2013 Honda CRF250L Dual-Sport Officially Announced for US

As expected, Honda has officially announced it will introduce its new CRF250L to the U.S., offering it as a 2013 model for $4,499.

The 2013 Honda CRF250L is powered by a liquid-cooled fuel-injected 249cc Single inherited from the CBR250R, so it carries the same low-friction innovations such as the roller rocker arm design. Like the CBR, the CRF250L is produced in Thailand, helping keep costs low. By contrast, the CRF250L is $500 cheaper than the CRF230L it replaces, despite adding a larger engine with fuel injection, double-overhead cams, and liquid cooling.

American Honda hasn’t released U.S.-spec figures but the specs sheet for European and Japanese models claim  an output of 23 hp at 8500rpm and 16 ft-lb. at 7000rpm. According to Honda, the CRF250L has a curb weight of 320 pounds. Fuel economy, at least for other markets, is stated as 104 mpg, so the 2.0 gallon tank should provide enough for 208 miles.

The Honda CRF250L is equipped with a 43mm inverted fork with 9.8 inches of travel and a spring preload-adjustable Pro-Link rear monoshock with 9.4 inches of travel (by comparison, the CRF230L used a 37mm fork with 9.0 inches of travel and 6.3-inches of travel at the rear.) Braking is handled by a single 256mm disc with twin-piston caliper up front and a 220mm disc at the back.

Other features include Honda CRF styling, a 21-inch front wheel, 18-inch rear wheel, digital multi-function display and a lockable toolbox on the left side above the rear wheel.

American Honda will offer the 2013 CRF250L in red while other markets also get a white version.

Click here for full specs and more pictures.

[Source: Honda]

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Honda CRF250L Confirmed for North America
2012 Honda CRF250L Specs Released

By Dennis Chung