Posts
2064
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
CA
US
Edited Date/Time
8/29/2015 6:31pm
I’m starting to get the upgrade itch so I thought I’d see what you all think. Bear with me as I provide some background…
• I own the beloved 08’ CRF450R. I’m the original owner, it’s got about 125 original hours on it. I had Factory Connection do the suspension and I’ve got a pipe on it but otherwise it’s stock.
• I’m 40, I occasionally race OTHG but mostly I’m a practice track dude. Ability-wise….I did well in the OTHG intros. When I moved up to +38, I went 1-1 at Oatfield (spring of 2013) so I bumped myself up (with permission from OTHG) and several months later I lined up as an expert at Prairie City (that fall). I got smoked (no races in between). Oh, and I got like 16th or 17th O/A (+30 Jr) at Mammoth in 2011 too. So that’s where I’m at ability-wise. Still kind of a spode but knocking on the door to legitimacy.
• I’m pragmatic so getting a new bike for the sake of having a shiny new toy is not my deal. BUT, I’m thinking about frame stretch on the 08’, bottom end wear, possible expenditures in the not too distant future, etc.
• I also have a CRF450X which I ride off road. Having two similar Hondas is nice when it comes to sharing parts in an emergency, and being familiar with ergos when going from one to the other.
So what do y’all think? Should I drop several hundred bucks to spruce up the 08’ or drop several thousand on a new machine? I’m not pumped on air suspension and I don’t necessarily think fuel injection is going to blow my wig back. The 08’ Honda had a claimed weight of 138lbs and the new KX-F is at 139lbs (after a 7lb weight reduction). Fuel injected bikes are heavy, man. The 08’ is a sweetheart of a bike but it’s getting long in the tooth, man!
Please talk some sense into me people. (thanks in advance)
• I own the beloved 08’ CRF450R. I’m the original owner, it’s got about 125 original hours on it. I had Factory Connection do the suspension and I’ve got a pipe on it but otherwise it’s stock.
• I’m 40, I occasionally race OTHG but mostly I’m a practice track dude. Ability-wise….I did well in the OTHG intros. When I moved up to +38, I went 1-1 at Oatfield (spring of 2013) so I bumped myself up (with permission from OTHG) and several months later I lined up as an expert at Prairie City (that fall). I got smoked (no races in between). Oh, and I got like 16th or 17th O/A (+30 Jr) at Mammoth in 2011 too. So that’s where I’m at ability-wise. Still kind of a spode but knocking on the door to legitimacy.
• I’m pragmatic so getting a new bike for the sake of having a shiny new toy is not my deal. BUT, I’m thinking about frame stretch on the 08’, bottom end wear, possible expenditures in the not too distant future, etc.
• I also have a CRF450X which I ride off road. Having two similar Hondas is nice when it comes to sharing parts in an emergency, and being familiar with ergos when going from one to the other.
So what do y’all think? Should I drop several hundred bucks to spruce up the 08’ or drop several thousand on a new machine? I’m not pumped on air suspension and I don’t necessarily think fuel injection is going to blow my wig back. The 08’ Honda had a claimed weight of 138lbs and the new KX-F is at 139lbs (after a 7lb weight reduction). Fuel injected bikes are heavy, man. The 08’ is a sweetheart of a bike but it’s getting long in the tooth, man!
Please talk some sense into me people. (thanks in advance)
08 crf450
09 yz250
11 yz250
12 yz250
13 yz450
15 fc450
sold them all, except the 08crf
The Shop
But really. I love the KX450 bone stock. I never even change a thing but a few clickers and bars. It just works for me.
I'm sticking with the 2010 for the next season, then I am likely getting the 17 Honda or the 17 KTM
Take the cylinder head and carb off your 08 R and put it on your X. Then go on a long ride in Baja!
Coincidentally you are partly responsible for me getting the 08', Prozach. Back in norcalmx forum days you had a Honda and had all this good stuff to say about em'. So I roll up to the track one day with my brand new 08' and there you are with a brand new Kawi. Ha ha!
I should clarify that I did put a new piston and rings into the motor but the valve train is indeed original. I don't really rev the thing out much and I do keep an eye on the clearances. It's just lasted a long time, what can I say?
EDIT: I meant 238 lbs, sorry.
That hasn't been my experience. My 07 can always be made very crisp with just a fuel screw adjustment.
But I bought the bike used, so who knows what the previous owner did. I'm in CO which makes me think that they had to play with jetting to make it run good up here.
Plus you get bonus points when you finish ahead of new bikes on a dinosaur.
http://jayclarkent.com/2014/mxa-builds-a-world-beating-2008-honda-crf45…
They are both great bikes but 1 is a real race bike
Pit Row
The new bike is better IMO since I don't need all the power.
I have a Big Bore Kit, Heavier Flywheel, Pipe, StageII HotCam, RD Float Bowl, Loudmouth Intake, Boysen Water Pump & hoses, FC Suspension, Hinson Clutch, Low-Mount Steering Stabilizer, Triple Clamps and all the chi chis except Ti Bolts and A-Kit. It's a Fire Breather that purrs like a kitten and is jetted perfectly.
I've changed all the engine lower end and linkage-swingarm-wheel bearings once and I put in a new piston every year before Mammoth. It's probably due for a crank rebuild and new engine bearings again. I'm easy on my Hinson so that gets changed every other year just because.
This bike still rips compared to a 2015. I won Mammoth 50C in '13, Holeshot a 50A moto a couple months ago up there and usually do pretty good at REM in 50Int. I still feel like my bike is faster then everyone on the line when the gate drops and what I give up in weight, I gain in bike familiarity and setup.
By the time I get a new bike dialed in Honda will come out with a magic button or KTM will come out with different colors. I'm just going to find another low hour used frame get the A-Kit and a full Ti-Bolt kit and keep it a couple more years J/K I want KDubs 2008 FC 450 or 2017 Honda with a button!!
http://www.fitzgbros.com/images/crf490pfglhs2.JPG
Or buy something with that magic button...
Mattyhamz2 suggested the YZ450F. I can't disagree with that if you don't mind making a couple changes. I just picked up a 2014 YZ450F a few weeks back. It handled like crap in stock trim with just the sag set to spec. Moving the forks up, adding a longer link and dialing in the sag made the bike handle well. The other thing that helps in the corners is to spend the $200 and reprogram the ECU mapping. There's a map that gets rid of the Herky-Jerky feeling as you crack the throttle off idle. It really helps on those slow, flat, slick, corners.
I'm age 35, 160 lbs, 5'9" and race the 30+ B class on a 125. I haven't raced this YZ yet, but I'll be moving to the A-class on it. After 7 hours of dialing it in and getting used to it, I'm happy with this thing.
Fixing up your old Honda is probably 1/4 the cost of a new bike, though you may get $3K out of yours, so that offsets a new one pretty far too. Keep your spare '08 Honda stuff for the off-road bike.
It's a free ride day for a small donation to help pay the way for TCR riding at the Vet MXDN this year on a Yam 490!!
It's a ride day.... I do offer my rm up, but I'm bringing my rmz also.
The list I want to try
FE 450
or 350
and a 300 smoker / pssssst someone has a TM 300 I want some laps on
http://m.ebay.com/itm/SHOWA-PRO-CIRCUIT-A-KIT-CR-CRF-CR125-CR250-CRF250…
Post a reply to: 08’ CRF vs upgrade (Vet Rider) – what say ye?