Back Road Use, What's Better Crf250(M Or L)

[Dakling]

Looking for opinions, what would be a better bike for back country roads in Thailand.

I am not planning on doing any aggressive off-road riding, I just want something that will handle the dirt and gravel roads and also be legal to ride on the highway for short stretches. Typical ride would be about 5-10km on road then 25km backroads of mixed surface and quality. The worst bit of roads have heavy ruts and washboard with clay, gravel and broken concrete stretches. I would imagine the motard version would require a swap to a dual sport tire while the "L" tires would be fine though would likely wear quickly.

I am just starting to research these bikes and I am not sure what the differences really are other than the wheels/tires and the appearance. Looks like even the transmission gearing is the same though I don't know if the sprocket/wheel combinations reduce the overall ratio on the L or not. Maybe the suspension is different as well, not sure on spring rates, travel etc.

Basically I am looking for a bike that will get me out to our farm plots and back quickly, safely and economically.

Comments? Opinions?

[piston broke]

if finances permit - you thought of the CB500X ?? 215,000 b

[commande]

Agree with the Honda recommendation, the CRF is primarily designed for off-road applications and the tires it comes with are not good for paved road travel, you will wear them down very quickly to include the stability of the bike will be very questionable at high speeds on the pavement not to mention if it rains.

The CB500x comes with Pirelli Scorpion Trail tires from the factory, they are perfect for the riding conditions you are referring to, so is the bike, pretty much what it was designed for and not as heavy and expensive as the Kawa Versys 650 which is a pig to drive at slow speeds.

Honda, very easy to drive and cheaper. If I recall the CRF cost around 310,000 baht, that is more than you would pay for the Honda CB500x and it has half the engine. It cost so much because it's an import bike not made in Thailand. Why give more money for less bike???

Edited June 4, 2013 by commande

[VocalNeal]

The "M" version has less rake angle on the front so is better for urban manoeuvrability but a little less stable in a straight line. I don't think you or I would notice? Tires are cheap-ish so I wouldn't get hung up on wear rates. Yes Trail tires would be better but you could put those on either.

Depends on the "back roads"? If they have deep parallel ruts or soft sand or very deep mud then the "L". The worst being mud tracks after a light rain where the mud literally sticks to the tire.

If the roads are maintained , even badly, but just a bit broken or uneven. then "M" would be OK. If you want to progress to hill-tribe goat tracks then "L"

For a farm access runabout anything else is just personal preference and colour. Herding sheep? "L"

Edited June 4, 2013 by VocalNeal

[JonnyF]

Agree with the Honda recommendation, the CRF is primarily designed for off-road applications and the tires it comes with are not good for paved road travel, you will wear them down very quickly to include the stability of the bike will be very questionable at high speeds on the pavement not to mention if it rains.

The CB500x comes with Pirelli Scorpion Trail tires from the factory, they are perfect for the riding conditions you are referring to, so is the bike, pretty much what it was designed for and not as heavy and expensive as the Kawa Versys 650 which is a pig to drive at slow speeds.

Honda, very easy to drive and cheaper. If I recall the CRF cost around 310,000 baht, that is more than you would pay for the Honda CB500x and it has half the engine. It cost so much because it's an import bike not made in Thailand. Why give more money for less bike???

I think he's referring to the CRF250L/M not the CRF250R.

The M/L are around 135,000 baht (depending on dealer) and better suited to a short journey like the OP does I would have thought. The Honda 500X is more of a touring machine and overkill for popping up the road to check on the farm IMO.

I'd probably go for the L, those tyres are better for off road but still pretty good on tarmac from what I've read.

[Dakling]

Yeah, I am referring to the "L" and "M" crf models that go for 130-140k. I think I wouldn't like the extra weight of the 500 for my runs to the farm, there are some short stretches though loose sand and I would worry about losing the front end on a heavy bike. The extra power is not going to be useful on the roads I will be riding. The more reading I do, The more I am leaning to the "L" over the "M". They both look like good bikes though.

I also do like the 500x though and if I were going to do some touring I think it would be my bike of choice.

[JonnyF]

Yeah, I am referring to the "L" and "M" crf models that go for 130-140k. I think I wouldn't like the extra weight of the 500 for my runs to the farm, there are some short stretches though loose sand and I would worry about losing the front end on a heavy bike. The extra power is not going to be useful on the roads I will be riding. The more reading I do, The more I am leaning to the "L" over the "M". They both look like good bikes though.

I also do like the 500x though and if I were going to do some touring I think it would be my bike of choice.

The L is pretty much designed for the sort of riding you describe. You could also look at the KLX250 depending on whether Honda or Kawasaki have more dealers where you live. If you're not a huge guy then even a KLX150 would do the job you describe and you could save 60,000 baht. I think they're good for around 100 kph, they could deal with the journey you describe and they're extremely tough.

[loserlazer]

if back road riding in rural, just go for crf l. It is a no brainer for your case.

It is designed for that but crf m is designed for city and asphalt use.

[Neilly]

Typical ride would be about 5-10km on road then 25km backroads of mixed surface and quality. The worst bit of roads have heavy ruts and washboard with clay, gravel and broken concrete stretches.

What you describe above is CRF250L territory. I've just spent all day on mine travelling the back roads of Samui and it copes with all surfaces no problem at all...the standard tyres are surprisingly good on black-top as well...wouldn't trust them that much in the rain but I wouldn't trust road tyres in the rain here either considering the state of our roads. Standard gearing is fine for the road on the 'L' and okay offroad (I've dropped a tooth on the front of mine because of the hills here)...I'm pretty sure they've dropped a tooth on the back of the 'M' making it slightly quicker on the road.

[KRS1]

Ive always wondered if these bikes as well as the Dtracker or KLX can actually be jumped like a real dirtbike.

Anyone catching any airtime out there?

[commande]

Seems like they would be capable of some abuse but I think it fair to say not the sort a full on off-road bike is designed for.... Nice looking bike to be honest.

[Neilly]

Ive always wondered if these bikes as well as the Dtracker or KLX can actually be jumped like a real dirtbike.

Anyone catching any airtime out there?

For serious airtime I'd uprate the suspension, but for every now and then it's fine

http://vimeo.com/54423038

[Gnasher328]

No question, CRF250L. Good compromise between road/dirt. I did over 7K km round the North last winter.

Tyres were a bit scary on tarmac at first but fine when run in and warmed up. I passed a bunch of Ducatis in the twistys to Mae Hong Son and caught the leader who was trying fairly hard.

T.