The 2026 Honda CRF300LS is a lightweight adventure bike designed for novice to intermediate riders seeking accessible off-road capability and reliability. Its 286cc single-cylinder engine delivers manageable power with excellent fuel efficiency, making it ideal for trail exploration and commuting. Known for its upright ergonomics, nimble handling, and Honda's proven durability, the CRF300LS excels as an affordable entry point into adventure motorcycling.
The 2026 Yamaha XT250 is a lightweight, fuel-injected trail bike ideal for beginners and adventure-minded riders seeking an affordable entry point into off-road exploration. Known for its manageable 249cc single-cylinder engine and nimble handling, it excels on unpaved terrain while remaining approachable for newer riders building their skills.
Both are dual-sports, so this is a like-for-like choice.
2026 Honda CRF300LS: Built primarily for trail exploration, green-laning, and light dual-sport adventures rather than outright speed or long-distance touring.
2026 Yamaha XT250: Designed as a lightweight, easy-going dual-sport for light trail exploration, commuting, and general knocking-about rather than performance riding.
Verdict: Choose the 2026 Honda CRF300LS if you want more power. Choose the 2026 Yamaha XT250 if you want lighter weight and a bigger tank. Check the full table below for every figure, and the size comparison for fit.
| Specification | 2026 Honda CRF300LS | 2026 Yamaha XT250 |
|---|---|---|
| Other | ||
| Category | Dual-sport | Dual-sport |
| Color Options | Swift Gray | Radical Gray |
| Comments | Model ID: CRF300LDA. | - |
| Fuel Tank Material | Metal | - |
| Engine | ||
| Capacity: | 286.0 ccm (17.45 cubic inches) | 249.0 ccm (15.19 cubic inches) |
| CO2 Emissions | 72 CO2 g/km | - |
| EPA Certificate No. | THNXC0.29CFF-021 | - |
| EPA Est. Fuel Consumption | 3.07 L/100km (76.6 US mpg) | - |
| EPA CO Emissions | 1.1 CO g/km | - |
| Engine Type | Single, four-stroke | Single, four-stroke |
| Fuel Consumption | ✓3.10 litres/100 km (32.3 km/l or 75.88 mpg) | ✓3.10 litres/100 km (32.3 km/l or 75.88 mpg) |
| Bore x Stroke | 76.0 x 63.0 mm (3.0 x 2.5 inches) | 74.0 x 58.0 mm (2.9 x 2.3 inches) |
| Compression | 10.7:1 | 9.5:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid | Air |
| Fuel System | Injection | Injection |
| Starting | Electric | Electric |
| Ignition | Computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance | TCI |
| Aspiration | Naturally aspirated | - |
| Valves Per Cylinder | 4 | 2 |
| Lubrication System | - | Wet sump |
| Performance | ||
| Power | ✓27.0 HP (19.9 kW) @ 8500 RPM | 21.0 HP (15.4 kW) |
| Torque | 26.6 Nm (2.7 kgf-m or 19.6 ft.lbs) @ 6500 RPM | - |
| Power/Weight Ratio | 0.1914 HP/kg (wet) | 0.1709 HP/kg (dry) |
| Top Speed | - | 112.0 km/h (69.6 mph) |
| Chassis & suspension | ||
| Frame | Steel semi-double cradle | Semi-double-cradle steel |
| Front Suspension | 43mm inverted fork | Telescopic fork 35mm |
| Rear Suspension | Pro-Link® single shock with adjustable spring preload | Single shock, adjustable preload |
| Front Wheel Travel | 236 mm (9.3 inches) | 226 mm (8.9 inches) |
| Rear Wheel Travel | 229 mm (9.0 inches) | 180 mm (7.1 inches) |
| Rake (fork angle) | 27.5° | 26.4° |
| Trail | 109 mm (4.3 inches) | 107 mm (4.2 inches) |
| Ground Clearance | 244 mm (9.6 inches) | 284 mm (11.2 inches) |
| Transmission | ||
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 5-speed |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Manual |
| Final Drive | Chain | Chain |
| Clutch | Wet multiplate, assist/slipper clutch | Multi plate wet |
| Brakes & wheels | ||
| Front Brakes | Single disc. Two-piston calipers. Optional ABS. | Single disc |
| Front Brakes Diameter | 256 mm (10.1 inches) | 245 mm (9.6 inches) |
| Rear Brakes | Single disc. Optional ABS. | Single disc |
| ABS | Optional | - |
| Front Tyre | 80/100-21 | 2.75-21 |
| Rear Tyre | 120/80-18 | 120/80-18 |
| Rear Brakes Diameter | - | 203 mm (8.0 inches) |
| Dimensions & weight | ||
| Wheelbase | 1455 mm (57.3 inches) | 1359 mm (53.5 inches) |
| Seat Height | ✓831 mm (32.7 inches) | ✓831 mm (32.7 inches) |
| Wet Weight | 141.1 kg (311.1 pounds) | ✓132.0 kg (291.0 pounds) |
| Fuel Capacity | 8.00 litres (2.11 US gallons) | ✓9.50 litres (2.51 US gallons) |
| Oil capacity | 1.80 litres (1.90 US quarts) | 1.50 litres (1.59 US quarts) |
| Reserve fuel capacity | 1.90 litres (0.50 US gallons) | - |
| Overall Length | - | 2149 mm (84.6 inches) |
| Overall Width | - | 805 mm (31.7 inches) |
| Overall Height | - | 1161 mm (45.7 inches) |
| Dry weight | - | 122.9 kg (270.9 pounds) |
"Best" (✓) reflects that single spec only, not overall suitability - a bike can win on paper and still be the wrong choice for you. Ties are all marked; specs with no clear better/worse direction (e.g. displacement, wheel size) are never marked, only tinted where bikes differ.
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