adv and aren't worried about the power.
Outside of those categories, I can see why people get bored of it.
Exactly this. I never get bored on my Rally, but I can see how some people could be. Especially if they were expecting something more/different based on all the rave reviews.
@@HighDesertHills how many miles are on your rally?
About 3,600. Not a ton compared to a lot of people, but that accounts for most of my free time over the past year 🙂
@@HighDesertHills thats the reason why you have no gripes. Im a professional powersports mechanic. My reasoning for the question and a warning i heed to you. Is that the engine in your bike is not designed for high rpm but as a consequence of being such low cc's its subjected to higher rpm due to speed limits on roads now a days.
As it get up in higher miles. Say above 5k youll start to see what the real issue with that bike is. I suggest to you that you follow the service intervals religiously on your bike specifically the valve adjustments. It is very important that you regularly adjust your valves.
I'm 70 years old and as far as dual sports go, I've recently owned 3. I've owned 2 DR650s and a Yamaha XT 225. The DRs were nice, and I had the usual accessories, bigger tank, heated grips, better pegs, etc. but I rode the XT 3x as much as the 650s. It was just more fun, more nimble and 100 lbs lighter, 246 compared to 338 for the DR and the DR was 100 lbs lighter than a KLR. The XT also got 90 mpg. I put a 5.3 gallon tank on it and I had a range of 470 miles.
I just bought a 300 Rally last month. It's my first bike. Just passed 800 miles on it. Completely agree about riding it on the freeway. My usual work commute is 15 mins and the max speed is 55 mph. The bike is fine for that. However I took it on my first camping trip, about a 6 hour round trip, and I absolutely hated the stretches of the trip that I had to get onto the interstate. I still think it was the right way to go as a beginner but even as a complete noob to riding I'm already wishing it had more power.
Yeah, I really try to avoid the interstate. The rural highways around me are 65mph, but they’re not bad because there’s generally not too many cars on them.
Get a map not gps a real map. Stay off the interstate and use the bike like it was intended. There is always a side road to where you are going and it is guaranteed to be better than any interstate
I have been taking motorcycle vacations for 4 decades and have come to the realization(some time ago) that motorcycle trips are 1000 times better when you allow ample time and flexibility to take all back roads and I never ride past about 2 in the afternoon in real hot weather. I do this on my cb500x and just run a relaxed pace with many pull-over breaks and no rigid daily destinations...just maybe a final destination mid trip (for instance to visit my brother in Roanoke). Yes it takes waaay longer to get to the final destination but in the end it's all about the journey not the destination. I hope this helps, it has revolutionized my travels.
@@ljoelmchanley3676wisdom here
I found this very helpful. Thanks for your comments.
Glad you found it useful. I appreciate the feedback.
Great video and assessment! Awesome advice thanks!
Many years ago, there was a type of off road bikes that were in the enduro category. They weren't great for pavement, and they weren't optimum motocross bikes. But bikes like the original Yamaha DT1 or the Bultaco Matador among some others beat the pants off of what was previously sold as off road. The Yamaha DT1 may have been the most important off-road type bike ever produced.
Buy a beta 4s
Great analysis. There’s one shop here where a lot of people go and mod out their new bikes. Im original owner of a 2014 CRF250M. It’s still all original, no mods. I ride it all over northern Thailand. It’s not the same as the KLR650, R1150GS, KTM450XE or the 1500 Goldwing I owned in the US and I knew that when I bought it. But it is a lot of fun and perfect for here, handles the small twisty mountain roads, dirt farm roads and limited trails and it’s the longest I’ve ever kept a bike. The only maintenance so far is replacing the fork seals. My fault as I rode the piss out of it and occasionally took my gf on a hard ride..lol. Occasionally I think I want and look at bigger bikes, but I enjoy riding smaller, lighter bikes now. I do want to get the 300 Rally next year. That bike I might put in the ECU mod and just maybe a shock upgrade, but only after I ride it for awhile. If I move back to Arizona or anywhere in the US I’d probably get another GS or Tenere. I do prefer off-road riding and exploring the desert and forests.
I see a lot of videos of people riding in Thailand, and it looks amazing. I hope to make it over there someday.
Honda should put out a dual sport 350cc w/ 6-speed transmission that reaches 90mph
19:45 you nailed it. I keep my H or KTM for the week end, but at 54 000kms in 3 years my CRF dual sport is the ideal horse in my stable.
Have had big ADV bikes, mid range DR650 and just picked up a CRF300L and I'm thinking this bike is going to be a blast.
Congrats on the new bike! A blast it definitely is.
I have a late 80s XT350 that I don’t use for off road driving, but I like the ability to go over curbs and grass without getting stuck. From what I see the 300L is quite reliable and capable of the same things as the Yamaha. I’m considering to buy the 300L and am waiting for one to become available for a test drive.
You won’t be disappointed. It may not be an enduro racer, but it can do a lot more than go over curbs and grass 🙂
I have a 2000 Xt 350. And I’m picking a 300l rally tomorrow. Super stoked
Thanks for going to the effort of making such a great video. Terrific points for anyone considering buying any new motorcycle.
Glad it was helpful!
Great conversation on the fence about getting a dual purpose motorcycle living in Hawaii and I think that will answer my knees, but I really felt like I’d shared a beer, a cuppa tea with a friend who given on his answers. Thanks.
Thanks!!
my housemate just bought his 300l Rally new. has pumped an additional 4grand in all new suspension, aftermarket full exhaust, new cams, ECU reflashing, airbox mods ETC ETC. Absoluteley loves it. I personally think hes completely insane. I meran for what hes put into it he could get a fully sorted 690 enduro R which in every respect is a better bike both on road and offroad.
I get both sides really. If it was purely about money, then you’re absolutely right, but there’s something to be said for building your own unicorn exactly the way you want it from pretty much the ground up. It feels a lot more like “your” bike when you do it all yourself.
I would support my friend in his love for his bike. You do you and let other’s do them. Simple really
Agreed with everything. I have had a CRF300 Rally since October last year and love it. its not a sports bike or a motocross bike. I have a T7 for long trips road and dirt, an MT09SP for sports stuff.
I feel people just buy the wrong bike sometimes. there are a lot of people putting out a lot of information on many bikes that probably can't ride or have little experience riding who shouldn't. I think some people get confused and buy or avoid buying bikes because of the misinformation.
I have had loads of KTM's and enduro bikes which are great off road but no good on the road. The Honda is just a great all round trail bike. its also a cheap platform you can add things to get it how you like it, it does not need a service twice a month and does everything well.
Great review I will be keeping mine until a 450 version comes out.
Mick
That’s a great group of bikes you have. And if Honda has ever doubted the demand for a 450 Rally, they should come read the comments on this video. So many people waiting for one.
@@HighDesertHillssuch a shame they messed up the previous 450L, hopefully the Himalayan encourages them to bring out a decent low maintenance 450L.
I had the 250L and sold it for a ktm 300, I could actually keep up with people riding ktms on my 250L but I had to rag it to its limit, ended up doing much more technical enduro on the KTM and got a 790 adventure for dual sport, it does on and off road much better than the Honda
Great video, I agree with all your points. I have a WR250R and I love it, does everything okay but nothing great. Suits me just fine. If I ever sold it and wanted another dual sport, I'm sure I"d be happy with a 300L. Occasionally I wish my WRR was better on the dirt and the street but you really need multiple bikes for that.
I've found my 250 L to be a great all round transportation bike.. And really that's what it was designed for.. Itchy boots beats the crap out of her bike for the whole world to see.. Reliability is what matters in the long run.. I'm willing to bet that three hundred is a lot better bike than ninety percent of the riders that buy it..
Where are all those used Honda CRF 300 L Rally being sold at?? I cant find anything but brand new ones being advertised for sale.
Often they leave bikes up for sale on there sites but don't even have them anymore .
Great bike for new riders and after 5 years I'm not ready to change and I'm only on a 250 Rally.
I expect I'll still have my Rally in 5 years. Just because it's great for new riders doesn't mean we have to grow out of it.
Appreciate your open and honest views!
Thanks!
I did my suspension upgrade and my 300L is a great bike for the cash it gets you to the trail then becomes fun .
I have had my CRF300L Rally for over a year and I love it. I’m selling it and replacing it with the standard CRF300L :)
Nice! I love the features of the Rally for the type of riding I'm into, but I definitely see the appeal of the standard 300L. Lighter, thinner, and more nimble.
Nobody accepts the bike for what it is and what it is intented to do. Always expect more. That's not how it works.
Yup. I picked up a 300 Rally a few months into covid. The previous owner had upgraded several things but not the suspension. I liked the bike well enough but I soon realized that I didn't look forward to riding it. I was considering upgrading the suspension (hint: $$$) when someone offered me $1000 more than I paid for it. SOLD! That left me without something to take on the trails but I really didn't mind.
4 months later I happened to be at the local Kawasaki dealer sitting on the few bikes they had in stock for a lark when a truck rolled up with two KLX 300s and a couple other new bikes on the back. The dealer was as surprised as I was but apparently inventory showing up out of the blue was how it was at the time. He had a long list of people interested in the bike but no one had plonked down a deposit so... Long story short I'm now a very happy KLX owner.
Awesome timing! Congrats on the KLX!
I really wish they were road legal in Australia but the reality is they are not. I bought first crf300la mar 21. They are ok but I had expected more off road capabilities with the advertising at the time. Enjoy your bike & stay safe out there 👍
I like my 300L I'm new to dirt riding, I think it will be a long time before I get decent on riding dirt, so I don't need a dirt bike with high power and speed. I also ride street bike's, had super sport bike's, naked, cruiser bike's. I perfectly happy with an sv650 I have a couple scooters I ride with my daughter's and my 300L I'm not trying to win any trophies, so I just enjoy the rides without being in a hurry to get to my destination, what matters is getting there safe and have fun.
Yes - Your RUclips name says it all :)
I was keen on a 300 Rally but I knew that 300cc's wasn't going to satisfy me. I went with a DRZ400E (Australia) and love it.
Perfect bike to ride in Aus. My issue is 29" inseam lol. Honda it is & now a short arse version coming out 🎉
I really wanted a 300L Rally, but my commute included about 25 miles of highway (75-80 mph). I bought a Tenere 700 instead and had a blast with it. I moved from Virginia to Thailand, so now I'm in the market for a 300L again. They are made here, so they are both cheaper and more available. The roads here are perfect for this bike.
I’ve seen lots of videos and pics of people on 300Ls in Thailand, and it looks amazing. Enjoy the riding over there!
I live and ride in Northern Thailand and just ordered the 2023 CRF300L. Can't wait till it arrives.
As for the crf300LS... the waiting lists to get a new one are 20-50 people long. getting one on the West Coast is pretty impossible.
From your thoughtful summary it sounds like people who are selling this bike in particular, it's because they are new riders or just entering dual sport riding, and so didn't know what to expect or didn't know what they actually need (what kind of riding they are actually going to do).
Every bike has limitations... sadly... I've been on a fool's quest for the elusive Unicorn do-it-all bike for 25 years, and it doesn't exist. The answer is a minimum of 3 bikes. 😀
I’m looking to get a 300l for commuting and easy farm riding nothing crazy. The road I drive to work is a 55 mph road mostly flat with some small hills “KY” roads. I don’t care about speed or to pay 600$ to upgrade the rear shock at some point. With that being said would I be fine with the 300l strictly for low speed commuting?
You'll absolutely be fine with those conditions. I cruise at 70 mph without any issues, there just isn't much passing power at that point. On 55 mph road, you'll be great. The suspension should be fine for you as-is as well. I drove mine for a year on the stock suspension, sometimes on some pretty gnarly (for me) stuff. You just have to slow down a bit on the rougher terrain, and you'll be fine.
@@HighDesertHills sweet thanks
I've had a KLX 300 for the last 6 months, done quite a few mods, and really got it feeling great for most of what I do. But I think I'm going to be selling it by summer at the latest. Feel like I've graduated to something like a Beta 390 or maybe a Tuareg 660. I want to do BDR's and other longer range dirt-focused touring.
Those other bikes will be heavier and get less mpg. I think that if you are doing BDR's your KLX 300 might be a better bike.
@@jamesadams2334 Beta 390 is lighter than a KLX 300. Tuareg is a whole different animal and certainly heavier but would be considerably more comfortable for long range while still quite dirt worthy on anything except single track and hard enduro type stuff.
The Beta 390 is a great bike. It reminds me a lot of my old KTM XCW400 which was a fantastic do it all bike.
For me Honda missed the mark with the 300. Under powered and wimpy suspension.
@@user-se7vt5ow4e Yeah, I will never buy a bike lower than 350cc. But I also don't want anything bigger than around 700 if I'm going off-road. 350-650cc is the sweet spot.
I have a 390rr since 4 years. Swiss knife, real enduro bike plated. Yes it can hurt your butt on tarmac but the fun erase all suffering 🎉
As a new rider I think this is the perfect fit for me. I ride it off road 90% of the time and it doesn’t allow me to get into too much trouble. I will keep this for a long time since its two years old now and I only have 500 miles on it.
I'm glad some people are selling them so you can finally get your hands on one
I have racked up 5,600 miles on mine since getting it new 4 months ago. I am 6'3" and 260lbs without gear. Has plenty of power for commuting and after adding Rally Raid Level II suspension it can eat up single track too. I feel a lot of people that are selling them were expecting Honda pricing and reliability with Tenere 700 performance, which isn't going to happen. Or they were older riders and realized they can't get around like they used to and after picking it up a few times they decided to get something lighter.
Nice. I’m 5’9”, so I went with the Rally Raid level 1. It’s perfect for me 👍
@@HighDesertHills right on. Suspension really transforms the little Hondas. Are you still able to flat foot it at your height?
I am about the same weight but a couple inches shorter and the suspension is what worries me the most. Of course, I plan to lose weight and have slowly been working on that. Perhaps by next summer, I will be around 220-235 and it wont be so bad.
It’s about the same as stock with the Rally Raid level 1. I was never able to flat foot it, but I’m pretty comfortable on the balls of me feet.
I'm a similar sized guy looking for my first bike. I knew suspension would be an upgrade I'd need sooner rather than later, but was worried when looking at the spring rates on the different suspensions that I would still be on the heavy side for the bike. The rally raid setup is the one I had been looking at the most, so I'm really glad to hear that it is working for you!
I LOVE my 300L and I'm a retired pro speedway racer.
Entirely depends on your priorities, I'd love to have my 350 Ducati instead of my 999 sometimes. It weighd less than 300lbs and had a great revvy engine. In fact Honda 125s of yore still have a pull about them as do 250 singles. by Big H. Never their CB250/350/500s.Then again my bros Puch 50 scambled around the garden was great fun too. As you say depends what you want to do with it. To me the 300 Honda seems like a perfect one to get about town and have some old fashioned motorcycle fun with.
Where I live you can’t even find one. None for sale within 200 miles. I did find a Versys 300 at a good price and so far I’m loving it. I also have a big bike for longer trips.
Nice! I’ve heard great things about the Versys, but haven’t had a chance to ride one personally.
Perfectly put on this Video, my 300rally is easy to ride and cheap to live with as opposed to my ex 950 adventure - awesome to ride but she was thirsty, heavy and expensive to date, none of em are perfect you just gotta know that fact and love what you got
I can totally relate, 05 950 Adventure here! She’s fun but dam you described her perfectly, hence why the 300L is my next bike
@Manuel Urrego I had a bit of a gap between the two bikes... get a test ride first if you can Manuel, just so you know what you're getting power wise, I know you know but I miss that top end pull for overtaking anything above 50mph
I have a 300 Rally ordered for next year. Can't wait to get it and begin my offload adventures throughout Europe. The only thing that could tempt me to change my mind would be if Honda released a 450 Rally. It won't set the world on fire but it will get me there and more importantly get me home.
A 450 Rally with longer maintenance intervals than the current 450L would be an awesome bike, but I'm sure you're going to have a blast on your 300 Rally. I definitely have on mine.
Yup. Waiting for a 450 rally
Bought a 450L and I'm making some modifications - I'm one of those guys you mentioned in the video. The service intervals don't bother me because dropping the oil on a Honda is pretty easy. I'll try it out for a year and then decide whether to trade it for a 300L, which are really hard to come by.
Sounds like a good plan. Hopefully in a year these 300s will be more readily available.
The 500excf is an ideal rally bike, in EU you can easily get parts and easy to work on if needed. Look what the amateur Baja 1000 or Romaniacs choose to ride.
Just got my CRF 300L...
Great video and we have the same all around thoughts of this bike ...
Honda 4 Life
Congrats on the new bike!
Thanks and Ride safe bro!!
Where are you riding at? Around Barstow? I used to live around Yucca Valley and 29 Palms. Thanks for the info
Well, the bike is perfect for many types of riders, Of course "Itchy Boots" sure has been a certain type of ambassador for this bike...
Speed is NOT everything, and it would be a more mature rider, experience wise rider that can appreciate a bike like this. Many of us have had huge bikes in the past and we've zeroed in on what exactly works for them. Important factors like, bike weight, ⛽ mileage, dependability, keep it simple stupid type of thing. This Honda is a great bike!!
The words shared on this particular video is smack on as far as I'm concerned. Very honest, and informative to many I'm sure.
We must all remember that there are so very many types of folks out there, with different taste's in motorcycles that you can go crazy following any group out there...
Most importantly, it's just all so darn personal. So, go with what you personally think is best for you. If you make a mistake, you live and learn and go move on. The most important is to get out and ride!!
Geez, some cross the entire globe 🌎🌍 on a Vespa and live to tell their tale!!!😉👍
I am an Enduro racer and I race a YZ250X 52hp 2stroke beast, I am happy with my Rally,I call it my lil adv bike that could. Yes it's not as nimble and as fast as my 250x but with suspension done and skills I make it fun for me and keep up with all my friends on their 501s,701s 650s ect....on dirt yes is not as fast as the other ones on street but I make it work on the dirt and I have a blast on it!! I LOVE MY UNICORN 💪🏾😎
Awesome to hear. And I’m sure you on your Rally could dust me on any bike at all 🙂
@@HighDesertHills Hey as long you having fun its what really matters, I ride with guys that are in their 70s and have Rallys also and they love the bike!!
@@thumbgas888 Amen to that. If I had any ego about my riding skills, I would have given up a while ago. It’s all about the fun 👍
@@HighDesertHills 💯
These are perfect for everything except when you expect more. Freeway mine hit 154kmh (standard 300la led ABS in Australia) its ok but don't expect that a perfect bike off road or on road. Its a dual sport! I recommend changing tyres from day1 though
Very senseful analysis 👍 thank you
I appreciate the feedback.
If everybody is selling, then who is buying from them??
Another problem is that some people buy the 300L to go ride with their buddies who all happen to own KTM's or Huskys or Betas. Pretty soon they figure out that if they wanted to keep up they should have spent the extra money. In my 50+ years of riding off road I have found that a small four stroke motorcycle is fast enough to get you into trouble but not powerfull enough to get you out of trouble.
Great point. I ride alone 95% of the time and keep things pretty mellow, so it’s been great for me so far.
Gosh! The landscape is absolutely gorgeous! Where is it?
I'm the southern part of Aurtalia which is also nice but nothing like this.
Great to hear your opinion about the CRF300L / Rally. Could well become my second bike!I currently ride a Bonneville T100 black with dual tyres, great for gravel but nothing like this Honda.
I rode XRs, DRs, KTMs and even CRs off-road, but I think this one would be great to cruise in the bush. Thanks for posting!
I had a CRF1000L I used it off-road, the reason I am looking into this bike is: almost in every country Honda has parts if I decide to go on a world tour. The second one I will not be tired picking this bike up for the 6th time. Also extremely easy to maintain and the maintenance interval is brilliant!
love my 300Rally. Not going to sell it ever!
Right there with you!
I liked my 300L, but I grew tired of it. It’s a good all round bike but the engine lacks some power when you really want to have fun in the dirt/gravel.
Makes total sense. If you're not having fun on something like this, it's time to move on. Luckily, I'm still having a blast on mine :)
Sometimes fantastic bikes don't meet the needs or expectations of a buyer, case in point: I had powerful Suzukis for many years (Bandit 1200 & 1250 and a Busa) and loved the things but they were getting some age on them (and me too) so I started to slowly sell them off one by one and picked up a CB500x along the way. I think the CB is the best thing since apple pie but I kinda missed the big horsepower hits of the ole Bandits so I picked up a '22 MT09sp. Wow! it's a fantastic bike...but it wasn't doing it for me, nothing bad to say about the MT but I just didn't like it as much as I had hoped so I picked up a new 300 Rally 3 weeks ago and sold the MT 2 weeks ago. I'm already hooked on the 300 and fits me like a glove for where I'm at in my life. Live and learn.
I was gonna get this bike because I’m a first time rider at 49 but many experienced riders told me to go with the XR650L since I’m 6’-5” tall & 235 lbs. it was a tough bike to learn on but no matter what whether you get the 650 or the 300 it’s a Honda so reliability is there
Ride Red, Ride Safe!!
The XR looks awesome. When I was in the market for a bigger bike, I seriously considered it, but at 5’ 9” the seat height scared me away.
Interesting comments from High Desert. Maybe the owners should live here in WI - the highest speed limit is 70 and 95-100 gets you jail time. As for so many for sale, that conflicts with the "unobtainium" status of supposedly none at the dealers and the above-retail prices on used ones.
Yeah, I’ve noticed that speed limits tend to decline the farther east you go. A bunch of speed demons out here in the west 🙂
I sold it mostly because of the bad suspension. Now I'm regretting selling it and looking for another one, will upgrade supsension this time.
After you sold it, did you go to something else that you didn't like? I hope you're able to find another one soon.
@@HighDesertHills No, I have a Honda SLR which I'm building into a supermoto, great bike for the streets. I want a CRF again for some light offroad.
Could not agree more I think these are great starter bikes that can do a lot. I am trying to help a friend find one of these or a KLX300 for a decent price. I am really excited to see what Kove can do to the market for dual sports.
I imagine that lots of 300L owners are selling their bikes because they got persuaded to buy one because of kinky boots and other RUclipsrs, but in reality they never go off-roading. Then they ride it on the road and realise how gutless a 287cc 4 stroke engine is.
I would add that there are those people who are out to flip a rare bike for profit. I've seen these bikes all the way up to 9000 bucks! Also, you can't test ride these things because they're so rare. So, plenty of people have bought the bike only to find out it's not for them.
Both great points. Thanks!
Anyone who would buy a 300L Rally or the 300L to commute on freeways that speed is above 80 may have not done enough research before purchasing those bikes I’m happy with both on and off road capabilities I did my research obviously they didn’t do good research before purchasing one the reviews and thought are out there informative vid 👍🤟
Very well put! I totally agree. BUT, I don't believe a lot of people are selling their Honda CRF300l's because I want one and can't find one anywhere.
Yeah, they’re still tricky to find in most areas. I hope you can get your hands on one soon 🤞
Don't blame the bike, buy the bike appropriate for your riding preferences in the first place. There is no such thing as a "beginner bike", a bike is a bike and use it for it's intended purpose. I own three bikes, one born in 1982, one in 1991 and one in 2001 and together they suit specific riding purposes.
I had a 450L I put over 3k into. Such a waste it turns out. In almost 2 yrs I had it I put 996 miles on it. Picked up a new 300 Rally and love it. In 3 months I put just over 3000 miles on it. Can't wait to do some up grades. But, what I'm looking for may not be what you're looking for.
I’ve been having a blast both riding and upgrading mine. Definitely my unicorn.
@Anders D . Well, to be fair it was part of my unrealistic expectation. After the up grades did very well off road. But, here are my personal issues. Putting that much money into an already expensive bike to operate how it should stock is wrong. Mostly I prefer to ride alone and cruise and explore. The 450 likes to go fast. Maintenance intervals. Even if doubled still aren't acceptable for me. (My fault). 450L could easily do a BDR. But...do I want to ride it home on the road afterwards? No thanks. It seems like many people had expectations like I did. Anyway, just know what you want. It can good but for a price!
I miss the old bikes like my 500 Triumph Tiger scrambler 1969 great all around bike 10 get you to 100 miles an hour fast but just great for putting around on the dirt roads and a little bit of Trail
What do you think of the Suzuki DR650 for the first motorcycle?
Thank you for reasoning me out of the 300L, a bike I've been considering. I will travel some, but the day-to-day riding is up and dirt with only a few blocks of city in my way. I'd need suspension (it's a spongy one) and other mods right away. It jacks the price up quite a bit even if I do most of it myself. Even then, I know the bike is a bit of a dirt compromise compared to a similar bundle of cash for a slightly used KTM or Beta, which my riding buds say fits my style better. (I also like getting dirty and figuring things out) I like the 300L, though, always have. Many must because used ones are through the roof these days
Cool. I love the 300L, but it does sound like you’re on the right track with those more dirt oriented options. Hope you find your unicorn 👍
I agonized over the decision about buying a 300 rally for months.After a ton of research, I realized that it was going to bother me too much that the stock engine and suspension are both inept and would have to be upgraded, etc. But that would cost about 2k.
So, I bought a new 2022 Suzuki DRZ400s.
It will do 100mph stock, and has great suspension stock. Its very torquey for instant power. It still feels anemic to me in the mid range to high revs but I'm still breaking it in.
I have already spent a few hundred upgrading things but at least it's not a few thousand.
Nice. If the DRZ feels anemic to you at times, then you definitely made the right choice not going with the 300L. I did consider a DRZ as well, but the taller seat height scares me, and I’m also a big fan of fuel injection.
Uncork it, re jet and add Redline motorcycle oil...without tearing into the engine internals, that is about as good as you can do.
@@HighDesertHills Right. Carbs are more of a pain but I can tinker with it if theres a problem. I already bought the JD jet kit but I havent installed it yet.
Only having 5 gears is a bummer too but there is no perfect bike really. KTM 690 Enduro is my dream bike but that's not exactly a unicorn either.
@@CoachSteve4u I sold my Dr 650 and got the drz400 just to realize that I was still missing the torque, the sound and the smoothness of the Dr 650, so I went back to the 6 xx segment and got a 690 it is an amazing modern dual sport, but now I have the 300l and fits my needs at least for the meantime but in reality all the bikes have their advantages and disadvantages
@@mikeschlup5279 Yeah that's my plan thanks. I havent heard about redline oil but I suppose it allows the engine to operate with less resistance?
How does that bike compare to a 1980's XL 250S. I liked to ride on dirt roads that u were on here and highways( not freeways) and i want to ride with my partner with a combined weight of 120KG, is it to small when encountering hills.?
I would love to own one. I have a cr250r that makes me happy on the dirt tracks bud I live in the Spanish mountains and there are so many beautiful dirt roads to discover. And I think that a low maintenance bike should be perfect. I don't need adjustable suspension for that. Just a bike that's not gonna brake down. I also love the fuel capacity. And by experience I feel a lot more comfortable on a smaller bike doing some rough terrain than on a tank like the gs or a afrika twin. Personally I think you have to be a very good driver to control that big bikes in complicated situations.
Yes, this bike is perfect for exploring dirt roads 👍
I also believe there is one more thing. People that bought the bike outright compared to making payments. I think the people that are making payments on it are more likely to sell it fore the various reasons that you mentioned in the video. I myself enjoy it and have modified it to the max. I’ve probably spent $5000-$6000 in upgrades but it’s 100 paid for so I have no interest in selling it. I’m considering buying another bike to ride longer distances. I think it also depends on how much extra income you have to spend on multiple bikes.
Very good point.
Just sold my 300L after 20 months, a great restarter bike for offroad. I did 4,500 miles and had no trouble with it, just outgrew it and wanted a bit more offroad capability. For me I wish Honda would have made it a 350 or 390 just to to give it a bit more oomph. Did loads of mods, but in the end I could see it just wasn't going to cut it for my next level of enjoyment.
Gary.... What did you get? We won't judge you lol. But totally understand the power for both off and on road.
CRF450 lighter than CRF300l and fast as heck
@Frank Bennett nice... I do like that bike, lots of Oomph! Possibly a bit too intimidating for my off road skills, but, maybe in the future lol. Enjoy!