2017 Crf250l Top Speed

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Thank your other option is to get a KLX250S, put a Kouba link, and a 351 big bore kit/EJK. That should be able to get out of the way easily at those speeds. A super Sherpa also has a 300 big bore kit available but those are hard to come by and not new.
I tried to ride with klx 230 90 km/h (56mph), which is our speed limit outside town, and ride was very sweet. I had no feeling that bike is on its limits. Also, acceleration to 90km/h was quick. This bike in my opinion can keep upwith trafic without suffering of rider or bike. That six speed gearbox is really good think. In vehicle registration document is top speed 113 km/h (70 mph). But i guess the bike can do more. In a two weeks I am going to ride klx for 600km so definitly try 60mph
Thanks. There are a number of options in a bigger bike. A CB500X would probably do everything I want off pavement (I'm getting too old to be "playing" in the dirt, I'm thinking more in terms of just exploring old roads and maybe dirt trails to see where they go). But I'd also like a bike with ABS and a lighter bike would be better. Thanks. Please let everyone know how the KLX230 does on longer trips and somewhat higher speeds (just don't get any speeding tickets doing it <grin>).

toypro1 and frog13 like this.
I'm gonna note that the stock 2017+ CRF250L can get into the mid-80s with wide-open throttle, on flat ground, and will cruise at 70-75 mph with confidence. That bike (both in L and Rally trims) basically got a slightly de-stroked CBR300R motor, with bigger throttle bodies and exhaust header relative to the outgoing model of CRF250L
Thanks, that's good to know. I'm still researching, but hoping a CRF250 or KLX230 will be enough for country roads and the occasional short freeway run. The lighter weight and simpler KLX would be nice, if it will keep up on the road.
Went to the dealers and sat on a klx230 today.
I also sat on a new XT250 and a new TW200 (have/had them).
The suspension seemed better then the xt250, stiffer and more travel.
Weight and size seemed about the same between the XT and the KLX, seat height on the KLX is a bit higher but the bike settles when you sit on it.
The KLX does not have much of a seat.
The big thing to me would be how the motor runs, how much power, how smooth.
Its brand new so no aftermarket yet, seat concepts will have to make a kit before I would want to spend much time on one.

Downsides:
2 gallons,
290 pounds,
Seat,
No rack.

Upsides:
Compact and not THAT heavy,
6 speed trans,
More power then a TW200, 10 mph faster?
Inexpensive,
Fuel injection (provides better fuel range and throttle response),
OK suspension for a start.
Air cooled/easy service.

Maybe get one in the future....but I don't think there is much there over the xt250, maybe the suspension is a bit better.
MYUMPH 'Ol Timer

Joined:

Dec 15, 2009

Oddometer:

747

Location:

Va

Kawasaki offers a rear rack for it.
I'm curious to know why it's so much heavier than a CRF230L? Seems like this would have been a great machine if it was 30lbs lighter.
I recently just purchased (Feb 8) a new 2019 CRF250L. I'm 6'1" and 250+. I'm 50 and have been riding for about 40 years, with the last about 25 years being strictly off road (no plated bike).
I've had the bike up to 70mph, but it's not something I would want to do for an extended time, nor did I buy the bike for that purpose. At my size, if there is wind and an up hill, I ain't seeing 70. I would say 55-60 is a more realistic all day cruising speed...and I also don't plan to ride to all day either.

I bought the bike to putt around on, and use for some light duty Adv riding, and for that, I think it's perfect. Electric start, EFI, 6 speed, digital dash, Honda fit, finish and quality. Fire it up, and she just purrs. After 25 years in the dirt with 2-strokes and carbs, it's very odd to not have to turn on the gas and pull the choke.

I want to get a lot of miles in the saddle before I moved up in size...if I ever decided to do that. For me, it was much more about getting a lighter bike, than a faster bike. Yes, I know...the CRF250L ain't too lite, but I was comparing it to much heavier Adv bikes.

If I ever move up, I will be taking a hard look at the Honda 450L, Yamaha T7 and KTM 790R.
Been digging around on the web, and found the xt250 is rated at 17 hp and the klx230 is rated at 20.1 hp, the TW200 is 16 and the crf250l is 23.
My only problem with the TW200 is its speed limitations on the road, 60 mph is about it, 50 or 55 mph is ok with the bike but slow for traffic.
My 2018 xt250 would do 70 or more so running 60 mph was ok to get to distant trails.
Reviews report the 230 is smooth at 70 and can go faster (75) so 60 to 65 should be fine, maybe even nice...
I think I may pick one up.
At 430 pounds, the cb500x is going to hurt when it falls on you.
In the dirt, at any speed, anything over about 350 pounds is heavy and risky for older guys.
I was around 52 when my 360 pound DR650 put me in the hospital for a few weeks....bones tend to snap, not bend at that age and up.
Another thing about heavy bikes off road, when they start doing something bad, its hard to stop them from doing it....
Thanks. I've been off any kind of bike for years, and I'm not used to riding in the dirt (although I'm envisioning very mild trail riding, not hardcore dirt riding). But, yes, that's why I'm interested in a lighter weight bike like a KLX230 or CRF250L. But the other factor is I want something fast enough to keep up with traffic. Getting run over probably hurts worse that falling off
Well, around here, most back roads are 50 mph, some roads are 55, the interstate is 65 mph is spots.
Everyone does 5 mph over.
You are good if the bike can do 70, the interstate might call for a bit more power with a headwind or hill.
My TU250 is not happy on the interstate but I have run 50 miles on it no problem many times.
Modern small bikes do not mind running at higher rpm's and full throttle at all, not one bit, its more about vibration levels and the wind blast.
Back roads and the dirt is where the fun is, so around here, if the bike can do 70 mph you are good.
I know the XT250 can do that no problem, as can the klx250 and the crf250, I suspect the klx230 would be no problem as it has more power then the xt250.

I had oversize tires on the XT so the speedo was within 1 mph of actual, one handed picture holding camera down from 70 mph in the dirt.
The XT would get up to 70 mph somewhat quickly but would never go over about 75 unless you rode off a cliff.

toypro1 and sledrydr like this.
The Interstates around here are 70 mph, some of the roads in town are 55 mph (everyone goes 5 mph over). The interconnecting roads to the next cities are 65~70 mph.
So I'm thinking that a 70 mph bike should give me a little margin of extra speed in town (to get out of people's way). Going out of town would be best avoiding rush hour traffic and/or finding real back roads that are a bit slower. But once in awhile you get caught needing to use an interstate or faster state highway.
sledrydr Been here awhile

Joined:

Sep 28, 2012

Oddometer:

325

Location:

Iowa

This new Kaw 230 really sounds like a new version of the Super Sherpa. That would be a interesting comparison. Both air cooled. Almost exact wheel base. Small. Weight is within a handful of pounds. Top speed apparently is the same. I have Sherpa. Best little bike I have ever had. If this new bike is even close it will be a winner. Hmmmmm……
Well the Sherpa was a 4 valve bike, the 230 is a 2 valve bike.
The 230 has an even bore and stroke (close) most other modern motors have a larger bore and a shorter stroke, the longer stroke should equal more torque.
Longer stroke motors tend to be more efficient also.
The Sherpa was rated at 30 hp, 23.5 at the rear wheel.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1...hUKEwidhqmVu4zoAhX7lnIEHRAFBWoQ4dUDCAs&uact=5
Yes, Texas has wide open spaces and high speed limits, plus a lot of wind sometimes.
The Sherpa is not 30 hp. I can tell you from owning a super sherpa and a CRF250L that the sherpa is not more powerful. Granted, my CRF250L was purchased used and had FMF exhaust and header as well as EJK. My CRF250L setup with the exhaust/ejk makes about 22 hp in the rear wheel and feels faster than the sherpa I owned. Both could hit 80 mph and cruise at 70 mph. The sherpa motor is great if the carb is dialed in. It is very smooth. The CRF250L is much taller and feels bigger than the Sherpa, but is also more modern with better suspension and brakes. A "new" sherpa with FI would be great. I think the KLX230L is significantly weaker. Somehow, it is hard for me to believe it is stronger than the XT250. 17 hp is at the rear wheel of the XT250. 20 hp is at the crank of the KLX230L which is about the same as my CRF230L. I think that is around 14-15 hp at the rear wheel on my CRF230L. The smoothness of the engine is very important. The Sherpa and my CRF250L are both smoother than the CRF230L. If you are riding at high rpm on the highway it matters. Maybe the FI and available ABS as well as the digital instruments account for the extra 24 lbs over the CRF230L, but I still feel like there is a market for this kind of bike
sledrydr Been here awhile

Joined:

Sep 28, 2012

Oddometer:

325

Location:

Iowa

The Sherpa was rated at 30 hp, 23.5 at the rear wheel.
. Not a prayer. No way no how. 18-20 at best. I would love 30 in my Sherpa. That would be a ride. The B.B. kit won't get you even close. I have run my Sherpa against 2 CRF250L's in my group. Hard to call that ending. They are really that close. For perspective.
Bummer about the Sherpa, now I do not feel bad about never having had one.
The video in the beginning of this thread shows the 230 getting to 120 kph quite quickly and not having a chance to wind all the way out.
That is 74.5 mph which is good enough for me.
These are stock bikes not even broken in, small bikes really tend to perk up after 3000 to 5000 miles, I think the O ring chains break in for less drag.
My xt250 would get up to 70 somewhat quickly but would not go over about 75 which is fine for around here.