So, about that 2017 Honda 250L. It kinda just… happened. I wasn’t out there looking for a dirt bike, not really. I’d always been more of a street rider, you know? Big bikes, smooth roads, that sort of thing. But then, things got a bit stale. Same old routes, same old scene. I needed something to shake things up a bit, but without breaking the bank or needing a PhD in mechanics to keep it running.
I remember scrolling through listings, more out of boredom than anything. Saw this red and white 250L. It wasn’t flashy. It didn’t scream “look at me.” But there was something honest about it. The price was right, too. Guy said he barely rode it, just a few miles on the clock. So, I figured, why not? Went over, kicked the tires, literally, and ended up loading it into my truck. No big ceremony, just a handshake and a new set of keys in my pocket.
First Impressions and Getting Started
Getting it home, the first thing I did was just walk around it. It’s a tall bike, or felt like it to me at first. But light. Super light compared to what I was used to. I hopped on, and yeah, my feet weren’t flat on the ground, but it wasn’t intimidating. The plan was simple: find some dirt roads, see what happens. No grand adventures plotted out, just pure curiosity.
My first few rides were… interesting. Let’s just say I learned real quick that street skills don’t always translate to loose gravel.
- The stock tires? They were okay for dry, packed stuff. Anything a bit muddy or sandy, and it was like Bambi on ice.
- Suspension felt a bit… bouncy. Soft. Good for just puttering around, but if you hit anything hard, you knew it.
- Power? Well, it’s a 250. It’s not going to rip your arms off. But that was kinda the point, wasn’t it? Easy to manage.
I didn’t go crazy with mods. Threw on some cheap handguards after a very slow, very embarrassing tip-over in my own yard. Learned that lesson. Maybe messed with the tire pressure a bit. That’s about it. This bike wasn’t about becoming a pro, it was about just getting out there.
The Real Practice: Just Riding It
And that’s what I did. Started using it for everything. Quick run to the store? Took the 250L. Feeling bored on a Sunday? Find a new backroad, see where it goes. It was just so easy to hop on and go. No drama. It always started, sipped fuel, and just chugged along. I found all these little trails and unpaved roads near my place I never even knew existed. Suddenly, a 10-mile ride could feel like a real exploration.
There was this one time, I decided to try a slightly more challenging trail. Nothing crazy, but more than just a flat dirt road. Got about halfway, and the back end started feeling really squirrelly. Pulled over. Flat tire. Middle of nowhere, of course. Had a basic patch kit and a tiny pump. Took me ages, covered in sweat and dirt, but I got it patched up enough to limp back home. Wasn’t even mad. It was part of the experience. Taught me to always be a bit more prepared, even on a “little” bike.
The thing about that 250L, it wasn’t trying to be something it wasn’t. It was a simple, honest machine. It wasn’t the fastest, definitely not the most powerful, and the suspension could have been better for serious stuff. But man, it was reliable. It just kept going. It really showed me that you don’t need the fanciest, most expensive gear to have a good time and explore. Sometimes, simple is better. It made me a better rider, too, I think. You had to pick your lines more carefully, couldn’t just rely on power to get you out of trouble.
I eventually sold it. Needed something with a bit more range for longer trips I started planning. But I still miss that little Honda sometimes. It was the bike that really opened up a different kind of riding for me, without any pressure. Just pure, simple fun on two wheels. If you’re thinking about dipping your toes into dual-sport riding, or just want something uncomplicated, you could do a whole lot worse than one of those. It’s a good, honest workhorse. Or play-horse, I guess.
