The Honda CRF300L is renowned for it’s no-fuss reliability, capability over a variety of terrain, ease of riding, and affordability, and often features on highly on lists of the best trail bikes you can buy.
But what is it that makes it so popular? And has it really earned the reputation it carries? To find out, watch the video below in which Billy puts the bike to the test around the country lanes and trails of rural Warwickshire on Honda’s little trailie.
Find out what it’s like to ride…
The Honda CRF 300L is a small capacity trail bike capable of big adventures.
It’s a bike that hearkens back to a bygone era of motorcycles, when TFT screens didn’t exist and radar adaptive cruise control was something you’d expect to see in a Back to the Future movie.
But this back to basics approach has made the CRF a huge success amongst riders who are looking for a bike that’s approachable, easy to ride, and doesn’t break the bank.
It’s powered by a liquid-cooled 286cc four-stroke single which puts out just under 27bhp at 8,500rpm and 26.6Nm of torque.
To absorb the bumps, the CRF300L is equipped with an Showa inverted fork which is good for 260mm travel, and a Showa Pro-Link shock at the rear which also has 260mm of travel, and the spring preload is adjustable.
Coupled with 285mm of ground clearance and an 880mm seat height, you get a bike that’s ready for adventures on and off road.
To stop the bike, there’s a single 256mm disc at the front stopped by a dual piston calliper, while at the rear there’s a 220mm disc gripped by a single piston calliper, and the fitted ABS can be switched off on the rear wheel when you travel off the tarmac. Plus, the assist/slipper clutch allows for smooth and easy gear changes.
Watch the Honda CRF300L ride along review
You get a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear shod with IRC tyres, but there’s plenty of options to swap them out with.
With the 7.8L fuel tank the bike returns about 85mpg, and it clocks in at a 142kg wet, so it’s easy enough to pick up and hustle about.
So, is this the bike for you, whether you’re a new rider, an off-road master, or a returning veteran? Find out below…
