Why Adventure Riders Put Öhlins on the Honda CRF300L and 250L: 5 Real-World Reasons
Adventure riders put Öhlins on the Honda CRF300L and CRF250L for one main reason: the stock rear suspension is sprung and damped for a much lighter rider, so it wallows, bottoms out and kicks on rough ground once you add a real-world rider and gear. The Öhlins STX 46 shock fixes that with a properly rated spring, adjustable compression, rebound and preload, and an external reservoir. It turns a great little dual sport into a bike you can ride hard, loaded, all day. Here are the five reasons it has become the go-to CRF upgrade, plus how to pick the right setup for your bike.
In this article
- 1. It fixes the CRF's biggest weakness
- 2. You can actually tune it
- 3. It carries gear without wallowing
- 4. It is built to be rebuilt, not replaced
- 5. Riders trust the name for a reason
- Which Öhlins setup fits my CRF?
- How hard is it to install?
- FAQ
1. Why is the stock CRF300L suspension a problem?
Ask any group of CRF owners what they would change first and the answer is almost always the rear shock. The CRF250L and CRF300L are light, reliable and easy to live with, but Honda sprung and damped the stock shock for a light rider on mostly smooth roads. Put a 175 lb rider, a tail bag and a gravel road under it and the rear end sags, pogos over whoops and bottoms on square-edged hits.
The fix is not just a heavier spring. The stock shock has very light rebound damping, so adding spring force without more damping makes the rear kick back harder over bumps. You need a shock with the spring and the damping to match, which is exactly what the Öhlins STX 46 brings.
Honda did revise the CRF300L's suspension settings for 2025, and reviewers say it is better on open gravel. But if you ride loaded, ride technical terrain or weigh more than the average test rider, adjustable suspension is still the upgrade that makes the biggest difference.
Adjustable compression, rebound and preload with an external reservoir. In stock in Oregon.
2. What can you adjust on an Öhlins shock?
The stock shock gives you preload and not much else. The Öhlins STX 46 gives you the three adjustments that matter:
- Compression damping: how firmly the shock resists bottoming on big hits and G-outs.
- Rebound damping: how fast the shock extends after a hit, which is what stops the rear from kicking you forward over rocks and roots.
- Spring preload: sets your sag for your weight and load, adjusted with a tool.
That means you can soften it for a washboard forest road in the morning and firm it up for a loaded, rocky climb in the afternoon. Inside, it uses a 46mm main piston, a monotube design and a high-pressure nitrogen gas charge with a hose-mounted external reservoir, which helps keep damping consistent on long rough sections.
3. Can the Öhlins shock handle luggage and heavier riders?
Yes, and this is where CRF owners heading out on multi-day trips notice it most. A properly rated spring holds the bike up in its stroke when you add soft bags, tools and camping gear, so you keep ground clearance and steering feel instead of riding with the rear end squatting.
The CRF300L shock comes with a 95 N/mm spring from Öhlins. If you are a heavier rider or you regularly ride fully loaded, we stock a stiffer 110 N/mm Öhlins spring that fits this shock (it does not fit the stock shock). Order it with your shock and we can swap it for you for an $85 install fee, so it arrives ready to bolt in.
110 N/mm spring for the Öhlins CRF300L shock. Add our install service and we fit it for you.
4. Is an Öhlins shock worth the money long term?
A big part of the value is that the STX 46 is fully serviceable and repairable. It is built from hard-anodized, CNC-machined parts with a low-friction shaft and seal head, and when it eventually needs fresh oil and seals, a suspension shop rebuilds it rather than you buying a new shock.
It also costs less than you might think. We sell the CRF300L shock for $995, which is about $100 below the $1,098.90 list price on Öhlins' own US website.
5. Why do adventure riders trust Öhlins?
Öhlins started in Sweden in 1976, when motocross racer Kenth Öhlin decided off-road bikes had outgrown their suspension (Öhlins history). The brand has been part of off-road and rally racing ever since, and that racing know-how now goes into bolt-on shocks for everyday adventure bikes.
In the CRF community, the word of mouth is hard to miss. In owner groups and forums, riders who have made the swap consistently describe it as the single biggest change to how the bike rides, with one CRF owner on Reddit saying it "definitely transforms the bike." We have fitted these shocks to our own CRFs here in Pendleton, Oregon, and we agree.
Which Öhlins setup fits my CRF?
| Your bike | Öhlins shock | Spring notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRF300L, 300LS, 300L Rally (2021-2026) | STX 46 (HO 213) | 95 N/mm included; 110 N/mm HD spring available | $995 |
| CRF250L (2013-2020) | STX 46 | Stiffer spring for riders about 150-185 lb (68-84 kg) | $836 |
Do not forget the front. A stiff, well-damped rear with a soft stock fork makes the bike pitch under braking. Fresh Öhlins fork fluid in the right weight is an easy, low-cost way to start balancing the front end: 7.5W for the 250L, 20W for the 250 Rally and 300L.
The same transformation for the 250L, with a stiffer spring and real damping control.
The right weight for your CRF. Two liters needed for a full fork service.
How hard is it to install an Öhlins shock on a CRF?
It is a manageable garage job with common tools, and the kit comes with good instructions. A few tips from installing these on our own bikes:
- Route the reservoir line correctly: point the line at the top of the shock toward the rear of the bike, then run it around the left side of the shock forward to the reservoir mount on the left side of the engine.
- Grab a helper for the top bolt: removal is easy, but reinstalling the top shock bolt takes two people, one on the ratchet from the right and one holding the nut on the left with a magnetic pickup tool.
- ABS models: check the ABS install supplement linked on the product page before you start.
Here is the installation on a CRF250L; the 300L follows almost the same steps:
Frequently asked questions
Is the Öhlins shock worth it on a CRF300L?
If you ride off-road, carry luggage or weigh more than a light beginner rider, yes. It is the single upgrade that changes the bike most, adding a properly rated spring plus adjustable compression, rebound and preload.
Can I just put a stiffer spring on the stock CRF shock?
We do not recommend it, and to our knowledge there are no heavier springs made for the stock shock. Its rebound damping is too light to control a stiffer spring, which can make the rear kick back hard on bumps.
Does the Öhlins shock fit the 2025 and 2026 CRF300L?
Yes. The STX 46 (HO 213) fits the CRF300L, 300LS and 300L Rally from 2021 to 2026.
Do you ship Öhlins shocks to Canada?
Yes, we ship to Canada and worldwide from Oregon. Canadian customers may pay import duties or taxes on delivery. US orders ship fast with tracking, and because Oregon has no sales tax, none is added at checkout.
Give your CRF the suspension it deserves
Öhlins shocks, springs and fluid for the CRF250L and CRF300L, in stock and ready to ship from Pendleton, Oregon.
Shop CRF suspension →Not happy with a part? Let us know and we'll take care of it right away.
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