CRF300L purchasing quandry

[nikoswe]

Im 6 foot and Ive just sat on the 300L and seems fine. Although the rear suspension is very soft! Wow. Wasnt expecting that.

They had a 250 rally in which was the owners I think and it felt much taller but it was seriously modified with a lot of trick bits, ohlins sus, gps, acerbis etc

[nikoswe]

The whole set up makes purchasing a bike really difficult. I would hate to order the 300L only to jump on a Rally at a later date and realise I made the wrong decision.

I think Im now more confused than when I started! ???? ????

Maybe I will postpone it for a bit.

I may also keep an eye out for used 250 versions but they seem to hold their value and probably not worth it.

[Kwasaki]

44 minutes ago, FriendlyFarang said:

Afaik the CRF300L is only available in the low version in Thailand, with shortened suspension.

If required can return it 250L suspension levels.

[nikoswe]

Does anyone from Bangkok know of any Honda showrooms, franchises that have both models in stock?

I will be there next month probably and could take a good look maybe. Thanks

[nikoswe]

Now Im really confused. It appears that the Thai rally seat height is 10mm more than international rally version which makes no sense whatsoever!

[VocalNeal]

Just in case????

https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/threads/for-sale-well-maintained-motorcycle-crf-250-l-2017.15998/

[Kwasaki]

1 minute ago, nikoswe said:

Now Im really confused. It appears that the Thai rally seat height is 10mm more than international rally version which makes no sense whatsoever!

Just a different preload adjustment setting, no biggie.

[nikoswe]

4 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Just in case????

https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/threads/for-sale-well-maintained-motorcycle-crf-250-l-2017.15998/

Funny. I emailed the guy last night but I got one of those mailerdaeomon undelivered mail responses.

A little pricey though dont you think?

Thanks for the heads up nonetheless.

[papa al]

3 hours ago, nikoswe said:

I may be wrong

 

but I really cant see them tooling up for different parts

for such a small difference.

You are.

 

[digbeth]

discount for cash? never, more like premium added on if you pay cash for the normal popular models

they'd rather have finance customers that earn them more

 

luckily the crf is such a low volume model they don't bother

 

Honda knows they have little control over what the provincial dealers does at the price they charge over MSRP for cash dealer does get out of hand

 

Honda has direct from the company sales only in their 'Big WIng' for the big bikes and 'Cub House'  for premium retro bikes like monkey and super cub showroom format, and only 1 branch each in Bangkok that's direct from Honda corporate itself, other branches are run by local dealer, but at least in the Big Wing and Cub House showroom, they are not as cavalier as the shophouses dealer 'Wing Centre' showroom that charges whatever they want

[nikoswe]

3 hours ago, papa al said:

You are.

 

Why? Which parts exactly?

Im not really interested in passive aggressive, time wasting, ego posts.

Im only interested in the facts!

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, digbeth said:

discount for cash? never, more like premium added on if you pay cash for the normal popular models

they'd rather have finance customers that earn them more

 

luckily the crf is such a low volume model they don't bother

 

Honda knows they have little control over what the provincial dealers does at the price they charge over MSRP for cash dealer does get out of hand

 

Honda has direct from the company sales only in their 'Big WIng' for the big bikes and 'Cub House'  for premium retro bikes like monkey and super cub showroom format, and only 1 branch each in Bangkok that's direct from Honda corporate itself, other branches are run by local dealer, but at least in the Big Wing and Cub House showroom, they are not as cavalier as the shophouses dealer 'Wing Centre' showroom that charges whatever they want

An APS dealer will give you a good deal cash or 2 year on the knock. 

 

I took a 2 year deal on a CRF250L to save parting with the full amount, insurance was included in the 2 years, a discount good quality helmet deal price,  free labour service.

[VocalNeal]

1 hour ago, nikoswe said:

Im not really interested in passive aggressive, time wasting, ego posts.

Et Tu Brutus????

 

You offered to be wrong and someone thinks you are. That is all.

 

But I hear what you say.

 

 

[papa al]

3 hours ago, nikoswe said:

 

Im not really interested in passive aggressive

Ok Karen.

papa will go with straight aggressive then:

papa would be willing to give parts numbers.

$100 consulting fee tho.

[to charity]

So pay up or shut up.

'passive aggressive '

smh !

 

 

[nikoswe]

49 minutes ago, papa al said:

Ok Karen.

papa will go with straight aggressive then:

papa would be willing to give parts numbers.

$100 consulting fee tho.

[to charity]

So pay up or shut up.

'passive aggressive '

smh !

 

 

????????????Tiny Snopp alert! ????????????

 

????????????Tiny Snopp alert! ????????????

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, papa al said:

Ok Karen.

papa will go with straight aggressive then:

papa would be willing to give parts numbers.

$100 consulting fee tho.

[to charity]

So pay up or shut up.

'passive aggressive '

smh !

 

 

Papa i'm not religious far from it but the saying "Forgive them for they not know what they do" comes to mind. ????

 

[nikoswe]

12 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Papa i'm not religious far from it but the saying "Forgive them for they not know what they do" comes to mind. ????

 

I see that the tough guys are out in force tonight. I think its time for you two to move along now, dont you. Thank-you.

P.S. Religion or no religion and English isnt my first language but I think you may want to re-think that one!

[papa al]

7 hours ago, nikoswe said:

I see that the tough guys are out in force tonight. I think its time for you two to move along now, dont you. Thank-you.

P.S. Religion or no religion and English isnt my first language but I think you may want to re-think that one!

Please stop your passive-aggressive posts.

[seedy]

I bought my L at MSRP from Nat Motors CNX

Most times - bikes and cars - you will get a better deal by going to the smaller towns to shop.

Our MUX we saved 50K by buying in Lamphun instead of CNX - which paid for a kicking head unit. All the usual freebies included in the price.

Find a place that rents them - even if it involves a trip. Cheap to travel here.

Book a 1 or 2 day rental, try it out, then go shopping.

For an on/off road bike I chose the L as I would have smashed up the plastic on the Rally already ! Plus I don't like the wrapped in plastic look on any bike.

[VocalNeal]

10 hours ago, nikoswe said:

????????????Tiny Snopp alert! ????????????

 

????????????Tiny Snopp alert! ????????????

Puerile to the max.

[Kwasaki]

20 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Puerile to the max.

You mean, Barnslig. ????

[VocalNeal]

1 minute ago, Kwasaki said:

You mean, Barnslig. ????

Ja. 

[nikoswe]

You men are all the same! 

Thanks to those who helped and offered useful tips & advice.

Goodbye.

[VocalNeal]

Don't forget your ball????

[DRD123]

I live in CNX and bought a used 2017  Rally250 with modded cam from a CBR300 and have put on around 5000km so far locally here and love this bike to bits. I tricked out the seat to a seat concepts style wider one  locally here for 800 baht and am getting an ECU reflash today but like a quiet bike so not messing with exhaust. Suspension was a pain for me because the last owner stiffened the bike by added a longer clevice on the bottom of the shock--i am 6 foot 32" inseam but tippy toed on it. I will try the 'stock" suspension when i pick up the bike but i reckon i will just leave it cause i am 90kg and only carry 10kg of gear when i travel. I ride 80/20 road/dirt small secondary roads mostly up here and this bike is ideal.

 

There are plenty for sale on FB for around 100k, i paid 90k but have done the clutch and a fuel pump but no complaints. Well its a bit jerky with fuel injection but no where near as bad as Huskys and other new bikes that come too lean these days. I hear the ECU reflash helps a lot but i find all fuel injected bikes to be like this and i do get used to it and accomodate with the clutch.

 

I am thinking of buying a new  300 Rally for :

 

 

1-ABS brakes--look i am old and have had  dozens of bikes but i am wondering if i am missing out by not having ABS?

2-slipper clutch-it works like a cush drive to some extent which just smooths out power to wheel delivery from what i hear as well as being one finger light.

3-a little more power without modding the bike.

4-warranty-not a bad thing to have but mind you its a Honda not sure the value because these bikes are so damn reliable.

 

Downsides

-i wanna pick one up and ride away which seems difficult cause they are so popular up North.

-Closer ratio gearing...not sure how that will feel tbh.

-75,000 baht extra will i even notice the difference?

 

 

Like everyone says if i was offroading more i would get the L version and have some nice street legal 606's knobbies on it and probably mod it heavily suspension especially.

 

 

I like the Rally for wind protection and larger range-its my poor mans Adventure bike that is cheap and cheerful and many smile per gallon.

 

I might have to buy both versions because they can be made into a reliable enduro bike for offroad with the L version and a damn fine, maybe the best lightweight Adventure bike like Itchy Boots has shown. I do 500 km days and love it but am also  happy farting around town cause its small and flickable.

 

You cant go wrong with this bike but it is the jack of all trades so its the best at nothing and good at everything.

 

[Kwasaki]

46 minutes ago, DRD123 said:

I live in CNX and bought a used 2017  Rally250 with modded cam from a CBR300 and have put on around 5000km so far locally here and love this bike to bits. I tricked out the seat to a seat concepts style wider one  locally here for 800 baht and am getting an ECU reflash today but like a quiet bike so not messing with exhaust. Suspension was a pain for me because the last owner stiffened the bike by added a longer clevice on the bottom of the shock--i am 6 foot 32" inseam but tippy toed on it. I will try the 'stock" suspension when i pick up the bike but i reckon i will just leave it cause i am 90kg and only carry 10kg of gear when i travel. I ride 80/20 road/dirt small secondary roads mostly up here and this bike is ideal.

 

There are plenty for sale on FB for around 100k, i paid 90k but have done the clutch and a fuel pump but no complaints. Well its a bit jerky with fuel injection but no where near as bad as Huskys and other new bikes that come too lean these days. I hear the ECU reflash helps a lot but i find all fuel injected bikes to be like this and i do get used to it and accomodate with the clutch.

 

I am thinking of buying a new  300 Rally for :

 

 

1-ABS brakes--look i am old and have had  dozens of bikes but i am wondering if i am missing out by not having ABS?

2-slipper clutch-it works like a cush drive to some extent which just smooths out power to wheel delivery from what i hear as well as being one finger light.

3-a little more power without modding the bike.

4-warranty-not a bad thing to have but mind you its a Honda not sure the value because these bikes are so damn reliable.

 

Downsides

-i wanna pick one up and ride away which seems difficult cause they are so popular up North.

-Closer ratio gearing...not sure how that will feel tbh.

-75,000 baht extra will i even notice the difference?

 

 

Like everyone says if i was offroading more i would get the L version and have some nice street legal 606's knobbies on it and probably mod it heavily suspension especially.

 

 

I like the Rally for wind protection and larger range-its my poor mans Adventure bike that is cheap and cheerful and many smile per gallon.

 

I might have to buy both versions because they can be made into a reliable enduro bike for offroad with the L version and a damn fine, maybe the best lightweight Adventure bike like Itchy Boots has shown. I do 500 km days and love it but am also  happy farting around town cause its small and flickable.

 

You cant go wrong with this bike but it is the jack of all trades so its the best at nothing and good at everything.

 

The 300 is improved over the 250 as you would expect from Honda  but the only real difference is the price. 

[Thaifish]

@nikoswe sounds like you have the same addiction as me. Every dirt road I ride past I think to myself "I wonder where that road goes to" and have to come back and find out. I had the CRF 250 Rally for about a year. Was not overly happy with the bike. My list of negatives.. Seat to high so lowered rear shocks.. Not enough power so lowered gearing.. Ran to hot so put second radiator + fans in... Decelerated heavy so put tweaked CDI unit in. Head light average so put 100w driving light on. In the end after all the mods I was just not happy with the bike still. I reckon I know the back roads up here in Burriram better than any locals 

[seedy]

2 hours ago, DRD123 said:

75,000 baht extra will i even notice the difference?

Why spend that kind of $$$ and end up with a porky, plastic, better-not-dump-it - bike ?

On my 2017 -

Crash bars - can't remember as was 6 years ago

Ohlins front and rear - 30,000

CB500X wheels with spacers and Metzeler tires - 20,000

300 conversion using all Honda new parts - 15,000

Small fuel tank solution - I have never needed in 30,000 Km all over the back roads of the North.

Every little village has fuel.

 

[DRD123]

5 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

The 300 is improved over the 250 as you would expect from Honda  but the only real difference is the price. 

Well i picked up my Rally 250 with the ECU flash and its a 300...

was 23.96 hp now 27.88

torque was 23.46 now 27.74

I loved this bike before but now its perfect.

 

 

[DRD123]

3 hours ago, seedy said:

Why spend that kind of $$$ and end up with a porky, plastic, better-not-dump-it - bike ?

On my 2017 -

Crash bars - can't remember as was 6 years ago

Ohlins front and rear - 30,000

CB500X wheels with spacers and Metzeler tires - 20,000

300 conversion using all Honda new parts - 15,000

Small fuel tank solution - I have never needed in 30,000 Km all over the back roads of the North.

Every little village has fuel.

 

Your set up sounds nice...so i found out there is no ABS Rally 300 in Thailand so nix that dunno if its worth it on a small light bike anyways.

 

I asked the superstars at the bike shop a few questions and i know what i am gonna do now....keep the Rally 250 set up for street touring and backroads with soft luggage and drive the heck out . I got 30k on it now i will keep it until either the bike or I wear out. 

 

But i am gonna build a bike like yours Seedy. I want a street legal dirt bike for woods riding with some power. Mechanic said start with the CFR300l and bore the 268cc out to 301cc then add pipes headers and do suspension and ECU--his quote was 20,000 baht to do all that--yes i asked him a few times the price...now i did not get into what that means for suspension because it wont be Ohlins. I know how good Ohlins is. I will ask him what he does exactly.. This way i don't need a truck to drive out to trails and can put 606's on the back with MT21's on front and have a cheap reliable but a bit heavier and slower then a KTM dirt bike.

 

The Rally is too top heavy for dirt and all that plastic on it. I love how cheap parts and quality bike work is here and Thai's love their motorbikes as much as i do.I still need a scooter and a scrambler but one bike at a time. The CFR platform will work for someone like me that is older and wants reliable bike and at a good price.