Honda CRF300L and Rally with Low Suspension

[cabanza]

Honda will introduce a variation of the CRF300L this year:

American Honda to Introduce XR150L and CRF300LS for 2023 - Motorcycle.com

We suspect the CRF300LS will be a shorter seat height version of the CRF300L while the XR150L is marketed in other countries as an agricultural model.

www.motorcycle.com

I think Honda is copying Kawasaki and its new CRF300LS will have lower suspension. That would make the bike more interesting to a city dweller like me.

 

[ZoomerP]

Honda will introduce a variation of the CRF300L this year:

American Honda to Introduce XR150L and CRF300LS for 2023 - Motorcycle.com

We suspect the CRF300LS will be a shorter seat height version of the CRF300L while the XR150L is marketed in other countries as an agricultural model.

www.motorcycle.com

I think Honda is copying Kawasaki and its new CRF300LS will have lower suspension. That would make the bike more interesting to a city dweller like me.

This could be a winner for Honda. I find it much more interesting than the other bike in the article.

 

[Danno]

I actually like the "low" models.

 

[ZoomerP]

I actually like the "low" models.

Going after the Kawasakis and Yamaha XT250 bikes with the proven and popular CRF300L makes sense to me.

 

[Danno]

Yup only suzuki wont have a low model. The low bikes do well in the muck.

 

[SandRdr]

Hopefully Honda gets the pricing right...

 

[cabanza]

No announcement yet but Honda USA but Honda Japan has made a few minor changes to the CRF250L (they don't get the 300) and a new color. May be the new color will trickle down here too?

 

[cabanza]

Honda Japan has specs out for the CRF250L and CRF250LS - Japan doesn't get a 300 cc. The difference listed is in the seat height: 34.7 inches to 32.5 inches. There you go. Mystery solved on the LS version. Honda just needs to make that announcement that everybody's been waiting for...

CRF250L車種カタログ

ストリートからダートまで、様々なシーンでタフな走りが楽しめるデュアルパーパスモデル｢CRF250L｣

www.honda.co.jp

 

[cabanza]

The "S" also applies to the Rally version. It also comes with a lower seat. Will Honda offer both versions in the US for the Rally?

CRF250 RALLY車種カタログ

ツーリングからダートまで、様々なシーンでタフな走りが楽しめるデュアルパーパスモデル｢CRF250 RALLY｣

www.honda.co.jp

 

[RedDirt]

We’ll have to check that out when it hits the market. My wife really likes her XT250, but a 6th gear and a modern design might be a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[cabanza]

We’ll have to check that out when it hits the market. My wife really likes her XT250, but a 6th gear and a modern design might be a worthwhile upgrade.

Should be sometime this year because CARB shows certification for a 286 cc bike back on December 14. No link to PDF which means Honda is keeping it hush-hush. Kawasaki did the same for their ZX-4RR. The bike was listed on CARB without a PDF to show model name.

 

[cabanza]

Here's the Honda Japan video for the CRF250L and CRF250LS. At about 45 seconds, you can see both models with the "S" being taller. Same at 1:30 for the Rally version. There is a "low" and "regular" version of the bikes.

 

[cabanza]

It's here!

2023 CRF300LS OVERVIEW - Honda

powersports.honda.com

$5,699

 

[cabanza]

32.7 in for the seat height!

 

[RedDirt]

Whoa. That’s the book height for the XT250, which feels like it’s about 28”…

 

[cabanza]

Whoa. That’s the book height for the XT250, which feels like it’s about 28”…

There's only a $400 difference between the 2 bikes. The Honda should steal customers away from Yamaha.

 

[RedDirt]

There's only a $400 difference between the 2 bikes. The Honda should steal customers away from Yamaha.

No doubt. I’m trying to figure out if I should put a deposit on one to upgrade my wife’s ride. Seems like it would be a better bike.

 

[cabanza]

Looks like the LS will be available in May:

XR150L Joins CRF300L Models in 2023 Honda Line-Up « MotorcycleDaily.com – Motorcycle News, Editorials, Product Reviews and Bike Reviews