Author Topic: Running in the CRF250 Rally (Read 10408 times)

teebag · « **on:** December 25, 2017, 11:31:22 am »

Been looking for a lighter bike to play in the dirt since I sold the 800GSA. I enjoyed the GS but realised that it was best at being average at everything it does, my riding skills are about the same

I found for the type of gravel weekend riding I was doing I was not enjoying the GS, was getting myself into more technical terrain and then worrying about dropping the thing instead of having fun. So the GS made way for a proper road bike and the dirt travel was put on hold for a bit.

But the itch is strong and I wanted to get back onto the gravel backroads for the occasional weekend escapes.

My criteria.

- < 180kg
- < R100k
- Low cost of ownership
- Reliable
- Fun

Test rode a few bikes, including the Rally and thought it a bit pap. Read reviews and watched videos on YouTube. Waited for EICMA to see if they would announce something - but no.

So mid November I ordered the Rally.

skydiver · « **Reply #1 on:** December 25, 2017, 01:41:08 pm »

And???.......is the second impression different to the first impression?

teebag · « **Reply #2 on:** December 25, 2017, 01:57:32 pm »

A couple of weeks later it was time for an overnight dirt trip in the Overberg region, so I met up with a couple of mates and headed out of town in a howling SE, which almost had me turn around and go straight home. One of the advantages of a heavy bike is it is more stable in the wind.

Made it to Theewaterskloof and the 1st dirt for the new stead. spent the afternoon meandering the back roads to Bot River, The old pass, Caledon, to the campsite just outside Grayton (+-140km)

The following morning I left the others, went into Riviersonderend for breakfast and then made my way back towards CT on the dirt.

Cons:
- not as steady in the wind as a bigger bike
- overtaking at highway speeds, require planning
- cant take as much stuff as I normally would
- stock tyres are not the best

Pros:
- light and agile
- fun in the dirt
- goes wherever you point it
- cant take as much stuff as I normally would
- sips fuel

teebag · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2017, 08:49:59 pm »

The weekend trip took the bike over 1000km so I called to book the check up - 5th of Jan is the soonest we can see you hmm...

Check the fluids, all good, remove the airbox snorkel, change the front sprocket from the stock 14 to a 13 to shorten the gearing and head out again to find some more dirt roads.

The plan was to take a few days to tour back roads and clear the head - but in hindsight maybe heading towards the garden route the week before christmas wasn't the best choice.

Anyway left home and headed on familiar gravel roads towards Swellendam, the 13 sprocket definitely livens the bike up a bit where it counts and makes dirt road cruising a blast. On the tar I can easily maintain 115km/h (GPS) and can get to 130 if needs be.

After Swellendam, I took the Tradouw pass to Barrydale and a quick bite at Diesel and Creme.

Heading out of town towards Ladismith I took the back roads to Van Wyksdorp where I intended to camp for the night.

The campsite indicated on T4A looked deserted and it was still early, so I pushed on, over the amazing Rooiberg pass to Calizdorp.

Day 1: 385km with a consumption of 31.9km/l for the 169km from Barrydale to Calizdorp.

I got an early start the next morning and headed out of town on the Kruisrivierpoort pad, all I can say is the riding within a few km of Calizdorp is some of the best available.

Before I knew it I was halfway up the Swartberg pass

And in a blink of an eye was down the other side - I kept telling myself to stop more to take in the scenery and take more pictures, but that would break my rhythm on the bike and it was all flowing so effortlessly. A quick refuel in Prince Albert and I am crossing the Swartberg again via the tarred Meiringspoort.

Back to gravel again on the Kammanassie pad all the way to Uniondale

Even stopping to take selfies I find myself again too early at my planned stop over for the night so I pushed on over the Prince Alfred pass, passed Angies G-spot where in hindsight I should have stopped for the day but it was only 14:00 and I still was enjoying riding too much.

I turned down the Kom se Pad road with the intention of avoiding Knynsa, but ended up stopping at Oldies for a plate of well earned ribs.

While I ate I charged my phone and began calling around to find a camping spot for the night - nothing, nada, nix - well there was one, and they wanted R1000 for the night - phuck-em they were only missing the gun and the mask.

I scrap my plans to take the 7 passes road to George and find a hotel room at the bargain price of R1950 for the night, phuck that too - Mossel Bay (mist), Riversdale no answer at the B&B bugger lets just push for home, Heidelberg, Swellendam (rain), Riviersonderend (Coffee), Caledon, Somerset West, Cape Town - home at 23:00 on the dot 17 hours on the go - my ass hurts.

1107km in one day...

Total trip distance 1492km, best consumption 34.9km/l

Cons:
- saddle not the best for long distance
- side-stand too long
- grips too hard
- stock tyres still kak

Pros:
- easy riding
- LED lights bright and clear

katana · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2017, 08:59:07 pm »

Good consumption. It should still improve a bit. I wish my 250 could match that.

MaxThePanda · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2017, 09:34:06 pm »

I must say that 250 rally just looks right! It’s one of the nicest looking stock bikes on the market in my book. I’m sure a pipe and a few miles will add a bit of power too. Consumption is amazing - keep posting, I think there are lots of people who will be interested once they get over the 250 thing.

drewdza · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2017, 10:08:18 pm »

Quote from: MaxThePanda on December 27, 2017, 09:34:06 pm

I must say that 250 rally just looks right! It’s one of the nicest looking stock bikes on the market in my book. I’m sure a pipe and a few miles will add a bit of power too. Consumption is amazing - keep posting, I think there are lots of people who will be interested once they get over the 250 thing.

Must agree there. Damn good looking bike 👍🏻 Crazy distance for 1 day. Respect

LanC · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2017, 09:09:46 am »

Thanks for the write up

This should have gone in the RR section.
Glad to know you can survive >1000km in one day on that seat.

Edgar · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2018, 10:06:23 am »

Nice pictures !

Kamanya · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2018, 07:14:45 pm »

That's exactly why this is a great little bike, it takes you back to the whole point of it.

It's fun, gets you anywhere you point it and it's frugal.

And it looks great!

Lou1 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2018, 09:54:26 am »

LoopSoosStroop · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2018, 10:54:23 am »

Fantastic, thanks for the report.

Having some experience with long dual purpose days and a 250, I think this bike will be miles better at it than a TTR.

If I had to buy a "road" bike now, this would be it. It just looks right!

andrew5336 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 09, 2018, 01:09:32 pm »

Very, very nice.

I've seen a pic (attached I hope) where the owner removed all of the plastics around the engine.

If you do that, better tyres (tubeless to save weight), Yoshi or FMF header and exhaust, lighter, higher bars and a tail tidy you'll drop 5 kg at least and up the power while keeping it fairly stock.

I reckon that's the sweet spot.

I'm likely to either do the above or Supermoto a CRF 250 L (divergent ideas much?) when the $$$ allows.

sidetrack · « **Reply #13 on:** January 09, 2018, 01:14:59 pm »

Quote from: andrew5336 on January 09, 2018, 01:09:32 pm

Very, very nice.

I've seen a pic (attached I hope) where the owner removed all of the plastics around the engine.

If you do that, better tyres (tubeless to save weight), Yoshi or FMF header and exhaust, lighter, higher bars and a tail tidy you'll drop 5 kg at least and up the power while keeping it fairly stock.

I reckon that's the sweet spot.

I'm likely to either do the above or Supermoto a CRF 250 L (divergent ideas much?) when the $$$ allows.

That is Minkyheads bike from the UK, the aftermarket pipe looks nice but it is not worth the power gains. He also installed a 300cc head and the dyno increase was minimal. 21HP at the wheel.

teebag · « **Reply #14 on:** January 09, 2018, 01:20:48 pm »

Yes Minkyheads bike - CBR300RA motor

zebra - Flying Brick · « **Reply #15 on:** January 09, 2018, 02:40:30 pm »

Teebag - there is an American thread/topic about a sidestand 'fix' - are you aware, I can try dig it up if you have not seen it?
Chris

teebag · « **Reply #16 on:** January 09, 2018, 02:46:14 pm »

Thanks Chris - they seem to be fitting the stand from the 2017 CRF250-L (50530-KZZ-D20) which is shorter.

Will probably just cut and weld mine

zebra - Flying Brick · « **Reply #17 on:** January 09, 2018, 02:55:29 pm »

Quote from: teebag on Today at 02:46:14 pm>Thanks Chris - they seem to be fitting the stand from the 2017 CRF250-L (50530-KZZ-D20) which is shorter.

Will probably just cut and weld mine

yes, that's what they are doing, cheers!

Constantinople · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2018, 08:24:10 am »

Quote from: teebag on January 09, 2018, 02:46:14 pm

Thanks Chris - they seem to be fitting the stand from the 2017 CRF250-L (50530-KZZ-D20) which is shorter.

Will probably just cut and weld mine

Try increasing preload first. This sorted the getting on while site-stand down issue and general sagging rear end issues.

teebag · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2018, 08:27:25 am »

Max already, there may be a replacement shock in my future - waiting to see what the options are