A reliable, easygoing trail workhorse that's hard to stall and cheap to run, though the soft suspension and modest power show their limits when pushed. Rider ability, terrain, weather and tyre choice still move the real answer more than the bike alone does.
Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.
Beginner friendliness
5/5
Road usability
1/5
Technical off-road capability
4/5
Green-lane suitability
4/5
Full specs
Price (new, OTR)£4,500
Engine249cc
Power24.8hp
Torque22.6Nm
Weight (wet)146kg
Seat height875mm
Fuel tank7.8L
Real-world range~130 mi
Economy~75 mpg
Wheels (f/r)21" / 18"
Ground clearance255mm
Suspension travel (f/r)250mm / 240mm
ABSYes
Traction controlNo
Ride modesNo
Service interval8,000 miles
Licence requiredA2
What we actually found
Owners view the CRF250L as an ultra-reliable, indestructible trail workhorse. Riders praise its approachable seat height, low running costs, and mellow engine character that makes it virtually impossible to stall on slippery climbs. While owners acknowledge that the factory suspension is softly damped and the 24.8hp engine runs out of puff at 70mph, its bulletproof durability keeps it in high demand.
Pros for green laning
Proven mechanical reliability: the liquid-cooled 249cc engine is famously under-stressed and reliable, tolerating harsh trail abuse and neglected maintenance.
Accessible trail stance: a slim frame profile and compliant suspension sag give an approachable stand-over feel despite its 875mm seat height on paper.
Full-size 21"/18" wheel package: accepts every major road-legal knobby tyre pattern for optimum grip on slippery UK green lanes.
Extremely low running costs: delivers ~75-80 mpg with long service intervals and widely available, affordable replacement parts and levers.
Cons and limitations
Soft, non-adjustable suspension: basic front and rear damping blows through its 250mm travel quickly under aggressive riding or heavier riders.
Modest power output: 24.8hp and 22.6Nm can feel underpowered on steep hill climbs and breathless on fast tarmac links between trail heads.
Small 7.8-litre fuel capacity: yields roughly 120-130 real-world miles before needing fuel, limiting remote back-to-back lane routes.
Heavier than pure enduro bikes: at 146kg wet, it carries more mass than dedicated 250 competition machinery due to its steel frame and road-legal equipment.
Based on manufacturer specifications and independent motorcycle press reviews.
Remember: a rank here assumes reasonable stock tyres and a competent rider in decent conditions. The right tyres, or the wrong weather, can move a lane from easy to genuinely hard regardless of what bike you're on. Check a lane's own difficulty and hazards on the map before you go, don't rely on a bike score alone.
Find where to actually ride it
Browse legal green lanes and byways across England and Wales, filtered by difficulty, on Holloway's map.
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