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2017–2020 · Enduro · Buyer's Guide
Buy It, Ride It, Forget It
The CRF250L runs a liquid-cooled 249cc single making 25 hp and 16 lb-ft, tuned for low-stress pull rather than headline numbers. A 6-speed box, 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear give it the geometry of a real dirt bike, and at 317 lb wet it stays honest-light for a street-legal machine. This is the friendly end of the dual-sport class: enough grunt to lug up a rocky climb, gentle enough that a newer rider never feels ambushed. It asks nothing of you before it earns its keep.
Ride it and the picture holds. Power arrives smoothly and the chassis forgives, which is exactly what you want on a loose trail or a Monday commute. It ages the way good Hondas do, with an 8.8 reliability read that rewards basic care and cheap parts. The honest caveat is reach and pace. At 34.4 in the seat sits tall, the front fork is non-adjustable, and a 70 mph top end makes the interstate a chore rather than a cruise. Buy it for dirt and back roads, not for covering big highway miles in a hurry.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 25 hp (18 kW) @ 8,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 16 lb-ft (22 Nm) @ 7,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 249 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 256 mm |
| Front tire | 3.00-21 |
| Rear tire | 120/80-18 |
| Wheelbase | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 10.0 in (255 mm) |
| Front travel | 9.8 in (250 mm) |
| Rear travel | 9.4 in (240 mm) |
| Seat height | 34.4 in (875 mm) |
| Wet weight | 317 lb (144 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.0 gal (7.7 L) |
| Top speed | 70 mph (113 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 78 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
This isn't my own ride. It's what CRF250L owners have told me over the years in paddocks, at club nights, over coffee after a trail day, and in the emails and messages riders send me directly. For the 2017–2020 MD44, the pattern barely changes from one conversation to the next. Riders love how easy and dependable it is, and most spend their first upgrade money on the suspension, the seat and the tank.
The praise I hear most often is how manageable this bike is. Riders of every size call it easy to handle. It takes the stress out of tight city maneuvers and builds confidence once the pavement ends. Several owners mention how simple it is to haul around and pick back up after a tip-over on a muddy lane. The other recurring theme is the throttle. Owners describe the low-speed connection as clean, soft and predictable, which lets them tractor through mud, loose gravel and awkward sections at a crawl without drama. Newer riders in particular call it a patient teacher on green lanes, and plenty of owners simply say it gives a lot of fun for very little hassle.
Reliability gets as much airtime as handling. Riders consistently describe the CRF250L as tough and trouble-free over tens of thousands of miles, and they say it shrugs off abuse. Owners talk about maintenance with relief, not dread. They cite 8,000-mile service intervals and valve checks at 16,000 miles, which keeps the bills small. Fuel is the other running-cost story, with owners regularly reporting 70 to 80 mpg from the fuel-injected single. A smaller group points out that steady demand keeps used prices firm, so the bike holds its value well when it's time to sell.
The loudest complaint, and it comes up constantly, is the suspension. Owners call it plush on the road but underdamped off it. The fork dives hard under braking, the bike wallows on rough ground and the rear shock bottoms out over bigger hits. Many riders replace the fork springs and the shock before they consider it properly trail-worthy. A few add that the same softness, combined with tall, skinny off-road wheels, feels vague in paved corners. Range is the next recurring gripe. The low-fuel light tends to come on around 90 to 100 miles, and a larger aftermarket tank of about 3.3 gal (12.5 L) is a common fix. On the open road, riders say the engine struggles to hold pace on steep climbs or into a headwind, and the lack of wind protection wears them down. After about an hour, the thin stock seat starts to hurt, so a replacement seat is a popular first upgrade. Some owners find the front brake short on bite and lean on the rear to slow down. Owners also warn that the bike's popularity makes it a regular target for thieves.
Recall 19V412000: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 CB300R, 2018 CBR300R, 2018 CRF250L, 2018 CRF250L Rally, and 2018-2019 CMX300 motorcycles. The circlip, on the transmission's main shaft, may detach allowing for gear misalignment.
Recall 18V630000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda CRF250L motorcycles. The wiring harness may have been inappropriately installed, potentially resulting in damage to the wiring harness and affecting the operation of safety components such as the exterior lighting, horn, and instrument panel. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," and 123, "Motorcycle Control Displays."
Steering lock damage from theft attempts
The steering lock can be damaged and fail to function properly following a theft attempt.
Sump damage from over-tightened sump plug
Excess torque applied to the drain plug results in damage to the engine sump.
Risk of low engine oil level due to small capacity
The low overall oil capacity makes it easy to run low, risking internal engine damage indicated by grumbling sounds.
Sump damage caused by over-tightened sump plug
Over-tightening the drain plug causes structural damage to the sump.
Intermittent Unstable Engine Operation from Clogged Fuel Pump Filter
A clogged fuel pump filter causes unstable engine operation intermittently while riding.
OE shock bottoming out over bumps
The factory rear shock bottoms out over bumps and rough undulations.
Starter relay (magnetic switch) recall (2013–2015)
NHTSA recall 15V439000: certain 2013–2015 CRF250L units (among other Honda models) were recalled because the starter relay (magnetic switch) could fail, potentially preventing the engine from starting or causing intermittent starting problems. A separate 2018 CRF250L campaign (18V630000) covered a wiring-harness issue.
Bearing wear and play from jet washing
Jet washing can blast protective grease from bearings, leading to excessive play.
Fuel injection sensor failures triggering warning light
Sensors can fail, causing an illuminated fuel injection warning light.
Fuel injection sensor failures
Sensors can fail, triggering a fuel injection warning light.
Loss of bearing grease from high-pressure jet washing
Frequent jet washing can blast grease out of the bearings and create noticeable play.
Loss of bearing grease from jet washing
Jet washing can force grease out of bearings, leading to play.
Oil leak from nipped oil filter cover gasket
Oil leaks from a pinched gasket on the oil filter cover located on the right side of the engine.
Where this Honda CRF250L pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the CRF250L is actually built for.
On slickrock and sand this light single is a gift, flickable where heavier bikes fight you. Plan around day-trips though: 25 hp and a 2.0-gal tank favor short technical loops over long desert hauls.
Made for Moab · Bar M / Kane Creek · Imperial Sand Dunes
Honest truth: this is lighter and less powerful than the middleweight you're mapping. It shines in tight technical sections and sips fuel, but 25 hp and a 2.0-gal tank make long BDR logistics a stretch.
Made for AZBDR — Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route · California BDR South · COBDR — Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2012–2016
Buy It, Ride It, Forget It
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