This is probably the most comprehensive and logical comparison between these two bikes that I've seen on RUclips; Especially since it's focused on the average rider.
I bought a 300 Rally today. I initially wanted a 300L, but these things are so hard to get your hands on, I snatched a Rally that came up for sale instead. But I think I made a better choice when picking the Rally instead of the 300L. The riders I usually go off-roading with have adventure bikes like Yamaha T7, KTM 890 Adventure R, Tiger 900 Rally. Some even have bigger bikes than those. I rode a 250L with this group, and while I had no problem keeping pace on the road, it didn't feel very stable at high speeds and I did end up running short on petrol way before everyone else. While not massive drawbacks, the Rally addresses these issues and makes it more into a bike I can live with. Range is something I'd rather not have to worry about too much. Off-road, the L is of course lighter and more nimble than the Rally. But only a bit. The Rally is a _lot_ more nimble and lighter than a Yamaha T7, though. So all in all, I think the Rally suits me better actually.
As the owner of a 300 rally I was expecting this video to rip into how shit they are and I’m pleasantly surprised it’s an honest assessment. I needed a bike for the UKs green lanes (unpaved roads out in the sticks) but don’t want to suffer to much on the way there. The bigger fuel tank, the led lights and the screen fit my usage spot on 👍
@@yeahboyiiiii222 the spokes corroded. The headlight pointed way up and off to the right (dealer said it wasn’t adjustable and normal) in fact the dealer treated me like a p.o.s. I sold it. I’ll never buy a Honda again
I just found your commend are you still have the rally .?I live in the uk also and I am really interested in getting one, did you upgrade the suspension?
The mental part is paramount. I have had a BMW GS for 15+ years now, and still it looks like a monster to me. Climbing on it is a task - and I am 182 cm. This is why I am now considering one of these two Hondas!
I hear you! Currently ride a 650L for my dual sport. Have a Guzzi Griso for the road and a KTM for single track. I’m a confident rider on most any terrain or bike, but the height of the big XR is something I’ve never gotten used to. Seriously considering a 300L for the lighter weight and lower stance. Not being able to get a foot down confidently is getting really old really fast.
My choice in early 2021 was Rally and I don't regret it. Those few kilos are nothing compared to advantages of bigger tank, lights, navigation mounting and a windshield, which actually doesn't get in your field of view when in difficult terrain, because 99% you don't ride it sitting. You can wheelie over the logs easily. It feels very light and manoeuvrable! If you're into racing, you won't buy any of these bikes, so that's why I bought Beta RR300 as my competition bike. The only con for Rally was a rear shock, so I got me a custom one from Hagon. Can't way to test it.
@lawts1240 I'm 6ft4 and after the obligatory suspension upgrade, the 300L seat height is perfect for me. The KTM 690 I tried was just too tall, even for me and eroded my confidence when riding in technical rough terrain. I have a small bag fitted to a rear rack of the CRF. In some situations, like re mounting the bike after dropping it in a river!, I really hate trying to balance my self, the bike whilst I swing my leg back over. So my recommendation is don't fit bags on a rear rack for day rides out, fit low panniers or tank bags for tools and food.
Choice was clear for me. Rally plus drop protection. Better seat, wind protection, about the same weight feel when on both, better suspension wth higher ground clearance, better headlights, & a much nicer looking bike.
Thanks Solid, this review has confirmed my decision to buy a Rally. I've recently sold my 2017 Africa Twin and still want open road traveling capability to get to dirt roads, not single track. Off to the local dealer tomorrow, cheers from NZ.
Where I live the difference in price between L and Rally is 1300 euros, around 2000 AUD, which I do not see justifiable. For 3/4 of that price difference with CRF300L I can fit new better aftermarket rear shock, new better front fork spring, and make it a blast on trails. For me it would be mostly off-road use, and only max 1- 1.5h to get to the trails using paved roads.
Solid is absolutely right. I have a 300 Rally and my friend a 300L. We have ridden parts of the TET in the UK and been on a trip to Spain on the bikes. Both bikes coped wonderfully. My friend just preferred the fact that the L was easier to ride off road, less bulky and just for him more confidence building. I had a 250L a few years back and when the 300 Rally was announced, I just loved the look of it and the more adventure led style (coupled with a big engine improvement). So you could say one of us bought the L using their head and I was led by my heart. For this there is no logic!
I bought the rally as it was all they had and had only just arrived. Glad I didn’t have a choice as I’d still be deliberating and someone else would have bought it. Fantastic bike (and this is a fantastic video, thanks).
Still have the Rally on order from June. In the meantime bought a 2016 MT-07 Tracer that I set up for touring on dirt (not single track). It's bigger and heavier than the Rally (650 vs 300), but has much less ground clearance and suspension travel, as well as 17"ers. Its been a great experience to play around with tyres, suspension and fitting bash plates etc and riding this platform to its limits. Riding the Rally after this will feel so light and nimble. Still excited for it.
Thanks Solid, you answered many of my questions in this clip. You are absolutely correct about the fact no-one talks about the amount of confidence a bike offers mentally. Particularly in the more tricky terrain. You must have in your head 'This bike can get me through this section.' Mental confidence is a joy and is the key to add even more enjoyment to our sport. Cheers.
For me it's the Rally. My style of longer range open country riding just suits the "adventure" flavor Honda put into this model. Same bike but more suited to longer exploration. Oh and the plastics, smashed mine off first beach ride, so an angle grinder soon had the motor exposed and enjoying a cool breeze...lol Will be tough to sell my DR650 to purchase another one though...
The rally literally isn't the same bike.... I've rode both versions of this bike and the rally is absolutely terrible. If you're wanting longer distance upgrade to the klr650 or tenere 700....
@Mid Coast Adventures Long range with only ~9 Liters of effective petrol? LOL Good luck going in open country but be sure to pay a subscription to a road assist company! LOL
@@airadaimagery692 Well not in my fucking country dickhead, which might be why the man used litres not gallons. And what's a ferryings, Mr self appointed expert?
One thing to consider is that the Rally tower is fitted to a rather flimsy subframe that bends when you catch it in a fall. Fitting upper crash bars just couples them to the subframe. The first time i dropped my Rally i totalled the tower subframe, screen, and side plastics as well as bending the bars and smashing off a mirror. At a rather speedy 20mph... If i could of got an L rather than a Rally i would of with hindsight, but at the time the Rally was £5400 with just 9 miles on it so i snapped it up. The cost to repair came in at about £250 with my own labour and parts from Thailand. I do love it though!
Itchyboots choose the Rally to travel from Ecuador to Alaska, raiding dirt roads when possible, and I think she had an excellent choice for raiding adventure.
The main benefits of the Rally over the 300L are the tank range and wind protection. A bonus with the Rally (in Europe) is much better head lights. Against that, personally I Really hate the hideous wonky headlights on the Rally. BMW tried it and even they eventually gave up on this type of styling. Secondly is the bathtub fairing in the Rally. More plastic to crack, more places to collect congealed mud. Some people just cut the belly pan off, and from what I have seen, makes the bike look a whole lot better. This still leaves the 300L with a woefully small tank capacity. I carry a litre fuel bottle, this should be good for around an extra 20 miles. Or spend a little more and get the Acerbis 12 litre fuel tank. If I want to do long journeys, I might try an aftermarket bolt on screen of which there are plenty on E bay as a well as companies like Adventure Spec. The end result is something which approaches the practicality of the Rally, weighs less and looks a whole lot better (in my eyes anyway).
Now the most important part for me to consider (that I hadn't even factored in as a beginner) was everything you said about the confidence the bike gives you. Cheers mate!! 👍
It's decided I'll go for the 300L, time to call my dealers for inventory. I've used the same dirt bike for nearly 20 years, finally sold it because it was showing its age. I had a '99 WR400F with many upgrades done to it and I miss it, but don't regret selling it.
Hi my name is Daniel ...and well I was enjoying this video and wel I have something to add ...I live here in Costa Rica my grandfather was one of the first motorcicle owners and not just that it took him 4 years to travel to each one of the roads of this country ...and well one thing he didnt knew (there where no motorcyclers in thouse days ) but as well today ...the weight of the "Kidneys" and the vibration on durt roads is never a good combination ...so standing up for a wile isnt good enough ....for long term durt roads we need special suspention seats ...humans are good and well built but the weight of the kidneys seems to be hellish when we become aware of the damage ...he ended in hospitals at the end of his life for this kidney reason ...this to share with you guys in grattitud for this videos ...have good ride and remember to take brakes during long trips ...and why not thry to fiend a solution for this seat suspention ...dificulty ...bye !!
One thing you never mentioned but would be something I'd have to factor in as well would be the cost, in my country there is a $1000 price difference which is no small amount. I'd be happy with either version, seems like a great bike.
If you plan on using the CRF as your primary mode of transport during the riding season, you'll find the small tank of the 'L' annoying very quickly. To upgrade the tank will cost $400 USD ($500 Cdn) plus shipping. Also, the price of a windshield, if you plan to commute, will be at least $300 Cdn...and then there's the supposed better seat of the Rally. These three things alone, which I was looking at adding to my CRF250L, will cost well over a grand to upgrade. I'm not a fan of the "bug eye" headlight, but neither am I a fan of the inadequate halogen on the Canadian bike...C'mon Honda, WTF?
@@Jisei13 I guess that depends on what you do with it, I chose the Rally because I like to do more offroad. Which I think the Rally is better at than the CB500X
I absolutely agree on your choice, I had the 250 Rally and was concerned with the amount of plastics to break, you can get a crash bar but that’s even more weight to deal with. I think 450L headlight on the 300 is gorgeous
Yeah I once I saw the CRF 300 L rally in the dealership I wanted to get it it's so cool it even says rally inside the headlight lol... I got the 250L rally & love it + it was 2k cheaper than the 300 rally.
@@jeffferguson899 looks hella unique & BADASS if u asked anyone else besides yourself! Everybody that I have asked liked it and it's very very functional also
Great review. Appreciate the down to earth honesty in your comparisons. You say it like it is, just as a regular person and not a superhero or a know-it-all. I think your explanation fits perfectly for most of us who aren't experts but who just want to ride and have a little fun. Thank you from the cold and snowy NE US.
This was really helpful of me! "Solidified" me on the Rally. I've got a 250EXCF for my main dirt passion but I have Rally on the brain for doing some more dirt road day-trip adventure stuff which I used to do more of when I had my 250L.
This is one of the best comparison videos, on the two bikes, thanks for sharing mate , I went for the 300l for the same reason as you, although I do like the look of the rally a little bit more especially after the eliminating of the plastics surrounding the engine, but I don't need the larger tank or the windscreen, also I found a great deal on a pre owned 300l with the upgraded suspension, 550 performance ECU, full after market exhaust and a few other goodies
Once again, great comparison and logical break down of the pro's and con's Solid. I've got a 250L Rally and am considering stepping up to the 300L Rally. Agree the plastics can be a real pain in the butt. I've done single track and have had the plastics break either from hitting a hidden log/stump or from dropping the bike in deep mud. I think the ability to cut the plastics from around the base and replace with the 300L bash plate is a great option as the shroud although great to keep the wind and rain off on the highway, like in my case got damaged pretty easily. It honestly doesn't bother me if it gets scratches etc as its all part of the adventure. The rally is heavier, however I find I do get range anxiety often so having the (350-400km) range is important, and can forgive the extra weight as its all about compromises. Suspension upgrades, bash plate and the akro slip on and you should be out for around 12K. All things considered gives you a very versatile, reliable and capable bike. I don't know if you ever saw Rozalyn Veersma adventure trip, but she took a 250L around Australia. Worth a look if you haven't watched it already. Keep up the great videos!
Perfect analysis.... For sure you made the right choice !!!! Me I found the rally version and I got it immediately, coming from a Tenere 700 is not an issue the more weight trough the L Version. Ciao Gianluca from Milano
I'm collecting my Rally in a few days - UK (I ordered it last November but didn't want it during the winter so it's been sat in the shop for 2 months). I'm replacing a 250L which I fitted with a big tank and comfy seat - hence the Rally to save me the bother of altering it. I use the 250L on the road (45,000 250L miles since 2015) and the 300 Rally will be my every day bike. I'm now quite old and refuse to have a quarter ton Africa Twin when the UK speed limit is 60 mph on motorcycle type roads. For off road I use a CRF230F which is much lighter, air cooled and with more ground clearance. Nice to hear your thoughts though Mr. Solid.
I went with the Rally for my riding in SW CO. I have pretty long (and awesome) road rides to get to the big passes and trails. My rides are really about linking a Mtn road with a Mtn pass and a few trails, back to a Mtn road to cruise back home. The Rally comfort on the open road was high on my priority list and eliminating the wind screen would frankly suck too bad. The distances out in SW CO are pretty big and the wind can be a factor as well. If I was riding mostly dirt and/or trailering the bike, I'd probably have gone with the L, but super happy with my decision.
I’m still unsure if I got the correct bike but after 7700kms in 4 months on the 300L (abs) I’d say I’m buying the standard version again. 110kmh speed limit and I could hit 154kmh. Fitted heated grips for cold nights and was perfect. I liked pushing off road & dropped 60+ times easily, so the rally plastics I doubt would have held up. If you can find one buy it
What's up solid, a fellow 300L RUclipsr here. I completely agree with everything you said I love how you broke it all down. I go for a similar format in my videos. I also went with the L but I should also have the rally as soon as my dealer gets it. So hopefully I can do a side by side as well. Watched the whole vid and subbed! Keep up the good work man.
Everything you’ve said is 100% accurate solid (owner of 2016 Crf250l for 3 years and current owner of a cbr300r equiped 2017 Crf “300” rally.) Even when I had the rally I had both bikes for a year and took the 250L on more than 50% of rides (I had both available so could have taken either). I do about 70-80% off-road and it has probably taken me a year to take my rally everywhere I used to take the 250l - but now I am happy as I have a bike that does the road sections a little more comfortably. I can also ride with road riding mates and not be “totally left behind” I run d606 and mt21 and find it surprisingly capable in the twisties, of course when it comes to the straights, a 130hp sports bike will leave anything behind, but at least in the 40/60/80/90 Kph corners, the rally handles things pretty well and is still a more capable bike than its rider ;) I just love the fact you can do anything and go anywhere with this lightweight dual sport adventure category !! One really has to ride both they are different bikes but at the same time the same. I believe the extra wheel length and take make the rally a bit less twitchy..my advice - ride them both (even the older 250l and rally) and see which you prefer.
I just bought the 300L and got my license both this week. I sat on both models at the dealer, the Rally felt a lot wider because of the gas tank and it has more stuff to break, those were my reasons for choosing the standard L. Plus I got $1,000 off so it was an easy choice, loving it so far.
Thank you so much for spending this amount of time and effort (and considerable skill) in order to produce this film/tutorial. It was/is very useful. I've had a rally on order for seven months in the UK. I'm probably (closer every day) going to get a one year old 300 L - because I can. Then sell it if I like the Rally more than the 300 L (if it ever arrives). You live in the right part of the world... enjoy it. Thanks again, Mike
The Rally has the fixed Headlight and ft fairing.. The 300L Headlight etc. swings with the forks... I owned a 2017 Rally, and sold it.. Bought a Yamaha XT250... Had the 300L been available, I might have chosen that..
Another no-nonsense upload with plenty of food for thought for anyone thinking of the same. I chose the L for pretty much all the reasons you've outlined here. Respect to you for taking the time to put this together for everyone else out there: I can't be arsed to do that, but will make the enormous effort of adding my two cents here and say, "Yeah nice one mate, totally agree.'
I've got the 300l in New Zealand. Using it to replace my mx bike and road bike. Took it on a trail ride in the rain and dropped it more than 5 times but kept up with the enduro and mx bikes who were also crashing. Main problem was the stock tyres having no grip in the wet grass and mud otherwise I would have had no issues.
My style of decision making would totally focus on buying the version best suited to the riding that makes me uncomfortable. For me, that means buying the best dirt bike possible. My off road abilities are similar to yours (on a good day) and that is where I want the bike to help me as much as possible. That decision is also influenced by the fact that I have a Tracer 900 GT for the street. If I want to go for a 500km road trip on a Saturday, I am not taking the WR250R! That said, if I moved to South America to live, or did an extensive tour like Itchy Boots, I would definitely pick the Rally version. Much better for that use case, where the worst dirt is a really bad road. The only bike with performance and weight better suited to that use case would be the 701, but the Husky would look like an alien space ship to most small town South American motorcycle mechanics. The Honda would look like a cool version of a bike they already know intimately. That is a big issue for me, because my skill set breaks stuff all the time, LOL. Cheers!
Definitely the Rally for me as I am very much into my creature comforts with the fairing. The larger tank helps with range anxiety issues.I had a Triumph Tiger Trail 750 in 1982 which I used on trails with YZ400 Yamahas. Had to carry one up a craggy Hill on a trail back to their camp. It had tall gearing. I used to run it without the muffler in the bush so people would here me coming. Their jaws dropped when I came out into the open.
i came so close to buying a 300rally last week. the bigger tank and rally screen/dash did make the bike seem alot bigger and was actually a little intimidating but personally id still go for the rally over the L. it looks so much better imo and i dislike the lack of range on smaller tanks. only reason i didnt buy it is because i live about 250kms from the city and the dealer refused to deliver it even tho they have a big ass delivery van.
Great comparison. I got the 250L rather than the 250Rally as the L is a bike lower than the Rally. I also wanted to add the biggest possible after market tank and a lot of other parts - and saw no reason for me to pay for all that for the Rally just to replace it with what I wanted.
I have a 2012 Honda 450x and plan on putting the blinkers on it after I get the valves done 👀 should be fun to ride around on the road when I need to but I use it as a single track monster right now we have great places to ride down here in Texas 👍
For the thousand mile BDRs I plan on riding this year, the Rally would be perfect. You must understand your use case. I have my WR250F for the local enduro fun days.
Excellent comparison and summary. It still leaves me sitting on the fence. I am waiting for the 250L parts to run out and Honda to start shipping the LED 300L to Europe. I think one point a lot of excellent reviews miss out, is how much these smaller bikes (all 3-400) appeal to the downsizing 60+ demographic. Keep up the great content, thanks.
And I thought honesty was dead! Just picked up a modified 250 rally and love it. I'm slow and old and like to be comfortable. :) Thank you! (consider adding U.S. measurements along with what the rest of the world uses)
I opted for the Rally because I wanted a lightweight adventure bike, I doubted for quite a while between both versions but I got scared that I wouldn't be able to find a larger aftermarket fuel tank... Kinda silly but hey.. I am new to dual sport bikes :D One downside to the Rally that you didn't mention is that when your front suspension bottoms out in a puddle that was deeper than anticipated... you can find yourself hitting the windscreen quite hard with your chin. Found that one out the hard way, luckily I bought a new helmet with a chin piece that sticks out further, bit between a MX and a full face helmet. My guess is that if I had been wearing a "regular" helmet, I would have been having my dinners through a straw :p As always thanks for the video :)
Completed 1500 kms of mixed riding , back road bitumen , back road dirt roads , single track , 4wd tracks , 200 km freeway . This 300 rally will leave you smiling , stock suspension and I weigh 98kg. The caveat on this bike is seat height 885 mm. Yes it does sag …but it can catch you unawares on cambers at standstill if you don’t concentrate …. at 5ft8 just 😊…the ergonomics for me is perfect standing up ( shorter legs , average torso ) …remember to go hard on this bike …you simply rev it …get the power down to the ground …negate the front end weight as much as possible , don’t tractor on loose terrain , give it the rpm in each gear …it loves it . It’s a noisy beast at 100 km per hour ….the windscreen is too short . On soft enduro type double tracks with jumps …the suspension is soft , just slow down a bit . Remember this bike weighs 150 kg plus wet….its not a 110kg husqvarna. But you can go anywhere …and still get the adrenaline going in the bush . It will power slide …but again remember it weighs 150kg …everything needs more effort . You will get fit riding this bike hard in the forests …standing up . This would be a perfect bike if it was 20mm lower in seat height , and 25kg lighter , with 15 more HP. But as is …it’s a very good bike to go exploring for seven or so hours , on all types of roads and tracks . Sling on a back pack …just go . It’s that kind of bike .
It IS virtually the same bike..with a bigger tank, and yeah more ‘plastic’, hence MORE breakable parts..IF you plan on dropping it. To a degree you make a LOT of sense with the main reason being..it’s YOUR CHOICE. This was a great comparison video and I’d bet you’ve helped out a bunch of potential buyers for sure. Me I think I’d opt for the Rally model..for the bigger tank alone, bigger brake rotor, etc. It’s minimal stuff in a way that adds up to negligible weight differences between the 2. Still, an awesome vid, great job.,
Great review! I was a bit afraid that Rally would be a worse bike and that is why you didn't chose it. But it turned out it's just a perfect bike for me. Designed perfectly spend more time on the pawed road and do only light enduro
Another great video solid, I was wondering about which one would be most suitable for me. I think you've helped me separate them. I need both, curse you😛
Great review. I think your analysis is great. But at the end of the day it is still a personal thing. I think we all know if we listen to our inner voice.
Great vid. Ditch that tank bag and put that GL bar bag on the shelf (over your head in the intro) to use. Makes riding so much better in the technical stuff.
Very valuable information and comparison! It seems like manufacturers tend to not really understand what we need or are just marketing it wrong. I want an adventure bike but big and heavy 250-300kg bikes like the 850-1250GS, in my mind, are just touring mammoths that can glide through rough roads. Not real adventure/offroad bikes. Much like a Range Rover. It can go off-road, sure, but it's no Samurai or even Wrangler. So I want something as light as possible but also suitable for riding on the road. I've got solid mountainbiking experience so I should be fine on the Rally off-road but I'm not quite sure it'll cut it for the open roads. I still wish for something in the 400-500cc range with a bit more power that's just not 200kg+ wet. Dealers having zero test bikes in stock doesn't help either.
Manufacturers know that most people purchasing the big adventure bikes rarely go off road. The riders like the ADV looks but their capability is not used often given their weight. Manufacturers make more profit on the bigger, more expensive bikes than they would on smaller ones. A limited set of people want smaller bikes to take off road versus a larger number of people who want the bigger bikes for a multitude of reasons. The manufacturers are fishing in the largest pond. Riders have been asking for lighter weight offerings for some time and the manufacturers have not responded. I don't think the market is as big as some of us think but I could be wrong.
This was a great break down between both bikes good job well done I’m much more clear on what I want from these bikes. Thank you oh. I’m taking the rally.
I much prefer the L's headlight and lack of screen. And, of course, price. Just out of interest, the 300L is less than 4,400 USD in Thailand. Not that I'm American. Great video.
Very good explaination of the two bikes, I think you did a great job of dividing the two, it really helps decide which bike is best suited for what kind of riding you really want to do.👍
Less plastics, wind protection in 90-100kmh cruising is irrelevant, and for price difference - complete new suspension and few protection details. Ready to ride. ;)
Just started researching getting a dual purpose bike and have been leaning toward a CRF300L or Rally and then found this video. Awesome info and thoughts, thank you. I live in Colorado and have a shit ton of trails near me that I want to ride. I'm only 5'9' and 155lbs, so weight is something that I need to consider as is relates to rider confidence, control, etc, as you nicely pointed out. However, on many of our mountain trails, you can ride for many miles from one old mountain town to another old mountain town, so the added fuel availability on the Rally would really be beneficial in that situation. Hmm...decisions?! Lol... The only other problem I have is there's none available anywhere around me right now anyway, so I guess I have time to figure it. Happy trails.
I’m really struggling between a 300L and a enduro style bike with more power and less weight. I already own a Tenere 700 which I use in my videos and I’m looking for a light offroad bike to accompany it. Biggest benefit of the CRF compared to Ktm EXC etc. is maintenance intervals. I’m also not a good offroad rider so Honda might be plenty of bike for me for a few years. If I need more power I always have the Tenere in my stable. Thanks for the great videos. Been subbed for a long time! :)
Thanks mate, yer its a tough choice. I came close to getting a 350exc. But ultimately it was just too highly strung for what I needed and my skill level.
My brother has both. Thing I notice is single track or ridding ruts the rally is so wide with crash bars it constantly bottoms out because it’s so wide and down low. So if you’re into that type of technical writing and come across a lot of deep ruts usually made by ATVs the rally is a problem. Other then that it’s great bike. Depends on riding you’re doing I guess
Nice comparison nailed it! are you waiting for a tank to land as well?? From your experience do you think is gonna change the handling a lot Still not sure if to get the tank ( extra weight in front) or get the giant loop bladder extra weight in the back… would be nice a video going in depth talking about it! Just a suggestion Thanks
I don't think this video could be done better. Maybe discussing aftermarket windshields and extra fuel tanks that could be fitted to make the L more close to the road performance of the Rally. The main advantage of aftermarket accessories is that they can be installed only for traveling and they are usually easy to fix.
Really like that last point you made. I am MUCH more confident off road than on it. Plus I already have an enduro style dirt bike for the more tricky rides and am after something for easier and longer adventure trail rides so I think the rally is for me.
This is an entry level motorbike 1 notch above the Trail 125. The suspension is spongy requiring a $1000 upgrade with better tires. Still, it has only 27 HP and 19 ft-lbs. of torque. You will grow out of this bike fast.
I understand your decision, lm sure some will fit an aftermarket larger tank and screen of the 300L therefore losing that 4kg weight advantage. But again I agree on the plastics department ( to protect them would need crash 💥 bars therefore increasing weight, but making that up with an aftermarket pipe , then losing that with a rear rack 😂😂😂 what’s the difference in seat height ? that’s a BIG decision for shorter and female riders .
Thanks for the great video. Although I'm leaning to the rally I now have a better idea of the differences and I will be able to really decide for myself when I see the two models side by side at the dealer.
Some very good points here. I'm a new subscriber. Think I've seen 10 of your videos in the last 3 days. I like how they're very matter of fact and just honest. I'm just an okay rider that likes to look of a dual sport. My work commuter is a dr200. And my touring bike is an V-Strom 650. I don't think either are going away, but I feel like the 300 rally could cover both.
Great video totally agree I choose the L as I found a great. 2 hand one already upgraded not I will just fit a tank and happy days! Totally agree on fairing the less the better Wind at 50/60 m/h no issue
I think this video sums it all up pretty good. I got a 250l, that has a windscreen addon - and i do absolutely love that for my type of riding (except for the fact that its really ugly). It's easy to remove aswell, if you would want that. As you and others mentioned - If you are in to modification you could probably do alot of the mods "converting" the l into a "light rally" suited for your riding style for less money total then buying a rally in the first place
![✔ 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)
This is probably the most comprehensive and logical comparison between these two bikes that I've seen on RUclips; Especially since it's focused on the average rider.
I bought a 300 Rally today. I initially wanted a 300L, but these things are so hard to get your hands on, I snatched a Rally that came up for sale instead. But I think I made a better choice when picking the Rally instead of the 300L. The riders I usually go off-roading with have adventure bikes like Yamaha T7, KTM 890 Adventure R, Tiger 900 Rally. Some even have bigger bikes than those. I rode a 250L with this group, and while I had no problem keeping pace on the road, it didn't feel very stable at high speeds and I did end up running short on petrol way before everyone else. While not massive drawbacks, the Rally addresses these issues and makes it more into a bike I can live with. Range is something I'd rather not have to worry about too much. Off-road, the L is of course lighter and more nimble than the Rally. But only a bit. The Rally is a _lot_ more nimble and lighter than a Yamaha T7, though. So all in all, I think the Rally suits me better actually.
As the owner of a 300 rally I was expecting this video to rip into how shit they are and I’m pleasantly surprised it’s an honest assessment. I needed a bike for the UKs green lanes (unpaved roads out in the sticks) but don’t want to suffer to much on the way there. The bigger fuel tank, the led lights and the screen fit my usage spot on 👍
Hey, 2 years on, any update? Whats your thoughts on the bike now?
@@yeahboyiiiii222 the spokes corroded. The headlight pointed way up and off to the right (dealer said it wasn’t adjustable and normal) in fact the dealer treated me like a p.o.s. I sold it. I’ll never buy a Honda again
Thats not like Honda! Thats crazy, what are you riding now?@@richbrock9876
@@richbrock9876Thanks, I also noticed poor Chinese welds on 150 model.
I just found your commend are you still have the rally .?I live in the uk also and I am really interested in getting one, did you upgrade the suspension?
The mental part is paramount. I have had a BMW GS for 15+ years now, and still it looks like a monster to me. Climbing on it is a task - and I am 182 cm. This is why I am now considering one of these two Hondas!
I hear you! Currently ride a 650L for my dual sport. Have a Guzzi Griso for the road and a KTM for single track. I’m a confident rider on most any terrain or bike, but the height of the big XR is something I’ve never gotten used to. Seriously considering a 300L for the lighter weight and lower stance. Not being able to get a foot down confidently is getting really old really fast.
My choice in early 2021 was Rally and I don't regret it. Those few kilos are nothing compared to advantages of bigger tank, lights, navigation mounting and a windshield, which actually doesn't get in your field of view when in difficult terrain, because 99% you don't ride it sitting. You can wheelie over the logs easily. It feels very light and manoeuvrable! If you're into racing, you won't buy any of these bikes, so that's why I bought Beta RR300 as my competition bike. The only con for Rally was a rear shock, so I got me a custom one from Hagon. Can't way to test it.
“Slow and pathetic pace, with not much skill and falling off a bit”… well that sums it up for me. Great comparo review, Solid!
😅👍
This was perfect, exactly how I would describe my riding
cannot beat honesty, what youre that good, you could ride with us any time them lol
How tall are you Solid? I’m 6’3” and would like to know your thoughts on the seat heights please. 👍
@lawts1240 I'm 6ft4 and after the obligatory suspension upgrade, the 300L seat height is perfect for me. The KTM 690 I tried was just too tall, even for me and eroded my confidence when riding in technical rough terrain. I have a small bag fitted to a rear rack of the CRF. In some situations, like re mounting the bike after dropping it in a river!, I really hate trying to balance my self, the bike whilst I swing my leg back over. So my recommendation is don't fit bags on a rear rack for day rides out, fit low panniers or tank bags for tools and food.
Choice was clear for me. Rally plus drop protection. Better seat, wind protection, about the same weight feel when on both, better suspension wth higher ground clearance, better headlights, & a much nicer looking bike.
Thanks Solid, this review has confirmed my decision to buy a Rally. I've recently sold my 2017 Africa Twin and still want open road traveling capability to get to dirt roads, not single track. Off to the local dealer tomorrow, cheers from NZ.
Great as always! One little correction (3:54): The L is not 4 kg, but 7.25 kg, lighter than the Rally when dry-11 kg - 3.25 kg of fuel (5 liters).
They’re both awesome, both fully capable. i got to ride both of them, and finally chose the Rally. Just personal preference.
Where I live the difference in price between L and Rally is 1300 euros, around 2000 AUD, which I do not see justifiable. For 3/4 of that price difference with CRF300L I can fit new better aftermarket rear shock, new better front fork spring, and make it a blast on trails. For me it would be mostly off-road use, and only max 1- 1.5h to get to the trails using paved roads.
Solid is absolutely right. I have a 300 Rally and my friend a 300L. We have ridden parts of the TET in the UK and been on a trip to Spain on the bikes. Both bikes coped wonderfully. My friend just preferred the fact that the L was easier to ride off road, less bulky and just for him more confidence building. I had a 250L a few years back and when the 300 Rally was announced, I just loved the look of it and the more adventure led style (coupled with a big engine improvement). So you could say one of us bought the L using their head and I was led by my heart. For this there is no logic!
I bought the rally as it was all they had and had only just arrived. Glad I didn’t have a choice as I’d still be deliberating and someone else would have bought it. Fantastic bike (and this is a fantastic video, thanks).
Still have the Rally on order from June. In the meantime bought a 2016 MT-07 Tracer that I set up for touring on dirt (not single track). It's bigger and heavier than the Rally (650 vs 300), but has much less ground clearance and suspension travel, as well as 17"ers. Its been a great experience to play around with tyres, suspension and fitting bash plates etc and riding this platform to its limits. Riding the Rally after this will feel so light and nimble. Still excited for it.
Thanks Solid, you answered many of my questions in this clip. You are absolutely correct about the fact no-one talks about the amount of confidence a bike offers mentally. Particularly in the more tricky terrain. You must have in your head 'This bike can get me through this section.' Mental confidence is a joy and is the key to add even more enjoyment to our sport. Cheers.
Thanks Paul, perfectly summarized what I as trying to say 👍
For me it's the Rally. My style of longer range open country riding just suits the "adventure" flavor Honda put into this model. Same bike but more suited to longer exploration. Oh and the plastics, smashed mine off first beach ride, so an angle grinder soon had the motor exposed and enjoying a cool breeze...lol Will be tough to sell my DR650 to purchase another one though...
The rally literally isn't the same bike.... I've rode both versions of this bike and the rally is absolutely terrible. If you're wanting longer distance upgrade to the klr650 or tenere 700....
Do you believe that crash bars would have saved your ferryings?
@Mid Coast Adventures Long range with only ~9 Liters of effective petrol? LOL
Good luck going in open country but be sure to pay a subscription to a road assist company! LOL
@@billadmond9450 there’s a gas station in between every 240 miles through out this country. “Lol”.
@@airadaimagery692 Well not in my fucking country dickhead, which might be why the man used litres not gallons.
And what's a ferryings, Mr self appointed expert?
Rally front brake has a floating rotor as well. Thanks for the great videos as always!
One thing to consider is that the Rally tower is fitted to a rather flimsy subframe that bends when you catch it in a fall. Fitting upper crash bars just couples them to the subframe. The first time i dropped my Rally i totalled the tower subframe, screen, and side plastics as well as bending the bars and smashing off a mirror. At a rather speedy 20mph... If i could of got an L rather than a Rally i would of with hindsight, but at the time the Rally was £5400 with just 9 miles on it so i snapped it up. The cost to repair came in at about £250 with my own labour and parts from Thailand. I do love it though!
Itchyboots choose the Rally to travel from Ecuador to Alaska, raiding dirt roads when possible, and I think she had an excellent choice for raiding adventure.
@Stanislav Knyazev good information, and she just had here rear shock improve in California. Every penny has been worth.
@Stanislav Knyazev good information, and she just had here rear shock improve in California. Every penny has been worth.
So go watch that channel then super simp.
Itchy also lives on her bike. This makes sense for day trips and singe track fun.
The main benefits of the Rally over the 300L are the tank range and wind protection. A bonus with the Rally (in Europe) is much better head lights. Against that, personally I Really hate the hideous wonky headlights on the Rally. BMW tried it and even they eventually gave up on this type of styling. Secondly is the bathtub fairing in the Rally. More plastic to crack, more places to collect congealed mud. Some people just cut the belly pan off, and from what I have seen, makes the bike look a whole lot better. This still leaves the 300L with a woefully small tank capacity. I carry a litre fuel bottle, this should be good for around an extra 20 miles. Or spend a little more and get the Acerbis 12 litre fuel tank. If I want to do long journeys, I might try an aftermarket bolt on screen of which there are plenty on E bay as a well as companies like Adventure Spec. The end result is something which approaches the practicality of the Rally, weighs less and looks a whole lot better (in my eyes anyway).
Now the most important part for me to consider (that I hadn't even factored in as a beginner) was everything you said about the confidence the bike gives you. Cheers mate!! 👍
It's decided I'll go for the 300L, time to call my dealers for inventory. I've used the same dirt bike for nearly 20 years, finally sold it because it was showing its age. I had a '99 WR400F with many upgrades done to it and I miss it, but don't regret selling it.
Hi my name is Daniel ...and well I was enjoying this video and wel I have something to add ...I live here in Costa Rica my grandfather was one of the first motorcicle owners and not just that it took him 4 years to travel to each one of the roads of this country ...and well one thing he didnt knew (there where no motorcyclers in thouse days ) but as well today ...the weight of the "Kidneys" and the vibration on durt roads is never a good combination ...so standing up for a wile isnt good enough ....for long term durt roads we need special suspention seats ...humans are good and well built but the weight of the kidneys seems to be hellish when we become aware of the damage ...he ended in hospitals at the end of his life for this kidney reason ...this to share with you guys in grattitud for this videos ...have good ride and remember to take brakes during long trips ...and why not thry to fiend a solution for this seat suspention ...dificulty ...bye !!
One thing you never mentioned but would be something I'd have to factor in as well would be the cost, in my country there is a $1000 price difference which is no small amount. I'd be happy with either version, seems like a great bike.
Here in the UK the extra £1000 makes it a couple hundred pounds off the CB500x so at that price I'm not sure why you would go for the 300
If you plan on using the CRF as your primary mode of transport during the riding season, you'll find the small tank of the 'L' annoying very quickly. To upgrade the tank will cost $400 USD ($500 Cdn) plus shipping. Also, the price of a windshield, if you plan to commute, will be at least $300 Cdn...and then there's the supposed better seat of the Rally. These three things alone, which I was looking at adding to my CRF250L, will cost well over a grand to upgrade. I'm not a fan of the "bug eye" headlight, but neither am I a fan of the inadequate halogen on the Canadian bike...C'mon Honda, WTF?
@@Jisei13 I guess that depends on what you do with it, I chose the Rally because I like to do more offroad. Which I think the Rally is better at than the CB500X
I absolutely agree on your choice, I had the 250 Rally and was concerned with the amount of plastics to break, you can get a crash bar but that’s even more weight to deal with.
I think 450L headlight on the 300 is gorgeous
The Rally headlight is one of the best standard lights I have ever seen.
You would certainly know mate👍 Hope the 701 is treating you well 😎
Yeah I once I saw the CRF 300 L rally in the dealership I wanted to get it it's so cool it even says rally inside the headlight lol... I got the 250L rally & love it + it was 2k cheaper than the 300 rally.
@@honda116969 I owned one for a few months; it was an awesome little bike but i knew i would trash the fairing and it was just too nice to do that.
yeah but the drunk spiderman look puts me off.
@@jeffferguson899 looks hella unique & BADASS if u asked anyone else besides yourself! Everybody that I have asked liked it and it's very very functional also
I chose the Rally and love it! No regrets here.
Looking at the bugs n guts on my screen, etc. pretty sure I made correct decision also 😋
Great review. Appreciate the down to earth honesty in your comparisons. You say it like it is, just as a regular person and not a superhero or a know-it-all. I think your explanation fits perfectly for most of us who aren't experts but who just want to ride and have a little fun. Thank you from the cold and snowy NE US.
Thanks from a very hot Perth (42c) 👍
This was really helpful of me! "Solidified" me on the Rally. I've got a 250EXCF for my main dirt passion but I have Rally on the brain for doing some more dirt road day-trip adventure stuff which I used to do more of when I had my 250L.
Don't do it. Try and ride the rally before purchase, you will fucking hate it.
@@Broxty Why? How will it compare with the 250L I had?
This is one of the best comparison videos, on the two bikes, thanks for sharing mate , I went for the 300l for the same reason as you, although I do like the look of the rally a little bit more especially after the eliminating of the plastics surrounding the engine, but I don't need the larger tank or the windscreen, also I found a great deal on a pre owned 300l with the upgraded suspension, 550 performance ECU, full after market exhaust and a few other goodies
Once again, great comparison and logical break down of the pro's and con's Solid. I've got a 250L Rally and am considering stepping up to the 300L Rally. Agree the plastics can be a real pain in the butt. I've done single track and have had the plastics break either from hitting a hidden log/stump or from dropping the bike in deep mud. I think the ability to cut the plastics from around the base and replace with the 300L bash plate is a great option as the shroud although great to keep the wind and rain off on the highway, like in my case got damaged pretty easily. It honestly doesn't bother me if it gets scratches etc as its all part of the adventure. The rally is heavier, however I find I do get range anxiety often so having the (350-400km) range is important, and can forgive the extra weight as its all about compromises. Suspension upgrades, bash plate and the akro slip on and you should be out for around 12K. All things considered gives you a very versatile, reliable and capable bike. I don't know if you ever saw Rozalyn Veersma adventure trip, but she took a 250L around Australia. Worth a look if you haven't watched it already. Keep up the great videos!
Perfect analysis.... For sure you made the right choice !!!! Me I found the rally version and I got it immediately, coming from a Tenere 700 is not an issue the more weight trough the L Version. Ciao Gianluca from Milano
Tall windscreens tend to karate chop the rider in the throat or forehead when the going gets really bumpy, too!
I'm collecting my Rally in a few days - UK (I ordered it last November but didn't want it during the winter so it's been sat in the shop for 2 months). I'm replacing a 250L which I fitted with a big tank and comfy seat - hence the Rally to save me the bother of altering it. I use the 250L on the road (45,000 250L miles since 2015) and the 300 Rally will be my every day bike. I'm now quite old and refuse to have a quarter ton Africa Twin when the UK speed limit is 60 mph on motorcycle type roads. For off road I use a CRF230F which is much lighter, air cooled and with more ground clearance. Nice to hear your thoughts though Mr. Solid.
I absolutely hate looking through screens. Excellent point. CRF 300L for me.
You're realistic, straight to the point and honest. I like your videos; keep it up my, your contents are very worthy.
I went with the Rally for my riding in SW CO. I have pretty long (and awesome) road rides to get to the big passes and trails. My rides are really about linking a Mtn road with a Mtn pass and a few trails, back to a Mtn road to cruise back home. The Rally comfort on the open road was high on my priority list and eliminating the wind screen would frankly suck too bad. The distances out in SW CO are pretty big and the wind can be a factor as well. If I was riding mostly dirt and/or trailering the bike, I'd probably have gone with the L, but super happy with my decision.
I’m still unsure if I got the correct bike but after 7700kms in 4 months on the 300L (abs) I’d say I’m buying the standard version again. 110kmh speed limit and I could hit 154kmh. Fitted heated grips for cold nights and was perfect. I liked pushing off road & dropped 60+ times easily, so the rally plastics I doubt would have held up. If you can find one buy it
What's up solid, a fellow 300L RUclipsr here. I completely agree with everything you said I love how you broke it all down. I go for a similar format in my videos. I also went with the L but I should also have the rally as soon as my dealer gets it. So hopefully I can do a side by side as well. Watched the whole vid and subbed! Keep up the good work man.
Should make for a great comparison mate. Keep the videos coming and shiny side up 👍
Everything you’ve said is 100% accurate solid (owner of 2016 Crf250l for 3 years and current owner of a cbr300r equiped 2017 Crf “300” rally.) Even when I had the rally I had both bikes for a year and took the 250L on more than 50% of rides (I had both available so could have taken either). I do about 70-80% off-road and it has probably taken me a year to take my rally everywhere I used to take the 250l - but now I am happy as I have a bike that does the road sections a little more comfortably. I can also ride with road riding mates and not be “totally left behind” I run d606 and mt21 and find it surprisingly capable in the twisties, of course when it comes to the straights, a 130hp sports bike will leave anything behind, but at least in the 40/60/80/90 Kph corners, the rally handles things pretty well and is still a more capable bike than its rider ;) I just love the fact you can do anything and go anywhere with this lightweight dual sport adventure category !! One really has to ride both they are different bikes but at the same time the same. I believe the extra wheel length and take make the rally a bit less twitchy..my advice - ride them both (even the older 250l and rally) and see which you prefer.
I just bought the 300L and got my license both this week. I sat on both models at the dealer, the Rally felt a lot wider because of the gas tank and it has more stuff to break, those were my reasons for choosing the standard L. Plus I got $1,000 off so it was an easy choice, loving it so far.
I have had a rally for 500 miles. I have no complaints. Everything he said is true. I like the larger tank.
This was a great video. I think you did an awesome job of presenting very valid points of comparison that will help folks make the best choice.
my big question is who in their right mind would add yellow hand guards to a CRF?
Thank you so much for spending this amount of time and effort (and considerable skill) in order to produce this film/tutorial. It was/is very useful. I've had a rally on order for seven months in the UK. I'm probably (closer every day) going to get a one year old 300 L - because I can. Then sell it if I like the Rally more than the 300 L (if it ever arrives). You live in the right part of the world... enjoy it. Thanks again, Mike
No worries 😉 Sounds like you lucked out with the best of both worlds 👍 Enjoy the 300’s!
Such a great and direct review!
The Rally has the fixed Headlight and ft fairing.. The 300L Headlight etc. swings with the forks... I owned a 2017 Rally, and sold it.. Bought a Yamaha XT250... Had the 300L been available, I might have chosen that..
Another no-nonsense upload with plenty of food for thought for anyone thinking of the same. I chose the L for pretty much all the reasons you've outlined here. Respect to you for taking the time to put this together for everyone else out there: I can't be arsed to do that, but will make the enormous effort of adding my two cents here and say, "Yeah nice one mate, totally agree.'
Cheers G 👍
I got the rally 250L & love it. I do more street riding. Both r nice depends on your riding style 👍👍💯%🆒 video solid
I've got the 300l in New Zealand. Using it to replace my mx bike and road bike. Took it on a trail ride in the rain and dropped it more than 5 times but kept up with the enduro and mx bikes who were also crashing. Main problem was the stock tyres having no grip in the wet grass and mud otherwise I would have had no issues.
yea mate the biggest difference is tires. You gotta pick the tires for the terrain thats around where you live.
Excellent review (therapy session) for those of us on the fence. I'm officially on the market for a Rally! Thank you!!!
My style of decision making would totally focus on buying the version best suited to the riding that makes me uncomfortable. For me, that means buying the best dirt bike possible. My off road abilities are similar to yours (on a good day) and that is where I want the bike to help me as much as possible. That decision is also influenced by the fact that I have a Tracer 900 GT for the street. If I want to go for a 500km road trip on a Saturday, I am not taking the WR250R!
That said, if I moved to South America to live, or did an extensive tour like Itchy Boots, I would definitely pick the Rally version. Much better for that use case, where the worst dirt is a really bad road. The only bike with performance and weight better suited to that use case would be the 701, but the Husky would look like an alien space ship to most small town South American motorcycle mechanics. The Honda would look like a cool version of a bike they already know intimately. That is a big issue for me, because my skill set breaks stuff all the time, LOL.
Cheers!
Great comparison, valuable, balanced, and interesting content as always. Such a fun channel to watch. 300l ordered! Love the music 👍
Definitely the Rally for me as I am very much into my creature comforts with the fairing. The larger tank helps with range anxiety issues.I had a Triumph Tiger Trail 750 in 1982 which I used on trails with YZ400 Yamahas. Had to carry one up a craggy Hill on a trail back to their camp. It had tall gearing. I used to run it without the muffler in the bush so people would here me coming. Their jaws dropped when I came out into the open.
I would love to find a 5 speed 650/750 trail in ridable condition !
i came so close to buying a 300rally last week. the bigger tank and rally screen/dash did make the bike seem alot bigger and was actually a little intimidating but personally id still go for the rally over the L. it looks so much better imo and i dislike the lack of range on smaller tanks. only reason i didnt buy it is because i live about 250kms from the city and the dealer refused to deliver it even tho they have a big ass delivery van.
I know the frustration. The only reason I don't own a Triumph is there's only one dealership in my country and they're far from honest or reliable.
Great comparison. I got the 250L rather than the 250Rally as the L is a bike lower than the Rally. I also wanted to add the biggest possible after market tank and a lot of other parts - and saw no reason for me to pay for all that for the Rally just to replace it with what I wanted.
And what's the biggest possible after market tank for the 300L, may I ask?
@@Onceuponatimejotaele I am not sure for the 300L. For the 250L it is the tank from IMS. So check that one out.
I have a 2012 Honda 450x and plan on putting the blinkers on it after I get the valves done 👀 should be fun to ride around on the road when I need to but I use it as a single track monster right now we have great places to ride down here in Texas 👍
Great review. I’m in the US and just picked up a 300L. Love it so far and can’t wait for the weather to get better to really get some seat time in.
Congrats 🥳
For the thousand mile BDRs I plan on riding this year, the Rally would be perfect. You must understand your use case. I have my WR250F for the local enduro fun days.
Excellent comparison and summary. It still leaves me sitting on the fence. I am waiting for the 250L parts to run out and Honda to start shipping the LED 300L to Europe.
I think one point a lot of excellent reviews miss out, is how much these smaller bikes (all 3-400) appeal to the downsizing 60+ demographic. Keep up the great content, thanks.
And I thought honesty was dead! Just picked up a modified 250 rally and love it. I'm slow and old and like to be comfortable. :) Thank you! (consider adding U.S. measurements along with what the rest of the world uses)
I opted for the Rally because I wanted a lightweight adventure bike, I doubted for quite a while between both versions but I got scared that I wouldn't be able to find a larger aftermarket fuel tank...
Kinda silly but hey.. I am new to dual sport bikes :D
One downside to the Rally that you didn't mention is that when your front suspension bottoms out in a puddle that was deeper than anticipated... you can find yourself hitting the windscreen quite hard with your chin.
Found that one out the hard way, luckily I bought a new helmet with a chin piece that sticks out further, bit between a MX and a full face helmet.
My guess is that if I had been wearing a "regular" helmet, I would have been having my dinners through a straw :p
As always thanks for the video :)
Completed 1500 kms of mixed riding , back road bitumen , back road dirt roads , single track , 4wd tracks , 200 km freeway .
This 300 rally will leave you smiling , stock suspension and I weigh 98kg.
The caveat on this bike is seat height 885 mm.
Yes it does sag …but it can catch you unawares on cambers at standstill if you don’t concentrate …. at 5ft8 just 😊…the ergonomics for me is perfect standing up ( shorter legs , average torso ) …remember to go hard on this bike …you simply rev it …get the power down to the ground …negate the front end weight as much as possible , don’t tractor on loose terrain , give it the rpm in each gear …it loves it .
It’s a noisy beast at 100 km per hour ….the windscreen is too short .
On soft enduro type double tracks with jumps …the suspension is soft , just slow down a bit .
Remember this bike weighs 150 kg plus wet….its not a 110kg husqvarna.
But you can go anywhere …and still get the adrenaline going in the bush .
It will power slide …but again remember it weighs 150kg …everything needs more effort .
You will get fit riding this bike hard in the forests …standing up .
This would be a perfect bike if it was 20mm lower in seat height , and 25kg lighter , with 15 more HP.
But as is …it’s a very good bike to go exploring for seven or so hours , on all types of roads and tracks .
Sling on a back pack …just go .
It’s that kind of bike .
It IS virtually the same bike..with a bigger tank, and yeah more ‘plastic’, hence MORE breakable parts..IF you plan on dropping it. To a degree you make a LOT of sense with the main reason being..it’s YOUR CHOICE. This was a great comparison video and I’d bet you’ve helped out a bunch of potential buyers for sure. Me I think I’d opt for the Rally model..for the bigger tank alone, bigger brake rotor, etc. It’s minimal stuff in a way that adds up to negligible weight differences between the 2. Still, an awesome vid, great job.,
Great review!
I was a bit afraid that Rally would be a worse bike and that is why you didn't chose it. But it turned out it's just a perfect bike for me. Designed perfectly spend more time on the pawed road and do only light enduro
There's a channel called itchy boots and she's driving the Honda rally from Ecuador through Mexico all the way to Alaska
Another great video solid, I was wondering about which one would be most suitable for me. I think you've helped me separate them. I need both, curse you😛
😆
Thanks for your reviews! Yours looks absolutely gorgeous. I love the yellow hand protectors too
Great review. I think your analysis is great. But at the end of the day it is still a personal thing. I think we all know if we listen to our inner voice.
Thanks Shawn and agreed 👍
Great vid. Ditch that tank bag and put that GL bar bag on the shelf (over your head in the intro) to use. Makes riding so much better in the technical stuff.
Very valuable information and comparison!
It seems like manufacturers tend to not really understand what we need or are just marketing it wrong. I want an adventure bike but big and heavy 250-300kg bikes like the 850-1250GS, in my mind, are just touring mammoths that can glide through rough roads. Not real adventure/offroad bikes. Much like a Range Rover. It can go off-road, sure, but it's no Samurai or even Wrangler. So I want something as light as possible but also suitable for riding on the road. I've got solid mountainbiking experience so I should be fine on the Rally off-road but I'm not quite sure it'll cut it for the open roads. I still wish for something in the 400-500cc range with a bit more power that's just not 200kg+ wet.
Dealers having zero test bikes in stock doesn't help either.
Manufacturers know that most people purchasing the big adventure bikes rarely go off road. The riders like the ADV looks but their capability is not used often given their weight.
Manufacturers make more profit on the bigger, more expensive bikes than they would on smaller ones. A limited set of people want smaller bikes to take off road versus a larger number of people who want the bigger bikes for a multitude of reasons.
The manufacturers are fishing in the largest pond.
Riders have been asking for lighter weight offerings for some time and the manufacturers have not responded. I don't think the market is as big as some of us think but I could be wrong.
Is this a pro level vlog or what?
The good gets better.
Kudos homie!
👍😎
This was a great break down between both bikes good job well done I’m much more clear on what I want from these bikes. Thank you oh. I’m taking the rally.
I much prefer the L's headlight and lack of screen. And, of course, price. Just out of interest, the 300L is less than 4,400 USD in Thailand. Not that I'm American.
Great video.
Very good explaination of the two bikes, I think you did a great job of dividing the two, it really helps decide which bike is best suited for what kind of riding you really want to do.👍
Excellent comparison of the CRF300L and Rallye. Thank you.
Less plastics, wind protection in 90-100kmh cruising is irrelevant, and for price difference - complete new suspension and few protection details. Ready to ride. ;)
My decision would revolve around climate. If hot most of the time then go for a L, if you need weather protection then go for the Rally.
Just started researching getting a dual purpose bike and have been leaning toward a CRF300L or Rally and then found this video. Awesome info and thoughts, thank you. I live in Colorado and have a shit ton of trails near me that I want to ride. I'm only 5'9' and 155lbs, so weight is something that I need to consider as is relates to rider confidence, control, etc, as you nicely pointed out. However, on many of our mountain trails, you can ride for many miles from one old mountain town to another old mountain town, so the added fuel availability on the Rally would really be beneficial in that situation. Hmm...decisions?! Lol... The only other problem I have is there's none available anywhere around me right now anyway, so I guess I have time to figure it. Happy trails.
Great upoad - thank you - I will be choosing the Rally and your video has helped - safe riding
Thinking of buying a 300L as my first since riding an nsr 80 when I was a teenager.
Can’t wait to get back into motorcycling
I’m really struggling between a 300L and a enduro style bike with more power and less weight.
I already own a Tenere 700 which I use in my videos and I’m looking for a light offroad bike to accompany it. Biggest benefit of the CRF compared to Ktm EXC etc. is maintenance intervals. I’m also not a good offroad rider so Honda might be plenty of bike for me for a few years. If I need more power I always have the Tenere in my stable.
Thanks for the great videos. Been subbed for a long time! :)
Thanks mate, yer its a tough choice. I came close to getting a 350exc. But ultimately it was just too highly strung for what I needed and my skill level.
@@chroniclesofsolid EXACTLY my situation. I have an offer on the table for a 350 😆
Fantastic vlog & nice compilation 👍
I got a 2023 left over Rally300, had it now for 2 months all led lighting. Got 512 miles on it
Excellent review! Very clear and objective!! Thanks!
My brother has both. Thing I notice is single track or ridding ruts the rally is so wide with crash bars it constantly bottoms out because it’s so wide and down low. So if you’re into that type of technical writing and come across a lot of deep ruts usually made by ATVs the rally is a problem. Other then that it’s great bike. Depends on riding you’re doing I guess
Nice comparison nailed it!
are you waiting for a tank to land as well?? From your experience do you think is gonna change the handling a lot
Still not sure if to get the tank ( extra weight in front) or get the giant loop bladder extra weight in the back… would be nice a video going in depth talking about it! Just a suggestion
Thanks
I don't think this video could be done better.
Maybe discussing aftermarket windshields and extra fuel tanks that could be fitted to make the L more close to the road performance of the Rally.
The main advantage of aftermarket accessories is that they can be installed only for traveling and they are usually easy to fix.
Really like that last point you made. I am MUCH more confident off road than on it. Plus I already have an enduro style dirt bike for the more tricky rides and am after something for easier and longer adventure trail rides so I think the rally is for me.
Great comparison and the Tat is coming on a treat.
I appreciate the humility. This very well may influence my decision!
This is an entry level motorbike 1 notch above the Trail 125. The suspension is spongy requiring a $1000 upgrade with better tires. Still, it has only 27 HP and 19 ft-lbs. of torque. You will grow out of this bike fast.
I understand your decision, lm sure some will fit an aftermarket larger tank and screen of the 300L therefore losing that 4kg weight advantage. But again I agree on the plastics department ( to protect them would need crash 💥 bars therefore increasing weight, but making that up with an aftermarket pipe , then losing that with a rear rack 😂😂😂 what’s the difference in seat height ? that’s a BIG decision for shorter and female riders .
Great video. This helped me greatly decide which one I want to get. I'm going with the CRF300L. Cheers.
Glad I could help👍 Test ride both if you can
Very expressible explanation.
Thanks from Russia.
Good luck!
Soft enduro is me too! Have the 300L too. Good video! 🏍💨
Thanks for the great video. Although I'm leaning to the rally I now have a better idea of the differences and I will be able to really decide for myself when I see the two models side by side at the dealer.
Ride them both and go with your gut 👍
Some very good points here. I'm a new subscriber. Think I've seen 10 of your videos in the last 3 days. I like how they're very matter of fact and just honest. I'm just an okay rider that likes to look of a dual sport. My work commuter is a dr200. And my touring bike is an V-Strom 650. I don't think either are going away, but I feel like the 300 rally could cover both.
Welcome aboard J👍
Great video totally agree
I choose the L as I found a great. 2 hand one already upgraded not I will just fit a tank and happy days! Totally agree on fairing the less the better
Wind at 50/60 m/h no issue
I think this video sums it all up pretty good. I got a 250l, that has a windscreen addon - and i do absolutely love that for my type of riding (except for the fact that its really ugly). It's easy to remove aswell, if you would want that. As you and others mentioned - If you are in to modification you could probably do alot of the mods "converting" the l into a "light rally" suited for your riding style for less money total then buying a rally in the first place
Great comparison, good work!