Honda CRF250L for India?

naveenroy · 8th March 2013, 14:40

I have been looking to buy the Hero Impulse for some time now and am just waiting for my Thunderbird to be sold. A friend had bought the Impulse a few months back and was on a ride to the North-East and has been back after 50 days or so. Interacting with a lot of people, he is asking me to put away the "Impulsive purchase" for a few more months as he has heard strong rumours of the Honda CRF250L being launched in April.

If this really turns out to be true, it will be an amazing bike to own - a proper dual-sport - managing all terrains with ease.

The only negative about the Impulse was the 150cc - the CRF certainly fills that gap.

Anyone else heard of the rumours or have any substantial information about the release?

ku69rd · 8th March 2013, 15:10

Wow how could I miss this thread. This would be a fantastic launch for the adventurous folks in India. But we must get off the concept of one bike per head where we tend to use it for all purposes for this model to be of relative success.
Any inkling of the launch date?

ebonho · 8th March 2013, 17:45

I would buy this bike over the 390 Duke. That's for sure.

But I have my doubts about Honda actually giving it to us.

Would love to be proven wrong.

naveenroy · 8th March 2013, 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebonho

I would buy this bike over the 390 Duke. That's for sure.

But I have my doubts about Honda actually giving it to us.

Would love to be proven wrong.

And me thinking that you are a KTM only fan!

Yes, I would love to own this over the Impulse any day. But once this friend told me of the rumours, I have trawled the net and I see that the rumours have been around for many months now. And still no launch. Maybe there never will be :(

ebonho · 8th March 2013, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by naveenroy

And me thinking that you are a KTM only fan!

Yes, I would love to own this over the Impulse any day. But once this friend told me of the rumours, I have trawled the net and I see that the rumours have been around for many months now. And still no launch. Maybe there never will be :(

I am a fan of any good bike bro.

Whether I would own it or not is another question.

These CRF rumors have been around for a little less time than the fabled Yamaha 250. Both seem to be the proverbial Indian Unicorn (not the bike)!

naveenroy · 9th March 2013, 14:31

Now this is becoming really, really urgent. Sold my Thunderbird today morning and need to plonk the money down on another bike. I wouldn't want to feel stupid after getting the Impulse and then seeing the CRF250L roll in on Indian soil

ebonho · 9th March 2013, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by naveenroy

Now this is becoming really, really urgent. Sold my Thunderbird today morning and need to plonk the money down on another bike. I wouldn't want to feel stupid after getting the Impulse and then seeing the CRF250L roll in on Indian soil

The Impulse will feel very underpowered compared to your Thunderbird. More so with luggage or two up.

Any particular reason only Impulse?

naveenroy · 9th March 2013, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebonho

The Impulse will feel very underpowered compared to your Thunderbird. More so with luggage or two up.

Any particular reason only Impulse?

Because its the closest to a dual-sport here. Well, I wanna ride the mountains and want a bike that can do it without any compromise.

ebonho · 9th March 2013, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by naveenroy

Because its the closest to a dual-sport here. Well, I wanna ride the mountains and want a bike that can do it without any compromise.

You are in Bangalore. Unless one is living in the foothills, what most riders should never forget is that there is a lot of riding in the plains required before one reaches the mountains.

And even once you reach the mountains, in terms of priorities, engine power will always be higher than suspension and ground clearance, unless you are going totally off the beaten path.

I still think that as a Thunderbird rider, you are going to be disappointed by the Impulse. Just my 2 paisa of course.

naveenroy · 10th March 2013, 00:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebonho

You are in Bangalore. Unless one is living in the foothills, what most riders should never forget is that there is a lot of riding in the plains required before one reaches the mountains.

And even once you reach the mountains, in terms of priorities, engine power will always be higher than suspension and ground clearance, unless you are going totally off the beaten path.

I still think that as a Thunderbird rider, you are going to be disappointed by the Impulse. Just my 2 paisa of course.

Ah, well said sir! I would be an ** and like to think that I have done the plains to the death - have done that on the CBR and the Thunderbird before that. I have the CBR for my arrow-straight "slab" duties and am DESPERATELY looking for a bike that will allow me take the mountains by the ** when I am there. So this for me, is the Impulse.

I would love to hear different. And trust me, I am looking for help here.

Mik · 10th March 2013, 07:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by naveenroy

Ah, well said sir! I would be an ** and like to think that I have done the plains to the death - have done that on the CBR and the Thunderbird before that. I have the CBR for my arrow-straight "slab" duties and am DESPERATELY looking for a bike that will allow me take the mountains by the ** when I am there. So this for me, is the Impulse.

I would love to hear different. And trust me, I am looking for help here.

Last year, i on the CBR and my friend on the Impulse went to Ladakh. Yes, the Impulse is underpowered. But, after doing the "wire in the carb" mod, it kicked every bikes A.S.S there. Be it snow, gravel or sandy roads - the rider had too much fun while we were carefully negotiating the path.

naveenroy · 14th March 2013, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mik

Last year, i on the CBR and my friend on the Impulse went to Ladakh. Yes, the Impulse is underpowered. But, after doing the "wire in the carb" mod, it kicked every bikes A.S.S there. Be it snow, gravel or sandy roads - the rider had too much fun while we were carefully negotiating the path.

Yes, have heard of the "wire in the carb" mod for the Impulse. I think I am really going ahead and plonking the money down on the Impulse. Not going to wait for the CRF 250L to turn up. It may never!

n_aditya · 18th March 2013, 14:38

Note from Support - Guys, please stick to the topic of discussion and avoid Off Topic posts.

siddutta · 30th October 2013, 17:48

I heard / read that the Hero's 10+ model line-up for 2014 would include a 250 cc Impulse .

bhogalrajnish · 31st October 2013, 00:53

Hope this makes it to India.. Im getting one for sure if it does..

8th March 2013, 14:40	#31
naveenroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,511 Thanked: 1,253 Times	Honda CRF250L for India? I have been looking to buy the Hero Impulse for some time now and am just waiting for my Thunderbird to be sold. A friend had bought the Impulse a few months back and was on a ride to the North-East and has been back after 50 days or so. Interacting with a lot of people, he is asking me to put away the "Impulsive purchase" for a few more months as he has heard strong rumours of the Honda CRF250L being launched in April. If this really turns out to be true, it will be an amazing bike to own - a proper dual-sport - managing all terrains with ease. The only negative about the Impulse was the 150cc - the CRF certainly fills that gap. Anyone else heard of the rumours or have any substantial information about the release?
	(1) Thanks

8th March 2013, 15:10	#32
ku69rd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,510 Thanked: 1,779 Times View My Garage	Re: Honda CRF250L for India? Wow how could I miss this thread. This would be a fantastic launch for the adventurous folks in India. But we must get off the concept of one bike per head where we tend to use it for all purposes for this model to be of relative success. Any inkling of the launch date?
	(1) Thanks

8th March 2013, 17:45	#33
ebonho Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pune Posts: 6,400 Thanked: 10,017 Times	Re: Honda CRF250L for India? I would buy this bike over the 390 Duke. That's for sure. But I have my doubts about Honda actually giving it to us. Would love to be proven wrong.
	(1) Thanks

9th March 2013, 14:31	#36
naveenroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,511 Thanked: 1,253 Times	Re: Honda CRF250L for India? Now this is becoming really, really urgent. Sold my Thunderbird today morning and need to plonk the money down on another bike. I wouldn't want to feel stupid after getting the Impulse and then seeing the CRF250L roll in on Indian soil
	() Thanks

18th March 2013, 14:38	#43
n_aditya Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Namma Bengaluru Posts: 5,348 Thanked: 3,684 Times View My Garage	Re: Honda CRF250L for India? Note from Support - Guys, please stick to the topic of discussion and avoid Off Topic posts.
	() Thanks

30th October 2013, 17:48	#44
siddutta BANNED Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 155 Thanked: 10 Times	Re: Honda CRF250L for India? I heard / read that the Hero's 10+ model line-up for 2014 would include a 250 cc Impulse .
	() Thanks

31st October 2013, 00:53	#45
bhogalrajnish BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 215 Thanked: 67 Times	Re: Honda CRF250L for India? Hope this makes it to India.. Im getting one for sure if it does..
	() Thanks