[esmarkey]

Hi, new to the forum and new to my CRF250L.
I purchased a used CRF250L and it has street tires on it. I want to put a dual sport tire that is more aggressive in the dirt but still street legal. I have looked at the specs and am very confused... Some tires are listed in inches (4.60" - 18) and some in ? (120/80 - 18)
I am looking for the widest tire I can safely install without clearance problems but just don't understand these specs.
I did a search on this site and just ended up more confused.
Can someone let me know what is a maximum size in both configurations for both the front and rear?

Thanks,

[esmarkey]

Alright, with a little digging I found some tires that I believe will fit
Can anyone tell me if these sizes fit on the CRF250L?
Front - 3.25 - 21
Rear - 5.10 - 18

[JimDirt]

Welcome to the site !!

Those tires are awfully large for a 250L , and would bog it down tremendously , I would think

What is recommended (depending on the year of the bike) is 300-21 which is equivalent to a 90/90-21 and 120/80-18 which is equivalent to a 4.25 to 4.50-18

But different years may recommend a different size , so you need to be aware of what is "stock" for the year you have , as that is usually the best size and recommended for performance as well as safety ....

[esmarkey]

Welcome to the site !!

Those tires are awfully large for a 250L , and would bog it down tremendously , I would think

What is recommended (depending on the year of the bike) is 300-21 which is equivalent to a 90/90-21 and 120/80-18 which is equivalent to a 4.25 to 4.50-18

But different years may recommend a different size , so you need to be aware of what is "stock" for the year you have , as that is usually the best size and recommended for performance as well as safety ....

JimDirt, thank you so much for your response. I can't figure out why Honda uses 2 different sizing conventions for front and rear tires, but you gave me the breakdown I needed. Since I am interested in getting more off-road traction I knew I was going up one size in width in both front and rear. I am coming from an XR650L and I realize that the 250L is MUCH less powerful and that going up in tire size might be pushing the motor a bit. I am working on getting a bit more power, but let's face it, it's a 250cc.....
By my measurements, it looks like the tires will fit but I may need to adjust the position of the chain guard.
Before I order this size or the stock size I am interested in hearing what others with the CRF250L have tried. What works, and what doesn't?
I also have to admit that I like the looks of a larger, meatier tire.
WHat say you all??

[JimDirt]

Just as added info , the reason a CRF250R and CRF450R have the same front tire and a different rear is the same reason I mentioned about the L , the 250 can't push the weight of the larger 450 tire/rim , ....... well , it can , but not efficiently ....... , so that is why the CRF250R has a 1.85 rear rim width and the CRF450R has a 2.15 rear rim width ... follow ?? , check the width of your rear rim (it should be stamped on it somewhere with the width and rim size , so it would say 1.85x18 , etc. , if it is in fact a 1.85 , then I would not go wider with the tire , as the bead width is too narrow for the wider tire and it will not seat properly and cause stability issues due to the squeezing of the tire , kind of like when you over stuff a Taco , you squeeze it from the top and everything bulges and pushes out the end because there is not enough room inside to hold the material because it is being forced out by squeezing at the top , which would equate to the bead of the tire being squeezed by the narrower rim width ....

[esmarkey]

Just as added info , the reason a CRF250R and CRF450R have the same front tire and a different rear is the same reason I mentioned about the L , the 250 can't push the weight of the larger 450 tire/rim , ....... well , it can , but not efficiently ....... , so that is why the CRF250R has a 1.85 rear rim width and the CRF450R has a 2.15 rear rim width ... follow ?? , check the width of your rear rim (it should be stamped on it somewhere with the width and rim size , so it would say 1.85x18 , etc. , if it is in fact a 1.85 , then I would not go wider with the tire , as the bead width is too narrow for the wider tire and it will not seat properly and cause stability issues due to the squeezing of the tire , kind of like when you over stuff a Taco , you squeeze it from the top and everything bulges and pushes out the end because there is not enough room inside to hold the material because it is being forced out by squeezing at the top , which would equate to the bead of the tire being squeezed by the narrower rim width ....

Thanks JimDirt! I never even thought of that. I ASSUMED that the rims were the same. I think I'll stick with stock size.