2005 Honda CRF230F reviews

I got my 230 as an upgrade from my 150. This bike is so fast for its size and weight. I got mine to go about 65. It rips up steep hills like nothing. It jumps ok for anything less than 6ft. So I bought the bbr springs and it makes a world of a difference. I fly over the whoops and the doubles (no tripples lol) like nothing. But I have to constantly remind myself that this is a TRAIL BIKE, not a race bike so you can't be screwing around at the track. For a 230, it's a great bike even stock. I just added a few after market parts to suit my style of riding :) Show less

I have been riding bikes and wheelers since I was 4 yrs old and this bike will take me almost anywhere I am willing to take it. I have not had any big problems just a few operator errors that lead from one thing to the next all in all, a great bike! Show less

I used to have a 70 and haven't ridden since I was like 10, so when I got this bike for my 16th, I was a little intimidated. I got on it, learned how to clutch, and am now having more fun than I can describe. Show less

I haven't been riding this bike long, but so far, this bike is awesome. Not real fast, but it is very reliable. The electric start is great and it handles really well. Show less

This bike is perfect for trails and playing around on. It's easy to handle and ultra reliable so far. No kick start sucks. It's not terribly fast either, I don't care what anyone says. Mine tops out at about 67 mph. Not slow, but not fast. Mid to high end torque is any thing but steller also. However this is a great bike on the trails and is plenty fast for an AVERAGE rider. If you're a moto maniac, get a true race bike, as this is slightly scaled down. It is lower then say, a 250r which makes it easier to handle for shorter riders on trails. It is cold blooded and the seat is like sitting on a brick, other than that it's great. Show less

Awesome bike! It is very fast and great for what it's meant for. Some people say it's no good for jumps above 6 ft and that is true. The bike is not a motocross bike, but is an excellent trail bike. And it is also full size so you won't out grow it and best of all it's HONDA! Show less

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

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<br /> HP: 16.6 stock <br /> Weight: 238lbs dry. <br /> 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

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