Honda Rolls Out Two New Beginner-friendly Dual Sports
Are you interested in dual sports but have never ridden one? Well, you’re in luck! Honda recently introduced two new dual sport motorcycles for the 2023 model year.
The Honda XR150L is a brand-new and accessible bike that promises to offer plenty of value on the street and trail. The Honda CRF300LS, on the other hand, is a new low-set variant of the popular CRF300L.
“These models make motorcycling more accessible to new and cost-conscious riders while still offering an enjoyable ride experience for long-time enthusiasts,” Brandon Wilson, American Honda Manager of Sports & Experiential, said in a statement.
Let’s take a closer look at the new bikes—and a couple of returning ones.
2023 Honda XR150L
Leading the announcement of the new bikes is the Honda XR150L. This all-new platform aims to fit short-distance urban transportation and longer off-road weekends.
The XR150L is powered by a 149cc air-cooled four-stroke engine. The powerplant has been designed for reliability and fuel efficiency, combined with the 2.8-gallon fuel tank.
To smoothen the ride on streets and trails, the bike features a 31mm telescopic with 7.1 inches of travel. In the rear, a Pro-Link single shock with adjustable spring preload offers 5.9 inches of travel. Together, the suspension system should provide a plush ride, no matter the terrain.
Keeping with the XR150L’s go-anywhere attitude, the bike is fully street-legal, with mirrors, a license plate light, and the works. It also has foldable passenger footpegs and a standard rear carrier rack.
The XR150L is available now and retails for $2,971. Color options induce black and white paint jobs.
2023 Honda CRF300LS
The CRF300LS might seem familiar to Honda enthusiasts. It’s largely the same bike as the previous CRF300L — only, it has a lower seat.
The seat on the LS model is at 32.7 inches, as opposed to the 34.7 inches of its taller sibling. With the lower seat, the suspension’s travel has also shortened a bit. The 43mm inverted fork offers 9.3 inches of travel (10.2 on the CRF300L) and the rear Pro-Link single shock travels 9 inches (also 10.2 on the L model).
Otherwise, the bike is the same as its previous iteration. It has the same 286cc liquid-cooled four-stroke engine and six-speed transmission.
A 256mm disc with a twin-piston caliper handles braking in the front while a single 220mm disc sits in the back. The LS version features ABS as standard.
The CRF300LS retails for $5,699 and is available in Swift Gray. The bike will be available in May.
Returning Models
In addition to the new dual sports, Honda is also bringing back some bikes from last year. The CRF300L returns in both a standard and ABS variant, as does the CRF300L Rally, also available with both brake options.
The bikes haven’t received any significant updates—they’re the same reliable dual sports as they were the year prior. The CRF300L retails for $5,399 for standard and $5,699 for ABS, while the Rally goes for $6,149 for standard and $6,449 for ABS. All bikes are red.
Finally, the Honda Navi makes a return for the 2023 model year. This small MiniMoto machine has been popular in North America, so there’s no need to change the recipe. The bike boasts a 109cc air-cooled four-stroke engine, 130mm drum brakes front and rear, a 30-inch seat height, and a 0.9-gallon fuel tank.
The 2023 Honda Navi retails for $1,807 and is available in Grasshopper Green, Nut Brown, Ranger Green, and red.