New left over 2014 CRF250L

[andyj812]

As you guys know from the other post I traded my Will 250 in a couple days ago for a Honda CRF250L.

It has a fuel injected single cylinder 249.6 hp liquid cooled engine according to Honda's websight. Honda says it supposed to get 72mpg but so far I've been average about 55 mpg. I've only road it home from the dealership and to work twice so far (200 miles). Maybe after its broke in fuel mileage will go up or maybe 73 is obtainable at lower speeds.

So far I love the bike, It does not have a kickstarter but it came with free lifetime battery replacement, I'm not sure if that is a Honda thing or if the local dealer provides this service.

The suspension is a lot stiffer than my will 250's was but still comfortable. The CRF is physically bigger and taller then the Will 250 also. These are to different bikes with 2 different price points so I only making the comparison because these are the only 2 dual sports I have ridden. Not bashing the Will because it is an awesome bike as long as you keep it in its capabilities.

The CRF has a six speed transmission. I have noticed that if I cost to a stop with the clutch in and down shift without letting go of the clutch, occasion I cannot go lower then 2nd gear after stopping. Not all the time just sometimes. I have tensioned the cable a little but still does it sometimes. I haven't notice it doing it if I downshift and let go off the clutch after every shift. When it does it I have to take off in 2nd because I'm cant get to neutral of first to try to double clutch it. Hopefully this will break in otherwise I will have to see dealer.

[andyj812]

I have this rack on order from amazon, I will post my opinion of it when it comes in and I get it installed.


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91IEn4TrflL._SX522_.jpg

[andyj812]

This bike has a more up ride position then Will had. Its comfortable but my back starts hurting after going 60+mph for a while. I believe it is do to the extra wind at higher speed pushing against me. My back never hurt when riding my Will but I rarely rode it at 55 for long periods of time. The sitting position is different between the 2 bikes also. But like I said I only notice it after riding a while at higher speeds.

I have ordered this windscreen to see if that helps. It is supposed to be easily removable for off roading.
http://www.crfsonly.com/catalog/images/crf250l-adventure-touringwindscreen-tci.jpg


Here is the information about the windscreen from the sight:
The wind screen mounting bracket are model specific, no generic one size fits all. The brackets become permanently mounted the upper triple clamp and handle bar riser bolts. The plastic is attached with nylon hardware and is easily removable in less than 1 minute with the use of a “coin”. The wind screen is a rigid mount non adjustable and is designed to relieve some on the upper body air pressure on the faster portions of your ride. Reduces upper body and back fatigue and allows for longer rides. Easy to look over even for the shortest riders.

The production brackets are powder coated flat black and the plastic is only available clear.

The plastic used in the T C I Products Adventure touring wind screens and headlight covers is produced by AeroFlow corp. and is DOT approved “IMPLEX” impact modified acrylic. No other aftermarket manufacturer uses the thick acrylic (Many OEMs do) and we are the only to use the impact modified acrylic. This stuff is not your off the shelf clear plastic.

Implex combines the U.V. stability (8 Years) and other physical properties of standard acrylic sheet with impact resistance that is 8 times greater than extruded acrylic and 6 times greater than cast acrylic.

It offers impact resistance along with excellent clarity and weather ability, resists hazing, surface dullness and progressive yellowing. If scratched, Implex can be rubbed out and if broken, will not shatter the way non-modified plastics do.

The plastic has a compound curve shape and provides very good air flow control. Looks great on the bike. The brackets are powder coated and install with no modifications to your bike.

Hand Made by Craftsman in the USA

[andyj812]

I ordered this brush guards from amazon. I hope they will fit ok. Once again, I'll post my opinion when I get them installed. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SGBx-d3NL.jpg

[andyj812]

Here is a pic of the "dash". The front break line rides kind of high above it and takes a little getting used to sticking up there but its not in the way of anything. The third picture from behind shows the height of the brake line.

[andyj812]

The 2.03 gallon gas tank has 2 bars going across the opening so you cant stick gas nozzle in real deep, its not a problem as long as you pay attention.

[andyj812]

The CRF has a small locking tool compartment on the left hand side. It did not come with much of a tool kit: 2 allen wrenches, and a fuse puller in a pouch.

[andyj812]

The owners manual came with a pouch to store it in with Velcro straps. Honda recommends that you store it under the seat. Other than where Honda provided to store the owner's manual there is no storage under the seat.

To remove the seat you have to remove 2 bolts at the rear of the seat that double as tie down points. This is also the place the rack mounts to.

[andyj812]

here are some pictures of the 22.8 hp engine.

[andyj812]

The stock tires so far seem to perform well on the road, other than that I have only rode in the yard but I think they will do well for my needs. The owners manual lists the front as: 3.00-21 51P and the rear as: 120/80-18M/C 62P

[andyj812]

The owner's manual suggest an oil change after 600 miles and then every 8000 miles or once a year after that. 8000 miles seems like a long distance for an engine that only holds 1.6 quarts of oil between oil changes. I will be changing it a lot more often then that.

[andyj812]

Along with the owners manual came a riding tips manual published by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). I actually read both of these manuals cover to cover. Anyway, I remember in another post there was a discussion about leaving the gear in first or in neutral when at a stop in traffic. The riding tips manual recommends leaving in first so that you can move quickly in an emergency.

[Weldangrind]

Thanks for the very informative thread! I covet your bike.

I leave the bike in first at a red light. Clutches are cheap.

I like the locking tool compartment and the rear rack you ordered. Let us know how the windshield works out for you.

[Darkrider]

Ok Andy...get out of my head!!!!! The mods you are doing are the exact same ones i wanted to do when i was looking at getting a CRF250 last fall lol. But im sure i will own one eventually. Funny enough you can get the same DRC Edge taillight that Spud has on his Sierra specifically for your CRF.

[SpudRider]

I always leave my bike in first gear at the stop lights. As a motorcycle safety instructor, I taught others to do this as well. As usual, Weld is correct; clutches are cheap. ;)

You have a beautiful, well designed motorcycle. Your choice of modifications is thoughtful, and well chosen. :)

[SpudRider]

I must admit, I can't believe Honda is recommending 8,000 miles as an oil change interval. :wtf: The engine in my Zongshen RX3 is very similiar, and has a capacity of 1.7 quarts of oil. Yet Zongshen recommends an oil change every 2,500 miles. :shrug:

[pete]

A lot of work for a small amount of oil......







..

[fratermus]

I really like the CRF. Seems like a good bike at a fair price and the ergos fit me well.

I'm seeing holdovers in my area at a good discount but I don't have the scratch to get one.

[Weldangrind]

I agree with Spud and Pete. I would target about 20 hours for an oil change, not 80 hours. BTW, that's with a liquid cooled bike that has a filtered crankcase vent. On a more primitive air cooled bike (like all of my junk), I target 10 hours.

[andyj812]

Ok Andy...get out of my head!!!!! The mods you are doing are the exact same ones i wanted to do when i was looking at getting a CRF250 last fall lol. But im sure i will own one eventually. Funny enough you can get the same DRC Edge taillight that Spud has on his Sierra specifically for your CRF.

Used CRF250L's should be coming for sale more and more. I'm sure you will find one. I like LED lighting, so I probably will be changing over the signal lights to LED this winter when I'm bored and wishing It was warm enough to ride. The windshield was expensive but I hope it helps. I couldn't find many options as for as windshields go. I liked the looks of this one:http://www.crfsonly.com/catalog/images/bajaworx-crf250l-rallye-windshield.jpg


this windshield is almost half the price of the on I ordered but holes must be drilled in the fairing to support it and the fairing is the only thing that supports it.

[andyj812]

The brush guards came in from Amazon today so I installed them before work. These are generic brush guards and don't seem to be the best quality buy not the worst. I really don't have anything to compare them to. I put brush guards on my will but they were cheap mostly cosmetic ones of all plastic construction an only 1 support from handle bars. These from amazon are aluminum with the plastic molded around them into 1 piece. The clamps mounting them the handle bars are adequate but the bar end inserts would not expand enough to go tight. The finish on the plastic is not as nice as I would like it to be but they will do for as long as the hold up. If and when it comes time to replace them I will go with something different.

[andyj812]

I must admit, I can't believe Honda is recommending 8,000 miles as an oil change interval. :wtf: The engine in my Zongshen RX3 is very similiar, and has a capacity of 1.7 quarts of oil. Yet Zongshen recommends an oil change every 2,500 miles. :shrug:

A lot of work for a small amount of oil......







..

I agree with Spud and Pete. I would target about 20 hours for an oil change, not 80 hours. BTW, that's with a liquid cooled bike that has a filtered crankcase vent. On a more primitive air cooled bike (like all of my junk), I target 10 hours.

I was thinking about every 1500 miles, oil and filters are cheap compared to engine components. I changed the oil in "Will" 4 times in the almost 1000 miles I rode it.

[Weldangrind]

The clamps mounting them the handle bars are adequate but the bar end inserts would not expand enough to go tight.

If you switch to aluminum bars, the inserts will probably be tight enough. Aluminum bars typically have a smaller ID, since they need to be thicker than steel bars.

[Darkrider]

The big reason for the 8000 km oil change interval is the fact that a lot of new vehicles nowadays come straight out of the factory with synthetic oil in them. Which allows for much longer intervals. Im sure you are correct on finding a used one Andy i have already seen a few on Kijiji for 3K and less. And Yea you are probably correct on the hand guards Weld.

[andyj812]

If you switch to aluminum bars, the inserts will probably be tight enough. Aluminum bars typically have a smaller ID, since they need to be thicker than steel bars.
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I'm gonna stick with the stock bars for now. I may have to locktite on the handguards. the clamp bolts on the right came loose after 65 miles. I may be able to tack weld some nuts with a similar diameter to the inside of the bar ends to have something to bolt to.

[andyj812]

CeRF's windshield came in today (I named the beast CeRF, I know I don't get any point for originality there.) The windshield is nicely made and went on in about 15 minutes with absolutely no alignment issues. Its bigger than I thought it would be. It does a great job deflecting the wind around me. I'm not sure that I like the way that it looks on CeRF, but it works.

[SpudRider]

Those windshields have a good reputation for being well designed, and working well. :)

[Louis Angel]

Looks good dude. :tup:

[andyj812]

Looks good dude. :tup:
Thanks, I'd like to see some more pics of you bike, I"ll have 585 miles on CeRF when I get home tonight, time for the 600 mile oil change. Its starting to break in and finding first is getting easier. still getting used to the gearing much tighter than Wills.

[andyj812]

I'm considering ordering a 3.1 gallon aftermarket fuel tank. I can't make up my mind. Its a little over a gallon bigger then the factory tank. I'm currently getting between 52 and 78 mpg. On the highway its been between 52 and 55 and putting around the back roads and on the trails I got 78 mpg. The cheapest I have found a tank (natural color) is $209, that's a lot of money just to not have to fill up as often.

[jct842]

I'll bet if you were to make up a set of shims out of a coke can that would be just enough to get the expanders tight in your handle bars. Sounds like now they are just short of getting tight. John

[Weldangrind]

I named the beast CeRF, I know I don't get any point for originality there.

Are you saying kerf or surf?

[Darkrider]

I'm considering ordering a 3.1 gallon aftermarket fuel tank. I can't make up my mind. Its a little over a gallon bigger then the factory tank. I'm currently getting between 52 and 78 mpg. On the highway its been between 52 and 55 and putting around the back roads and on the trails I got 78 mpg. The cheapest I have found a tank (natural color) is $209, that's a lot of money just to not have to fill up as often.

However the extended range would probably help pay for the upgrade over time in fuel savings...

[andyj812]

If I get the new tank I'll probably wait until spring. Maybe price will come down or a 4 gallon version will come out by then. I kinda like the stock gas cap that came with the CeRF and I can't use it with an aftermarket but it would be nice not to have to take my gloves off to unlock the tank at the gas station.

[andyj812]

Are you saying kerf or surf?

surf. I think I have grown and affection to this bike.

[andyj812]

When I left for work Friday, CeRF started with his stubbornness of not wanting to shift down from 2nd into neutral or first. The for the first and only time it didn't want to shift up from 1rst to 2nd. I stopped at a gas station: 84 mile commute round trip and 2 gallon gas tank. When I left CeRF went right into first and I haven't had a problem since. I think it is finally starting to break in.


Saturday morning I did the 600 mile oil and filter change using Honda 10w30. After 1200 miles I'll probably change the oil and filter again and fill CeRF's belly with Honda synthetic.


I expected to see a loss in in highway gas mileage after installing the windshield which was well worth the money as far as how it performs, but so far I seem to be at 60mpg highway up from 55. This may be due to breaking in though.


Don't take this as bragging so for far this is an amazing bike.

[andyj812]

I'll bet if you were to make up a set of shims out of a coke can that would be just enough to get the expanders tight in your handle bars. Sounds like now they are just short of getting tight. John

That's a good idea, thanks, I might try that.

[Louis Angel]

So pleased to hear it is working out for you. Wow. 600 miles already. That's awesome.
I guess that " 84 mile commute" can pile them on quickly.

[andyj812]

So pleased to hear it is working out for you. Wow. 600 miles already. That's awesome.
I guess that " 84 mile commute" can pile them on quickly.


thats 84 miles round trip, this is a really fun bike to ride, i assume yours is very similar

[Louis Angel]

It is awesome around town, and good up through 60 MPH. After 60, seeing 70 becomes iffy depending on incline, head wind, etc.
For my particular needs and the roads I ride on, it is perfect.
Not enough power to get me into trouble (much) but still enough around town to be fun. No where remotely close to as fast off the line as the CB300F was,
but is solid and stable going around the rough pot holed sometimes gravel covered corners in our area. And now when I see a rough looking side road / trail, I can take it!
Again.
:-D

[andyj812]

Only took 15 days but the rack I order from Amazon finally came in today. crfsonly.com had it for $35 cheaper but I had already ordered it when I saw it on their websight. Not much to say about it, its well made and sturdy. I have no complaint (except waiting 15 days for it).

[andyj812]

I will hit 1000 miles on CeRF on the way home tonight. No major complaints, it has plenty of power in my opinion. I can't think of any real cons to say about it. I am thinking about some handlebar risers so that I can stand more comfortably on it. I'm not sure if the windshield brackets will work with handlebar risers but I'm sure I can make them work. I'm considering an aluminum set of handlebars as well but really have no complaints about the stock bars. The engine runs very smooth and I don't notice any vibration in the stock and I doubt that there is much weight difference between the stock and aluminum bars, but if I order some risers, I may change them out while I have the clamps off. I can then tap the aluminum bars to bolt my handguards in place, Currenty the have stayed put even thought the bar ends are not tight.


I usually ride my bicycles a lot (9 bicycles in my bike stable) but a foot injury and "Will" and now CeRF have kept my off them since spring. I usually rack up a couple thousand miles pedaling a year but this year I have less than 500, Now the my feet seem to have healed I need to get back on them an loose some of the weight I've gained being off them. lol

[andyj812]

I also have "Will's" top case ($35 with shipping on ebay) that I wll eventually be putting on it. It's easily removable but the mounting plate has pegs that stick up about 3/4" that make it hard to use just the rack. I may cut a piece of plywood a drill holes over in it to put over the plate when using just the rack.

[andyj812]

For the 2nd day in a row there is a pop up storm that wasn't in the forcast. Luckily It stopped raining before the commute home last night and looks like it will again tonight. Having no rain gear except the "rain fly" the came with my riding jacket, I ordered this from amazon to keep in my locker at work.http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ln6Sd7TvL._SL1000_.jpg

[Louis Angel]

Oooohhhhhhh. Hi Viz too. I like it. When you getting me one?
My birthday is next month ya know. :p

Happy (dry) riding!


PS: Has anyone used Rain-X on their face shield before?
Hope to never hit rain, but was thinking about the Rain-X stuff
just a few weeks back (when I still had the V-Star) and a dark
cloud was too close for comfort.

[jct842]

Don't know if it was rain x or the windex I was using on a gold wing almost 30 years ago but the windshield got so bad you could not see thru it.

A face shield is cheap and if you mess it up you just get another.

[SpudRider]

That's a nice luggage rack. :tup:

You were wise to purchase rain gear. :)

[andyj812]

Oooohhhhhhh. Hi Viz too. I like it. When you getting me one?
My birthday is next month ya know. :p

Happy (dry) riding!


PS: Has anyone used Rain-X on their face shield before?
Hope to never hit rain, but was thinking about the Rain-X stuff
just a few weeks back (when I still had the V-Star) and a dark
cloud was too close for comfort.

probably won't be getting one but if you ride it Indiana, I'll take you out to dinner for your birthday and a birthday ride lol

[andyj812]

That's a nice luggage rack. :tup:

You were wise to purchase rain gear. :)

Thanks spud, The rack works well, Rain gear to be delivered tomorrow due to holiday, I did get wet a little bit on way to work Monday but not to bad, once again there wasn't any rain in the forecast. I think the weather man is just guessing at this point lol, Supposed to rain next 3 days so I won't be riding to work which means it probably won't rain. lol