Been stalking the site for awhile refreshing my historic knowledge on bikes (last rode and owned a bike ~30 years ago). Just got re-licensed and looking for a small dual-sport bike for exploring the local trails and roads.

Goal is to find something that suits my riding style (fairly adventurous) without allowing me to do something stupid (physically almost 50, mentally still 15).

After months of reading, test riding, and considering, I have decided on a small displacement Honda; reliability, capability, limitations, etc.

My question is purely around selection. There are several nearly new stock 2020 CRF250 Rally available in my area (~$4800USD) with 1000 miles done. The local dealer has a new CRF 300 Rally available, but is not allowing test rides as he knows he can sell it because of limited stock.

So, what say the community? Save the $1650USD and buy a used stock CRF250 Rally or pay the full retail on a brand new CRF300 Rally?

Cheers!

If I were buying knowing I was only going to keep it for a year or two it would be used but if it was going to be a long term keeper I prefer to pay the extra and buy new.

Ditto, plus as a regular rider of a 250 Honda I gotta say the little bit more power would be nice to have when you're fully laden and going uphill, or into a headwind, or on a tight road with speeding trucks on your tail.

I love my 250 though and won't be changing it until the gearbox explodes or something

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FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...

Personally, I wouldn't get the Rally version of either. It's more weight on top of an already heavy and low powered trail bike. If you want to explore trails and you're not very experienced (as you say), then you want as light and manageable bike as possible. The Rally is also taller !!

It's pretty pointless putting proper rally fairing on a bike which is painfully slow to ride the roads anyway.

I've owned 300+ bikes and the CRF250L was the one bike I couldn't sell on quick enough. Gutless engine and awful suspension. And still very heavy.

The 300 has made improvements on the suspension and the motor has a bit more power. So it's a viable option and is a popular sight on the trails for less experienced riders.

You will still need to spend money on the suspension though. Such as a YSS rear shock.

It's hard to argue that the little Honda is incredibly good value. It's a solid, reliable machine and very capable.

The CRF300L would be my choice for what you want to do.

But you'd had to drag me off my DRZ400 first

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Unless you're on a really tight budget I'd say go for the 300. On a long trip a little more power and a little more tank capacity are good things.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to provide input. The 300 disappeared before I had a chance. So…

Followed mark’s advice and bought a used 250. Opted for a $1000 less 250L.

All of you provided very good advice. My logic is that the 250L will get me back up to speed over the next couple of years. Then I can see what tickles my fancy and do an upgrade or just stick it out with my reliable (hopefully) little Honda.

Really appreciate all the well considered advice.

Cheers!

Before you even ride it, order a replacement rear shock. The stock rear suspension is so bad it's shocking. (Excuse the pun).

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Good move IMO, it’s more about you than the bike.
A few years ago I moved to an area with lots of trail riding and thought I’d try my hand. I sought some advice - I wanted something light and user friendly with long service intervals.
I bought a WR250R and it suited my needs perfectly. During my time riding the trails (most Sundays for 3 years) I tried out the CRF250l and, it too, was fine for my purpose, not as light, agile and pokey as the WRR but a softer engine made it more user friendly on the really difficult trails so, as always everything is a compromise.
After 3 years I moved to an area with no local trails, I would have to travel for 40 minutes to reach very muddy trails or 1 & 1/2 hours to return to my old stomping ground.

If I had really enjoyed trail riding I probably would have gone down the KTM, lightweight, short service interval route + van, but I wasn’t interested in speed so, if I had stayed in the area with lots of trails I would have kept the WRR. I don’t enjoy mud. I sold the WRR.

I took an off road test on the 300 rally and thought it would be great for me and my style of riding - a long trip to the trails and, at my pace, every bit as usable as the WRR, there’s no trail I would do on the WRR and not the rally. As for the shocks, I’m 110kg and the shocks were fine……..for me.

The one thing I’ve discovered is that I’m not that bothered about technical trail riding, what I really enjoy is big adventure bike trails in warm sunny mountains, I’m sure you’ll discover your preferences over the next few years.
Enjoy the process, I did.

The 250 didn't have much power in relation to it's displacement to begin with. This is typical for many Hondas (which I often like about them) - low compression translates into; more longevity, longer service intervals, better tolerance to poor fuel quality, and a whole lot of other benefits - but also less power. This to me is usually s great tradeoff, but the 250 it is just a tad bit too sluggish for le to enjoy. The 10% increase in power in the 300, combined with improved gearing, makes it "just enough" - and a far more enjoyable bike (my opinion).

There are many slight improvements between the new and the old if I remember. Suspension travel, ground clearance, weight, and a heap of other things that makes it slightly better all arround - enough to warrant paying more to get a newer one.

I also think that the larger fuel tank on the rally vs the standard, plus the wrap arround bash plate, are big selling points.

I would need to get an insanely great deal on an older 250 standard in order for me not to not sell an organ to pay for a newer 300 Rally (really only 286 cc).

PS, I don't own any CRF L - but a 300 rally are among the bikes I know I would really enjoy owning and ride everywhere.

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If you can afford the 300 go for it. Its lighter, more powerful, has a bigger gas tank etc etc

On the 250 Rally you can ride approx 300 kms before filling gas, with a 300 you can ride almost 400 kms.
Do not go with the L models as they only hold 7,7 liters of fuel which means that you will have to start looking for fuel after 200 km only. And that is a real PITA if you ask me.

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Don't worry about everyone saying it's underpowered, just do the stage 1 mods and you'll be loving it. I had a 2017 Africa Twin and a 2018 CRF250 Rally. I sold the Twin and I'm about to start a trip from Baja to Patagonia on the Rally.

Yes, I upgraded the shocks, exhaust, pegs and a laundry list of other things. But pound for pound, I think it's gonna be the right tool for the job for me.

One piece of advice, if you're gonna stick with the 250L, upgrade the fuel tank. That should be non-negotiable.

Good luck and have fun!

Im om my 2nd crf300 rally ( first on got stolen.... they are very sort after. so make sure its secure )
After over 30 years if trail riding around wales . i must aggre the rally i perfect for light easy trails on a suuny day , but i do think its an age thing,do you really want to be stuck in a bog or a very hard trail ?