Honda CRF250L specs: can you green lane it?

Holloway ratings

Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.

Full specs

Where the Honda CRF250L sits

Wet weight against ground clearance for every bike in the finder that publishes both. Light and tall, top left, is where the easiest green lane bikes sit. Tap a dot to open that bike.

Figures are manufacturer claims. Clearance is measured differently by different makers, so treat small gaps as a draw.

Will your feet reach?

The Honda CRF250L has a 875mm seat. Enter your inside leg for a rough idea of how much foot you'll get down when stopped.

Range against similar bikes

Real-world range from tank size and typical economy, against the bikes closest to it in weight and type. Out on the lanes, fuel stops are often further apart than on a road ride.

Range only. Hard off-road riding and headwinds use more fuel, so plan fuel stops with margin.

Tyres that fit the Honda CRF250L

It runs a 3.00-21 front and a 120/80-18 rear, on IRC GP-21 / GP-22 from the factory. 10 tyres in our Tyre Finder are made in at least one of those sizes, ranked by green lane score.

Sizes are for the standard UK model and can change between model years. Check the size on your own tyre sidewall, and ask your dealer before fitting a different size. Our size lists come from maker and retailer listings and can miss sizes, so a tyre shown for one end may still be made in your other size. Check the maker's size chart.

Compare the Honda CRF250L

Compare it with any other bike

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.