Motorcycle specifications HondaCRF 250 L 2012 A dose of weekend every day

honda's TT offering for the general public is not exactly flourishing. The Transalp? Too roadworthy. Not even the Crossrunner. The CRF? Too cross-country. So how do you go about having fun on the trails? The CRF 250 L fills the gap and opens the way to all-terrain versatility.

So we're back to the basics of trail riding: a lightweight, all-purpose machine that's equally at home in town and on the trails. Forget multi-cylinders, big cubes and other pachydermic machines; we're taking a ride with a single, and going from the restaurant to the picnic, passing by to say hello to friends on the beach.
Honda takes this opportunity to continue rolling out 2 and a half bikes. After the CBR, it's this trail bike that enters the displacement range. It stands directly opposite Kawa's KLX 250. The single-cylinder engine seems to be derived from the aforementioned sportbike. Featuring super-square dimensions (76 x 55 mm), it is fed by 36 mm fuel injection, has two ACT, liquid cooling and a 6-speed gearbox. Power output is in line with class standards: 23 hp, and just over 2 mkg of torque. That's a long way from the punch of a pure cross-country machine, but it's enough for recreational use. And it avoids the need for an overhaul every 50 hours of use.

To support the CRF 250 L, Honda offers a new but classic double-beam steel frame with split cradle. It is fitted with a 43 mm Showa inverted fork and a Pro-link monoshock. Suspension travel is 250 and 240 mm. Its 1,445 mm wheelbase and high caster make for excellent stability. And when it comes to turning in urban terrain, the steering angle makes things much easier. The steering swivels 45° to either side; for comparison, the Kawasaki 650 Versys swivels 35°.
The 21" front wheel is fitted with a 256 mm brake disc, the 18" rear with a 220 mm disc. The advertised weight is in line with that of the category: 144 kilos. That's 70 kg less than a Transalp, and 40 more than a CRF cross-country bike.

Honda presents this trail bike as a distant descendant of the XL 250 S. Fortunately, the CRF has much more cachet. Sleekness and triangular styling effects make it a real eye-catcher. The minimalist digital instrumentation displays speed, a clock, 2 trips and a fuel gauge. No need to worry about range: the fuel tank holds just 7.7 liters, but fuel consumption is rated at 3.1/100 km. The rear hull incorporates a tool kit. The CFR 250 L relies on an attractive price tag to appeal to a wide audience: 4,090 euros, almost the price of a CBR 250. It may not single-handedly revive the popularity of medium-displacement trail bikes as it once did, but the initiative is to be applauded.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos