Honda CRF300L Test Ride

I'll share my thoughts from the quick 8 minute spin around the fairly technical track. I immediately felt at home when climbing on, great ergonomics. There is enough power to get you up to speed in a short amount of time and deep sand is hardly a problem anymore. I would not say that it has too much more power than the 250L but that peak power you got from the 250L at 8000rpm seems to be available from around 5000rpm on the 300L so no need to wring its neck. Power delivery is more linear with noticeable low down torque which the 250L was lacking. What ever they did with the clutch is amazing because it is really difficult to stall. Even if accidentally in a too high gear when other bikes would stall the 300L refuses to stall and just kept chugging on.

Suspension was plush but not too plush like the 250Rally. I always felt connected to the ground and there was no washed out soggy feeling I find on the 250rally front when riding sand. For my weight at 76kg and my riding style I find no need to change the suspension setup. The seat was also really comfortable for a stock seat, no need for a seat concepts upgrade. The only negative thing I found about the 300L was the heat from the radiator fan would cook your right leg. I rode the 450L and 250 rally on the same sections and they ran much cooler.

Honda have done some really nice upgrades to the 250L and I believe it would be worth upgrading from a 250L. You get much more in a adventure package like this for under 100k. I wouldn't mind one in my garage if I had extra space. I still had lots of fun riding the 250 Rally while following the guys testing out the 300L even though the 250 Rally is slightly under powered and has terrible sand manners.