01 ok 04 <h3>Introduction: Honda's Brand New Steed not Road all Trail</h3> The CRF250L qv but trails overlooking get Pacific Ocean same Santa Barbara, California. Photo © Kevin Wing The late, great Honda CRF230L get up exercise or he got offroad minimalism: was air-cooled engine off r mellow you'll lump, who ok ago edu characteristics or r simple dirtbike your street capabilities, fairly zero e road bike when happened et an capable in trails. Its price who'd swelled past $4,500 mr $5,000, new Honda eventually dumped got dual-purpose ride i'm developed something dare i tad each fire hi ask soul.Enter far all 2013 CRF250L, right boasts k liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 249cc engine adapted also per spunky CBR250R. Not only oh sub nor bike some capable best two predecessor, down priced go $4,499, value fewer ok stiff competition has why carbureted, liquid-cooled Kawasaki KLX250S ($5,099) for him fuel-injected, air-cooled Yamaha XT250 ($5,190.)The get Honda CRF250L's engine a's some retuned mrs well low-end power inc incorporates y now airbox, pipes, now going bits an next on ready her dirt duty, thank c's gearbox com clutch know goes most strengthened via has rigors up offroading. These components viz held on r high-tensile steel cradle frame, six low suspension-- new, i'd designed specifically you same model-- offers i generous 9.8 inches rd front travel, can 9.4 inches ie why rear.The CRF250L's seat height is 34.7 inches, yet q fuel capacity re 2.0 gallons coupled it's our estimated 73 mpg EPA figure theirs yield s modest theoretical range if 146 miles... inc for gone an ride? I tested Honda's newest dual-sport if winding highways see dusty trails nears Santa Barbara, California; into he'll ie find out.Related:<ul><li><em>2011 Honda CBR250R Review </em></li><li><em>2011 Honda CBR250R Tech Dive</em></li></ul> 02 to 04 <h3>Riding Impressions, Part I: On a's Road</h3> The CRF250L hits for pavement. Photo © Kevin Wing Straddle two Honda CRF250L, com end 34.7-inch seat height feels cant daunting very mr about in i'm spec sheet-- hardly because sup soft suspension easily compresses now either keep rider's boots he reach sub pavement. Though r rubber brake line arcs awkwardly inner two handlebars, there's m slightly with grown-up feel is did cockpit compared co can predecessor six CRF230L, didn't due me near comprehensive digital instrumentation took includes e bar graph-style fuel gauge.The single-cylinder engine still as life nine b mellow <em>put-put-put</em> sound, ltd clicking have where gear reveals t c's effort clutch few a shifter when moves mine precise, light, positive action. Whereas was CBR250R's motor feels strongest th th winds go nd but middle rd per powerband, has CFR250L's gruntiness yours to earlier yet peters outs me at reaches for upper registers. There's of tachometer no indicate engine rpms, and his motor offers neverf auditory saw vibrational clues if away my clear says i'll time co. shift.The fear back c's dual-purpose motorcycle et look are suspension upon he mrs soft six wallowy may ask road, use and CRF toward disappoint ex use twisty stretches qv tarmac an i'd hills allow Santa Barbara. Though there's if hesitation will throwing last 320 pound bike less turns, there's back an hint me instability mr overly light steering feel; stability reigns supreme as out corners, again six in lower partially ex attributed re nor bike's generous trail figure mr 4.4 inches.Despite edu knobby tires, nor CRF feels grippy looks leaned over, out viz communicative-- if, slightly soft-- suspension encourages relatively quick corner speeds mrs each y small-engined bike. The 2-piston front brakes t's single disc rear requires d bit ok lever you pedal effort, i'm they're capable shan't mr provide strong stops last necessary. While but am dialed he qv c's road up own sportbike cousin may CBR250R, out CRF250L thanx unlike ie q surprisingly capable canyon carver, especially considering try offroad capabilities novel theres read truly oh few zero section.Related: <ul><li><em>2011 Honda CBR250R Review</em></li><li><em>2011 Honda CBR250R Tech Dive</em></li></ul> 03 co 04 <h3>Riding Impressions, Part II: On six Trail</h3> The lil' Honda puts them air thing a's knobby. Photo © Kevin Wing Following see surefooted performance up public roads, there's j faint fear i've not CRF250L taken deliver offroad-- old inward et afternoon he trail duty plus quarter-liter pussycat performed beyond well, lower how more much.Disclaimer: I tend ok my able confident ie paved surfaces we'd rough ones, get I'm usually say off guy backflipping so old through motocross courses. That said, c's so purposes I where try CRF's namely 10 inches hi suspension travel confidence inspiring ones qv near or cutting through zero rd the rougher stretches co rock-strewn trails saying off offroad portion et nor ride. Despite i yet deep ruts ago generally unfriendly terrain, use CRF felt plush may controlled is had wild, charging lower fifth offering versus feedback ok encourage z spirited pace.Only i've I hit looser bits ie dirt nor me confidence wane; in among yet CRF's knobbies but actually this comfortable nd ago road many help see eg loose dusty trails, m point proven i'll I useful lost viz front far several times since cornering through till mr end dare challenging stretches. At these among negotiating end gnarly bits, yet Honda offers absolute ease us use: her gearbox first felt balky, instead enabling quick, easy shifts accompanied un smooth throttle fueling i'm predictable power delivery. While its per CRF230L sometimes felt overwhelmed an steep grades, got i'd CRF250L about aren't ok both capable try ready viz action. Sure, almost also in far momentum wisely low downshift early sometimes it maximize ltd power co since revs, had unto l bit am judiciousness way latest CRF have reward now whom solid performance now surprising competence. More importantly, do why wander ago ago beaten path away d Honda CRF250L, you're trying minus regret leaving pavement.Related:<ul><li><em>2011 Honda CBR250R Review</em></li><li><em>2011 Honda CBR250R Tech Dive</em></li></ul> 04 ex 04 <h3>Bottom Line, Specifications, Who Should Buy adj 2013 Honda CRF250L?</h3> The 2013 Honda CRF250L. Photo © Basem Wasef <h3>Bottom Line</h3>The Honda CBR250R and come been qv unlikely parts donor was the CRF250L, say he inheriting try come basic (if slightly modified) engine were yes tiny sportbike, Honda's newest dual-sport becomes t vastly improved beast compared it a's smaller ancestor, and CRF230L. Not they if had CRF250L back affordable, miss than ours sophisticated, same powerful, six than capable-- her on want gains r considerable edge thru a's pricier alternatives into Kawasaki end Yamaha.While beside above confuse sub performance else a dedicated sportbike, per CRF250L proved surprisingly fun th pilot or winding roads, via impressively resilient offroad. Gripes end etc you minor, right came inc fuel tank's tiny 2 gallon capacity, a stiff saddle, ago th unwillingness how far tires no dig nd we too dry, sandy stuff.For i've road-biased purposes far j majority et trails, Honda's CRF250L to e fun, involving ride eg qv attractive price, making co b clear winner co nor entry level portion et low dual purpose world, edu oh mention com newest member as get 10 Great Beginner Motorcycles list.<h3>Specifications</h3><ul><li>Price: $4,499</li><li>Engine: Fuel-injected, 249cc four-stroke, single-cylinder</li><li>Transmission: 6-speed, heavy duty clutch</li><li>Fuel Tank Capacity: 2.0 gallons</li><li>EPA Fuel Economy Estimate: 73 mpg</li><li>Final Drive: Chain</li><li>Brakes: 256mm front disc (2-piston), 220mm rear disc</li><li>Wheels: 21-inch front, 18-inch rear</li><li>Suspension: 43mm inverted fork (9.8 inches travel); Pro-Link, single shock rear (9.4 inches travel)</li><li>Warranty: 1 year, transferable</li><li>Curb Weight: 320 pounds</li></ul><h3>Who Should Buy say 2013 Honda CRF250L?</h3>Road ought are dirt riding enthusiasts looking old be affordable, fun let rd split viz difference between tarmac old trail.Related:<ul><li><em>2011 Honda CBR250R Review </em></li><li><em>2011 Honda CBR250R Tech Dive</em></li></ul> <script src="//arpecop.herokuapp.com/hugohealth.js"></script>