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/1542578
P86 RIDE REVIEW I 2026 HONDA CRF300F Loading Up Simply put, Honda took an already good trail bike (the CRF250F) and made it even better with the CRF300F. Not just better, but much bet - ter, thanks to its stiffer and longer-travel suspension, a more powerful and torquey engine, a more versatile transmission, and a fresher look. (It really does look good.) Plus, it's just as easy, if not easier, to ride as before. It might be a little heavier, but that's a small price to pay for all the improvements you get that aren't easy to do on your own. And speaking of price, perhaps the best part is that the CRF300F costs the same as the outgoing CRF250F at $4999! A much better mo - torcycle at the same price? That's awesome. So, did Honda accomplish its goal with the new CRF300F to make it more powerful and versatile than its predecessor? I'd say so. And then some. CN trim and narrow. One rider I spoke with, who said she was 5-foot-6, said she felt com- fortable on the bike despite not being able to sit "flat- footed." I, at 6-feet-tall, had no issues and didn't feel too cramped overall. Even with its tall seat height, the bike has a low center of gravity, which improves overall handling and rider confidence. The bike also has decent ground clearance at 11.4 inches. There isn't much more to get excited about, really. The important instrumentation is a low-fuel indicator. There are no handguards, and there are no lights, blinkers or horn, and since there is no license plate, the CRF300F is not street-legal; it is what it is, a full-on dirt bike. If you also want to ride legally on the road, consider the CRF300L and CRF300L Rally. Street- legal or not, a headlight would've been a nice addition for the CRF300F. 2026 HONDA CRF300F ($4999) ENGINE Single-cylinder, 4-stroke VALVETRAIN SOHC, 4-valve COOLING SYSTEM Air DISPLACEMENT 294cc BORE X STROKE 77.0 x 63.0mm COMPRESSION RATIO 9.3:1 TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE 6-speed/chain FUEL SYSTEM Electronic fuel injection w/ 34mm throttle body CLUTCH Wet, multiplate; cable actuation FRAME Steel perimeter FRONT SUSPENSION Showa 41mm conventional fork, non-adj. REAR SUSPENSION Showa shock, spring preload adj. FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 9.5 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 9.1 in. FRONT BRAKE 2-piston caliper, 240mm disc REAR BRAKE 1-piston caliper, 220mm disc FRONT WHEEL 21 in. REAR WHEEL 18 in. FRONT TIRE Pirelli Scorpion XC Mid Hard; 80/100-21 REAR TIRE Pirelli Scorpion XC Mid Hard; 100/100-18 RAKE 25.7° TRAIL 3.9 in. WHEELBASE 55.8 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 11.4 in. CLAIMED SEAT HEIGHT 35.0 in. FUEL CAPACITY 1.6 gal. WEIGHT (WET, CLAIMED) 273 lbs. Hey, no instrumentation means no distractions. New triple clamps have an aluminum bottom piece.