Got the fever and got 1 chance to get it right or doghouse.

[themindofmonster]

Hello! I'm new to the site but have been lurking for a bit. Long story short -- had bikes my whole life but had sold them all and haven't rode in many years. Have a farm and have wanted a trail 125 to play with so I had the chance to get one and I did. This thing is a blast. I can't say enough about this bike. Now I want something a little faster but somewhat in the same spirit. Mainly want to be able to get on the highway -- if I have to-- to get to a trail riding destination and then put around some. I'm almost 50 so not planning to get crazy. I was thinking a CRF300L ABS and was wondering if anyone also went through this same evolution and how they like it.

My wife is being a gem and letting me get a second bike after just getting the trail but it will be doghouse if I tell her I'm going to need a third. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[m in sc]

my suggestion: https://powersports.honda.com/motorcycle/adventure/cb500x

 

[Little_Thumper_Boy]

<snip> I want something a little faster but somewhat in the same spirit. Mainly want to be able to get on the highway -- if I have to-- to get to a trail riding destination and then put around some. I'm almost 50 so not planning to get crazy. I was thinking a CRF300L <snip>

Height/weight/ability/experience? Based on what you've indicated, CFR300 would be more than enough. Practically CRF is going to net ~325lbs easily by the time you've added a few accessories etc. For trail work clearly keep weight in mind. I use '02 XR250R, love it for casual, technical, trails and O/R exploring, it'll do an easy 65mph to get there, simple and capable at ~250lbsRTR. 75lbs is a big difference O/R. If you're a brute or predict you'll head there, consider the KTM EXC's. BTW, 50's not old, just wait My .02

 

[NMCoyote]

maybe look at the new Honda 150XL dual sport, 70 top speed they say. Not a freeway machine but highways should be good. Me? I want the new Honda 500 "Scrambler" maybe look at it as well/

 

[dmonkey]

The Yamaha XT250 is another street-legal trail bike worth checking out, depending on what kind of highway speeds you expect to need to maintain. It's an extremely approachable machine.

 

[Fishwishin]

my suggestion: https://powersports.honda.com/motorcycle/adventure/cb500x

I am kinda in the same position. Why do you suggest this route? (serious question and seriously curious).

The Yamaha XT250 is another street-legal trail bike worth checking out, depending on what kind of highway speeds you expect to need to maintain. It's an extremely approachable machine.

I recently spent a weekend on a XT250. If I did not want to stay with Honda this would have been the next bike I went with. I have to be careful about making decisions based on my limited experiences though.

 

[m in sc]

the 500 is a cruise at 75 if you want all day and super comfy and low seat height. easy to manage. ridden one, I liked it. great value for the money. as far as the xr150l, I own one. I like it a lot but flatland it will do 55 maybe 60 legit wound out. it will not do 70. and I have a bigger carb on it to boot. just fyi

 

[themindofmonster]

Thanks for the replies! I'm 5'10 and 225 lbs. More importantly -- I wear a 30 inseam so I got short legs. I'm experienced on a bike but my goals these days are to just putt around back roads and easy trails. Don't plan to jump or do anything super aggressive. I'm looking hard at the CRF300LS with ABS. I think it will give me the power and height I need to have fun and have fun confidently.

 

[m in sc]

fyi, i also have 30" inseam, weigh about 200 lbs and about 2" shorter than you.

 

[Dreamliner_driver]

Royal Enfield Himalayan is a great choice. A little on the heavy side but many have moved from the CT125 to the Himalayan.

 

[Flabound]

This my current solution for getting to the trails that require some travel:

400 lb. Receiver-Mount Aluminum Motorcycle Carrier

Amazing deals on this 400Lb Receiver-Mount Motorcycle Carrier at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[oldskool]

Royal Enfield Himalayan is a great choice. A little on the heavy side but many have moved from the CT125 to the Himalayan.

Twice as heavy and half as reliable. Other than that.......

 

[m in sc]

yeah man. those REs are a HARD pass for me as well.

 

[oldskool]

The RE have their charms but reliability and efficiency are not among them. For a fella looking to upgrade his stable with one more bike....I think not. If a bike in that niche is the goal for the same money as the Himalayan a nice used CB500 x with 3 or 4 thousand miles on the clock can be found.

 

[Rackbid]

This sounds extremely familiar to me, except I don't have a farm. I am 50, 6'2" and weigh about 220. I wanted slightly bigger for pretty much the same reasons. I went with the 300 Rally, mainly bc I wanted the larger tank and windscreen. Found a used 2021 Rally and was intending to sell the Trail, but I think I might just keep it. The Trail is worth more to me than I can get for it, and it is still the best choice for short rides, throwing into the back of truck for camping trips, AND I even started to slowly get my wife to use it - some. Plus I like Hondas - they even help complete Halloween costumes.

The CRF300, particularly the Rally is initially MUCH more intimidating from the size standpoint. It feels twice as big as the Trail. Seat height on the kickstand is scary high, but the stock suspension on the CRF300Ls is extremely cushy (weak) and settles down so I can easily flat foot it or more. I actually have to lean it to the right a little to get the kick stand up. My inseam is 32~33. I may eventually upgrade the suspension, but there is a Rally Raid Level 1 upgraded suspension that keeps the bike lower, and a lowering link is cheap also if you feel it is too tall. The 300 can do 70mph up almost any hill I've tried, BUT it is not fun. ~10 miles is about the farthest I would want any of that.

I do not want a 3rd bike at all at this point, but if I did, it would be more road oriented like the aforementioned CB500X, or maybe the new Transalp 750 in a few years when they are available used. Bottom line is I don't think you will regret adding the 300. I am certainly more confident to go on longer trips. I've had my 300 for 6 weeks and put 1000 miles on it. My Trail I have had for 18 months and put 2700 miles on it...

 

[m in sc]

the woman that has the cb500x i know actually has some somewhat aggressive dual sport tires on hers, and she trail rides it frequently, and her husband has a ducati he off roads pretty regular as well, (kind of what they do) and she swears its great off road. moved up from a KLR300. jusst .02

 

[quinnsd13]

maybe look at the new Honda 150XL dual sport, 70 top speed they say. Not a freeway machine but highways should be good. Me? I want the new Honda 500 "Scrambler" maybe look at it as well/

Right there with ya. The CT is my first and only bike but that SCL500 scrambler is the top of my list right now for price/size/speed for a 2nd bike.

 

[ssaigol]

Look at this CB500x world tourer on Instagram

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[AZ7000']

I'm almost 50 so not planning to get crazy.

That is crazy! I'm 57, just rode with a group down in Baja for 4 days on 450x's.... I did graduate from the right seat of a trophy truck to a helicopter at 54yo for the Baja 1000 (1300 miles this year), we got 13oa and 2nd in TT Spec. My coworker was on the 50+ dirt bike team that won their class and one of the guys was Jim O'Neal, https://oneal.com/ and he's in his 70's. I'm running a 50k trail ultra saturday in the desert north of phoenix too.

Almost 50, HA!!! I hope you are well on your way to the doghouse and many more crazy bikes!

 

[themindofmonster]

This sounds extremely familiar to me, except I don't have a farm. I am 50, 6'2" and weigh about 220. I wanted slightly bigger for pretty much the same reasons. I went with the 300 Rally, mainly bc I wanted the larger tank and windscreen. Found a used 2021 Rally and was intending to sell the Trail, but I think I might just keep it. The Trail is worth more to me than I can get for it, and it is still the best choice for short rides, throwing into the back of truck for camping trips, AND I even started to slowly get my wife to use it - some. Plus I like Hondas - they even help complete Halloween costumes.
View attachment 8102View attachment 8103
The CRF300, particularly the Rally is initially MUCH more intimidating from the size standpoint. It feels twice as big as the Trail. Seat height on the kickstand is scary high, but the stock suspension on the CRF300Ls is extremely cushy (weak) and settles down so I can easily flat foot it or more. I actually have to lean it to the right a little to get the kick stand up. My inseam is 32~33. I may eventually upgrade the suspension, but there is a Rally Raid Level 1 upgraded suspension that keeps the bike lower, and a lowering link is cheap also if you feel it is too tall. The 300 can do 70mph up almost any hill I've tried, BUT it is not fun. ~10 miles is about the farthest I would want any of that.

I do not want a 3rd bike at all at this point, but if I did, it would be more road oriented like the aforementioned CB500X, or maybe the new Transalp 750 in a few years when they are available used. Bottom line is I don't think you will regret adding the 300. I am certainly more confident to go on longer trips. I've had my 300 for 6 weeks and put 1000 miles on it. My Trail I have had for 18 months and put 2700 miles on it...
View attachment 8105

Love the costume and thanks for the great info! My inseam is 30 so I'm thinking about the CRF300 LS which is newer and has a 2 inch lower seat height.