After a six-year run, Honda’s CRF250F trail bike is being replaced by the 2026 Honda CRF300F, which comes on the heels of a 15-year run for the CRF230F. The window between engine displacement increases is getting smaller as Honda takes on Kawasaki’s KLX300R and 230Rs to pull back some market share lost to those newer models.

The new CRF300F is all about smooth, easy handling and a good time. Its mission is to welcome new adult riders into the fold while also giving experienced riders looking for a more casual ride somewhere to go. The additional power of the larger engine broadens the bike’s capabilities without compromising that CRF-F tractability.

1. At 294cc, the engine jumps 44cc and remains beginner-friendly while adding that bit more power veteran riders were asking for. There’s no change to the stroke of the still air-cooled, SOHC, two-valve motor, as the 18 percent jump in displacement comes courtesy of a larger bore, making the single solidly oversquare. The CRF300F is peppier than the outgoing CRF250F while retaining smooth power from the bottom to the top, thanks to Honda dropping the compression ratio slightly to 9:3.1. The engine’s powerband allows the 300F to tractor over rugged terrain at walking speeds or tackle a challenging hillclimb at high rpm. Electric start and fuel injection make starting the 300 as easy as a button push.

2. The 2026 Honda CRF300F gets an oil cooler and larger exhaust to manage the boost in displacement. I couldn’t test the oil cooler in December’s cool weather, but it will likely prove its worth on hot summer rides in SoCal. The skid plate has been redesigned to protect the oil line, while the cooler is neatly tucked up behind the right radiator shroud.

3. Honda gives the CRF300F a sixth gear for wide-open dirt roads or desert riding. The wide-ratio gearbox allows novice riders to take things slow initially while providing a natural upgrade path. Experienced riders dropping down can stand on the pegs, twist the throttle, and enjoy the mid-range torque. The engine obliges both approaches, and the transmission shifts smoothly, so it’s easy to always be in the right gear. Sixth gear allows for a good pace on smoother dirt roads, and the motor has no problem pulling it.

4. Power delivery is smooth and Energizer Bunny reliable. It’s not like the engine can’t be stalled, but it’s not easy. The motor is extremely forgiving should you let the revs drop, and there are no surprises when twisting the throttle, whether off idle or higher up the gearbox. On the downside, you won’t be blipping the throttle to loft the front end over obstacles, so picking a smooth line is essential. Regardless, the CRF300F is a very grounded ride that allows riders to stretch their limits, knowing the bike will not get away from them.

5. Honda upgraded the clutch discs on the CRF300F to better manage heat. Novice riders may not slip the clutch much, if at all, thanks to the broad powerband. However, for those who do, this is welcome. I made liberal use of it on long technical trails and had no issue with fading. The clutch pull is a bit firm—maybe Honda engineers can look into integrating an assist function, common on street bikes, to reduce the effort.

6. There are new fork settings on the CRF300F. While the 41mm Showa fork remains conventional and non-adjustable, the spring rate has been firmed up to make the most out of the 9.5 inches of travel. This reflects the higher speeds that will come from a larger engine and a sixth gear. When I hit a large protruding, embedded rock on a trail, I thought I was going over the bars. Instead, the 300F sucked up the hit and tracked true and steady. Not only is the higher spring rate helpful on fast trails, but it also prevents bottoming on drop-offs and dips on slower trails.

7. The shock linkage on the CRF300F is upgraded from steel to aluminum. Otherwise, the rear suspension remains the same, with only spring preload adjustability. The nine inches of travel are well-matched to the beginner-friendly trail bike. Even with the stiffer fork springs, the suspension is nicely balanced, and the 300F is willing to go wherever I point it, absorbing uneven and shifting obstacles matter-of-factly. Temper your expectations if you’re a jumper, as the Showa units will blow through their travel quickly, unless you’re a very light rider.

8. Pirelli Scorpion XC Mid Hard tires are a welcome upgrade from the IRCs on last year’s CRF250F. The more aggressive knobbies tracked well across a variety of surfaces, finding traction on hard-packed, sand-scattered uphill trails, loose, silty trails, and a damp, boggy field. The rear tire impressively climbs out of ruts, allowing me to stay on the gas and not lose momentum on tricky uphill climbs. Credit Honda for outfitting the 300F with more tire than one would expect on an entry-level trail bike.

9. The brakes on the CRF300F are perfectly dialed. A Nissin caliper grips the 240mm front disc when you squeeze the lever. Initial engagement is appropriately soft for newer trail riders, followed by additional deceleration from a firmer squeeze. The rear brake also has good feel and is not too touchy. The combination of front and rear delivers huge confidence when navigating tricky downhill trails, loose with gravel and sand. Of course, the 300F’s tractable engine plays a part with its steady pulse, and the Pirelli tires do their part by delivering good traction.

10. A 35-inch seat height keeps the CRF300F accessible to many riders. At five-foot-six with a 30.5-inch inseam, I am just barely flat-footed on the CRF300F in Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro boots, but that is enough. Being able to get boots on the ground is highly correlated with confidence when riding off-road. Knowing you can dab when you need to, or simply paddle through particularly challenging conditions, encourages you to stretch your boundaries. Honda was able to keep the seat height within reach while providing a credible 9.5 inches of wheel travel upfront, and just over nine inches in the rear.

11. At 115 pounds, I can pick up the 273-pound CRF300F should I drop it on the trail. This is another reassuring detail, as tipping over is going to happen, especially with newer riders, or skilled riders testing the 300’s limits. At 273 pounds, the 300F is not light compared to a 245-pound KTM 350 XC-F or the six-pound-lighter CRF250F, though it does weigh nine pounds less than a KLX300R. While I don’t go riding in the dirt alone, I’d rather not have to rely on help to get a bike upright should I fall. Yes, I didn’t have to go out of my way to test this feature while my riding partner watched, and was left with a scratched USFS-approved muffler to show for my efforts.

 

12. The dash is pretty simple. There’s a key for security, which we discovered we had left in the garage when we got to the riding area for testing. Also, if you leave the key in the on position, it will drain the battery—ask me how I know. A low fuel light tells you to get back to camp. A check engine light is conspicuously absent.

13. The 2026 Honda CRF300F is appealingly priced at $4999—the same price as last year’s CRF250F and the current Kawasaki KLX230R. That’s a good value as you’re getting more power, a sixth gear, and an oil cooler without a price hike. There are a few other upgrades, including restyled radiator shrouds and graphics that echo the current CRF-R performance line, and the kickstand is better angled for stability on uneven ground. The CRF250F was a terrific trail bike, and the 2026 CRF300F—now sitting at the top of the CRF-F trail bike lineup—is that much better. It is the poster child of good-time fun on a trail bike, and requires little maintenance to be a dependable companion for years. The CRF300F is a wonderfully forgiving bike to ride, easy to handle, unintimidating, and just plain fun. 

Photography by Simon Cudby and Don Williams

RIDING STYLE

• Helmet: Arai VX-Pro4
• Goggles: Fly Racing Zone Pro
• Communications: Cardo Packtalk Edge
• Jersey + pants: Fly Racing Lite
• Body armor: Alpinestars Stella Bionic Action Jacket V2
• Gloves: Fly Racing Women’s Lite
• Knee braces: Pod K4 2.0
• Boots: Alpinestars Tech 7 Enduro

2026 Honda CRF300F Specifications

ENGINE

• Type: Single-cylinder four-stroke
• Bore x stroke: 77.0 x 63.0mm
• Displacement: 294cc
• Compression ratio: 9.3:1
• Valvetrain: SOHC; four valves
• Fueling: Keihin EFI w/ 34mm throttle body
• Cooling: Air and oil
• Transmission: 6-speed
• Clutch: Wet multiplate
• Final drive: 520 chain

CHASSIS

• Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable 41mm fork; 9.5 inches
• Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted spring-preload adjustable Showa shock; 9.1 inches
• Tires: Pirelli Scorpion XC Mid Hard
• Front tire: 80/100-21
• Rear tire: 100/100-18
• Front brake: 240mm disc w/ Nissin caliper
• Rear brake: 220mm disc

DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES

• Wheelbase: 55.8 inches
• Rake: 25.7 degrees
• Trail: 3.9 inches
• Seat height: 35.0 inches
• Ground clearance: 11.4 inches
• Fuel capacity: 1.6 gallons
• Curb weight: 273 pounds
• Color: Red

2026 Honda CRF300F Price: $4999 MSRP

2026 Honda CRF300F Review Photo Gallery