Honda is building a new CRF250L an CRF250 Rally, with updated chassis and new look, and no doubt some other tweaks we don’t know about.
There’s been no English-language release on Big Red’s updated dual-sport models yet, but if you head over to Honda’s Japanese website, you can get a garbled Google Translate update on the machines, as well as some nice photos.
Both the CRF250L and CRF250 Rally are based on the same chassis and liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. Honda doesn’t say much about updates to the engine; it’s probably going to be changed to be Euro5-friendly, at least. It saw a few tweaks about three years ago that added about one horsepower, which is very noticeable on a bike this size. It’s not likely to gain any more power this time around, but who knows? Maybe Honda will surprise us. There was talk of a mechanical fuel injection system for this engine, and new dual-plug heads, but that seems to have died down.
Honda’s presser confirms there’s a new frame for the CRF250L and CRF250 Rally models, supposedly lighter and more rigid. That’s good news, as there was plenty of room for improvement there, especially as the 250L has been pilloried for its excessive weight ever since it first appeared.
The press release also seems to say the bikes get new suspension. That’s probably good news; the original forks and shock were OK considering their price range, but when CMG had a long-termer CRF250L a few years back, it was magically transformed with a set of RaceTech suspension (see more about that here and here).
Both bikes get new bodywork. The CRF250L is supposedly styled to look like the CRF450R, with a lean, mean headlight and other changes. The Rally gets a new fuel tank, to extend its highway range (considering its fuel-sipping nature, this should really make this bike an interesting low-budget tourer). No doubt more details will be along in a few days, as we’re in the middle of traditional bike launch season, even if there’s no real moto shows this year.
I have a 2015 and it must be pinned to get anywere safe on the main roads.But on trails and secondary roads it shines.
Just not enough power to make this bike exciting or even safe to ride on the road. I sold my 2018 after 500km.
I had a 2018 CRF 250 Rally – the positives -Looks, lights, ride, wind protection. Negatives – brakes, and power. On ramp merging was border line dangerous – wrung out to the pin. Bought a Versys 300 and not much better. Now I just bought a Yamaha Tenere 700 – Heaven on earth.
The Rally certainly doesn’t have big bike power, but I found it was excellent for its class. Not gonna cut it if you want more, though.
I couldn’t agree more a 300 cc version would be great and the visit to “ fat camp” would be wisdom exercised. Bump the Rally fuel tank up 13 liters and a wonderful adventure “light” motorcycle is born.
They almost did, 12.8 liters fuel tank and a version with 286cc, which one will we get if any i don’t know..
Seeing that there is possibly a KLX300S coming out , it would make sense to use the CBR 300 engine but who knows why Honda does what it does.
They also released a 300 version (286cc), remain to see if it will reach our market.