HONDA CRF230L (2008-2009) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Honda CRF was a series of four-stroke motocross motorcycles manufactured and marketed by Honda since 2000 to succeed the Honda CR series. The first of the series was the CRF450R, followed by the CRF250R.

In 2008, the Japanese motorcycle maker introduced the Honda CRF230L as an entry-level dual-sports motorcycle. Unlike other CRF models, it was a street-legal machine with an off-road design.

Compared to the non-street-legal motorcycles in the CRF range, the CRF230L had full lightning and electric starters. The bike also had a different engine and frame, and most of its components were not shared with other CRF models.

The motorcycle packed standard features in the visual department, such as a high-mounted front fender, fork slider covers, a small front cowl with a rectangular headlight, a one-piece seat, a high-mounted exhaust system, and wire-spoke wheels.

As for the power figures, the 2008 Honda CRF230L had installed a 223cc four-stroke air-cooled single-cylinder engine at its core, boasting 19 hp with a peak at 8,000 rpm and 19 Nm (14 lb-ft) torque at 6,000 rpm.

The bike was built around a semi-double-cradle steel frame with a 37 mm leading-axle Showa telescopic fork on the front with 228 mm of travel and a Pro-Link swingarm tied to a single adjustable Showa shock absorber on the rear with 152 mm wheel travel.

For braking power, the bike's wheels were fitted with a 240 mm brake disc on the front clamped by a dual-piston caliper and a 220 mm rotor on the rear.