The 2012 CRF250L thread

[GSBS]

Originally Posted by Sub Zero

I like it, though Id prefer this mamma jamma right here if yamaha would make it legal here in the states.

What bike is that? Available Europe but not the USA?

[Sub Zero]

Originally Posted by GSBS

What bike is that? Available Europe but not the USA?

Thats the 2012 fuel injected WR450F. it IS available here but not street legal. in Europe you have the option to buy it fully street legal.

[GSBS]

Originally Posted by Sub Zero

Thats the 2012 fuel injected WR450F. it IS available here but not street legal. in Europe you have the option to buy it fully street legal.

Man... that's looks like a really nice ride. I'm guessing it's a bit more maintenance intensive than the WR250Rs though.

[eakins]

Originally Posted by GSBS

Man... that's looks like a really nice ride. I'm guessing it's a bit more maintenance intensive than the WR250Rs though.

very different from the R motor. 5-spd and it's a dirtbike focused bike.
none the less the wrf crowd is very happy.

[rufus]

Originally Posted by windquest

I'm taking a guess in saying it will probably be about 300lbs, looks like a lower seat height compared to the KLX250S and the WR250R. Should be a nice compliment to this class of bikes.

Another ho-hum bike designed by someone who doesn't ride.



A perimeter frame is a dumb idea on an ADV/DS bike. It makes the bike harder to work on and wider with a bigger tank.

That thin seat will be miserable after a few hours.

It will be harder than necessary to put a fender bag on that goofy looking front fender.

The headlight is too low for night time riding. Your spare tube/ fender bag will be in the way.

From the looks of the rear end, it will be a challenge to get a rack and luggage on it.

Just another bike designed by marketing surveys........probably be a nice bike for what it is though.

You would think that at least ONE of the mfgrs would have someone who riders ADV/DS and could offer some input.

[eakins]

Originally Posted by rufus

Another ho-hum bike designed by someone who doesn't ride.



A perimeter frame is a dumb idea on an ADV/DS bike. It makes the bike harder to work on and wider with a bigger tank.

That thin seat will be miserable after a few hours.

It will be harder than necessary to put a fender bag on that goofy looking front fender.

The headlight is too low for night time riding. Your spare tube/ fender bag will be in the way.

From the looks of the rear end, it will be a challenge to get a rack and luggage on it.

Just another bike designed by marketing surveys........probably be a nice bike for what it is though.

You would think that at least ONE of the mfgrs would have someone who riders ADV/DS and could offer some input.

i agree on may of your points, but it's a day riding bike to Honda.

i wonder if a perimeter frame enables a FI tank (w/ fuel pump sitting at the low point) to be more easily designed? if you have a backbone frame then the fuel pump must side on one side or the other, but i'm not sure if this is an issue? i'm sure IMS will make a bigger tank either way as there is room to expand of the sides of that bike.

i think for the japanese, the perimiter frame look is expected as that's what the MX/dirtbikes have. the wr250r seems to do well with it's partial alum. one and IMS is getting almost 5G tank on it.

as for the seat agreed. why use a dirtbike seat. my guess is Honda wants it to look more like a dirtbike then a functional long-range DS. i'm sure seat concepts, corbin and maybe sargent will do something.

i looked at that rear and though where can a side rack be mounted? look at the new crosstour and you'll see another bike that doesn't offer much for the side rack mfg to work with? seems Honda likes slick & clean lines over functionality.

what's this all mean, Honda is not putting the aftermarket outta biz with this bike.

[StroupDog]

A big Kevin James hand fart to this bike. The only thing I see good is the USD forks and we don't even know specs of those yet.


http://www.youtube.com/v/JUBIU0gkWfs?version=3&hl=en_US

[Maxacceleration]

Really all Honda needs to have is a long travel 230 air cooled. ...For Simplicity. And light weight.
Based off the CRF230 not the street side of the bike.
Seeing how we wont get that I don't see the selling potential of another 270-300 lb, [apparent] shorter travel bike.
9-10" of travel is all this bike really needs...
MFg's need to get these dual sports down to 240 lbs or under, dry weight.
Now if this weighed 225 lbs +- dry I think it would have more appeal.
It may be just a lame attempt to put out a red bike to (barely) compete with the KLX250S and the WR250R.

Honda has been lame for quite a while now...

EDIT: The current CRF250L weighs 267 lbs with a full tank [claimed]. Now just put 9-10 inches of travel f & r on it!
(yes I know the front has 9" now, BALANCE IT!)

[bobbed06]

Just bring back the XR400 Honda with a 50 state title and lean the piss outta the jetting to pass emissions and cork the muffler. I would buy one...

[eakins]

Originally Posted by bobbed06

Just bring back the XR400 Honda with a 50 state title and lean the piss outta the jetting to pass emissions and cork the muffler. I would buy one...

add electric start.

[Sub Zero]

Originally Posted by eakins

add electric start.

and bump up the displacement a bit. oh wait... they already have a bike like that that they have been making since 1993!

[bobbed06]

Originally Posted by eakins

add electric start.

Easy enough they already have the TRX400 tooling

Originally Posted by Sub Zero

and bump up the displacement a bit. oh wait... they already have a bike like that that they have been making since 1993!

Please tell me you are not comparing the XR400 to the XR650L....

[osbo]

Like alot of you guys, I am a X Honda rider. If KTM can make their EXC s street legal why can't Honda?
A CRF450X street legal would sale, wouldn't it? Also how about a big dual sport based on that TRX700 ATV engine?
I guess I am just dreaming. If you take the time, you can find Honda has been making these bikes over seas and never brought them to us. I had a XR650R Honda photo, from their factory website, full DOT equipment and an electric starter I forgot what country it was sold in.
Sorry guys, just rambling...

[eakins]

Originally Posted by osbo

Like alot of you guys, I am a X Honda rider. If KTM can make their EXC s street legal why can't Honda?
A CRF450X street legal would sale, wouldn't it? Also how about a big dual sport based on that TRX700 ATV engine?
I guess I am just dreaming. If you take the time, you can find Honda has been making these bikes over seas and never brought them to us. I had a XR650R Honda photo, from their factory website, full DOT equipment and an electric starter I forgot what country it was sold in.
Sorry guys, just rambling...

many had hoped the upgraded xr650L would use that FI 700 motor.
it's been way too many years. hope turned to disappointment into apathy into disgust for Honda.
Honda now just trickles out late to the party 250 dual-sports.

[mxbundy]

Originally Posted by osbo

Like alot of you guys, I am a X Honda rider. If KTM can make their EXC s street legal why can't Honda?
A CRF450X street legal would sale, wouldn't it? Also how about a big dual sport based on that TRX700 ATV engine?
I guess I am just dreaming. If you take the time, you can find Honda has been making these bikes over seas and never brought them to us. I had a XR650R Honda photo, from their factory website, full DOT equipment and an electric starter I forgot what country it was sold in.
Sorry guys, just rambling...

I asked this same question to Bruce Olgilvie before he died. He said that if Honda made a Dual Sport bike it would be so neutered, nobody would buy it. ( think DRZ) It is the corporate way with the japs. It is unfathomable for them to make a bike that just gets by the DOT regs, (ala KTM) He also said they do not think enough would sell. He said that Honda would not be satisfied with the KTM sales figures.