CRF250L 2018 : strong engine vibrations from 4500RPM to 5500RPM

[marc1234]

Hi everyone,

I live in Chiang Rai (Thailand) and I bought a new CRF in May 2017 but after 2000kms the engine started vibrating.
Vibrations can be felt in the handlebar, the seat and the footsteps.
I never ride hard this bike, it is for touring only, no off-road.

I also spotted an oil leak in front of the engine (gasket in the middle of the engine) at 3000kms.



What can it be (crankshaft bearing, piston rod, ...) ??? Has anyone got this problem before ?

What can I do with Honda Thailand to have my bike repaired ? They seem to don't care about my problem since they got my money (3500 euros).
Is there any online form or website where I can submit a complaint to Honda Thailand ?

Thanks for your advices.

[HedgeHopper]

Have you tried tightening the front engine mount bolt that goes through the cases?

[bill_qaz]

Contact Honda direct, it must be in warranty.
Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Activities:Coordination of Honda operations in Asia and Oceania
Sales of Honda ProductsEstablished:2004/4 (1996/4 Coordination of Asean operations)Address:14 SARASIN BUILDING, SURASAK ROAD, SILOM, BANGRAK, BANGKOK 10500

[Tonibe63]

Have you tried tightening the front engine mount bolt that goes through the cases?

Yes, tighten all engine mounting bolts. I once bought a bike which the seller had thought the main bearings had gone

[marc1234]

Hi everyone.
Thanks for your advices.
I tightened all engine and mounting bolts but without success. Vibrations still there.
After contacting Honda Bangkok, 2 staffs came to try the bike and they agree this bike has an engine problem.
They came with a new bike (44 kms) for me to try. Nothing to compare with mine : the new one was smooth, more power, no vibrations.
As my bike is under waranty they offered me to exchange it for a new bike.
One week later I received a call from my shop asking me to bring my bike, all papers, licence plate, ... and choose another one.
Since then I ride a brand new bike with zero problems so far (4000 kms today) !!

Amazing Honda Thailand !

The new bike has muuuuch better suspensions (front and back), and the rear spring is longer (1 inch about), more comfortable and stable for offroad or with passenger.
One Honda technician tod me they have grades A, B and C for their bikes. My first bike was grade C, I think.
After more than one year riding a CRF I can say : "Made in Thailand" IS NOT "Made in Japan", but price is cheaper of course.
Lower quality plastics is one of the more obvious of all.

Nice bike to ride, anyway. I love it !!

Cheers

[marc1234]

SOLVED : HONDA CRF250L 2018 ENGINE VIBRATIONS (4500 to 5500 RPM) >>> FAULTY CLUTCH NEEDLE BEARING <<<

After only a few thousand kilometers the engine of my Honda CRF250L 2018 started vibrating between 4500 and 5500 RPM then vibrations increased over time.
I finally solved my engine vibrations by changing the >>>needle bearing<<< of the clutch (Honda part Ref: 91012-KYJ-901 ).
Now the engine runs smoothly at any RPM, no more vibrations, and accelerations are also smooth as butter.
This repair was done at 50.000kms.

NEEDLE BEARING:
At this link, this part is Nr 18 ( BRG,NDL 28X33X16.8 91012-KYJ-901 ) :
https://bikerzbits.co.th/honda/crf250/c ... ts/clutch/

Since I had to open the right cranckcase cover I also took the opportunity to change the entire clutch (outer, center and pressure plate as well as the 9 discs, plus washers and guide).

At 50.000kms my clutch was too noisy for my taste (loose discs I think) and a bit slippery. Still usable but ... it was time!

Then, after replacing the full clutch, I did about 300kms at medium speed (90-100kms/h) as "break-in procedure" for all the new parts of the clutch. Better safe than sorry.
Now everything is perfect !!! I enjoy again riding at 4000/5000RPM to listen the beautiful sound of my Yoshimura RS4 without this annoying engine vibrations.

TIPS:
Before you remove your clutch don't forget to order the very cheap "special nut" (Honda part ref : 90201-KYJ-900) as you may destroy it during the procedure (I used my Dremel to grind the punch on the nut. Nut had to be replaced).
In my case I had to heat the nut to remove it, my impact wrench alone (not enough powerful maybe?) could not get over it.
At this link, this "Special Nut" is Nr 14 ( NUT,SPECIAL,16MM 90201-KYJ-900 )
https://bikerzbits.co.th/genuine-honda- ... j-900.html

Hope this will help.

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

The clutch seems to be the most problematic component on this bike.

[garyboy]

250L .. yeah .. its the slipper clutch ... the minute judder spring and washer.. too small.
Once its replaced by the ebc ck1313 and hd springs either by Barnett or by ebc, its fine.
I did it on my crf 250L.

Most problematic on the crf250L Rally, is the suspension.
I don't remember any issues with the L, but the rally version, front and rear suspension, is horrendous, frightening even.
I've done a Ktech front spring replacement now, for my rally, but still have to fit the yss rear shock, but its just too cold in my bike tent to work. atm.

Ive just replaced the clutch on my rally, which is the next worst thing, but only done a short test ride. It does at least work.
Strangely, some mates, who have the same bike, use the slipper clutch successfully and have no issues ?? I don't get that, unless they are using the slipper to feather the clutch, whereas I was feathering the slipper ?? .. make sense?

I've not read any bad reports on the 300 ... ? and honda may have improved the slipper clutch?
Also, the suspension is an inch lower?

[Magnusson]

No issues with the clutch in my 250 Rally over 34000 km.