The 2017 Honda CRF250L Rally Finally Takes Dual Sport Riding Seriously

We’ve been waiting a long time to see the finished production version of Honda’s littlest dual sport bike, the new 2017 Honda CRF250L Rally. They first teased it 20 months ago in March of 2015, following up again in March of 2016 with a prototype, all of which culminated at the EICMA show in Milan, Italy, where they unveiled the finished thing.

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The CRF250L Rally takes the existing Honda dual sport and adds radiator shrouds, a cute asymmetrical LED headlight, and a "floating" screen. The tank has been increased to 2.66 gallons which, at a claimed 94.1 mpg, should yield over 200 miles before requiring a fill up, which you'll be able to see better on the improved display screen.

The motor has been revised, with new throttle bodies, a new airbox, new mapping, and a new exhaust system which Honda claim brings power up to 24.4 horsepower (up from 22.8 hp). The Rally also gets variable riding modes and two-channel ABS, which allows you to turn ABS off at the rear.

Compared to the regular CRF250L, the Rally has 15 mm more ground clearance, a 20 mm taller seat, and is 50 mm longer in overall length. The suspension has been completely revised, with a new 43 mm Showa fork and new Pro-Link shock that has 25 mm more axle stroke and that's been tuned for adventure duty.

I love almost everything about this bike, except the 250L motor that is. It's the same motor Honda created for the CBR250R, save for the throttle body and ECM, and it just isn't great for anyone really wants to get into riding in the dirt.

But, outside of that, this thing is pretty close to being my dream bike. I love the asymmetrical headlight, love the fairing and graphics, love the addition of range, a nicer display, and brush guards.

Dear Honda, make a 450 motor that we can ride on the street in California and that isn't half bad in the dirt and give it the rally treatment and I will buy it. And then I will have a Rally Supermoto and the internet will bow at my brilliance.