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Article summary: Honda’s small in displacement, but large in size 2009 CRF230L stands as an incredible do-it-all motorcycle. First off, it is an economic and fast commuting mean, one that does a very good job exploring the trails and secondly, it is user-friendly and brings full benefits of an e-start and a low seat height. Did I even mention how great it looks? Well…it sure does!
IntroductionBut Honda didn’t spend that much time refining the design as it did in making sure that the bike meets the purpose of its creation. So what do riders look for before ending up choosing the Honda CRF230L? Honda Dual-Sport TimelineCompetitionBut as much heritage the Honda may have, we should never forget that the rest of the Japanese crowd is always close to the action and this case is no different. Yamaha is out with the 2009 XT250, their most versatile dual-sport machine, one that not only matches Honda’s engine capabilities with their own carbureted and e-started 249cc, air-cooled, SOHC, four-stroke single-cylinder engine, but also features a 31.9 inches high seat. The ground clearance of the Yamaha XT250 (11.2 inches) makes it more of a dirt roads machine (CRF’s ground clearance is only 9.5 inches) and so is the five-speed gearbox. I guess it is just a matter of knowing where you’ll be riding more often and choose between the Honda (better on the streets) and Yamaha (better on the trails). This last comes with a $4,690 MSRP in order to ease your decision. With a liquid-cooled, 249cc, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve single-cylinder engine working perfectly together with a six-speed tranny and yet offering a 11.2 inches of ground clearance, the 2009 Kawasaki KLX250S meets the market’s demands for a stronger pulling dual-purpose motorcycle, one that doesn’t sacrifice the off-road capabilities. Still, the 35 inches of seat height make the situation a little bit tricky on shorter riders. Base price is $4,999. Significantly cheaper ($3,949), more user-friendly and getting the best fuel mileage in its class (105 mpg) is the 2009 Suzuki DR200SE. The engine behind it is a docile air-cooled, 199cc, four-stroke, OHC single-cylinder fed through a Mikuni carburetor. This is also electronically started, but only gets a five-speed gearbox not because of its off-road abilities, but because small cylinder capacity. The 31.9 inches of seat height also characterizes the small Suzi, but so is the 278 lbs and rear drum brake.
2 comments: Honda CRF230L We rode CRF 230Ls this year for Enduro Africa, a 1500-mile offroad, fundraising trip through Southern Africa. The bikes worked flawlessly in mud, gravel, stream crossings, and steep ascents/descents, even though these are billed as more street-oriented. A couple were drowned in rivers but started back up within minutes. They’d climb a tree if you let them. Perfect for newer riders. Google "Andrew’s Enduro Africa" to read more.
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Posted on
04.11.2010 @ 22:44