2012 Honda CRF250L: A Dual Sport CBR250R!

[SpudRider]

I'm going to ask the local Honda dealer if he knows when this bike is coming to the United States.

As with all Honda dirt bikes, the frame and suspension are excellent. Here's the information I garnered from the Honda World website.

http://world.honda.com/news/2012/212...del/index.html

"The newly-designed frame makes use of a steel twin-tube design to offer a nimble ride while ensuring both agility and stability, and the oval cross-sectional shape of the main pipe helps boost rigidity while enabling a slim vehicle body. The inverted front suspension employs a Separate Function Front Fork having an inner tube diameter of 43 mm and a cushion stroke of 250 mm in a design that secures both light weight and high rigidity to deliver excellent operability and high driving stability. The aluminum monoblock cast swing arm yields high strength and proper rigidity balance and is paired with a Pro-Link rear suspension having 240 mm of axle travel providing the rider with impressive agility and high road-holding capability from urban riding to off road."



Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I bet that O2 sensor isn't cheap. I wonder how long an O2 sensor lasts on a dual sport?

The parts for this engine are surprisingly inexpensive! Honda is aiming hard for the Third World marketplace with the CRF250L, and the CBR250R. We in North America also get to benefit from the low pricing. The O2 sensor, part #11 in the diagram below, sells for $62.28.



http://www.cheapcycleparts.com/model...-cylinder-head

Spud

[Weldangrind]

That's fair. Knowing Honda, I was concerned that it would eclipse $100.00.

[SpudRider]

I know what you mean! :P Check out the prices for the other parts at the website I referenced. Honda manufactures the CRF250L in Thailand. This bike, and the CBR250R are aimed squarely at the Third World marketplace; that's why the MSRPs are so reasonable. The prices for parts are similarly reasonable. Honda is definitely taking a step in the right direction with this motorcycle.

Spud

[pete]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

The CRF250L has a saddle height of 34.4 inches, which I think is just about perfect! The bike is a little heavy with a 314-pound curb weight. However, I'm sure one could drop some weight from the bike, and gain some power from the engine with an aftermarket muffler.

I believe this bike is scheduled to arrive in Canada this summer, so I suspect it will arrive in the United States at the same time. I sure hope so!

Spud

Just compairing the weight & seat hight with my
05 XR250 Tornado..

It has the about the same seat hight
Tornado is 880mm / 34.7" ---- CRF 34.4"
But its a bit heavyer than the Tornado..
Tornado is 234kgs / 295.4lbs ---- CRF 314lbs

May be a bike worth looking at... wonder how
highly stressed the motor is.. HP output.

PS....
Honda Brazil have played with the XR250 Tornado
and come up with the XRE300 , 6mm bigger bore &
fuel injection for another 3hp :roll: but the torgue might
be the real benifit..
And some of the shittyest styleing to plage the motorcycle world..
Open the link below... to be shocked.... It's A ugly bugger
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J9bnnRgW4f...-xre-300+1.jpg

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Honda is definitely taking a step in the right direction with this motorcycle.

I hope so. From the bit of reading I've done on some of the four stroke forums, the CRF230 was not taken seriously, since it isn't "Japanese". We're not so quick to discriminate in this shop, but I am curious about the quality of workmanship.

[SpudRider]

Honda is claiming 23 hp for the fuel injected, water cooled, CRF250L. That's the same hp figure quoted for your carbureted, air cooled, XR250 Tornado, Pete. :? I've got to believe one can get some more power out of the CRF250L with a free flowing exhaust, et cetera.

Spud

[Weldangrind]

I wonder if the injector would be capable of supporting an open exhaust? Doc figures that the computer would be able to compensate for changes, but perhaps the injector just won't flow that much. I know that you can tweak the pulse width, but that's only if you find software and a cable. Who knows what sort of ALDL port this bike will have.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I hope so. From the bit of reading I've done on some of the four stroke forums, the CRF230 was not taken seriously, since it isn't "Japanese". We're not so quick to discriminate in this shop, but I am curious about the quality of workmanship.

As you said, we know better, Weld. I'm confident Honda will get it right! It is well Honda has had practice manufacturing this engine for the CBR250R before it introduced the CRF250L.

The Honda Pro-Link suspensions are well developed, and very good. I don't see how Honda will allow the CRF250L to get screwed up. The Chinese have really taken a large share of the Third World marketplace from the Japanese. Honda is finally getting serious about the huge world marketplace for 250cc engines.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I wonder if the injector would be capable of supporting an open exhaust? Doc figures that the computer would be able to compensate for changes, but perhaps the injector just won't flow that much. I know that you can tweak the pulse width, but that's only if you find software and a cable. Who knows what sort of ALDL port this bike will have.

I think there will be huge aftermarket support for this bike. However, I'm content with the 23 ponies in the stock configuration. I even like the 2.0-gallon fuel tank if the bike will deliver 104 mpg, as promised!

Spud

[Weldangrind]

I'm with you. 23 is fine for what I do, but a little shy on the freeway.

[pete]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I wonder if the injector would be capable of supporting an open exhaust? Doc figures that the computer would be able to compensate for changes, but perhaps the injector just won't flow that much. I know that you can tweak the pulse width, but that's only if you find software and a cable. Who knows what sort of ALDL port this bike will have.

Thats simple to do.. to richen or lean the mixture
you trick the CPU into thinking the air temp is hotter or colder
than it is... by useing a pentometer conected to the the air box
O2 sencer..I have one on my XT660..just turn a nob to richen or lean
out the mixture..

Theres lot of gizzmo out there to do it... powercommander is prob the
best known one..can be used with standard or custom fuel maps..
I have a Nitro X fuel commander for the XT that I have never put on..

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I'm with you. 23 is fine for what I do, but a little shy on the freeway.

I know what you mean, but it's not much fun riding a dual sport bike on the freeway, anyway. Even in stock form, the bike should have enough guts for short, freeway sprints. However, I think Pete is correct; it won't be too difficult to squeeze a few more ponies out of this water cooled, fuel injected engine.

Spud

[pete]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Honda is claiming 23 hp for the fuel injected, water cooled, CRF250L. That's the same hp figure quoted for your carbureted, air cooled, XR250 Tornado, Pete. :? I've got to believe one can get some more power out of the CRF250L with a free flowing exhaust, et cetera.

Spud

23hp 8) ....good engine life / fuel comsumption
but still enough power for tootling around the back countrey.

might look at one if they import them here..
seems to be less & less models each year imported.

There seems to be few little probs with it for a small ADV bike
fuel tanks to small..
don't seem to be any where solid to bolt a rear rack..
head lights to low to use a guard mounted tool bag ..

Prob getting a bit picky now... :oops:

[SpudRider]

I really enjoy watching this particular video at the Honda World website.

http://world.honda.com/CRF250L/video/index.html

Spud