revtothelimit - motorbike forum

For the green lanes near me in the peak and further afield. What appeals to me is mainly its a honda reliable), its light, no silly enduro style 10 minute oil changes, it's cheap enough and it will be better than me.
Other suggestions welcome.

Gasgas EC300.

50 kgs lighter and almost twice the power.

I had an old 1999 one my brother has it now and is fixing it up. Yes its a beast but not particularly practical

The Voge 300 Rallye might be an option, owners seem to like them, they get good reviews. Probably not as well put together as the Honda?

Outside the box, could be risky. One bloke on the tube likes his.

https://ebay.us/m/sTa5tU

You'll be pushed to get much better than a CRF300 for what you want, old XR400 is lighter and about the same power (not much) and has the advantage of no rads to damage, DRZ400 is more powerful, heavier and just as reliable, XR600 is practically the same as a DRZ400 but air cooled, KLX300 is lighter and less powerful, KTM EXC 300 four stroke is similar but needs more maintenance, Husky TE300 is the KTM in a different colour, about it really.

There are advantages to using a two stroke off road, light weight and instant throttle response, but off road two strokes are jingly, jangly on tarmac and will need a top end rebuild at least once a year too stay sharp (I had a YZ125G that needed a top end rebuild every hour of use, but it was an air cooled race bike).

Kawasaki was still selling the KLX250 as a uk model until recently, they're not very common on the 2nd hand market, but I imagine they're as good as a similar vintage CRF offroad.

Gpx moto might be worth a look. They do four strokes and 2 stroke lightweight green laners. They run guided days where you can test ride off road for around £250....
https://www.gpxmotouk.com/

You could do worse than booking a day out with Nathan at Dorothys speed shop down in Devon.
He has 'Downsizing Days' were you ride a few different bikes around the 400 cc.
https://www.dorothysspeedshop.com/a2-adventure-days

These look good.
https://rieju.com/gb/adventure/121/1990 ... -rally-307

Bustaspoke wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:22 pm You could do worse than booking a day out with Nathan at Dorothys speed shop down in Devon.
He has 'Downsizing Days' were you ride a few different bikes around the 400 cc.
https://www.dorothysspeedshop.com/a2-adventure-days

Nathan does some good reviews of his bikes, including comparing things like the CRF and new DRZ to Chinese brands. I also like his actual experience of some of the Chinese bikes as I, like most, wouldn't take the gamble so hearing someone who actually uses them for trips abroad and gives honest feedback is good to hear about.

I'd go CRF.

Supermofo wrote: Fri Jan 02, 2026 9:14 am

Bustaspoke wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:22 pm You could do worse than booking a day out with Nathan at Dorothys speed shop down in Devon.
He has 'Downsizing Days' were you ride a few different bikes around the 400 cc.
https://www.dorothysspeedshop.com/a2-adventure-days

Nathan does some good reviews of his bikes, including comparing things like the CRF and new DRZ to Chinese brands. I also like his actual experience of some of the Chinese bikes as I, like most, wouldn't take the gamble so hearing someone who actually uses them for trips abroad and gives honest feedback is good to hear about.

I like his YT channel,very down to earth & 'Keeping it real', if I was in the market for a 250-650 ADV bike I'd make the long trip down to Devon & spend a day trying some of his fleet.

Personally I'd be looking at something lightweight with decent suspension (not a CRF). The oil change intervals given for enduro bikes are for bikes that are raced, pottering around on green lanes is a bit different. People have ridden around the world on EXC500's without them exploding.

Pirahna wrote: Fri Jan 02, 2026 6:25 pm Personally I'd be looking at something lightweight with decent suspension (not a CRF). The oil change intervals given for enduro bikes are for bikes that are raced, pottering around on green lanes is a bit different. People have ridden around the world on EXC500's without them exploding.

I change gearbox oil twice about twice a year on my GasGas

porter_jamie wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 1:20 pm For the green lanes near me in the peak and further afield. What appeals to me is mainly its a honda reliable), its light, no silly enduro style 10 minute oil changes, it's cheap enough and it will be better than me.
Other suggestions welcome.

Have you bought one yet?

If you want a lightweight easy (have you felt how light the slipper clutch is?) and reliable green laner that you can also ride there and back, these really are the benchmark. You can get lighter, you can get more powerful, you can get better suspension... but there will always be compromises for that.

Just go in knowing from the start that you'll find its limits in suspension and power easily enough and you'll be good. More fun to be had riding slow bikes fast - right?

Interesting