PROJECT 300: HONDA CRF300 RALLY
It’s done! I have crested my racing career and succumbed to the inevitability of Adventure Riding. I figured this would be a sad day for the ego, but as it turns out, a whole new world of opportunities has opened up - one of which I am really looking forward to.
Proud as punch with our new bikes.
Through my day job, and through off-road coaching too, I witness people time and time again, over-biking themselves and their abilities. And it seems no matter how much info is out there around buying the right bike for you, people still can’t bury the notion that bigger is better. Having said that, I’m not one to yuck someone else’s yum, but from a guy who has ridden 450’s for the past 10 years (yes I know, hypocritical), I can guarantee you that bigger is not always better.
And herein, we welcome the Honda CRF300 Rally to The Dirt Stables. Well, technically two of them as dad bought one also. The epitome of the complete opposite of B-is-B and it would appear not a bike that any rider with more than an average level of ability would consider buying. And that was some of the reason why this model arrived in the garage. But there are other reasons too.
Motul of course will be keeping the Rally gorgeous on the inside.
Firstly, it would be remiss of me not to state the obvious connection with Honda as I have raced for that brand for most of my career – plus the connection with Dad and the Honda Kids Camps. Other genuine contenders for what I was wanting to do with the bikes were the KTM390, KTM890, Tenere 700 and Husky 701. Plus of course pretty much any Dakar Rally Spec bike from any brand - but as they are like 50k that was only a pipe dream. I had the pleasure of spending a couple of months on the 701 and it was a fantastic bike. It just felt like a large dirt bike and that’s really the feeling I’m looking for. I also had a go on the 390 and enjoyed that too. I have not ridden the T7 sadly, but by all accounts, it received rave reviews and in the hands of Pol Tarres it will go anywhere – so long as you get free parts.
Some basic bling to jussh up the steed.
The reasoning behind the 300 Rally ending up as my first ADV steed was based on price, weight, looks, and more importantly, what type of riding I was really wanting to do. So long as it could cruise at 100km on the road, power was last on the list of requirements – within reason of course. Plus my girlfriend keeps telling me that size doesn’t matter and she is always right.
And the Rally over the L because of the larger tank and that Rally look. I was priced out of the 701 and the 890 as they are twice the price of the 300 Rally. The 390 is the same price as the Rally, but for me, it has a few too many electronic inputs that could pose a problem in the type of riding that I want to be doing and the specs say it’s heavier than the Rally. The T7 is reasonably priced considering the amount of bike you get, but again it’s over 200kgs compared to just over 150. So to sum up; the price, weight, and the gnarly riding I want to be doing steered me towards the 300 Rally. But that doesn’t mean it’s perfect.
The main downfall of the Rally is the suspension. It is not adjustable and it’s definitely soft. It’s comfortable on the road and it will be adequate enough off it, but I think it will need to get stiffer springs and maybe even some valving, because a wallowy bike off-road is not ideal. I don’t need to be racing, but I do want some more hold-up and damping for when I do hit something that will impale me on the forks in stock trim. The engine is only 300ccs, and I think something around 400ccs would have been ideal. Having said that, 6th gear is like overdrive so there is no revving the tits off it as it cruises at 100 at about 4000 rpm.
To me, I think it looks cool as shit! The back end is dirt-bikey, which I love, while the front resembles a Dakar Rally spec machine, which I also love. The indicators are small and flexible and the front headlight looks dangerous – so watch out! The number plate setup is ugly and that is on the list for a tidy-up. Speaking of, this is going to be a real project bike, the likes of which I haven’t been able to explore with on my site yet. So even though we are keeping it ADV, I’m still pretty excited.
Batter Tender connection so we are never left dead on start up. It clips away nicely behind the side panel.
Project 300 Plans
Suspension Upgrade
Bash Plate
Tail Tidy
Rear Rack
Tyres
Handlebars
Bark Busters
Rally Grips
Battery Tender
Phone Holder
Air Filter Upgrade
Exhaust Pipe
Tall Seat/Cover
Bling
This should keep me busy for the next few months. Will try to source from NZ first before checking out overseas distributors. Australia has a lot of parts available for the 300 Rally so we will for sure dip the toe in those waters.
It’s an exciting time and I have already started with some new handlebars, the battery Tender, Quad-Lock phone holder and some easy-to-install red bling. Dad is looking at much the same upgrades, but we are going to do it slightly differently and see if one product works better than another – if that opportunity arises. Keep an eye on the site and follow the progress of Project 300 as many of these upgrades and products will work just as well for your own ADV bike. And if you are around the Waikato and hitting some adventure riding (read bugger all seal) then get in touch and let’s go riding!
I now have a license to thrill.
Quad Lock sorted out the cockpit so we should never get lost - fingers crossed.
Dad has some Zeta hand guards already installed which actually look pretty good.