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Honda is still refusing to announce FE_ratings but with previous rides, the 230’s in particular should be good for 100 + ;) (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=153091)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Honda_CRF230L_Motorcycle.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – Oct. 1, 2008

Honda CRF230L and rider having fun.

Some of Honda's most fuel efficient 2009 On/Off-road motorcycles.

Torrance, Calif. - American Honda's Powersports Division announced today its 2009 motorcycle lineup.

"Today we're proud to announce our on-road lineup of 2009 Honda motorcycles," said Motorcycle Press Manager Bill Savino. "A number of these models offer impressive new technology to motorcycling enthusiasts, so we're especially excited to introduce this portion of our product line."

Of interest is the on-off road 230’s and 650 as utilitarian and fuel efficient workhorses for those thinking about their next bike.

CRF230L

With the do-it-all CRF230L, you get a compact and lightweight adventure-loving dual-sport machine that willingly serves as an economical commuter, a motor-home runabout or a weekend outback-exploration vehicle. Available at an MSRP of $4,549.

CRF230M

The all-new CRF230M is street-ready for hours of urban and backroad adventure, with sporty 17-inch wheels and low-profile tires, plus a torquey, electric-start engine that boasts exceptional fuel economy. This light and agile street specialist features a dependable 223cc single-cylinder air-cooled four-stroke engine that pumps out plenty of user-friendly power plus a broad torque spread over a wide rpm range.

In addition, the CRF230M packs CRF-R-inspired bodywork and graphics with black frame rails and black fork sliders to provide lots of style while you're on the go. Available at an MSRP of $4,749.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Honda_CRF230M_Motorcycle.jpghttp://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/2009_Honda_XR650L_Motorcycle.jpg
Honda CRF230M---------------------------------------------------------------Honda XR650L

XR650L

The legendary electric-start XR650L unlocks the way to motorcycle adventures on paved roads and well beyond. Whether you choose dirt roads, remote trails or forgotten byways, this proven dual-sport is the key to opening the road less traveled. Available at an MSRP of $5,999.

Wow, to think I paid $1100 way back when for my XL350 when
I got it.
.
Hey Wayne, sure you're not thinking of ripping up that back 40
and building a motocross track? You wouldn't have to mow it...
.
_H*

Hi Al:

:D :D :D

___I am signed up for a CRF230L while in LA next month but maybe I will ask Honda if I could take the CRF230M out for a review instead? It looks more roadworthy with the street tires and such?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wayne,

Have you ridden a motorcycle before? And do you have your license?

Gershon

Gershon -- check out the Yamaha review he did in the... Review Section. ;)

I'm looking forward to the test. The 230M is really cool and should be alot of fun around town and maybe for short bursts on the freeway. I'm anticipating Waynes MPG figures, they should be about the same as the Yamaha he reviewed. Cycle World got 90+ in "normal" riding but I can never trust thier figures as it's probably slanted toward the MPG bias of the article.

I'm glad to see more press and product development of smaller bore bikes. It's time the entry level market improve to draw more to this fun mode of transport.

It's great to see more of these size bikes coming back into a market which had assumed everyone wants to ride bikes with more than 600cc motors.

With revised gearing and a small windscreen, these smaller bikes can easily top 100 mpg. While they may be a little on the light side when it comes to being buffeted by winds at freeway speeds, they work just fine when ridden at the same speeds as hypermiling drivers prefer.

(Still having fun riding my 1983 Honda XL250 on forestry roads) :)

Cheers,

Roger

What is the rationale behind why manufacturers can't or won't provide mpg estimates? You'd think they'd WANT to promote those high #s.

Hi TRun10:

___Yamaha, Suzuki and Harley Davidson are more than happy to give us the FE numbers but Honda flat out refuses. I have spoken with two of their marketing folks and neither have given me a good reason for it???

___We know about the specific test, the non-08 EPA compliance and no FE offsets applied but still, they have the data and it is as simple as adding the FE rating number to the spec page?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi All:

___The 2009 CRF230M will not be available while I am in LA since they will not be in the dealers hands but I spoke with the Honda Motorcycle rep this afternoon and the CRF230L is all setup for the 16th through 18th of November :)

___The Rep has not got back to me about local trails/fire roads in the Torrance, CA area (are there any???) but if anyone knows of some, please let me know so I can do some off-road Fuel Economy testing like we did with the Yamaha XT250 review.

___Good Luck

___Wayne