New left over 2014 CRF250L

[andyj812]

• As you guys know from the other post I traded my Will 250 in a couple days ago for a Honda CRF250L.

It has a fuel injected single cylinder 249.6 hp liquid cooled engine according to Honda's websight. Honda says it supposed to get 72mpg but so far I've been average about 55 mpg. I've only road it home from the dealership and to work twice so far (200 miles). Maybe after its broke in fuel mileage will go up or maybe 73 is obtainable at lower speeds.

So far I love the bike, It does not have a kickstarter but it came with free lifetime battery replacement, I'm not sure if that is a Honda thing or if the local dealer provides this service.

The suspension is a lot stiffer than my will 250's was but still comfortable. The CRF is physically bigger and taller then the Will 250 also. These are to different bikes with 2 different price points so I only making the comparison because these are the only 2 dual sports I have ridden. Not bashing the Will because it is an awesome bike as long as you keep it in its capabilities.

The CRF has a six speed transmission. I have noticed that if I cost to a stop with the clutch in and down shift without letting go of the clutch, occasion I cannot go lower then 2nd gear after stopping. Not all the time just sometimes. I have tensioned the cable a little but still does it sometimes. I haven't notice it doing it if I downshift and let go off the clutch after every shift. When it does it I have to take off in 2nd because I'm cant get to neutral of first to try to double clutch it. Hopefully this will break in otherwise I will have to see dealer.

[andyj812]

I have this rack on order from amazon, I will post my opinion of it when it comes in and I get it installed.

[andyj812]

This bike has a more up ride position then Will had. Its comfortable but my back starts hurting after going 60+mph for a while. I believe it is do to the extra wind at higher speed pushing against me. My back never hurt when riding my Will but I rarely rode it at 55 for long periods of time. The sitting position is different between the 2 bikes also. But like I said I only notice it after riding a while at higher speeds.

I have ordered this windscreen to see if that helps. It is supposed to be easily removable for off roading.



Here is the information about the windscreen from the sight:
The wind screen mounting bracket are model specific, no generic one size fits all. The brackets become permanently mounted the upper triple clamp and handle bar riser bolts. The plastic is attached with nylon hardware and is easily removable in less than 1 minute with the use of a “coin”. The wind screen is a rigid mount non adjustable and is designed to relieve some on the upper body air pressure on the faster portions of your ride. Reduces upper body and back fatigue and allows for longer rides. Easy to look over even for the shortest riders.

The production brackets are powder coated flat black and the plastic is only available clear.

The plastic used in the T C I Products Adventure touring wind screens and headlight covers is produced by AeroFlow corp. and is DOT approved “IMPLEX” impact modified acrylic. No other aftermarket manufacturer uses the thick acrylic (Many OEMs do) and we are the only to use the impact modified acrylic. This stuff is not your off the shelf clear plastic.

Implex combines the U.V. stability (8 Years) and other physical properties of standard acrylic sheet with impact resistance that is 8 times greater than extruded acrylic and 6 times greater than cast acrylic.

It offers impact resistance along with excellent clarity and weather ability, resists hazing, surface dullness and progressive yellowing. If scratched, Implex can be rubbed out and if broken, will not shatter the way non-modified plastics do.

The plastic has a compound curve shape and provides very good air flow control. Looks great on the bike. The brackets are powder coated and install with no modifications to your bike.

Hand Made by Craftsman in the USA

[andyj812]

I ordered this brush guards from amazon. I hope they will fit ok. Once again, I'll post my opinion when I get them installed.

[andyj812]

Here is a pic of the "dash". The front break line rides kind of high above it and takes a little getting used to sticking up there but its not in the way of anything. The third picture from behind shows the height of the brake line.

[andyj812]

The 2.03 gallon gas tank has 2 bars going across the opening so you cant stick gas nozzle in real deep, its not a problem as long as you pay attention.

[Weldangrind]

Thanks for the very informative thread! I covet your bike.

I leave the bike in first at a red light. Clutches are cheap.

I like the locking tool compartment and the rear rack you ordered. Let us know how the windshield works out for you.

[Darkrider]

Ok Andy...get out of my head!!!!! The mods you are doing are the exact same ones i wanted to do when i was looking at getting a CRF250 last fall lol. But im sure i will own one eventually. Funny enough you can get the same DRC Edge taillight that Spud has on his Sierra specifically for your CRF.

[andyj812]

Originally Posted by Darkrider

Ok Andy...get out of my head!!!!! The mods you are doing are the exact same ones i wanted to do when i was looking at getting a CRF250 last fall lol. But im sure i will own one eventually. Funny enough you can get the same DRC Edge taillight that Spud has on his Sierra specifically for your CRF.

Used CRF250L's should be coming for sale more and more. I'm sure you will find one. I like LED lighting, so I probably will be changing over the signal lights to LED this winter when I'm bored and wishing It was warm enough to ride. The windshield was expensive but I hope it helps. I couldn't find many options as for as windshields go. I liked the looks of this one:


this windshield is almost half the price of the on I ordered but holes must be drilled in the fairing to support it and the fairing is the only thing that supports it.

[andyj812]

The brush guards came in from Amazon today so I installed them before work. These are generic brush guards and don't seem to be the best quality buy not the worst. I really don't have anything to compare them to. I put brush guards on my will but they were cheap mostly cosmetic ones of all plastic construction an only 1 support from handle bars. These from amazon are aluminum with the plastic molded around them into 1 piece. The clamps mounting them the handle bars are adequate but the bar end inserts would not expand enough to go tight. The finish on the plastic is not as nice as I would like it to be but they will do for as long as the hold up. If and when it comes time to replace them I will go with something different.

[andyj812]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I must admit, I can't believe Honda is recommending 8,000 miles as an oil change interval. The engine in my Zongshen RX3 is very similiar, and has a capacity of 1.7 quarts of oil. Yet Zongshen recommends an oil change every 2,500 miles.

Originally Posted by pete

A lot of work for a small amount of oil......







..

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I agree with Spud and Pete. I would target about 20 hours for an oil change, not 80 hours. BTW, that's with a liquid cooled bike that has a filtered crankcase vent. On a more primitive air cooled bike (like all of my junk), I target 10 hours.

I was thinking about every 1500 miles, oil and filters are cheap compared to engine components. I changed the oil in "Will" 4 times in the almost 1000 miles I rode it.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by andyj812

The clamps mounting them the handle bars are adequate but the bar end inserts would not expand enough to go tight.

If you switch to aluminum bars, the inserts will probably be tight enough. Aluminum bars typically have a smaller ID, since they need to be thicker than steel bars.

[SpudRider]

I always leave my bike in first gear at the stop lights. As a motorcycle safety instructor, I taught others to do this as well. As usual, Weld is correct; clutches are cheap.

You have a beautiful, well designed motorcycle. Your choice of modifications is thoughtful, and well chosen.

[SpudRider]

I must admit, I can't believe Honda is recommending 8,000 miles as an oil change interval. The engine in my Zongshen RX3 is very similiar, and has a capacity of 1.7 quarts of oil. Yet Zongshen recommends an oil change every 2,500 miles.

[pete]

A lot of work for a small amount of oil......







..