TOP 5 Upgrades/Mods NOT To Get For Honda CRF250L/Rally

Good sensible advice.

I'm replacing exhaust purely for weight saving & better sound, got a Delkevic on the way only £155 keeping the rest stock me thinks..............👍

Nice topic and ace vid Pezza :-)

This vid is the reason i subbed from the start i just knew you talked sense ..

This is a great sensible antidote to the endless 'CRF 250 Mod' vids you see, so thank you. It's a really nice bike in standard form. I adjusted the (standard) rear shock and it is more stable now. Enough power to cruise at 75 on the motorway (more stable and comfortable than my G650). Not scary loud with the standard exhaust. No complaints from me so far.

Now what I do need is a solid phone mount for an iphone 8 that doesn't interfere with the volume or on off button.

Very helpful, appreciate the experience you have shared here. Am currently waiting for my skidplate that like most bike parts this year is on backorder, as well as the tail bag I want. I am thinking of getting a bigger tank, the IMS 3.5 gallon, and a sprocket. That should finish off the bike, as soon as the before mentioned parts finally arrive. Thanks mate, much appreciated!

I agree with all your "don't mod!" things. The bike is great how it is. I was thinking about EJK, but I suspect it would just ruin the great fuel economy. What I don't agree with is "This is probably your first off-road bike and you'll want something better after a year and a half". Well, no. My first off-road bikes (experience wise) were Kawa G4TRD 100, Yamaha DT175, Suzi TS/TC185 in the 70s, then I've owned and off-roaded XL350, XR250, XR600 and BMW 800 and 1100 twins. This year I decided I wanted to get back into dirt and adv riding after 20 years away from it and considered BMW GS, Africa Twin, Tenere, XR/DR/KLR 650s, CRF450L, DR400, Himalayan, WR250R, and even Versys and VStrom. The CRF250 Rally stood out as being decent for 70 mph rides on the road for several hours if necessary while having huge capability to go anywhere offroad. I've only done 2000 km so far, but I expect to keep this thing a long long time.

As once i was a CRF250L 2013 owner i fully agree about the EJK, Exhaust. They are a totally waste of money, I have the FMF exhaust which was Obnoxiously loud. i couldn't bear it after a 30min ride, the EJK was just a waist of fuel and money because the EFI system still felt a bit snatchy. 

the best upgrade that i made was definitely the suspension with an aftermarket rear shock and front spring, that was literally what made the bike feel quicker , better and more planted in rough roads.

the gearing is also a waist of time if you are really going to use it as a mild dualsport. the stock gearing is right except maybe for the 6th gear and you learn to get proper use of it.

no matter what you do to it, it will still remain a HEAVY pig of a dual sport and underpowered, exhaust sound is greatly improved with the new models and has that nice quite thumping sound of a single cyl engine, only the suspension is really worth upgrading as it greatly improves the handling of the bike.

Big Pizza, very wise opinion, thx a lot. YT is full of crap. Wtaching for hours finally I have found someone who is smart a able to think reasonably. Ones again thx a lot for helping to make right decision/buy :-)

I appreciate the advice. I am planing to pick one up once they become available here in the US again. Right now they are solid out and even to older used ones are selling for just under the actual MSRP. 🤷‍♂️ Anyway I thank you for the ideas of what needs to be upgraded and what not to waste time on.

I’m just going to say it... I disagree with most said. I’ve done the all the performance mods and it woke the bike way up and only lost two miles per gal. Also after I changed the front sprocket to a 13t. That transferred more torque sooner in the rpm range and gained 1mpg+
If you get rid of the old exhaust that Weighs like 25lbs for a 5 lb fmf and put a silencer that will take care of the noise and you put the bike weight below 300lbs. Yes it’s not out of the box perfect but no bike is. You end up customizing the crap out of them. They are great do it all bikes. You make some good points but not everyone can afford or is tall enough for the bigger bikes.

I agree with everything you said. Had bar risers (1 inch) and took them off because I found traveling on the bike more comfortable without them. I completely understand why people will have different opinions though. Some people might stand up a lot. For some people the more HP the better. Your advice is still sound because you are saying you can do it but in your opinion, it isn't worth it. Something for people to consider when allocating their farkle budget.

Great video, your right on on things not to do. Whats funny is that I have done most of these except the airbox mod, couldn't agree more with this. Especially because I dropped mine in a river up to my waist and watched the whole bike disappear under water. Luckily I was able to get it up and out in time to prevent water from getting in the engine. I did the EJK and the FMF exhaust and header, but thats because I also did the 305cc big bore kit and needed the EJK for proper fuel/air mixtures and needed the exhaust to allow proper airflow. Also I did the Q4 so it is not that loud. But without the 305cc kit, I agree that these two mods don't make a lot of sense. I used the rox bar risers to pull the handles bars back for better comfort on the highway. I live in the PNW of America and have to ride, on average, an hour or two to get to the trails.

I am a fairly experienced rider and love the CRF250L because it is reliable and service internals are extremely long. Also with all the mods I have done to this thing, it is extremely capable, and all in, I am still thousands less than comparable bikes from other manufactures. ($6500 USD). I know that is a preference thing but I wouldn't trade my CRF250L for anything right now.

Okay well I did 1,3,4 and 5 but at least I didn't do 2!

saying that I do actually agree that they were a waste of money

I've got mine for over 20k km, all good and valid advice. You forgot one,aftermarket levers, shift, clutch, brake... Shift levers in aftermarket are too strong, best one is stock 2017+ they made it foldable and thinner which is what you want, I think you touched on the topic before. Also many had burnt clutches (and some dragged front brake) due to ebay handlebar levers. I'd also add that there isn't valid reason to buy expensive handlebar for this bike, mine was down 5-6 times (only) in offroad never bent it. Replace for something only after issues not before. But, great bike in every way, I still love it.

Fair comments but I’ve done all your don’t do upgrades bar drilling the airbox. I really don’t see the point of that or removing the snorkel. If you’ve got the bike setup right then you don’t need to force flow more air into it and making it less waterproof seems a bit daft to me. I’m running the full FMF, EJK and K&N filter and it has made a difference power wise. Was it worth the money, pound for pound, that really depends on whether or not an increase of over 10% BHP and louder can is your thing. For me it is, the bike goes better and sounds awesome now. Loud but not too loud. Well, not compared to my Harley that is... Anyhow, great point of view. Oh and I added bar risers as I do have a knackered back... 😬

Great insight on the tail-tidy and air-box, in particular.

Every body droning on about how heavy slow and boring theCRF20L is has never spent any time on a 70s “enduro type motorcycle!! I’d give them one outing and, they’d be begging for the 250L!

Stock bike goes to a lot of places...great little bike.

Very frank and honest content. Its the truth... So many think they can bolt on a new sliencer and gain 5 BHP...or power commander.
They've spent good money and want to believe it made a significant difference... The placebo affect.... Truth is....it didn't.
Performance comes from the mechanics of the engine: Cam lobes, valve openings, piston, tuned exhaust, etc.
Weight loss is a compromise somewhere else...

I've done every mod this guy talked about and not have any problems other than getting the mud all over you from the tail tidy gearing and full FMF exhaust with the ejk made a big power different.. I've had this bike for 3 years and I've treated it as if it was a dirt bike and not a dual sport

I agree with the general idea of the video. Don't modify the bike performance... But... I changed the exhaust. It was heavy, bulky (my soft bags were sitting on it, and ugly. Sounded like shit also. I don't regret it. I raised the bar and is much more comfortable this way cause I'm a monster with long legs and short arms. I stiffened the from suspension. Led led light (no fan inside, high quality one). Hands protections, custom seat, new bar (fucked last one cause I'm a shit at riding) and obviously bigger acerbis tank. Heard a lot of hate about the tank but I really like it. The plug is a shit but it almost doubled the range.

Great advice! I've gone up and down, and back up the motorcycle food change, and about 75-80% of the mods I've done have been "ego inflators." My next bike 2021 CRF250L. I live in Japan. I plan only luggage mods, and some USB's, for overnighters. Everything else is just a fad. No GPS, I have a Phone. KISS, Keep it simple stupid.

Great advise, most guys who mod the crap out of their bikes never seem to keep them.

Hi! No need for an EJK or power commander when you change to a GPR exhaust?

I bought a CRF with loads changed on it already. It came with an FMF exhaust with no baffle. So annoying. If I'd kept the bike longer I'd have been looking to buy a stock exhaust to fit. Also had an EJK fuel controller, which from what I could tell just made the fuel economy worse, which ruins one of the best things about the bike, the amazing economy. I did a sprocket change too on advice from others to gear it for off road. Pretty quickly changed that back to stock too. it's a dual sport and crap on road with too low gearing. I didn't need the low gearing for off road either. it all works so well off the peg.

I bought a Rally with a Yoshi slip on, embarrassing on the road cos to maintain speed on slight inclines you have to either open it up wide or drop it a cog, both increase noise X2 so all around know you're riding a relatively low powered bike. As soon as I can get the thing off ( think it's glued on ! , any tips appreciated) it's going on Ebay. Keep Power Pipes for Powerful Bikes

There’s a reason engineers get paid as much as they do. They know what works.

Haaa love it...agree with everything you said not a bling person myself thats for newbs lol, i tend to make shit quicker than Amazon can deliver it...;-) ride ride safe

SO i bought mine used with lowered 1 inch link 13t sprocket up front, bar risers, concept seat and bark busters for the same as any other crf 250l with a 1000 miles on the clock, then out of pure luck i found a used yosh full pipe, EJK, wider custom aluminum foot pegs and MZS levers all in one package sale on E-bay for less than $500 US shipped to my house. Some mods are awesome others not so much don't need tidy tail just cut the useless crap of the original and mod for plate it will give you the best of both worlds. wider snorkel on top of box is awesome but side holes are not a good idea, all the rest is fair game!!!!

100% agree with every point

Have to agree with all that you said, good reasoning along with each point you make. Bigger bikes are great but they tend to be heavier, shorter service intervals, thirstier as well as more expensive for parts.

the efi does make the bike run lean from factory and the airbox snorkel does suffocate the engine. The tuner will make the bike run richer and will just overall make it run better. The aftermarket exhaust does cut near 20lbs off the bike. However any mods past that are near pointless

Agreed 100%

CRF Karen, lol.

Thanks bro I really do appreciate all the valid points and information you put in this video...... I need to hurry up and cancel a few things I purchased from Amazon right quick now.... lol

Disagree with EJK. The better throttle response you can gain from EJK makes a major difference

100% agree.

The only thing that lets my CRF250 L down is my lack of skill , I’m 53 and ridden all sorts of bikes and it’s the most fun I’ve ever had .
Put a touring screen on mine ,bark busters and some better off-road tyres that’s all I’ve done , perfect .😁👍🇬🇧

Agree with all of them apart from the bar risers. They are wayyyy wayyyy too low for standing up in stock form

I got an exhaust for the sound ? 😂

Thank you for this video

Got a 250L. ZELDA FTW!!!

That’s what I love about the bike, being quiet. I have a loud cafe racer if I want it but we want to keep the trails and green lanes open. Scaring and upsetting people and animals isn’t nice and will inevitably be why said lanes are closed to bikers.