Honda Launches CRF300L & CRF300 Rally Overseas, America Next?
Honda’s entry-level dual sports get more CCs and other updates for 2021.
While we were waiting for news this week about an updated CRF250L and CRF250 Rally coming to Japan, something even more exciting happened; Honda launched a CRF300L and CRF300 Rally in Thailand. Ever since Honda’s pint-sized Adventure bike — the CRF250 Rally — was released in 2017, many riders have been begging for a 300 upgrade. Considering the model’s longer-range intentions and the fact that Honda had a compatible motor sitting on the shelf from its CBR300R, it seemed like an inevitability that they would stuff it into the Rally.
Now it looks like the day has finally come for the long-awaited bump in displacement, not only for the CRF250 Rally but for the CRF250L as well. Currently, the powerplant upgrade has only been announced for the Southeast Asian market. And Japan is still keeping the 250cc engine, likely due to additional inspection/registration fees in the country for bikes over 250cc (even the CBR250R still exists there).
We still don’t know what other markets will be getting the new models but keeping in mind the CRF250L and CRF250 Rally are manufactured in Honda’s Thailand factory, we expect these announcements are likely to come soon. It only makes sense that any displacement increase they receive will be distributed out to Europe and America where there is an even larger demand for more power to better handle the high-speed highway networks.
What’s New: 2021 Honda CRF300L & CRF300 Rally
The heart of the new CRF300 platform is a 286cc fuel-injected DOHC engine mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The engine puts out 31 horsepower and 19.3 ft-lbs of torque compared to the previous 250cc engine’s 22.8 horsepower and 16 ft-lbs of torque. That’s a 36% increase in power which is sure to give both bikes even greater long-range cruising capability for the highway, along with more hill climbing grunt for the trail. To make it even more manageable to ride aggressively, Honda has also added a slipper clutch.
Along with more power, comes additional good news in the form of weight reductions. We mentioned earlier in the week that these models would receive a new frame that optimizes rigidity and helps shed pounds off the bike. The latest versions are said to have lost about 11 pounds compared to the 2020 models, which would put the CRF300L at a more competitive 304.2 pounds and the CRF300 Rally at 330.7 pounds assuming those numbers carry over to the U.S. market.
Making the 300 Rally even more long-range-ready is an all-new larger fuel tank increased from 2.7 gallons to 3.4 gallons. Range is one area this little ADV Bike struggled with in the past, but with the tank upgrade it should get well over 200 miles per fill up now. Plus Honda has announced improved fuel efficiency for both CRF300 models which should extend range even further.
Both bikes still ride on a 43mm inverted fork and Pro-Link rear suspension with a 21” front wheel and 18” rear wheel. It’s not clear from the translation of the Thai marketing materials if there’s been any updates to the suspension for either model. Seat heights appear to be unchanged which would indicate the suspension travel hasn’t changed, although the standard CRF250L previously had a lower seat height in Thailand than in the US. Considering the current suspension travel numbers are generous at 9.8 inches front/ 9.4 inches rear for the CRF250L and 11.0 inches front/10.3 inches rear for the CRF250 Rally, we expect any tweaks to the suspension to be minor if and when it reaches the U.S. We just hope they increase the spring rate a bit for us beefier American riders.
Other notable changes include a new LED headlight for the CRF300L, which gives it a more-aggressive look that resembles the CRF450L’s. Plus both models receive a new digital dash with gear position indicator, as well as revised bodywork and new Red/White/Blue paint schemes to give them a fresher look.
Availability
At this time, the 2021 CRF300L and CRF300 Rally are currently only available in Thailand and some other Southeast Asian countries. We just have to wait patiently for word from American Honda if they’ll be bringing these highly-anticipated models stateside. We’ll keep you posted!
2021 Honda CRF300L & CRF300 Rally Specs
Model name | CRF300L | CRF300 Rally |
Engine Type: | Fuel injection system PGM-FI 4-stroke DOHC water-cooled | Fuel injection system PGM-FI 4-stroke DOHC water-cooled |
Cylinder volume (cc): | 286.01 | 286.01 |
Cylinder width x Stroke (mm.): | 76.0 x 63.047 | 76.0 x 63.047 |
Power: | 31 HP @ 8500 rpm | 31 HP @ 8500 rpm |
Torque: | 19.3 ft-lbs @ 7000 rpm | 19.3 ft-lbs @ 7000 rpm |
Compression ratio: | 10.7: 1 | 10.7: 1 |
Clutch system: | Wet multi-plate clutch, stacked | Wet multi-plate clutch, stacked |
Transmission: | 6 gears | 6 gears |
1st gear: | 3.538 | 3.538 |
2nd gear: | 2.25 | 2.25 |
3rd gear: | 1.65 | 1.65 |
4th gear: | 1.346 | 1.346 |
5th gear: | 1.115 | 1.115 |
6th gear: | 0.925 | 0.925 |
Ignition system: | Full Transistor Digital | Full Transistor Digital |
Engine Starting: | Electric | Electric |
Dimensions Width x Length x Height (mm.): | 819 x 2,208 x 1,161 | 920 x 2,229 x 1,419 |
Wheelbase: | 1439mm (56.7 in.) | 1453mm (57.2 in.) |
Ground Clearance: | 244mm (9.6 in.) | 277mm (10.9 in.) |
Seat height: | 830mm (32.7 in.) | 895mm (35.2 in.) |
Caster angle / Trail distance (° ‘/) (mm): | 27 ° 30 ‘/ 109 mm | 27 ° 30 ‘/ 109 |
Fuel capacity: | 7.8L (2.0 gallons) | 12.8L (3.4 gallons) |
Frame Type: | Twin Tube Steel | Twin Tube Steel |
Suspension system (front): | Telescopic type upside down, size 43 mm. | Telescopic type upside down, size 43 mm. |
Suspension system (rear): | Pro-link | Pro-link |
Net weight: | 138 kg (304.2 lbs) | 150 kg (330.7 lbs) |
Brake system (front): | Disc brake | Disc brake |
Brake system (back): | Single piston disc brake | Single piston disc brake |
Wheels: | Front spokes size 21 inches / back spokes size 18 inches | Front spokes size 21 inches / back spokes size 18 inches |
Tire size (front): | 80 / 100-21M / C 51P | 80 / 100-21M / C 51P |
Tire size (rear): | 120 / 80-18 M / C 62P | 120 / 80-18 M / C 62P |
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“ And Japan is still keeping the 250cc engine, likely due to licensing restrictions in the country (even the CBR250R still exists there).”
Fact check false. It’s not licensing issues, it’s the lack of a need for the biannual inspection (shaken) that makes bikes under 250cc attractive to many riders in Japan.
Hi Haildamage. Yes, I understand its a fee to get bikes over 250cc inspected and licensed. Just using the term ‘licensing’ in a general sense to keep it light here for an international audience. But thanks for the clarification. We’ve reworded the text for clarity now.
japanese motorbike licence category is by engine capacity.
…under50cc, 50-125,125-400 and over400
also there is categorized by registration tax.
…under 50cc,50-90,90-125,125-250 and over 250
More power, lighter weight. What’s not to love? I think this move makes these bikes more viable for the N. American market (assuming they get here).
10-4
That’s a great improvement, will make it a much better bike.
So now you don’t have to drive close to the Rev limiter to have some power.
Never understood why they haven’t put the 300 engine in, as they already had it and used it in european street bikes.
Thanks for your explanation. Japanese laws are a good reason.
Next: Honda puts their 500cc twin in it and calls it “TransAlp”.
(sigh, if only)
Oh yes definitely. This is very high on my wishlist.
Cada vez mais chega a conclusão que nós brasileiros somos muito desprezados pela Honda.
Sim, essa rally cairia como uma luva por aqui. O problema é que a crf250l veio, importada, e nao vendeu nada.
So, is this kind of a verification there may be a KLX300/350 dual sport? Surely Kawasaki has been peeking over the fence.
As a matter of fact, the KLX300 was just announced. Now if only they will release the KLR 700…
I wish they have Honda CRF300 Rally2021in canada!!!
There are so many smaller riders out there, I am always struck by the manufacturers not designing in an aggressive lowering option. Short riders would happily trade shock travel for seat-height specs. And being 300cc & water-cooled these new models would make great overall rides….with a 3 gallon fuel tank!
Yes, please! I’m one of those riders
KTM 790 (now 890) has 4 options (S, R, Rally, and Duke), all with multiple seat options. I wonder why the Japanese haven’t figured out what the Austrians have done.
They sell a sh*t ton of reliable well built machines, and the multi platform sharing of engines is already common.
The klx 300 and this seem neck and neck. Both lost ground clearance for 2021 which is odd. But for me it comes down to suspension tuning. I’d never buy the old crf250l for its mashed-potatoes suspension. Stiffer suspension, over 30hp, good service intervals, that’s what we want
Honda crewed up by making a 250, they screwed up again by making a 300. If they want to join the adults and have REAL sales they would have made a 500cc rally
I agree.
i have owned a few 250’s and they are light enough but a pain on the highway.
I have owned a few 650’s and own a DR650 right now.
Better on highway but not great ooff road.
The unicorn is a WR450R or a DRZ400 FI,6speed or a Honda CRF450L Rally.
Reliable Japanese with a 6 speed and fuel injection. i will ok with a bit of added weight vs poor reliability.
I rode the Honda 450L and was very nice, wish they added another liter of oil capacity.
I would love to see someone attempt to double or triple the oil change interval on the 450L.
I don’t have the money to try that so here i wait for a 450 Rally while riding my old trusty DR650 with 5 gears.
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yeah almost there Mr honda – the CRF300L needs a rear metal rack as standard equipment for touring imo the new Kawasaki 300 is more honest …but meh the asymmetrical BMW one-headlight-bigger look is so off-putting and mutant? I am completely over this 2005 front look and esp as even BMW RR’s and the CRF1100 itself now have symmetrical both-on LED headlights – but for some weird reason the CRF300 not? The 3rd problem is the half sized big-tank? Why not extend the metal tank down the sides and add another gallon to the CRF300L? I will wait for Honda’s 700cc AT twin to take on the T7.
When are they coming to Queensland , I ordered mine in March 22