Honda CRF 250 Rally 2018 — Specifications

When did adventure bikes stop being real adventure bikes? The question is worth asking. The big elevated twins that dominate dealership parking lots look more like raised touring bikes than genuine off-roaders. Honda understood this well and, at the 2016 Osaka Motor Show, unveiled a concept designed to bring a little dirt back under the fingernails. The Honda CRF 250 Rally, released in 2018, is the result of that back-to-basics approach. A 250 cc single-cylinder four-stroke, 25 horsepower at 8,500 rpm, 23.5 Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm. On paper, it's modest. In practice, it's a deliberate choice.

The mechanical foundation comes from the CRF250L, a machine already renowned for its reliability and simplicity. Honda grafted it onto a steel twin-spar frame with a split cradle, then fitted a 43 mm inverted fork offering 250 mm of travel up front and a mono-shock with 265 mm at the rear. These are true off-road machine figures, not boulevard-cruiser numbers. At 157 kg wet weight and with a seat height of 895 mm, the 2018 Honda CRF 250 Rally is clearly aimed at those who want to leave the tarmac without a second thought. Braking relies on a 296 mm front disc with a two-piston caliper, backed by ABS. Nothing sporty, but it's effective and reassuring, especially on mixed surfaces where grip plays hard to get.

The real debate on Honda CRF 250 Rally forums obviously revolves around on-road performance. With a top speed capped at around 140 km/h, overtaking on A-roads requires forward planning. The six-speed gearbox revs a bit high on dual carriageways, and long motorway stretches are clearly not its preferred playground. On the other hand, on back roads, forest trails, or in the city, this machine proves lively and playful. The 10.1-litre tank may seem tight, but with fuel consumption hovering around 3 litres per hundred kilometres, range exceeds 300 kilometres. For a stress-free Honda CRF 250 Rally ride, that's more than enough for a full day out.

On the design front, there's no ignoring the Dakar-style beak that gives this small-displacement bike the look of a serious globetrotter. The side panels conceal practical storage compartments — a clever detail that reveals the machine's utilitarian calling. Full LED lighting polishes the presentation, and the plastics, while not premium, are well assembled for a bike at this price point. Because the Honda CRF 250 Rally's price, set at 6,199 euros new, is a strong argument against a Kawasaki Versys-X 300 or a BMW G 310 GS. On the used market, 2019 and 2020 Honda CRF 250 Rally models can be found at even more affordable prices, making them an attractive entry point for A2 licence holders. The direct competition sometimes offers more power, but rarely this off-road versatility and lightness.

At the end of the day, the Honda CRF 250 Rally doesn't claim to rival the big adventure bikes on the motorway or replace a true competition enduro machine. It occupies a niche all its own — that of a lightweight, honest adventure bike, capable of going from city centre to dirt track without flinching. If you're looking for a Honda CRF 250 Rally for sale to start your adventure or simply to rediscover the joy of a machine free from invasive electronics and excessive weight, it's a solid choice. Add a luggage rack and a few Honda CRF 250 Rally accessories, and you've got yourself a little Swiss Army knife on two wheels.