P104
RIDE REVIEW I 2021 HONDA CRF300L & CRF300L RALLY
a higher-capacity fuel tank. At 3.4
gallons, the Rally carries 1.3 gallons
more fuel than the L.
Look a little closer and you'll see
that the Rally comes with an engine
skid plate, the L does not.
Seat height is a tick higher on the
Rally than the L, 34.8 inches versus
the L's 34.6 inches. And you have less
ground clearance with the Rally at 10.8
inches versus the L's 11.3 inches.
Like last year, both bikes come
with polished black rims with the Rally
again getting a blacked-out frame
versus the L's boring silver frame.
Honda made a few tweaks to the
Rally to improve comfort for longer
hauls, which Honda figures the Rally
will be doing more of than the L, but
the L got most of the same mods, as
well. Handlebar sweep is increased
for a "more natural elbow position and
lighter steering," and two handlebar
weights (5.8 ounces each) were
added to the Rally to reduce vibra-
tion, as were rubber platforms on the
footpegs. Both seats get a new rub-
ber mounted cushion, which has also
been widened by a little more than
half an inch, though the front remains
narrow to facilitate the rider's feet
touching the ground when needed.
Passenger pegs come standard on
both models.
The rider's footpegs are also
moved rearward, while the right
swingarm-pivot cover is redesigned to
reduce width.
The number-one difference be-
tween the two bikes that isn't so
obvious, but you can probably guess,
is the Rally weighs more—approxi-
mately 24 pounds more—than the L.
According to Honda, the Rally tips
The Rally is designed
for longer-distance
riding as you can tell by
the large fuel tank and
windscreen. Honda also
redesigned the cockpit
to improve comfort.
Once again, the
CRF300L (and the
new Rally) is fitted
with non-adjustable
suspension. It
comes set up from
the factory quite
soft and spongy.
Newer riders won't
mind but more
experienced riders
will be seeking
out the nearest
suspension shop.
