Honda CRF250L

The CRF250L ran from 2013 to 2020 with the engine from Honda's CBR250R road bike in a purpose built dual sport frame. It is LAMS approved, cheap, soft and nearly impossible to kill, and it is the bike thousands of riders bought as their first registered dirt bike. The 2017 onwards bikes got fuel injection updates, a better exhaust and slightly more power.

It suits a new rider, a commuter who wants to try trails, or anyone who wants a registered bike that costs nothing to own. It is slower and heavier than a competition 250 and softer than a CRF300L, but a used one is one of the cheapest ways into registered trail riding.

Serviced by kilometres. Most dirt riding owners change the oil and filter every 3,000 to 5,000 km rather than waiting for Honda's longer interval. It takes about 1.5 litres with a filter and a 10W 30 or 10W 40 motorcycle oil. Air filter after every dusty ride.

Chain and sprockets, brake pads and wheel bearings are the wear items. Valves rarely need adjusting but check them at the major service intervals.

Check for drop damage, a rusty or stretched chain, and a dirty airbox. Make sure the rego is current and it has a roadworthy. Many have been fitted with aftermarket exhausts and bars; that is fine, but ask for the original parts. A bike with 30,000 km that has been serviced beats one with 8,000 km that has not.

Recent sold prices for each year are on the Marketplace page linked below.