[Gdawgs]

Hello, new guy here. I just picked up a new 2014 250L a few days ago! So far I'm loving it.

I had a couple old bikes that just sat around in my garage for years, and I just sold them off a few months back. My "newer" bike was an 82' CR250 that I owned for about 25 years. There really isn't a place to ride it around here, so I finally let it go. My other bike was an 80' Yamaha 650 Special. I never did like this bike. It never quite ran right, which always bugged me, and the thing vibrated so bad that it was torture to ride on the highway. Then every spring I had to go through the ritual of pulling the carbs and cleaning them up.

So I've been eyeing the 250L for about a year. I grew up on dirt bikes, so I wanted to go that route. When I got a street bike I realized that riding around town really isn't all that exciting. This bike is perfect for what I want in a motorcycle. Basically just putting around town and doing some mild trail riding. They seem a little hard to come by, but I finally found one at a dealer in the Twin Cities.

I brought it home Friday evening, got some insurance on it Saturday morning, then checked the outside temperature. 28°, good enough!! Started right up(LOVE fuel injection!!!!) Went out and buzzed around town. There is quite a bit of road sand from the winter, little bit of ice in places, and I found some snow in a parking lot that I tested out. This bike didn't care about any of that, just went right over it. I was the only biker out this past weekend, but I got a few envious waves from guys who I'm guessing were bikers, wishing they were out.

So far I'm loving this thing. I haven't got on it hard yet since I'm still breaking it in, but I got 50 miles on it, all town miles so far. Waiting for warmer weather. I love the clutch, smooth transmission(I'm used to bikes lurching when you go from neutral to 1st gear), and the power is perfectly adequate for what I want. Did I mention that I really like the fuel injection?

The only downside so far is the seat height. I'm only 5'5, so it's a wee bit too tall for me. If it was an inch or two shorter, it would be perfect. I saw that there is a lowering link for it, so I may have to investigate that.

The other thing I noticed(and I saw another thread on it) was that there is a random clicking noise coming from the engine(right side I think) while riding. It sounds like something electronic, and I believe it does it every time the throttle position changes direction. Although I haven't fully proved that out yet. So I'm thinking it may have something to do with the EFI system.???

Well thanks for listening!

[Aussiecrf230]

Welcome to the forum, there isn't much that can't be solved here if you give enough info.

[crfsonly]

Welcome CRF's Only and congrats on your new ride! Let us know if you have any questions.

Ken

[comeakei]

HI Gdawgs

Nice to hear you enjoy your new ride. I just ordered the 250 CRF L 2014. I hope to get my first ride in before the end of April. Up here in Canada I am still looking at 4ft of snow around my yard!

There is a lowering kit available for this model. It brings it down about an inch. This may make your bike a little more comfortable for you.

[comeakei]

I am looking at purchasing hand guards, rear rack and sticker decal kit for 2014 - 250 CRF L. Any recommendations from anyone on any of these products. I see plenty of selection on ebay and some posted in this forum but I am looking for quality and easy installation. Just want to make sure I have all my bases covered before making a purchase.

[Gdawgs]

Yeah after getting a bit more riding in this past week (got 80 miles on it now) I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the lowering kit.

I burned up my first tank of gas, and I got 50 mpg in town. I thought that was pretty darn good.

We still have quite a bit of snow here(not nearly as much as you have though), but it's been taking a pretty good beating lately. Roads are decent though. Although I'm still the only guy out there riding.

[Gdawgs]

I figured out what is clicking. It's this doohickey under the right side of the gas tank(I'm pointing to it with the screw).
Apparently it's a PAIR valve. Anyone know if it's normal for this to click? Any cause for concern?

[Harkon]

I have no idea if it's supposed to click or not. Mine didn't make it past the first 15 minutes of running time ... probably less than that. I don't know for sure about Minnesota, but I'd get rid of it

[comeakei]

You may want to check out this link for a possible lowering kit that will fit your make and model.

http://www.crfsonly.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=37935

[Gdawgs]

You may want to check out this link for a possible lowering kit that will fit your make and model.

http://www.crfsonly.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=37935

I've had my eye on that baby.

[laguz75]

There calling it a AIR INJECTION SOLENOID VALVE, I've got 10,000 plus miles on my 14' it seems to do it when it's warm out I'm not really worried about it, I would like to know when it opens and closes ( just a curiosity thing )

[Gdawgs]

Mine seems to do it more in colder weather (30s and 40s) I haven't had the chance to ride in any hot weather yet. The warmest we've gotten so far is about 70, and only a couple of those days. Can't wait for warmer weather.