Honda CRF 230L SPECIFICATIONS, PRICE & IMAGES
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MSRP: $4499) is really in a class of its own, reviving the classic
appeal of a versatile one-size-fits-all motorcycle.
Perhaps it is an idea whose time has come again: small displacement dirt bikes
for road and trail. But can an idea that reached its zenith over 30 years ago
cut it in the modern world? Maybe so, with Honda’s CRF230L and Yamaha’s XT250.
While the rage for retro styled motorcycles continues, our agreed-upon
definition means that we only consider bikes that visually emulate their
antecedents—usage doesn’t factor into the equation. But there is nothing that
captures the ’60s and ’70s boom in motorcycling quite like small capacity trail
bikes. Even the term “trail,” as applied to a segment of motorcycles, is an
artefact of the era, but 40 years ago a motorcycle that didn’t have at least
some capability off road was an anomaly, and the stock advertising image of the
age was a bike sitting amid flowing grasses with a helmet-less young couple
smooching as the sun set behind them.
at least for dirt bikes: there is no substitute for lack of displacement.
Agility decreases incrementally for each cubic centimetre of displacement added,
so it shouldn’t be a surprise that 1,000 cc motorcycles are pigs in the dirt.
But knock displacement down to 250 cc and you needn’t be a Paris-Dakar veteran
to be comfortable off road. Beginners of the era learned on lightweight
motorcycles that were easy to ride, frugal on fuel, and light-footed in the
dirt—attributes that never go out of style, as the two machines on test
illustrate.
lack of technical sophistication with remarkable robustness: if you pour
something remotely flammable into the fuel tank and dump anything slippery into
the crankcases they’ll run forever. (The preceding sentence was written with
artistic licence, just in case you’re so daft that you’d try burning french-fry
grease or lubricating with olive oil. Such frivolity would also void your
warranty.)
best suits: young dirt riders on the way up or smaller riders tentatively
sticking a foot into the world of motorcycling.
Bike Features
Make Model:
Honda CRF 230L
Year:
2006-07
Engine:
Four stroke single cylinder, SOHC, 4
valves
Capacity:
223 cc / 13.6 cu-in
Bore x Stroke:
65.5 x 66.2mm
Cooling System:
Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio:
9.0:1
Lubrication:
Wet sump
Induction:
Single 30 mm CV carb
Ignition :
CD with electronic advance and lighting coil
Spark Plug:
NGK, DPR8EA-9
Starting:
Electric & Kick
Max Power:
18.6 hp / 13.7 kW @ 8000 rpm
Max Torque:
18.8 Nm / 1.92 kg-m @ 6000 rpm
Clutch:
Wet, multiple discs, cable operated
Transmission :
6 Speed
Final Drive:
#520 O-ring-sealed chain
Frame:
Steel, Single cradle frame
Front Suspension:
37mm leading-axle Showa fork
Front Wheel Travel:
241.3 mm / 9.5 in
Rear Suspension:
Pro-Link Showa single-shock with spring-preload
adjustability
Rear Wheel Travel:
228.5 mm / 8.9 in
Front Brakes:
Single 240mm disc 2 piston caliper
Rear Brakes:
Single 220mm disc
Front Tyre:
2.75-21
Rear Tyre:
120/80-18
Wheelbase:
1340 mm / 52.7 in
Seat Height:
810 mm / 31.9 in
Ground Clearance:
241 mm / 9.5 in
Dry Weight :
113 kg / 249 lbs
Fuel Capacity :
8.6 Litres / 2.27 gal
Review:
Honda CRF230L and Yamaha XT250