Has Honda Finally 'Fixed' The CRF?
The 2026 Honda CRF300F may look familiar at a glance, but there’s more going on beneath the bodywork than a simple displacement bump.
The engine has been revised to 294 cc by increasing the bore while keeping the stroke unchanged. That preserves the engine's character while allowing for a bit more output and flexibility, rather than totally changing how the motor delivers its power altogether. Our own Sylvia Houston had a chance to test out the changes late last year at Chocolate Mountain Ranch in California.
Up front, the bike uses 41 mm Showa forks, the same kit found on the 250F, giving it a known baseline in terms of feel and control. The rear shock also carries over, offering 9.1 inches of travel. It’s a familiar setup, one that’s proven effective and well-matched to the bike’s use.
There is a small tradeoff in weight. The 300F is slightly heavier than the 250F, though only by a few pounds. In real-world terms, the difference is unlikely to be noticed by most people, especially when weighed against the gains in displacement and overall performance.
Taken as a whole, the updates to the 300F focus on refining what already worked, rather than reinventing the bike.
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The only thing that needs fixing is to have a street legal XL version.