The Honda CRF300L could have been a smaller displacement version of the much-loved CRF450L, what is essentially a CRF450X with a rear subframe, turn signals, brake light, mirrors and a detuned motor better for dual-sport riding. Instead, Honda gave us a “dual-sport” powered by a 286cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine, that produces 27 horsepower and tips the scales at over 300lbs.
The motor used in the CRF300L is the same one you’ll find in the Honda Rebel 300, an entry-level, feet-forward cruiser designed to introduce new riders to the world of two wheels. Stuffing a cruiser motor into a dual-sport chassis might seem silly, but Honda likes to utilize its powerplants in as many applications as possible, an example being the CRF1000L Africa Twin and Talon 1000R-4 sharing the same 999cc liquid-cooled, inline-twin four-stroke engine.
All of that to say, the CRF300L and its Big Tank brother, the CRF300L Rally, are overweight, underpowered, and both feature soft suspension and little to no off-road protection or accessories.
