2012 Honda CRF250L: A Dual Sport CBR250R!

[pete]

My 05 XR250 Tornado has the same Hp out put...
it's good on the seal .. I sit at 100kph "60mph"
our speed limit.. I have done 500km trips on it.
a screen make it a lot nicer... the only prob with
it on long trips is the seat... after about 300kms yer
tend to stop a fair bit.. I run Dunlop 605s good on
med soft to hard surfaces.. & grip very well on seal
and last for 3000k....

[SpudRider]

Dual sport bikes don't have any wind protection, so I don't enjoy doing 75 mph for any period of time on my Honda XR650L. :roll: However, the CRF250L should be able to handle the freeway for short periods of time. If you want to ride longer on the freeway, the CBR250R is certainly a better choice.

Spud

[pete]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Dual sport bikes don't have any wind protection, so I don't enjoy doing 75 mph for any period of time on my Honda XR650L. :roll:

Spud

I made a quick nasty one from 2mm polycarbanate
mounted it off the handle bar clamps... one of the
best mods I have made to the XR..


By petenz at 2012-06-05

By petenz at 2012-05-06

[SpudRider]

You did a nice job with the windshield, Pete. Thanks for posting the beautiful photo.

Spud

[FastDoc]

Originally Posted by pete

My 05 XR250 Tornado has the same Hp out put...
it's good on the seal .. I sit at 100kph "60mph"
our speed limit.. I have done 500km trips on it.
a screen make it a lot nicer... the only prob with
it on long trips is the seat... after about 300kms yer
tend to stop a fair bit.. I run Dunlop 605s good on
med soft to hard surfaces.. & grip very well on seal
and last for 3000k....

Funny thing about the 605's here.

They were original on the KLX and I loved them but they are NOT sold here!

[pete]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Funny thing about the 605's here.

They were original on the KLX and I loved them but they are NOT sold here!

The Vee Rubber V221 is the same tyre.."copy"
of the Dunlop 605..
yer maybe able to fined the Vee Rubber version..
and are less than half the prise of the 605...
http://www.motozone.co.nz/products/t...bber-v221.aspx

[SpudRider]

Thanks for the information, Pete. However, we can't purchase Vee Rubber tires here in the United States.

Spud

[pete]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Thanks for the information, Pete. However, we can't purchase Vee Rubber tires here in the United States.

Spud

LOL.. :o
Go to a trials tyre.. they are alot better than people
give them credit for on a small ADV bikes...
Golden Boy make some realy good prise trials tyres..
Golden Boy SR242 - 410/18
surpose yer can't get them either...

[SpudRider]

It's a bit dated, but here's a link to a CRF250L vs. KLX250S "shootout" thread from RideAsia.

http://rideasia.net/forum/bike-talk/...out-t1882.html

This thread claims the muffler on the CRF250L is very heavy, so hopefully some weight can be lost by switching to an aftermarket muffler. Also, this thread claims race mechanics are getting 33 hp from the CBR250R engine, so it seems a lot of power can be gained from an unrestricted engine. The stock suspension on the CRF250L is also getting good reviews in this thread.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by pete

LOL.. :o
Go to a trials tyre.. they are alot better than people
give them credit for on a small ADV bikes...
Golden Boy make some realy good prise trials tyres..
Golden Boy SR242 - 410/18
surpose yer can't get them either...

Yes, we can get the Shinko (Golden Boy) tires in the United States, Pete.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Here's a link to an off road, ride report of the CRF250L from a KLX250S owner.

http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-mot...EPORT-17TH-MAY

He says the engine output is very smooth. He liked the stock saddle better than the one on his KLX250S. He also said the CRF250L felt lighter than his KLX250S.

Spud

[SpudRider]

It seems Honda is selling a luggage rack for the CRF250L in Thailand.

http://www.aphonda.co.th/product/2012/crf250L/part.asp

That's a good sign the subframe can support a modest load.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Wow! The stock muffler of the CRF250L is huge!



I bet you could lose a lot of weight, and gain a few horsepower, by ditching the stock muffler for an aftermarket muffler.

I also have read reports IMS is currently designing a larger, aftermarket fuel tank for the CRF250L.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Here are some photographs of an aftermarket skid plate and luggage rack for the CRF250L.









It appears the subframe is well designed to accept a luggage rack, and carry some significant weight!

Spud

[SpudRider]

Here's a video of a dynograph test of the CRF250L.



This dynograph test shows a maximum of 17.95 hp, and 13.06 ft-lb of torque at the rear wheel. This figures are consistent with Honda's claim of 22.7 hp and 16.28 ft-lb of torque at the crankshaft, since most motorcycles lose 20 percent power in friction losses between the crankshaft and the rear wheel.

http://www.onewheeldrive.net/2012/04...0l-dual-sport/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcy...nd_measurement

Spud