2023 Honda CRF300L: Performance, Price, And Photos

Versatile, agile, and affordable, here's everything you need to know about Honda's updated dual-sport CRF300L

Honda's proven CRF300L rolls into MY2023 with all of the goodies you liked from before, and it's complimented with an ABS model. A new “CRF300LS” model drops the seat down a bit to make it accessible by a wider range of riders.

Baja-inspired graphics decorate both colorways found throughout the range this year to tie in with Honda's race-team proper. Whether you want to ride on-road, off-road, or both, the CRF300L range has something to offer.

The “300” first rolled in 2021 when it replaced the 2012-to-2020 CRF250L with a new, Euro 5 emissions-compliant powerplant making it sellable in any market. It's road capable with street-legal features, but the tires point to a bike that is more at home in nature than on any civilized roads. Keep in mind, this is Honda's best-selling dual-sport at present.

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Power for the CRF300L comes from a spirited little liquid-cooled thumper based generally on the previous plant from the outgoing CRF250L model. The factory punched it out to 286 cc to garner 10 percent more power and 18 percent more grunt. The Honda CRF300L produces 27 horsepower and 19.6 pound-feet of torque. That may seem a bit light, but mapping tunes the engine for low-range power and torque befitting its intended purpose.

Dual over-head cams time the four-valve head which itself carries revised intake-cam timing that pairs with a low-resistance airbox and exhaust for a broader powerband. Bore and stroke mic out at 76 mm and 63 mm respectively for a 10.7-to-1 compression ratio that'll take mid-grade just fine.

Power flows through a slipper-type clutch that delivers a light lever pull weight and prevents excess backtorque from breaking the rear wheel loose. The six-speed transmixxer comes with shorter gear ratios on the first five gears for powerful acceleration with a tall sixth gear that's set for high-speed cruising with a less-than-frenetic engine pace. Highway cruising manages a CRF300L top speed of about 80 MPH depending on road conditions and how much you had for lunch.

Engine & Drivetrain

Engine

Liquid-cooled 25° single-cylinder four-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves

Displacement

286 cc

Bore x Stroke

76 mm x 63 mm

Compression

10.7:1

Power

27 HP @ 8,500 RPM

Torque

19.6 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM

Fuel System

PGM-FI, 38 mm throttle body

Final Drive

#520 Chain, 14T/40T

Clutch

Multiplate wet

Gearbox

6-speed

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Honda drew from its own CRF race machines for the look of its pared-down bodywork. No matter how you slice it, the 300L looks like a dirtbike. Comfort saw a boost through the addition of hand guards to keep your meathooks warm and safe from brush/terrain strikes.

A high-mount front mudguard bolts up under the bottom tripleclamp to leave lots of room for the front suspension travel. The solitary headlight comes topped with a race-style numberplate/flyscreen feature to reinforce its racing chops. Around behind the crest, a high-contrast LCD screen handles all of the instrumentation in one convenient location.

The 2.06-gallon fuel tank contributes a low-profile flyline, so the seat reaches up all the way to the fuel cap to leave plenty of room for fore-and-aft shifts in body weight for technical off-road work. Taillight and back blinkers come mounted on the rear mudguard right along with the tag.

Honda CRF300L Specs

Model

CRF300L

CRF300LS

Length

87.8 in

86.9 in

Width

35.6 in

32.2 in

Height

47.4 in

45.7 in

Seat Height

34.7 in

32.7 in

Wheelbase

57.2 in

56.7 in

Ground Clearance

11.2 in

9.6 in

Fuel Capacity

2.1 gals

2.1 gals

Curb Weight

306 lbs (ABS: 311 lbs)

311 lbs

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The frame on the CRF300L is coming off a fresh rebuild with a steel main frame and aluminum, yoke-style swingarm to complete the double-cradle skeleton for an 8.8-pound loss in weight over its predecessor. Smaller members used for the cradle area with 25.4 mm tubes shave over 4 mm from the diameter. Flexion was also tuned for a 25-percent greater level of lateral flex to significantly improve the handling in the corners.

The steering head establishes a 27.5-degree rake angle with 4.3 inches of trail, which is just about what you want for off-road work. That, and the laced wheels that round out the rolling chassis of course. The front end floats on 43 mm inverted Showa tubes with a Pro-Link arrangement out back. This year, increased travel at both ends totals 10.2 inches, which is all the better for tackling rough work.

The laced aluminum wheels roll with a terrain-busting 21-inch hoop ahead of an 18-incher, and come shod in an 80/100 and 120/80 respectively. As for brakes, a twin-pot caliper bites a 256 mm front disc while a single-cylinder anchor and 220 mm disc take care of business in back.

Here you have a choice. The base model comes sans ABS, but you can opt for the ABS version of that base platform, both with a somewhat lofty, 34.7-inch seat height. The LS version cleaves a whole 2.0 inches off the seat height to accommodate shorter inseams and comes with ABS whether you like it or not.

Chassis & Suspension

Frame

Steel

Swingarm

Yoke-style aluminum

Front Suspension/ Travel

43 mm inverted fork/ 10.2 in (LS: 9.3 in)

Rear Suspension/ Travel

Pro-Link® single shock with spring/ 10.2 in (LS: 9.0 in)

Rake

27.5°

Trail

4.3 in

Front Wheel

Laced aluminum

Rear Wheel

Laced aluminum

Front Tire

80/100-21

Rear Tire

120/80-18

Front Brake

256 mm disc, 2-piston caliper

Rear Brake

220 mm disc

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The 2023 Honda CRF300L costs $5,399, but if you want that ABS protection, you'll have to fork over another three bills. That $5,699 ABS sticker applies to the lower “LS” model as well, which comes in a subtle Swift Gray colorway to set it well apart from its siblings.

Pricing & Features

Model

CRF300L

CRF300LS

Model ID

CRF300L

CRF300LDA

Warranty

One-year transferable unlimited mileage limited warranty

One-year transferable unlimited mileage limited warranty

Colors

Red

Swift Gray

Price

$5,399 (ABS: $5,699)

$5,699

Honda's CRF300L finds itself in rare company among its domestic rivals that form the rest of the Big Four. Kawasaki gets close on its KLX230 with its smaller 233 cc mill and dual-surface knobbies, but without stock ABS protection. The price is right at $4,999, but personally, I'd want ABS for riding on the blacktop with those tires that would clearly be more at home in dirt, sand, or gravel. Kawi does offer the “S” variant that drops seat height from 34.8 inches high to just 32.7 inches off the deck and adds ABS to the mix for $5,299.

Yamaha has its TW200, but the “TW” must mean “too wee” with its 196 cc engine and comically large hoops. Sure, it rolls for a mere $4,899, but it's a lot less bang for your buck. There are some larger competitors, but they are all more like adventure bikes proper than a dual-sport machines.

He Said

“Honda certainly gleaned a lot of info during the 250L years to make this its best little dual-sport yet, so credit where it's due, yeah? All the various improvements add up to make this a much more capable machine than the last generation, which is as it should be, and it shows that the factory does indeed listen to customer feedback after all.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “The CRF300L has a cushy saddle and wide footpegs that makes it a comfortable ride off the showroom floor. Unfortunately, the foam in the saddle breaks down and leaves your butt on the hard seat pan. That may help lower seat height for you, but the cost is a sore backside especially if you don't have enough padding of your own.”

The outgoing CRF250 produced 24 horsepower. Reworking the 286 cc single-cylinder engine for the CRF300L produces 27 horsepower.

Real-world data collection according to fuelly.com shows the fuel economy of the CRF300L in the neighborhood of 70 MPG.

Power from the single-cylinder engine in the CRF300L and CRF300LS flows through a six-speed transmission. The first five gears have short ratios, but the tall sixth gear manages about 80 MPH on the highway.

Not only is the CRF300L available in the U.S. market, but the CRF300L Rally and the new CRF300LS are available for the 2023 model year.

TJ got an early start from his father and other family members who owned and rode motorcycles, and by helping with various mechanical repairs throughout childhood. That planted a seed that grew into a well-rounded appreciation of all things mechanical, and eventually, into a formal education of same. Though primarily a Harley rider, he has an appreciation for all sorts of bikes and doesn’t discriminate against any particular brand or region of origin. He currently holds an Associate’s degree in applied mechanical science from his time at the M.M.I.