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And couple of years ago I picked up a 300 Rally. I had ridden the 250 and said, if they ever make that with a little more power.....

And they did. So I bought one. I figured if it was too boring at least my son could learn on it. Turns out I love it! It definitely takes me back to the days of easy exploring on the little bikes, before our ADV bikes became 550 lb. monstrosities. Parts are cheaper too, with a well developed pipeline of aftermarket parts out of Thailand.

The stock suspension is terrible, but for under $600, i fixed it. Same with the tires and seat... and now there is a big bore kit waiting for me on the bench at home...lol

My big ADV bike only gets gravel riding anymore, and minor singletrack. The little bike is soo much more capable and safe for that matter.

Has anyone else reverted back to the little bikes?

They are undeniable very capable and lighter which is very easy to handle.

I did the same with a CRF250L. It’s amazing how much more enjoyable and less stressful riding can be on a smaller, lighter bike. The aftermarket options really make it easy to customize and improve.

Your transition back to a smaller bike highlights how versatile and capable they can be, especially for off-road and technical riding where a lighter, more agile bike offers significant advantages over heavier ADV bikes. The big bore kit sounds like a fun project, and it's great to hear that your son might benefit from the bike as well.