This could well be simply a projection of my own experience or it might be a reason why there seem to be a good number of low mileage and relatively new crf250 and 300s on the market - that the reality doesn’t match up to the imagining.
Whilst aware that I was buying a cheap dual sports rather than a ‘competition’ bike at twice the price and with scary looking service requirements, I had visions of finding some green lanes near me and having a bit of fun. The test ride was always going to be a bit of pointless exercise, arriving on a plush, stable 1250 and pottering off on ‘light’ little 250. But it was end of model cheapish, so I bought one.
When you later take it on its maiden voyage, sure, the low power seems a bit comical – and I doubt that 10% HP and 18% torque is going to make an awful lot of difference at the rev range you tend to use these bikes – but it’s not that which makes you immediately feel buyer’s remorse. It’s the suspension. You realise that even if you aren’t a totally fat fecker (I’m a mildly overweight one) the rear shock has all compression and rebound characteristics of a pot of yogurt, meaning that the front wheel feels like it’s not even on the ground, less providing any feedback. Even turning into a road at 15 mph requires mustering up all your nerve and composure.
Then you get to the weight. Just because it’s looks like an enduro and weighs 100kg less than a GS does not mean that it isn’t an absolute pig to lift up when, unlike the GS, the bike is a parallel to the ground. I had to flag down a couple of young lads to help get the bike stood up, and there were 3 of us slip sliding away trying to stand the bike up on a narrow grassy trail. (I've since invest in a motowinch, just in case).
So what to do, well first get the suspension sorted. Putting on a decent rear shock, front spring and valves is the best investment ever for this type of bike, and you’d be wise even to buy a used 250 and use the rest of your budget to do so, rather than spend it all on a non-modified 300.
Secondly, adjust your mindset. Once you get the bikes handling sorted, whizzing round back roads and B roads at 50-60 can be as fun sometimes as rolling on the torque out of a corner on a big capacity bike. It’s a chuckle.
Thirdly, accept the fact that unless you have a green lane buddy, it’s a bike more adapted to those crappy little country tracks and B roads than it is navigating grassy ruts.
Whenever I just want to clear my head and get out for a hour on the bike, it’s invariably the little 250 I turn to rather than the GS. (I am fortunate in having those crappy little country roads right on my doorstep).
It is what it is a, cheap blaat bike for crappy country lanes. Unfortunately, there are very few alternatives out there other than the Suzy or perhaps a WR250R grey import, or else paying twice the price and either undertaking the service intervals that appears to be required of 'competition' bikes or taking on the chance that for everyday use these service intervals aren't really relevant.