First debuting in 2013 , Honda ’ s CRF250L platform received a big update for the 2017 model year with a slight bump in power , as well as the Dakar inspired CRF250L Rally joining the lineup . It ’ s fair to say that I fell in love with this bike from day one . After following the development of the CRF250L Rally from EICMA 2016 through to its release as a production model the following year , the Rally was the first bike I rode that not only hit me in the feels and instilled an overwhelming sense of desire , it was attainable for me financially . It really was what an adventure bike should be . That little voice on your shoulder egging you on to explore any gravel side road you happen across yet once you pointed your wheels into the rough it looked after you rather than biting you in the arse .
WHAT IT IS ... AND ISN ’ T Powered by a 249cc water-cooled , single cylinder engine and producing a whopping 24hp at its peak , the Rally isn ’ t remotely as powerful as its Dakar inspired plastics might suggest . While it sports a 21-inch front wheel
and an 18-inch rear , making for plenty of tyre choice , the suspension from the factory left a lot to be desired . However , with a 12,000km service interval and that legendary Honda reliability , it has proven itself over the past five years to be a perfect entry point into adventure riding despite its shortcomings , many of which have since been rectified during my ownership . More on that later .
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END , BUT FIRST THE BEGINNING Despite stating many times that I ’ d never part with it , I ’ ve come to the conclusion that our time together is coming to a close as I move towards my next motorcycling adventure . So , it seems only fitting to look back at the adventure that has been the ownership of this special little Honda . We ’ ve covered this very bike a number of times in KR , dating all the way back when it made its debut in 2017 as distributor Blue Wing Honda ’ s press bike . It did the rounds of the mags and newspapers – getting absolutely flogged within an inch of its life in the process – before landing in Honda Hamilton ( now THS
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