Can you green lane a Honda CRF250 Rally?

Holloway ratings

Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.

Full specs

What we actually found

Owners highlight the 250 Rally as an accessible mini-adventure explorer. Riders praise the frame-mounted screen and larger 10.1-litre fuel tank for making cold, high-speed road links far more bearable than on a standard enduro bike. However, owners note that the additional 11kg of fairing and hardware causes the soft rear shock to sag noticeably, making aftermarket spring upgrades a common recommendation.

Pros for green laning

• Dakar-inspired wind protection: the frame-mounted rally fairing and screen significantly reduce rider fatigue on fast tarmac transits between lane networks.
• Larger 10.1-litre fuel tank: delivers an extended 155-170 mile range, eliminating range anxiety on full-day rural green lane loops.
• Generous 275mm ground clearance: offers greater ground clearance and slightly longer fork travel than the standard CRF250L to clear rocks and ruts.
• LED lighting and cockpit space: powerful LED twin headlights and a spacious navigation bar above the dash provide mounting room for GPS and trail navigation units.

Cons and limitations

• Increased weight: at 157kg wet, the rally plastics, larger tank, and fairing frame add noticeable weight when paddling through deep mud or lifting it after a drop.
• Soft rear shock: the factory rear shock sags excessively under rider and luggage weight, upsetting off-road chassis geometry without an aftermarket spring.
• Vulnerable fairing plastics: the wide body panels and front rally fairings are exposed to expensive scuffs and cracks during drops on rocky lanes.
• Mellow 24hp performance: the extra weight makes the 249cc engine feel sluggish when accelerating to overtake on open road sections.

Based on manufacturer specifications and independent motorcycle press reviews.