Hi all
I am new to Horizonsunlimited. I ride a Honda CRF250X (Enduro) which I use both on road and off road. I was wondering if it would be a good enough bike to go on an adventure on, I am thinking of just going round Europe first or maybe down to Morocco. Or do you think i would be better off getting something like a G650GS or a XT660Z Tenere. If the 250X is good enough can you get a larger fuel tank for it??
Thanks in advance
Caps

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The Balkans
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I would say the fact it holds very little oil and that the crank life can be alarmingly short would put me off.....and I've ridden some completly unsuitable bikes over a reasonably long distance..
It could be done but its a bit of a headache if the big end craps itself half way to or from morocco...

The CRF250X is a great dirt bike ... and it's nice Honda made a street legal version. It's close in spec to the racing R model, but does have a few differences which no doubt help it's longevity. But in this case we are talking a difference in HOURS not thousands of miles.

Reports I've read indicate the X is much more reliable than earlier R model moto crossers, which early on had lots of problems. So the X is better but it's still not a street bike and never made to do super long distance at speed like the newer (and MUCH more mildly tuned) Thailand made CRF250L, which just came out a year or so ago. This new "L" model can do long road rides, stand in hot traffic for hours and run at high RPM all day. Different animal.

The R and X model Hondas won't do well in those environments. Also, I'm guessing the gearing on the X is quite low, so perhaps not ideal for faster roads. Reports I've read in the Dirt Bike press indicate the X is good for about 100 hours of use ... then needs a complete top end rebuild. The magazine thought 100 hours was GOOD! (different perspective from a dirt bike magazine)

For your ride I would definitely go for the XT660. BMW is overpriced, not as good, more expensive to maintain.

The Yam won't come close to matching your CRF- X off road, but can handle most dirt roads or Moroccan Piste with ease.

Single track? Deep Sand? Mud? not so much.

Save your X for dirt riding ... that's what's it for!

Thank you for your views so far, very interesting and I could tend to agree.
I like the look of the XT660, I am going to try and have a look at one when I am home in June. I have had the 1200GS Adv and the 800GS and I was just looking at something smaller and lighter for longer journeys

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Much as I've got yamatitus....think that roughly translates to having too many Yamahas I do sort of think the crf250l looks quite a versatile little thing...
Or alternatively the road going yamaha Wr model...Suzuki drz not a bad compromise either,bubble wrap the seat on the longer road bits though...

Good points ... the CRF-L, WR, DRZ ... all can be good travel bikes if set up correctly. But the narrow stock seats are bad and lack of strong sub frame is a minus for carrying gear.

The big advantages of 600cc class bikes are: COMFORT, Load carrying ability and good cruising speed.

Disadvantages: Poor MPG (range), Poor off road (technical), comfort on long days.

I rode my WR250F (dirt model) on a 1500 mile jaunt through Baja. About 60% off road, 40% ON. Great off road but torturous on long highway stretches. Packing gear was a joke. I only carried a back pack and a bag on front fender. We only did hotels, ate all meals OUT, so not too bad.

Hello Caps,

here is the Site of a Girl, she makes trips in Europe on a KLX 250 Enduro so i think it would be no problem on your little Honda too.
The Site is in German, but i hope you can understand :confused1:

Endurowandern mit Zelt und Schlafsack

Ride Safe too !

Markus

won't bother repeating what the others said about oil and reliability, but- your origianl question on larger fuel tanks:

Honda CRF250X IMS Gas Tank Just Gas Tanks.com



And as far as I know, the X-series CRF's have a shorter 1st gear and longer top gear than the R-models (for highspeed / long-distance running).

The X is also totally different from the L-version and thus not comparible. About the only thing in common is CRF250 badge.

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Squily

Markus

Thanks for the info, although i see you are from the Osnabruck area, I spent about 4 years there but that was a long time ago and my German is very rusty, i was at Belfast Kaserne, thanks again

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The Balkans
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As mentioned the X wont like long motorway miles at high RPMs.

For Morocco a smaller/lighter bike will be much more fun, Id definitely look at a DRZ and if funds allow check out the new CCM450.

The trouble with touring on a 250 is that by the time you load them up with gear, they are no longer that lightweight and they have no balls on pavement or if you get into soft sand, the 650's have balls but end up being quite heavy, I think a 400/450's would be a great compromise for a Morocco trip, its a great place to explore.

I know the DRZ is not that light either and the seat sucks, but its a lot lighter than an XTZ 660 or a GS, yes you will still suffer a bit on the Euro motorways, but it will be so much better when you hit the pistes in Morocco.

I sold my TTR 250 with 75,000 kms on the clock, it took me all over Europe, rode it across the Pyrenees, it can be done but IMO a slightly bigger bike will be more fun and will do it quicker.

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Before bying a new bike i would give the honda that you have a go.
Why buy a other bike without trying the bike that you have?
or go on a few weekend trips and see how that goes.
good luck with you choice.

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Sorry ,somehow i did not see the x behind the cfr250.
Maybe the cfr250x needs quicker service,not so good for longdistance?

Good luck!

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I think all uk People was in Osnabrück , every People i meet says " i was in Osnabrück by the army"

I hope you had a good time in Osnabrück !? This summer i will make a motorbiketrip to the uk again.....

Back to the Honda, with the Honda X Version it will be very hard to travel. Years ago i make a trip to the Northsea 200km on a AJP PR5 250 Hard-Enduro it was terrible for me and my Butt

Yes, the X does need "quicker" service. On average, a new top end is needed at around 100 hours of use. Of course, that's racing they are talking about.

So touring, not racing, maybe you could go to 200 hours? Still ... that would be a month or two on the road, riding everyday ... and it could "Blow" at any time.

I think you mix up the 250 X with the CRF250-L we talked about earlier in this thread. Very different bike. The new L model is sort of like the CRF230 Honda used to make in Brazil.

The new CRF250L is now made in Thailand. It's basically a street bike, not serious off road bike ... but still ... very very good from reports. Totally different motor in every way from the 250X model.

On my ongoing DRZ build the instructions that come with the 440 Athena Big Bore Kit state that the piston should be changed at 15 hours.

Guys on the DRZ forum have 40,000+ miles and still running fine on the Athena kit.