Honda CRF 250SL review

Dual-purpose commuters don't get much better than the CRF 250L. Carving up traffic is just as simple as carving up dirt trails - providing you don't expect CRF 250R levels of power.

This machine is styled like a motocrosser but built to commute during the week and manage decent dirt tracks on the weekend. It fulfils the design brief perfectly - and it's just $5990.

VALUE

Six grand is a reasonable price for an entry-level bike. Honda already has the CBR 250R for riders who don't want to go off-road; the CRF 250L adds versatility at the same price point. And there's nothing wrong with the package. Inverted front forks, a digital dash and disc brakes add up to a value-for-money deal.

TECHNOLOGY

The twin-spar frame houses the same fuel-injected single-cylinder engine found in the road-going CBR. It's backed up with a skid-plate to help protect the engine, a multi-function digital dash that's protected by the headlamp cowl and decent shocks front and rear. At this price point, they're not fully adjustable, though the rear can be set for pre-load.

DESIGN

It looks like an enduro bike with indicators. There are tank shrouds, a motocross styled seat that lets you move the body fore and aft for off-road use and plenty of ground clearance for leaping logs. It looks as light as it feels and the 143kg weight is ideal for learner riders. The seat height may be an issue for shorter statured folk, but they'll soon learn to slide a cheek off the saddle to put the foot down at the lights.

RIDING

Put a set of road-tyres on it and the 250L would be a great learner-level motard. The sharp steering and light weight means it can be flicked through the tightest gaps and it accelerates off-the-line hard enough to gap the four-wheelers. As it is the knobbies limit just how hard riders can push on the bitumen. But the little bit of lean angle they concede on the road is more than made up for on the trails.

This is a capable bush-basher and light enough not to tire riders out when throwing it around. Removing the indicators is as easy as carrying a Phillips-head screwdriver and while it won't keep pace with Honda's CRF250R, it won't be found wanting on most tracks. The 7.7-litre tank is good for at least 200km of riding, which makes it an affordable package.

VERDICT

Riders looking to beat the traffic Monday to Friday and bust berms on the weekend now have a quality-built bike to do it on. A test ride won't disappoint, whether you're a learner or a budget-conscious experience commuter.

Honda CRF 250L

Price: $5990
Warrenty: Two years/unlimited km
Engine: 250cc single-cylinder, 17kW/22Nm
Transmission: Six-speed, chain drive
Suspension: 43mm inverted front forks; Pro-link rear shock
Seat Height: 875mm
Brakes: 256mm front disc with twin calipers, 220mm rear disc with single caliper
Tyres: 21-inch front, 18-inch rear
Fuel Tank: 7.7 litres
Weight: 143kg