From 2013–2020, the CRF250L served as the smallest-displacement dual sport motorcycle in Honda’s CRF lineup. Then in 2021, Big Red increased the size of its fuel-injected liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke single-cylinder engine and renamed it CRF300L. Although not quite a 300 in terms of displacement, the additional 36cc was enough to garner the attention of red riders and small-displacement dual sport fans alike, not to mention the suspension and chassis updates.
Prior to reviewing the CRF300L in its second year on the market, we had it spin the drum on our in-house Dynojet 250i rear-wheel dynamometer, where it produced 22.7 hp at 8,500 rpm and 16.7 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,300 rpm. Those figures are comparable to its main competitor—the Kawasaki KLX300. Considering its size and intended usage, Big Red’s powerplant is impressive.
“A quick-revving engine with linear power delivery and modest peak power numbers makes the CRF300L manageable but still capable off-road,” test rider Evan Allen said. “It doesn’t possess the raw power of a competition bike that can quickly cause a rider trouble, but has enough character that, with aggressive inputs, can entertain experienced riders.”
