2018 CRF250L Suspension upgrades
  • Rudefish
    Posts: 2
    Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2020 2:39 pm

    2018 CRF250L Suspension upgrades

    by Rudefish » Sun Mar 29, 2020 2:46 pm

    Well I have done most all mods on my bike and last to do is the suspension. Any one have experience in updating to the Ohlins shock and front damper/springs? Was it worth the cost and did you find a major improvement? I have 60 years old and weigh 175-185 lbs with gear. My last ride out at Hollister Hills I noticed the front end washing out and the overall handling really sucks. It didn't feel stable and I kept pushing the front end around corners. So to say it wasn't confidence inspiring is accurate and I couldn't ride it as fast as I wanted to without fighting the suspension. Compared to my KTM 690 Enduro R, the CRF suspension is lack luster at best.

    Thanks
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    JimDirt
    Posts: 4406
    Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2006 6:31 pm

    Re: 2018 CRF250L Suspension upgrades

    by JimDirt » Sun Mar 29, 2020 8:13 pm

    Welcome to the site !! \:D/

    Don't have experience with it , but it does look to be available .... What I would personally do is contact Ohlins and ask them specifics on whether it will help with the issues you are having https://www.ohlinsusa.com/parts/honda/c ... rally/2018

    As far as comparing it to the KTM ... The 250L was not really meant to be a competitor with the 690 , that is a beefy bike that has really good suspension and is very capable off road ... The L unfortunately , was more designed for the "casual" rider that might occasionally ride on a fire road , the 450L is actually more off road capable than the 250L by a long shot , even though the suspension is similar and not really adjustable , the 450L is just more stout and can handle more , I have read on one of the MX forums where 1 guy rode a 450L on a MX track and did well on it , he even had pictures of him jumping it , he actually rode it to a MX track , ripped around on the track , and rode home , lights , signals and all .... the 250L is not so capable ..... I am sure you can do things to improve it , but it would be a stretch to think it would be as suitable and I would not expect it to be comparable to the 690 in any way ....

    I am a Honda guy thru and thru ... but there is no way I would expect the 250L to be anything more than a "fun" bike and practical for anything other than basic street and fire road riding ..... and is definitely not meant to be pushed hard off road ...... and there is no way I would compare it to a 690 KTM ... it's not even in the same category ............... I would sooner put a street legal kit on a 250X or 450X as they are both very capable and adjustable for off road , and not that hard to make street legal .... ;)
    I actually ride my 450X on a GP type MX track with no issues , it is very capable of pushing it , I was hitting 20ft jumps with it , I ride it on the same track I ride my 450R on , and I don't putt around tracks and I am 60 ....the X yes , and is easily modified for a heavier guy , a L ... not so much ..at least for anything other than as I mentioned ... casual riding ...
    2020 CRF450R
    2006 CRF450X
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