The Big Issue With The CRF300L & RALLY | The Soft Suspension & How I'm Fixing It | Part 1
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- Опубликовано: 21 июл 2024
- #chroniclesofsolid #crf300l #suspension
In this video I go through the Honda CRF300L's suspension. The issues I have found, who will be effected and what you can do about it if you wanted to upgrade the motorcycle Lastly I go through my decision to go with YSS front and rear suspension to improve my dual sport and adventure riding.
Thanks for watching,
COS 
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I have this bike, i put it in my motorhome garage, love it. Cheers from Poland!
Nice one Marcin👍
wtf is a motorhome garage ?
Well you got me hook line and sinkered! This is the exact suspension I was looking at for my future 300l so I'll be keeping a close eye on your build!
Congrats! I think Solid made a solid choice. Can’t wait to see the results after installation.
This video was exactly what I was looking for! Thank you. Now I have a better idea of what I need to do when I get my new 300 rally.
Solid, yeah you're biased but you're not obnoxious about it. You don't claim it's the best thing since sliced bread and it will travel 1000's of miles on the highway at 80mph or that it is the best motocross bike around. You point the flaws and limitations and it's strong points and capabilities. Honest talk and I appreciate it.
Thanks Hazcat
Thanks for this video, I appreciate that you aren't trying to tell everyone that they must change their suspension or the bike is un rideable. I chose the 300L coming back into motorcycling after a long layoff, and find the bike perfectly adequate for my riding up to this point.
Nice choice with investing in adjustable suspension Solid! I'm sure you'll really appreciate it especially on those longer rides. And it really improves the dynamics of the bike overall making it more fun. You'll never look back!
Awesome choices. I am really interested in how your suspension upgrades turn out and hearing your review of it all. Great video series idea. 👍🏾
Thanks! Will do!
Congrats on the new suspension. Can't wait to hear your thoughts once you get out on the trails!
Cheers Adam👍
Hi Chronic, always enjoy your banter and find your content informative. I'm KLX250s/300 with pipe and intake mod and find myself in the same suspension situation (I'm 95Kg + gear), it was cool to see you highlight YSS as I had already picked their springs as the next item to acquire. I have one seal weeping, so it will be a full rebuild. I could do it, but it might be smart to find someone local with more experience. I'm north of Brisbane, any input. Cheers
I've bought a used ktm that someone spent big $$ on suspension, I describe as wow! super plush and I can still jump.
I'm going to get a 300L , will pass it on to my oldest. Researching suspension now, big thanks for showing some options.
Can't wait to see how it works out Solid!
Awesome and pragmatic review of the suspension.
👋 hey Solid this is 👍 good, looking forward to seeing the results 😀
Happy for you; suspension changes are a big deal for most guys. Love the forks on my drz400s, love/hate the rear shock, but getting things buttoned down is a never ending quest to me. So adjustability saves me money: every click is free, requires a ride or three to test out, and eliminates the thought of buying anything new.
Looking forward to this series! Actually generally looking forward to seeing how you mod this bike over time. Jake the Garden Snake is doing a series modding his 300l which is fascinating watching. He’s gone all out top spec, though, so whilst it looks very interesting, I do wonder whether he’s getting sensible value for money. He does do lots of cheap and easy things too, though…
He's also not paying for a lot of it. Sponsors are sending him stuff for exposure on the channel.
Just like the fuel tuner he's having trouble with. He didn't make any power after adding cams and pipe.
He should have done a 550 Performance ECU tune instead so timing can be advanced and fuel remapped properly.
Thanks and very informative; You make suggestions and its relevant to personal budget, the suggested upgrades are good and we all get to learn more keep safe; David....Adelaide...Tiger 900GT & Street Scrambler....
After riding mine for a year I definitely think an upgrade is due, I seem to bottom out more.
Me too, me arse hurts !
Cool! It'll be great to hear your comments once you've had a chance to put it through the paces.
Interesting and a very clear explanation of your thought process.
Also I want to thank you for teaching me a new expression, "The Ducks Nuts"! Is that like "The Cats Meow"?
Exactly the same expression meaning wise 👍
If you are mainly an off-road rider I would recommend against the YSS kit. The rear shock gets hot and fades rather quickly. The YSS fork kit is not for do it yourself mechanics. If you don’t send it in to a YSS suspension shop your warranty is void. If I had it to do over again I would go with Öhlins or Rally Raid kit.
Have had my Rally for about a week, I really appreciate this advice. Initially I was taken back about the cost of suspension upgrades. I did notice my rear shock is adjustable but was unsure how to do it as I’ve always been on HD’s and on pavement traveling. Do you have a video on adjusting the rear shock on the rally? Thx again for info and video I may not be out much after all. 🤟😎
There's no damping though solid! Which doesn't make it very safe when you hit a few bumps. Good videos keep it up.
I am looking forward to your comparison video.. I hope it is worth the money for you
I have a 250L currently. I sent my front and rear suspension to a builder (Pro-Action in USA) and for $800 USD, I have my 250L nicely sorted. It feels a little harsh in the slow stuff, but at speed, or through the really rough stuff, it shines. No more Pogo Stick! No more bottoming the front end over the smallest of jumps or drainage cuts. After adding the EFI and Exhaust mods, I have no trouble hanging with the more capable off-road bikes, like the XRs.
I'm looking to add a 300L Rally, and I will immediately send the suspension out for the same treatment, maybe even lower it a bit just to make it a bit easier to handle at low speeds when loaded down with camping gear. #inseamchallenged
Ah it's good to know there is someone doing this budget but good option in the USA. Here in New Zealand I had MotoSR in Taupo install an extra spring in the front and replace the original spring on the stock 250 Rally shock with a custom-made one, and upgrade the valving on both ends. Total cost was around US$900 including my local deal removing the suspension, freight to MotoSR and back, and re-fitting. RUclipsr "Shonky Productions" in Australia has a 300 Rally that also has the original shock upgraded with I think K-Tech parts (he mentioned one of their dealers, Pro Moto Suspension in NSW, as having done it, but no doubt others would do just as well)
That's going to be awesome. congrats bud! I have a feeling it's going to be like riding a brand bike!
Can't wait!😎
I ordered my CRF300L back last October and took delivery about 2 weeks ago. I bought it perceiving it would be appropriate for travel on paved scenic country roads. I believe it is not quite ideal for that, mostly too low a first gear to negotiate tight turns from a stop. It’s so far very difficult to sync clutch with throttle to avoid overshooting the turn from the jumpy throttle response if clutch and throttle are not in perfect harmony.
Good video mate, I ordered a 300l after watching your content, only option is to review these days and My bike doesn’t come until Feb 2023. So it gives me time to research suspension. I’m a big boy around 108kg and the the weight of riding gear which I’m still shopping for. Cannot wait to see you suspension upgrades and hear your thoughts. Cheers bud
Congrats on the order, I hope the 300 serves you well 👍
When you were bouncing up and down on that Honda it looked like a 70s Chevy Monte Carlo with no shocks 🤣
Video coming at just the right time. Thanks. Got my 300 rally last week. Could I get away with just changing the rear shock or should upgrades be done to front and back at the same time?
Pretty excited to get this fitted up at the end of the month and then get into the dirt! Let me know your experiences with suspension 👍
Can’t wait to hear the review on the new yss suspension set up once you get to ride it!
How much do you weigh and what spring did you choose? I imagine we have to include our riding gear in our weight calculation.
You should get the YSS cartridges for the front too.
Tks mate, can’t wait.
Change my rear to NITRON R1 (fitted to my 95 kg with gear) and front K-Tech spring and heavy oil - the bike is a new bike. Half enduro stable up and down hills (with hard terrain). Best upgrade to my one year old 300. Waiting for you to share your experience. You will probably describe the exchange job and riding experience with better words.
Great information as usual mate …
Cheers Phil 🍻
I hit the like button and comment to help beat the algorithm. Good content from USA
The dreaded algorithm, cheers
@@chroniclesofsolid not trying to a smart alec bud. Being genuine
@@damienpugh1777 Me either mate, appreciate the support. The algorithm can be a tricky beast 👍
@@chroniclesofsolid curse that Al Gore and his meddling with the nets...
The suspension is the single best help that my older CRF250L ever got. RaceTech front that was later improved by a suspension guy, XR250R rear shock that's been resized by a welder, adjustable rear suspension links. Also changed gearing (go from 14/40 to 14/42 or lower), SpeedoDRD, Dobek EJK, header pipe, wider exhaust, wider snorkels. And now it's not worth selling.
Nice mods Suzy. Hopefully my suspension works out as well as yours!
I cranked the rear preload all the way down. 260lbs of American and it the sag is now acceptable.
Definitely getting the YSS adjustable cartridges for the front and getting a rear swapped out with K-Tech or YSS.
Think I'm just too heavy for not being able to adjust the compression and dampening in the rough bits. Stock valving is better suited for riders significantly lighter than me.
Looming forward to your review on the cartridges.
You’re like me weight wise. It’s also quite hard to fit on this bike at 6’ 7” 😂
That’s the YSS rear shock I installed on my 250L. Highly rate it. 👍
im about 80-85kg (13.5st) and with the preload set to max its still much too low. if you were maybe around 60kg / 10st and with no gear, i think preload adjust alone would be fine. im at the point where i want to upgrade the rear shock. on the fast sections the stock 300L suspension is definitely holding me back. as you say, totally fine on the slow stuff, and for just tame cruising. but it is a major weak point on an otherwise great bike.
I had the same dilemma. I chose front spring upgrade and rear budget suspension from YSS. They recommend the enduro version because 90% of my riding is on dirt roads and green lines. Stock suspension was OK for my style of riding, "explorer mode" as I called it. The problem was when you want to ride a bit faster on the bumpy trails. Only solution then is standing up or shifting you weight to the pegs. I did 6000km like that and not a big deal. The budget YSS suspension is a really good upgrade for the money. You can only adjust preload and damping but that is more than enough for his bike and my type of riding. For the bumpy trails that I had to stand up on 35km/h, now I can ride easily 50km/h and sitting down. I still didn't change the font spring but I plan to do this very soon. Also I will try 15w oil or a mix of 10w and 15w to increase damping.
Thicker oils produce more damping force at low speed due to viscous interactions of the suspension fluid with the flow circuits of the shock absorber. This results in thicker oils being more sensitive to temperature changes. Increasing the oil temperature of SAE 12wt oil from 70 F to 200 F drives the damping profile from a digressive curve to a progressive profile. While the temperature change effects low speed damping there is little difference in the high speed damping since the high speed damping rates are primarily driven by fluid momentum forces not viscous forces.
Awesome. I got the topline YSS rear shock. Possibly overkill, but now I think I may get the YSS spring and cart forks to match. We'll see how it all works 😎
I assume you were able to choose a spring (or springs?) to match your weight range for the front cartridge?
Yep
@@chroniclesofsolid Can I ask...what is your weight geared up to ride and which spring weight did you choose for the YSS fork carts?
I'm close to 60kg I have cranked up the preload on the rear and added 50mil of 5 weight oil to each fork. this has made a big enough different that I'm not going to change the suspension
I need a suspension that can handle someone in the 260-300 range >
Looking forward to your results. Even though much is rider preference on ergonomics, I posted up a question in your previous video looking for some comment on ergonomics of the CRF compared to the WR. I currently own the KLX300, and even with new bars are offset risers it is a little cramped with regard to pegs/seat/bars (5'11" 180, so not huge), I spend a lot of time on the pegs. As best I can tell, the WR has a little more room and I have no idea about the CRF. Finding bikes close to me to check out is near impossible, so I would have to have a good idea before trying to hunt for a new bike. My kid started riding recently, so he will be do for an upgrade next year (current bike is a KLX230). Don't know if I will upgrade and give him my 300 or just upgrade his bike. I would consider either the WR or CRF only if they have more room than the KLX. My next bike would have to have better ergonomics than the KLX for me to get a different bike, otherwise it has been a great trail bike. I actually did a racetech gold valve update to the KLX because it was harsh on high speed damping, the racetech kit was a nice upgrade, bike is firm but much more supple on roots/rocks/chop. For me some suspension work seems mandatory to get the most out of any of these budget dual sports.
It has been quite some time since I was sitting on the WR250R. Here is what I do remember though. It felt like the WR had a little more room for your legs (by a tiny margin). The rest is the same given I always use the same Pro Taper Bars. At 182ish cm I am happy on the CRF but YMMV.
I did a racetech front and rear kit and it make the bike tolerable. Bike was decent minus the frame breaking at the footpeg... YSS is decent across the pond.
First re the soft rear. I am about the same weight as you. When first sitting on this bike , I thought that it was way too soft. I had to ride the bike 100km ( turned out longer) and came home via about 20km of high speed lumpy dirt road. A proper actual dirt road rather than a track. The bike would sit on 100kph ( honest I didn't go faster...) very comfortably. The suspension was a bit soft and wallowy but nothing like the initial sit test would make you believe. I suspect that the suspension has a substantial rising rate. I can't confirm this as my suspension software is locked up on my workshop computer which is playin with me at the moment, but I think this is a deliberate different approach to dirt suspension from the usual. This allows the small bump compliance to be smooth but will accomodate bigger hits with a simple single rate damping. I agree it is too soft if you are our sort of weight or heavier, especially if you go the full track riding speed route.
I also went the YSS route. I have had YSS shocks and front valves in the past and was not overly impressed. But the non remote reservoir current offering from them is quite an eye opener. I am building the 300Rally for road and dirt road touring , rather than high speed high excursion tracks, so I have no need of the extra volume/cooling. It's not an Ohlins or a Nitron etc but it IS a huge step up from the non-damping rear stock bit. Stiffer spring and much better controlled damping both ways with the YSS. It'll do for the purpose.
I put the new Andreani cartridges in the front ( the new ones require the removal of the bottom fork knuckles, rather than drop in). Hugh improvement but I suspect a good suspension person could revalve the stock cartridge perfectly well for most use. My suspension friend in the US has been too busy with work to be able to help me with this bike , so I just went over the counter .
By the way there are two things that will help the rear suspension that will fly under the radar for most people bu will have a real effect if you are really working the suspension. The is a dog bone and rear suspension knuckle made from alloy available from Bikerbitz that reduce the suspension linkage weight substantially. titled "alloy link" and "sub assembly kit". I don't know the weight difference for the link but my Kouba is half the weight. The "sub assembly" is 330g compared to 784g for the steel stock one. That's a real suspension moment difference.
Thanks for the insight
If you live somewhere where there's no vehicle inspection drama, you can buy a full used front end from a motocross/Enduro bike for around 450$/€ this includes wheel and brakes. Then change the rear shock.
Good job. Thanks.
Nice choice mate! Now you will have everything that is great about the Honda, and a big chunk of what is great about the WR, in one bike!
I am looking forward to videos about your experience with the process, and especially the results!
Me too!
I read somewhere that the suspension on this bike (and the Rally) is set up for a 65 kilo adult from factory.
Hello Solid. Seeing how you ride, if I were you, I have been opted for a better shock. I think it will be at least a noticeable difference between front and rear. But the bright side is that you can change the rear shock, and you will also have material for another vid. 😉
Yup, that was my thinking as well 👍
What do you mean? Solid is really slow.... (no 'fence!)
I have a 250 L, racetech spring in the rear (feels nice especially with gear and luggage) and Öhlins spring in front (waaay to harsh - am only using a third of the suspension range).
Bought the bike with the upgrades - will try a downgrade to the original spring up front for my 80kgs.
Cheers.
Solid be careful with your front cartridge spring choice, i’m of similar weight to you…
Initially i went with the 80-105kg spring weight (thats the only option available at the time) and found them really harsh in the initial travel and a very firm in the midstroke…enough to cause the wheel to deflect off small rocks n logs….in the end i had 1 turn of spring preload and 0 compression with 10 rebound…essentially i was running on the spring…
I now have their
Noted, mine is made to 80-95kg so we will see soon enough. It’s my one fear that the suspension will just deflect me off rocks etc if I can’t ride it fast enough 😅
@@chroniclesofsolid just double check the weight bracket…yss have
Race tech spring and fork oil kit and rear spring from CRF's Only , about 400 US dollar, bike will ride like big dollar suspension
Great content! Any details on why you went with YSS over some of the other options (e.g Rally Raid etc)?
YSS was recommended to me by people I trust. Customer service was on point and they have an Australian branch where I can call direct. No exorbitant postage either as its in Au delivery.
@@chroniclesofsolid Interesting how Thai people don't like YSS they prefer ÖHLINS over YSS....probably with good reason.😉
Hi, seriously thinking to get a small dual sport as I come from a T7.
What about the new Voge Valico 300 Rally? Seems an honest choice for around 4K€. It comes with all the protection so you need pretty much to turn on and ride off road.
Thanks and good job!
Chinese crap
After you changed the shock, did it raise the seat height? I like that the honda has a lower seat height compared to the wr250r, thanks!
You said in the video you were going to show us how to adjust the preload if I heard correctly, and then didn't?!
Q&A Does anyone have any knowledge or experience if updated suspension and installation of steering damper increase performance on the highway at higher speeds?
Is the rear shock rebuildable, something like Ktec in the UK?
Hey Solid, you may have answered this before but , how tall are you? I'm thinking off the 300l rally now cause I don't think honda is ever going to commit to a middle weight African Twin.
My 250l feels like a fat lazy pig. My only comparison is a full carbon mountain bike that weighs 12kg, but a stiffer shock would probably help things out a lot.
Im personally having far more issues with grip on dirt than suspension. My money will be going into better tyres, rim locks and hd tubes to drop pressure to like 10psi before i go blowing cash on suspension. Tbh will probably get suspension later but as you said the plush ride is comfortable and itd be a shame to lose that
Good move, it’s my first mod on every dualsport (tires, HD tubes, rim locks) 👍
Bad suspension = no grip
@@videosbruno agreed but too harsh of a setup will make slow technical single track unbearable.
I have riddenx bikes on tight slower trails and it's brutal. Would much rather have soft suspension.
Point being that the suspension really needs to be individualized for the person and the type of riding they are doing.
Completely wrong bike for your purpose...NO GO!
Is there any used shocks that be taken from donor bikes? Like my GS500F was really soft but the rear could be changed for an R6 shock, which transformed the rear & only cost $100 delivered. Would a CRF450L shock fit & give a better ride?
Anyone just changed the spring on the rear and has feedback? I'm 90 - 95 kg and was just courious if its a good deal for the cheap price.
i don't think the pogo stick suspension is the worst thing. but it pretty much sums up the cheap and nasty build quality overall.
I tend to agree as I am garaging a brand new 300L for a friend and I have had plenty of time to inspect it next to my 250r. The build quality between the two isn't even comparable and I cannot help but find myself thinking of the 300L as a cheap-and-nasty piece of junk.
So you like the 300L more than the DRZ400?
Proper spring rate first and foremost.
Were you going to try the rear only before doing front. For comparison sake, or just get it done?
All done together otherwise I’d go bankrupt getting it tuned 😅
Much needed full swap
Preload is only for adjusting the sag and is related to the fine adjustment of the ride height and the best weighted stroke position, so the rebound and compression strokes have somewhere to go, the spring is for the average weight that you will be riding with, and will always be a compromise on a duel sport adventure bike as you will be traveling with different loads, eg full luggage and or passenger or solo with minimal extra gear. Valving should always be done when a spring rate is changed, as that is where all the control comes from. Very few bikes come with suspension that is very good as they are made to suit the average rider and also made to a price point that won't damage sales. Learners are considered second class citizens, just have a look at the low grade of components on a learner level bike, nearly all are absolute garbage. Blokes will recommend their girl a cheap bike just in case she doesn't continue with her motorcycle interest, anyone who I have any concern for, will be advised by me, to get what ever they buy to as safe as standard as is possible and if you can't get the bike to a high/safe standard because of the money, then I would suggest you don't buy a motorcycle. End of rant :)
Agreed
I put a yss on my 300 rally .feels like a different bike 👋
Thumbs up for "the ducks nuts" :)
Lol. A wr250r is still the king! You can kid yourself but you know the answer! 😉
I still think the klx300 is better, but I understand it isn't available everywhere like the crf is.
I think you would be surprised. The CRF is truly a different bike, with these suspension upgrades. If you've ridden both bikes, it very easy to notice how user friendly that 300l engine is. The KLX may make a bit more power in the upper rev range. But not enough to really over shadow the torque of the Honda. Especially when you consider how well Honda spaced the gear ratios to match the power delivery. And, it hides it's weight really well with the low seat height. Don't get me wrong. I'm not bashing the KLX. I owned one and really liked it. But my brother has the CRF, with high level suspension upgrades. I've ridden the bikes back-to-back. I was truly surprised.
@@bmotomo421 I was talking stock bikes. I'd prefer a stock klx over a stock crf.
@@YourLocalRaccoon Oh...since you used the word, "still", I assumed you meant after the upgrades. The KLX, off the showroom floor definitely has a suspension advantage. But neither have great suspension, from the factory. Both bikes are really great entry-level dual sports, though. There's also something special about the CRF, itself, too.
So you spent the money for the bike and then you have to put 1400 AUD into it to have a usable suspension. Just doesn't make sense. It's just not a good enough bike to warrant propping up the rest of the platform with that kind of upgrade expense. Best get another bike in the final analysis. Even the KLX300 is a better choice in the price range.
Honda needs to provide a better suspension off the show floor. Obviously, you agree.
A full Ohlins suspension upgrade is about £550
660£+
Hello ,your kg ?
I’m 75 kg and from my mistake I bought yss for 86-106 😢😢
🤐🤐
Please put the $3K into uncorking and modding your 300Ls, everyone. We all want "3000Ls" without the price tag. Thank you. Your future used bike buyer
I do like the Riley Reid kit but I would like for somebody in one of these videos thousands of them taxi do a real video show the adjustment how to adjust how far to adjust how to set SAG how to do this how to do that that’s a real video not a computer screen behind you with some guy talking redundant
I can't personally imagine purchasing a new from the factory motorcycle that needed fixed.🤷 I'm sorry but I just find what Honda passed this bike off with for suspension to be ridiculous and unacceptable.
Hi Mate / for rear shock : 29 mm (12%) STATIC SAG //// and 100 mm (40%) RACE SAG
663 fully extented lenght / 634 sag under bike weight / 563 SAG UNDER RIDER WEIGHT
I bought YSS and adjust rear and front with RallyRaid advice here :
ruclips.net/video/5SLSAPEAWc4/видео.html
YSS is crap compared with ÖHLINS.
Just another video showing why the KLX300 is a better buy... cheaper because you don't have to fix the suspension.
That's where you're wrong :-) The KLX is better from the factory, but not as good as an upgraded CRF, and getting the CRF gives you $500 more in your pocket to put towards the suspension upgrade that BOTH need.
@@BruceHoult So you only have to spend $2,000 more - should have bought a KTM.
@@67daltonknox I paid US$4150 for my 250 Rally, brand new, 0 miles, on the road. I’ve spent $900 on suspension. Which KTM are you suggesting I should have got, exactly? 390 ADV? Less than 7” travel both ends, poor ground clearance, delicate cast wheels, and $2k more than I’ve spent in total? And, according to the net, people upgrade the suspension on those too.
Waste of time. It’s still underpowered. Shop around and buy a Yamaha something.
how's the heat on the right hand side.. i hear it gets very hot . any problems .?