The CRF250L Owners thread

[kirbi69]

im not expecting 600 cc's wrth of power, i had a 1984 honda xl 125 S before, it was a great little bike. as long as it has 250 cc's worth of power i will be happy. i just really want somethen new, with the electric start, and fuel injection and cheap. and this seems to be the best bet, and i wont buy anything buy honda :)

[siyeh]

Originally Posted by hamonsax

She seems to run fine, but both the sound and what seems less than expected fuel mileage have me a little curious..
Any thoughts would be welcome!
Thanks

Can't say that I have heard any "piston slap" sound on mine. My mpg on first tank was 66.6 but am unsure dealer had it full to the neck or not.

[13Moose-man]

Originally Posted by Red_dog

wot FI controller did you get Moose? i had a look at the JetKit (wotever its called) one that Ramz has, and i cant for the life of me work it out, nor do i want to bugger up a brand new bike by overfuelling it and blowin the motor...wouldnt a Ignition/Fuel Programmer work betterer? like a a car? bit useless having BOTH a FI controller AND an ignition controller on the bike...

Ramz, how long is your braided brake hose? as i ride the bike daily, i can't having it sitting there in the shed for 2-3days while the part rocks up.

Sorry for bein obnoxious, just my 2 cents worth.

Also apologies for the tank remark...had a look at it the other day with a magnetic L plate, seems its STEEL, must have something to do with the 'world market' view Honda has taken, cuz i dont remember any Aussie DS bikes (YAMHONDSUZKAWI) ever having steel tanks..

The fi programmer I got was from Best Dual Sport Bikes, it has the FMF logo on it but it is made by Dobeck Performance. Same thing as Ramz, just different logo. It comes already pre-programmed just plug in and go.

[13Moose-man]

Originally Posted by jtbek

+1

I know this probably sounds dumb but I'm not sure how to post pics.

[joec63]

Originally Posted by 13Moose-man

I know this probably sounds dumb but I'm not sure how to post pics.

Not dumb, sent PM

['Flagger]

Question for the collective: How does one remove the spring from the shock assembly on these bikes? The locking collars cannot be backed entirely off the shock as they can on the CRF230F. Looks like you'd have to unscrew the clevis. But how does one do that? Or am I missing something obvious?

Note: Interesting feature on these shocks ... the locking collar threads are not machined into the shock body itself. They are machined into a collar kept from rotating on the shock body with dogteeth. Almost as though the shock can be used for multiple models by just using a different collar.

See the pictures below ....

[Secondcreekrider]

Originally Posted by siyeh

Can't say that I have heard any "piston slap" sound on mine. My mpg on first tank was 66.6 but am unsure dealer had it full to the neck or not.

I have noticed a bit of engine "knock" at certain RPMs. I don't know for certain what the sound is but assume nothing out of the ordinary. Just such a quiet bike so more engine noise less muffler is heard at certain speeds. No issues with MPGs.

[Red_dog]

Originally Posted by 'Flagger

. Almost as though the shock can be used for multiple models by just using a different collar.

More cost cutting i see, least it'd be an easy fix if it stuffs up! and replacing/renewing the shock would be easy as too.

[bungie4]

Got my new Seat Concepts seat kit in this past week but haven't had time to install it yet, mostly because I think I might need a replacement cover.

If anybody else could set my mind at ease..

It seems that the rear portion of my cover doesn't have a 'tack strip' to staple through to the seat pan. Their doesn't appear to be much to staple through at all. See pics.

Shows no 'tack strip' on rear portion, only on front half of seat:


Same idea:


From the top:


Was your seat cover like this? Does it stretch that much to let you staple through it or is my cover a manufacturer error?

Thanks in advance!

[MentalGuru]

Originally Posted by 'Flagger

Question for the collective: How does one remove the spring from the shock assembly on these bikes? The locking collars cannot be backed entirely off the shock as they can on the CRF230F. Looks like you'd have to unscrew the clevis. But how does one do that? Or am I missing something obvious?

Note: Interesting feature on these shocks ... the locking collar threads are not machined into the shock body itself. They are machined into a collar kept from rotating on the shock body with dogteeth. Almost as though the shock can be used for multiple models by just using a different collar.

See the pictures below ....

What's the length on that shock?

I'm sure some old XR shocks would fit and be a huge improvement. Having adjustable rebound and compression is always nice... It might even add some extra travel too.

['Flagger]

Originally Posted by MentalGuru

What's the length on that shock?

I'm sure some old XR shocks would fit and be a huge improvement. Having adjustable rebound and compression is always nice... It might even add some extra travel too.

About 395 mm. Wanted to measure the compressed length but need to get the spring off.

[MentalGuru]

Originally Posted by 'Flagger

About 395 mm. Wanted to measure the compressed length but need to get the spring off.

Is that length from the center of each mounting bolts?

['Flagger]

Originally Posted by MentalGuru

Is that length from the center of each mounting bolts?

Yep. Eye-to-eye.

[mxbundy]

Originally Posted by bungie4

Got my new Seat Concepts seat kit in this past week but haven't had time to install it yet, mostly because I think I might need a replacement cover.

If anybody else could set my mind at ease..

It seems that the rear portion of my cover doesn't have a 'tack strip' to staple through to the seat pan. Their doesn't appear to be much to staple through at all. See pics.

Shows no 'tack strip' on rear portion, only on front half of seat:


Same idea:


From the top:


Was your seat cover like this? Does it stretch that much to let you staple through it or is my cover a manufacturer error?

Thanks in advance!

Steve,

The cover should fit fine. There is not supposed to be and extra flap sewn on the back. This is the first batch from the vendor and we will tweak the pattern for the next order.
When you install this, first get the cover warm in the sun, or throw it in the dryer for a couple of minutes.
Slip the nose over and pull it down into place, then tack it with a couple of staples.
Now do the rear, make sure the cover is centered and pull it taught enough to get an overlap to staple into pan. Now you only need about 3/8 of an inch overlap, thats it. This will put the proper amount of tension on the cover.
Now staple the 2 sides at the bend in the pan, where it meets the tank.
From this point you can start stapling the rest of the seat.


bundy

[bungie4]

Originally Posted by mxbundy

Steve,

The cover should fit fine. There is not supposed to be and extra flap sewn on the back. This is the first batch from the vendor and we will tweak the pattern for the next order.

Thanks for the quick reply Bundy. Gotta like it when a company has reps online. Guess I should've just asked you guys directly. Live 'n learn. Unfortunately I put the bike away for the season today so I won't get to try the seat out till spring..