I was 13 years old back in 2005 when one day I was sitting in my 8th grade English class when the teacher got a call from the office, telling her that my dad was there to pick me up. I had no idea why, but as soon as we got to his truck he surprised me with the fact that he was there to pick me up and drive us both about 2 hours away to pick up a brand new CRF230. Up until that point, I learned on a 1991 CT-70 and a 2002 XR 100. Almost 15 years later and looking back, this bike was a cornerstone to my lifelong riding adventure. I learned so much from having this machine in my younger teens up until my first street bike. Some of my best memories are with this bike. I still own it, and it’s still in great shape and runs just like a Honda should. From someone with the experience of owning a 250L and the 230F, this guy nailed it on the head. Two totally different machines. Had Honda made their new dual sports in the likeness of the old 230F, then you’d have a perfectly badass little street legal dirtbike. Quite the opposite of what you currently get in a new 250L... A lot of deceiving dual sport features disguising not much more than a modest mostly street adventure, at best.

These are great bikes for the price and extremely reliable.

Excellent review. I recently had a chance to ride one of those at an off-road park, and it was a very fun bike to ride. It's going to be interesting to see what the new CRF250F is going to be like when it comes out in February.

I bought a 230 new in 2019. Sometimes I wish I got a bigger bike, but when I get on the trails I realize that this bike is perfect for off-road. Not too heavy at all and big enough for an adult weight 150 to 160 pounds. With a few upgrades it can be capable of being a dual sport.

Love see the ceiling and not the lower bike. Good job.

Picking up a 2016 next week. Can't wait ❤❤❤

My wife rides a Xt 250 it's a good starter as well. You definitely can't beat Honda though 👍👍

Along with “real bikes”, I’ve ridden one of these for 12 years. It’s my favorite, largely because of the reasons cited in the video. It’s low power and less capable suspension force a rider to learn better technique. Line selection, weighting/deweighting, using your legs and body position are required to traverse rough terrain and jumps. Skills learned on this improve a rider’s ability to clear obstacles in low traction/muddy conditions when sheer power alone doesn’t help. They require “uncorking” (jetting) to not only improve cold starting/warmup, but to significantly improve power and throttle response. Honda knows this and offers a “Power up Kit.” I love this bike, and run the original piston after many hundreds of hard hours while still retaining compression within specs. I can sell it for much more than I paid for it when I bought it used in 2008. However, I have no intention of selling it. It’s been raced to victories, and also used to teach new riders. Super versatile.

Nice review! I have a TTR230 which as you mentioned is very similar. It and the CRF230F are extremely underrated and very capable bikes. Aside from tackling a steep sandy hill climb, there isn’t much that they can’t do.

I bought a used 230f from a dirt bike coach (I had a crf150f before this) because he'd done a fork swap on it. Basically a dead reliable off-road bike that rides a ton better because of the crf250r forks. The triple clamp isn't made anymore but is still possible to swap forks. Especially if you're a rider above 160lbs. The stock forks are so weak :/ but can be improved without a swap

Had my 230 for a while then rode a 2 stroke and then came an 02 kx250 but the 230 taught me a lot

Nice review. Helpful

It’s slow to a point where it’s fast, if you’ve ridden the 230 you’ll know what I mean

I don’t have the Honda 150 but I really like the bike it’s my favorite

I couldn't agree more with this this review. The only draw back I found is the rear drum, so I converted mine to rear disc, makes a great bike fantastic!

Good video, very informative! It's true what you say about this moto, I have one.

I have a Honda xr100r and a Yamaha xt350. I once didn’t service the Honda for at least 7 years and it would still run perfect and start with one kick

ima buy one soon

Good video. It would be nice to get more of the bike in shot and less of the back wall though!

Going to look in to one of these I haven’t been on a bike in a good 10 years but was riding a crf100f. I feel this is something i’d be able to control based on height and weight ratio of the bike

Nothing beats a crf 230f on tight trails, air cooled electric start makes it exceptional, plenty power and speed for long range trail ridding, it also brings you back clean and in one piece.

What a great video! I own a CRF250L and fond it very cumbersome on trail and scary in sand. I'm an older guy and have been looking at the 230f and new 250f. Just nervous spending $4500 Canadian on a bike so similar in specs.... but the 230f should be better on trail, right?

I’m a 5’3, 160 pound, 14 y/o whose road for 2-3 years. I’ve been trying to decide whether I would want to get a 230 or 250. Any suggestions? I’m leaning more towards the 230 just because it’s more of a trail bike but I feel I may outgrow it.

What is the handle bar height at top of grips when level?

Has enough power to get the job done. But not so much that you cannot control it. Easy to maintain. Goes up just about anything you point it at within reason. Suspension is a little soft though. Is light enough that I could pick up the back and muscle it into the basement. Broke quite a few levers. I have come to prefer the short clutch lever. Easier to work the worn out clutch. All in all I think it is a great starter bike.

For a Japanese company Honda is just awesome at what they do

do you think a 16 year old 6’0 tall, getting in to riding would work with this bike ? i’ve rode a dirtbike many times before but never had one. i’m using it for trails in the woods

I want to start in the off-road world. Not very hard, but trekking. I own a g650gs from BMW, but I think that bike is not good for that. Also, parts are very expensive. Do you think this one is fine for my purpose? thanks

I'm jealous of those 2 teens. A couple hours riding around a trials course on a crf230 with a competent instructor?! Where do I sign up & how much?!

Most people dont know how good a trail bike the 230f is.

I’m around 5’ 9” and weigh around 130lbs and want to start dirt biking (specifically trail) do you think this is a good starter bike for me?

I just got a 2019 crf230f and the more I search online about the best oil to use the more confused I get. What oil do you use?

There’s also a CRF230L street legal version.

Great video well explained and detailed

But no mention of electric start and lack of a back up kickstarter. What's your take on that? Battery dies and no alternative but to bump it.

I’m 14 and I’m 5’7 and I’m pretty good experienced with dirt bikes what Honda would recommend if I want f’s?

Hey I’m 5,6 132 pounds and wondering if this would be a good starter bike for me

I went from a 07 klx 125l to a 04 crf230f, I absolutely love it, little on the heavy side but very smooth, haven't hit many jumps yet, maybe this summer

I'm 5 foot 5, would this fit for me? I've rode many times on a crf100f and need something bigger

Hondas are the most reliable bikes out there. Especially the air cooled ones

I'm 14 and 5 foot 8 and a half but I only weigh 95 pounds (I know I'm extremely light). I can't really go for a see 150f cause I think those are to small so I've been looking at the 230. My main concern is weight. Does anyone have any advice. I'm upgrading from a 1985 xr100

It looks like a great bike but I feel like when the e-start will give out you’re screwed if you’re in the woods or something.

What's the year of the bike on the video?

Would this be okay for me? I'm 5'6 and 170 pounds

Is 6’ 2” and 170lbs too big for this bike? My grandpa just gave me his CRF230F

A 13 yr old boy who enjoys riding a 500cc 4 stroke quad, is this a good learning, yet quality for later bike?

If im 5’9 could i fit on this bike and i weigh 160 pounds?

I found 1 in my price range, is it a good beginner dirt bike

Where could I get a taller seat

I’m about 5.2 and 130 pounds could I fit the dirt bike

Ok so I’m 14 and 6ft 1in so would it be better to go with 230 or 250?

I bought one but I can’t find where the key is

I’m late, but if anyone sees... I’m 14, 5’8 and 140 pounds. Would this bike be too much for me if I’m an intermediate trail rider?

What year?

What’s the top speed? I’m 13 and a lot of people are telling me to go with this bike.

I'm 5'7 and about 115 am I too small for this bike?

I’m 6ft 4” , would I fit ?

Gostei

How many cc is it

Why isn’t the F street legal? What’s the difference between the F and L?

How much is one of these worth??

Can you turn this bike street legal in Iowa?

I’m 5’7 will I fit good?

Would I fit on a crf230 I’m five four

5'6 ft and 110 would it work??

This video could have been done in HALF the time...................JEEEZE