The Bottom Line
Pros
- Low seat height (for a dual sport) and low weight make it manageable for beginners
- Offroad ability offers more riding options than street-only bikes
- Time-tested design should be reliable and durable
Cons
- A bit underpowered for freeway speed riding
- Might be small for larger-framed riders, and pegs are a bit narrow during offroading
- No-frills instrumentation might make you jealous of fancier starter bikes
Description
- MSRP: $4,499
- 223cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine
- Six-speed transmission
- 37mm Showa fork with 9 inches travel
- Pro-Link Showa single shock rear suspension with spring preload adjustability and 6.3 inches travel
- Seat height: 31.9 inches
- Curb weight: 267 lbs
- Fuel capacity: 2.3 gallons, including .7 gallon reserve
- One year warranty against material and workmanship defects
- Available only in red
Guide Review - 2008 Honda CRF230L Dual Purpose Motorcycle
The small saddle isn't exactly long haul material, but that's easily forgiven since the CRF230L's front and rear suspension provides a plush ride. The view over the handlebars is clean and simple, with optional hand guards offering protection from offroad obstacles. Away from paved roads, the 37mm Showa fork and Pro-Link rear suspension offer enough travel to soak up serious ruts and bumps, though heavier riders might bottom out on especially demanding terrain. An electric starter (without a backup kick start) reflects the 230L's urban orientation, though its ability to shred a trail gives it a compelling argument over street-only starter bikes like the Kawasaki Ninja 250R.
When speed needs to be scrubbed off, 240mm front and 220mm rear disc brakes do an ample but not overwhelming job of slowing down the CRF230L. If anything, the brakes are aptly suited to the bike's relatively tame personality; they'll be just fine for the mild-mannered, fun-seeking rider that might choose a CRF230L. At the end of the day, the bike's shortcomings like its narrow footpegs or its wheeziness at freeway speeds are almost negligible in contrast to its well balanced offroad and onroad abilities; for beginners who want the ability to hit trails and pavement with equal enthusiasm, the Honda CRF230L offers a reasonably priced and unintimidating way to have fun.
>>Click here for a Photo Gallery of the 2008 Honda CRF230L<<