Honda CRF230F reviews

I've had mine for about a year. It's never failed to start, but it's cold-blooded. Full choke and some throttle is required, and then a fairly long warm-up time. Yeah, the seat's hard, but the only time you notice is when you first get on. And that firmness will probably keep you from having to replace it for many years. Oil changes are cake. And at 1.1 quarts and 1 bolt, there's no reason not to do it yourself, and frequently. I once accidentally kicked it into neutral when I tried a square-edged jump and it bucked me up. Since then first gear has been reluctant to engage & hold. Two shops have declared it ok after just fiddling with the clutch, but it's not fixed. I wish I could get someone to check the gears themselves...Clutch is very friendly & has a late release point. Might be impossible to stall off first gear. The power is smooth but casual. My KFX 400 trail quad, with the same mods as the bike, is much quicker. Also, the dirt-covered logs on my trails get me airborne on my stiffly suspended ATV, while they just result in a bucking seat-slap when I cross them on the CRF. I looked into suspension upgrades but decided it wasn't worth the expense. Gets safe air best on tabletop-type jumps where the suspension doesn't get the chance to compress and release...It's set-up as a cushy trail bike, with limited suspension adjustment, and it's very good if you're content to ride within its comfort-zone. The handlebars are too low for standing and are easily bent from a spill (um, trust me, I know). It tracks arrow-straight on grass, but slides around a bit more than you might expect on gravel and loose dirt. I find that entertaining, others might be spooked, though. Some blame just the stock Pirellis, and not the bike itself, for that. The CRF 230F is definitely a fun, inexpensive and reliable intermediate bike. It's worth keeping in your stable for friends, family visitors, or teens moving up. But it makes me lust for at least a 250X, a WR250 or a KTM 250 2-stroke trail bike. Show less

After a 25+ year hiatus from riding, I bought the CRF230 to ride with my kids. I wanted a bike that would allow me to putt along with my six year old on his quad, yet give me respectable performance when I was with more experienced riders. This bike delivers all that and more! My son loves riding with me and having me next to him coaching his riding. At the same time, the CRF230 will also allow me to keep up with the local teenagers on the forest trails around our property. I am enjoying a rekindled love affair with trail riding and expect many years of satisfaction with this bike. Thanks Honda! Show less

I'm amazed at what this bike will climb. The bike feels very comfortable and light, plenty of bottom end. I feel it was a fun bike but I'm now ready for some more top end power. I have been riding mine for about a year and am now turning it over to my 14-year-old son (who has been riding a CRF 100) and buying myself a 450x. Show less

One word. Incredible. I picked it up about 4 months ago and since then I've been on many trails and roads. I've gone as far as 30 miles away on rocky terrain and she never lets up. Reliability is great, performance, it's a 4 because it's not a race bike and the acceleration is still a little too slow. Comfort is 4 because the suspension bottoms out and the seat hurts your butt after awhile. Quality a 5 because, well, it's a Honda! It is fast but here are the stats, these are the true ones, you don't even want to know how long I spent looking up this stuff. Top speed stock: 72MPH
HP: 16.6 stock
Weight: 238lbs dry.
Everyone says if you put a pipe on or a filter or something, it's going to go like 85mph, two words, NOT TRUE!!! Those things will only shorten the time you get to 72 MPH. It's a great bike. Show less

The Honda CRF230F is a great starter bike. And it will last a long time as long as you treat it good. But once you get used to it, you'll be wanting more power, and it only has so much to give from the 230cc motor. Show less

I have had my 230 for almost 2 years and I take it to the limits. There are hill climbs that my dad can't even do on his DRZ 400 that I can in first gear with this bike. It has incredible performance... not to mention it does some great wheelies. Show less

Right on the MoneyI really like this bike. It is exactly what you need if you are planning on trail riding. It has plenty of get up and go. Its smooth controllable power is nothing like I've ever seen. Honda was right on the money when they developed this bike. My Dad who is nearly 50 seems to enjoy it, too. He said he may get him one also. Show less

It is a very good ride. The electric start is great. The only negative is that it floods easy. Show less

This is the first bike I've owned. I found it very easy to ride and control. It handles great in all types of dirt and sand. The power is in 3rd and 4th gear. Once I got comfortable riding & started pushing the bike I found it to be slightly underpowered for my weight. The front springs are also soft. I will ride it until my son has out grown his CRF100F then I can upgrade to more power. Honda has a number of choices to pick from. Show less

In 2003 I sold my xr 100 because I was having trouble keepin up with all my freinds... I was debating between the crf 150 and 230... my freind talked me into the 230. So happy I bought that one. On the first day I bought it I smoked a sporttrax 400. What a reliable bike. although on the flat open feilds I still lose the banshees and yz 125's on a tight trail I find my self stopping and waiting for the others to ketch up. I was at rausch creek this past weekend and was actually amazed at how well it performed on those motorcross tracks. I was keepin right up with my uncles yz 426f and the raptors. at home jus foolin around i can ride wheelies in gears right up to 4th by just crackin the throttle and pullin back and keep it up for ever. I definitely recommend this bike as an upgrade. What a sweet bike but im now lookin at the new CRF 250 f or x... haven't decided yet. Please e-mail with advice!! Show less