A review of the CRF250 Rally.

[garyboy]

great vid of the crf250+36 rally

[garyboy]

I got 96.6 and 95.48 on the last two tank fills. Just a tad better than my KTM 950

for the crf250L (a much better bike ) I could easily get 105 -110 mpg, but before I changed the gearing slightly (+2 teeth at rear)
its more like 85-90 mpg .. but I think the odometer is altered now? the speedo certainly is.

[chunky butt]

What great vid, shame weather changed so much

[minkyhead]

I got 96.6 and 95.48 on the last two tank fills. Just a tad better than my KTM 950

for the crf250L (a much better bike ) I could easily get 105 -110 mpg, but before I changed the gearing slightly (+2 teeth at rear)
its more like 85-90 mpg .. but I think the odometer is altered now? the speedo certainly is.

i reakon under normal use ..a mix of everything 170 a tank full to empty is realistic ...that works out at 76mpg ..practical tank range 150 before you start sweating ... goes to show 90mpg is impressive ..youi need one of those plastic halos bob

[catcitrus]

great vid--and to do it in those conditions--Brian was not your friend!

[boboneleg]

i reakon under normal use ..a mix of everything 170 a tank full to empty is realistic ...that works out at 76mpg ..practical tank range 150 before you start sweating ... goes to show 90mpg is impressive ..youi need one of those plastic halos bob

It'll change once I can use full power

[SteveW]

Minky, if you had to say......which is better, your CRF300 or your CCM GP 450?
Which would you prefer to ride on say a 2000 mile mixed road/trail trip?
Which is more fun?
Which is better off road?
Which is better on road?

[minkyhead]

Minky, if you had to say......which is better, your CRF300 or your CCM GP 450?
Which would you prefer to ride on say a 2000 mile mixed road/trail trip?
Which is more fun?
Which is better off road?
Which is better on road?

phew hard questions

the ccm is by far the better bike to ride fast no doubt about that ..it lurking in 450 exc terotory on speed and the chassis just eats up anything no twist no fuss ..hit a big long rain rut a 60mph and it just monsters it ...but as you know steve im not the fastest guy out there by a long way but i have hit some pretty fast speeds on the ccm ..its very exciting to ride i think ..and it just feels so composed and safe even me captain slow has seen 75mph on a firetrack

by the time you have fitted luggage racks belly pans and the extra fuel there isnt that much in it weight wise ..but you do notce the balence of the ccm is much better those low tanks make it feel much quicker between the pegs and on steep rocky stuff it really is fantasticicaally plush and sure footed ...it hands down the better bike particulary for a expierianced rider ....its a funny bike ..it can feel really fast and classy at times ..and grumpy and lumpy at others ..crude even ?..but i like a bit of shake rattle and roll and its a lot of fun thats for sure

but it make you work for it ..its amuch more tricky bike to keep sweet on the slow town work and it has a tendancy for me to always want to be let go ..it always feels impatiant on the road until you get it spinning proper ...very exciting acceleration is impressive ...but on a longer trip you dont always and indeed cant let it go to where it waants to really be ..so it can be annoying on the real slower days

the hondas are dead slow by comparason ...acceleration on the ccm is in a different planet ..but wait a moment ...they are slow getting there but when they do by and large they will stay there ....and its surprising how much ground they will cover ..the 300 crfs will easily cruise at atrue no bulshit sat nav at 70mph and above .. and theres no doubt that they are much better on fuel id say around 25mpg better the one thing is they are soooo easy to ride stick it in 5th at 30mph and its sweet..they are perhaps the ultimate lazy mans bike ..you really do appriciate how easy they are to ride in any conditions any gear will do ..ccm is great at going fast and the crfs are unbelivable easy to ride slow ..increadbly slow a
i have never seen the ccm as a long distance rtw bike and have stated that numerouse times ...ialway saw it as a weekend warrior ...down to salisbury 200 miles braap the trails ..home through wales 300 miles and ive done dozens of that kind of weekend and for me it really excels its delivered that and its been/is a good bike for me ..thats how i always saw it and its delivered in spades and theres nothing wrong in that ..i dont buy in to the 5000 service intervals and do my own thing and so far have had zero engine issues not even close ..

2000 mile trip any of them will do fine ...my thoughts are that the hondas are more suited to being subjected to prolonged road use ..i kind of see the ccm as a waste if a lot of tarmack is invoilved ..theres no doubt that the engine will require some top end work long before the little hondas ..... but in my expieriance the ccm motor hould stay reasobly sweet for 20k and id be very happy throwing a grand at it when its needed ...theres also no doubt that the hondas are much easier to work on /or to fix on the trail ...
i have a saying is no point of putting a rachorce on a carttrack ...so i tend to keep the ccm for sunday best
..the 300l cost me around 4 grand suspension engine tank ect ect ...so it makes sense to point that at all the winter crap ..you would i think be surprised how well it goes and copes with the upgraded suspensin ....you wont be afraid to point it at most things that uk trails have on offer ..it isnt struggling or only just making it ..for the most part it does most things pretty dam well .. why not buy a enduro bike ? not for me the crf just eats hours no fuss no bother and plain works .. i bet its done a 1000 hours running between the two motors and the spare is in perfect running order ..thats al been taken away from the ccm ..she is on around 300 at the moment

one thing or theme runs through it crf rally or ccm ....light is might ... i like all of them i am very lucky ....

in truth everytime i open the garage door the ccm always winks at me ...it is my favorite ...i just think it looks fantastic ..if im in the mood to rais the pulse a little ..she is ready to deliver

if i had a real big trip .........5/6000 id have to take the rally ..its going to be more reliable long term and it is just so easy to ride at all times so for the longer haul i would probaly appriciate the easy honda day after day

[wispyone]

This thread has got me seriously thinking of selling the GS 800 and getting a rally. We use the base 250l at work and really rate them. Decisions decisions

[catcitrus]

I'm progressing (albeit slowly) an "add on " Carbon and carbon/kevlar bashplate "cover"--the idea is that it bolts through to the existing bashplate, extends a bit more up at the front (overlapping the front cover to take road wash etc)--and to the rear over the frame rails and the mounting "slot" at the rear (and maybe overlap up the sides a bit more). I think that the stock bashplate is mounted pretty solidly, but does not lend itself to a simple replacement because of the internal moulded "posts" that extend up to the frame (and to get at these the front cover above the bashplate has to come off first). The concept is to give you something that is much more able to take the knocks and scrapes of proper offroad whilst still retaining the Dakar "look" with the side and front panels. I'm getting there with the first plug but then have to make a larger female and a male from this for a full press mould. Once I have the basic moulding I need to spend some time with a bike to work out the fit and final shape. Scooby is up North, and Bob down south, and I'm in lincolnshire--so if anyone is more local and has one and is willing to help then please get in touch.