A study of the specifications shows huge differences, mostly in suspension travel and the actual weight of the two units.  Forks on street legal "L" bike have 9.0 inches of travel, while the "F" model has 9.5 inches available.  Neither set of forks offers good travel.  At best, they would be considered below average.

The CRF 230 L

At the rear, the street legal bike has 6.3 inches of travel.  The off-road bike has 9.5 inches.  The "F" rear end rates only average and will fade quickly when pushed at anything past casual trail riding speeds.  With only 6.3 inches of travel, the street legal model has mid-70s travel and can only be rated as poor.  As with the F model, there is no adjustment on the shock except spring preload.

Weight rears its ugly head, as the CRF230L hits the scales at 267 pounds ready to ride.  The  CRF230F weighs in at 249 pounds.  We're talking about 20 pounds of stuff on the bike, just about all of it street legal hardware.  Mirrors, turn signals, brackets, lights, etc.   Why Honda didn't make all that crap nice, small and tucked in, is very sad. 

Two areas where the "L" model shines:  first, they replaced the truly horrible rear drum brake with a disc setup.  We replaced the drum brake on our Project 230F with a powerful stopper from a CR 250/500.  The disc is a more than welcome change.  Secondly, the "L" model comes with a larger/better carb than the "F" model.  This means that it has more power – stock vs stock – than the off-road version.  Of course, we modified the jetting in our Project Bike carb and ended up with a whole lot more horsepower.  Will the jetting techniques we used on the Project Bike work on the "L" bike?  Probably, but the bike is EPA locked in and you're not supposed to tamper with it.  Sure.

The CRF 230 F

On the plus side, shorter riders can put their feet flat on the ground with the "F" bike, courtesy of a 31.0 inch seat height.  The "other" bike has a 34.1 inch saddle height, which means that a 5' 7" rider can put both feet on the ground.  By the way, both bikes have rock-hard uncomfortable saddles.

Which brings us to tires.  Ahh yes, tires.  The street legal tires are wretched DOT things that are next to useless in the dirt. 

The bottom line?  Honda could have done so much more than what they did with the CRF230L model.   Older dual shock XR/XL models have a superior rear suspension and the forks … well, a set of real old Elsinore forks work better under all conditions.  At a retail price of $4499, the "L" bike is a dated collection of parts that should have and could been so much more.

2008 Honda CRF230L

Engine/Drivetrain

- 223cc single-cylinder air-cooled four-stroke engine.

- 30mm CV carburetor.

- Electric start.

- CD ignition..

- Six-speed transmission.

- O-ring-sealed chain.

Chassis/Suspension

- Box-section aluminum swingarm.

- Semi-double-cradle steel frame.

- 37mm leading-axle Showa front fork with 9.0 inches of suspension travel.

- Showa rear shock with 6.3 inches of travel.

- 240mm front disc brake, and 220mm rear disc brake.

Specifications USA

Model: CRF230L

Engine Type: 223cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke

Bore and Stroke: 65.5mm x 66.2mm

Compression Ratio: 9.0:1

Valve Train: SOHC; two-valve

Induction: Carburetor 30mm CV

Ignition: CD

Transmission: Six-speed

Final Drive: #520 O-ring-sealed chain;

Suspension:

Front: 37mm leading-axle Showa fork; 9 inches of travel
Rear: Pro-Link Showa single shock with spring preload adjustability; 6.3  inches travel

Brakes
Front: Single 240mm disc
Rear: 220mm disc

Tires
Front: 2.75-21
Rear: 120/80-18

Wheelbase: 52.75 inches

Rake (Caster Angle): 26.83°

Trail: 103mm ( 4.0 inches )

Seat Height: 31.9 inches

Ground Clearance: 9.5 inches

Fuel Capacity: 2.3 gallons, including 0.7 gallon reserve

Color: Red

Curb Weight*: 267 pounds

*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel-ready to ride.

Specifications USA

Model: CRF230F

Engine Type: 223cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke

Bore and Stroke: 65.5mm x 66.2mm

Compression ratio: 9.0:1

Valve Train: SOHC; two-valve

Induction: 26mm piston-valve carburetor

Ignition: CD

Transmission: Six-speed

Final Drive: #520 O-ring-sealed chain; 13T/50T

Suspension:
Front: 37mm leading-axle Showa fork; 9.5 inches travel
Rear: Pro-Link Showa single shock with spring preload adjustability; 9.0 inches travel

Brakes
Front: Single 240mm disc
Rear: Drum

Tires
Front: 80/100-21
Rear: 100/100-18

Wheelbase: 54.1 inches

Rake (Caster angle): 27.3°

Trail: 112mm (4.4 inches)

Seat Height: 34.1 inches

Ground Clearance: 11.7 inches

Fuel Capacity: 1.9 gallons, including 0.4-gallon reserve

Color: Red

Curb Weight*: 249 pounds

*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel--ready to ride