Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1381004
P110 RIDE REVIEW I 2021 HONDA CRF300L & CRF300L RALLY ficient power, there just wasn't enough initial grab for my liking, and I often found myself over- shooting turns on tight single- track until I got used to it and starting compensating. I must admit, though, the jury is still out on this one since the bike I rode was brand new and perhaps the pads had not bedded in yet, but even at the end of the day, it hadn't improved much. How- ever, the softer front brake isn't a bad thing at all for newer riders, which is Honda's target audience with these motorcycles anyway. The models I rode were not fitted with ABS, which I feel is a great option for both newbies and even experienced riders, since you can disable ABS in the rear at the push of a button. The new dash is awesome. I loved the huge digital MPH read- out for easy reading at a glance when the sun is high in the sky and the screen is covered in dust. Plus, it gives you all the information you really need. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed riding both the 300L and the 300L Rally. I feel they are both much improved over their prede- cessors both on and off the trail. I also feel that the more-power- ful Rally is an upgraded shock and fork away from being a legit hard- core adventure-type motorcycle for someone looking for a simple and inexpensive, good-handling, lightweight, long-distance on/ off-road cruiser that can tackle semi-technical terrain reasonably well. And you don't have the stress of not being able to pick the bike up on your own in case you drop it in the middle of nowhere. But probably best of all? Both bikes are lookers! The Rally is just plain beautiful, and the L looks like Ken Roczen's factory Honda HRC race bike. Hey, if all you want is something to look good on as you ride around town, then here you go. But for their intended use, they also go as good as they look. CN 2021 HONDA CRF300L ($5249) / CRF300L RALLY ($5999) ENGINE 4-stroke, single DRIVETRAIN DOHC, 4-valve COOLING SYSTEM Liquid DISPLACEMENT 286cc BORE X STROKE 76.0 x 63.0mm COMPRESSION RATIO 10.7:1 HORSEPOWER (CLAIMED) 27.0 hp @ 8500 rpm TORQUE (CLAIMED) 19.6 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm OIL CAPACITY 0.5 gal. FUELING SYSTEM PGM-FI EFI, 38mm throttle body BATTERY CAPACITY 12V-7AH CLUTCH Wet multiplate, assist/slipper TRANSMISSION 6-speed FINAL DRIVE 13T/40T / 14T/40T FRAME Steel semi-double cradle SWINGARM 1-piece, cast aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION Showa, 43mm, USD, telescopic for, non-adjustable REAR SUSPENSION Showa, single shock, Pro-Link, preload adjustable FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 10.2 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 10.2 in. / 10.4 in. SPECIFICATIONS FRONT BRAKE 256mm disc w/2-piston caliper; optional 2-channel ABS / 296mm disc w/ 2-piston caliper; optional 2-channel ABS REAR BRAKE 220mm disc w/1-piston caliper; optional 2-channel ABS FRONT TIRE 80/100-21 in. REAR TIRE 120/80-18 in. WHEELBASE 57.2 in. / 57.3 in. RAKE 27°30' TRAIL 4.3 in. SEAT HEIGHT 34.6 in. / 34.8 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 11.2 in. / 10.8 in. FUEL CAPACITY 2.1 gal. / 3.4 gal. (incl. .6 gal. reserve) WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED) 309 lbs. (311 lbs. ABS) / 333 lbs. (337 lbs. ABS)