Posts
192
Joined
9/19/2014
Location
Blytheville, AR
US
Edited Date/Time
11/5/2014 3:27pm
I dont know if this is already discussed, but i'm looking for some solid opinions on the new Honda 450..Comparisons to the 14 model, to other 450's, personal feeling's, hard data ect...
Very interested in the new bike and trying to decide weather or not to keep or trade my 14 crf. .
Very interested in the new bike and trying to decide weather or not to keep or trade my 14 crf. .
2015 Honda CRF450R
So I finished with my first ride today. Rode probably about 2 hours. This is hands down the best bike I've ever ridden. Coming off of a 2014 KTM 350. Last Honda I had was a mid 90's CR. From then on it was all Yamahas. The bike turns like nothing else. You can rail the outside, you can pivot, you can cut out and across lines, everything. It feels crazy light. Even compared to the 350. Though, lifting it onto the stand seems to tell a different story. Must be from all the lowering of where the weight is that Honda is doing.
The motor is strong but so easy to ride. You can ride it however you want. The maps are interesting. Map 2 (Mellow) is noticeably smoother. It's a little weird because I found myself almost blowing a couple of corners because I was actually going a little faster than I had anticipated. It feels really mellow but hooks up. Map 3 (Aggressive) isn't too far off of the stock map. Maybe just a tad barkier. Would be great in tracks where they mix a lot of sand and sawdust in. I liked the stock map the best.
I rode with the forks setup to stock settings and 35PSI. I had no complaints. I'm still getting used to the feel of the geometry of the bike so I don't know yet what I would do to make them any better at this point. I honestly didn't think they felt weird or anything. This is the first air fork I've ever ridden with and I didn't notice anything weird. It was very predictable. The shock was also very good. No complains, though I think it this is where I am probably going to start adjusting first.
I think what I liked the most was the ergo's. I always felt like I was forward and attacking. The KTMs were like the complete opposite to me. That front brake is awesome. Rivals the KTM. Rear brake felt a bit vague in comparison though. Maybe I just need to get used to it.
This is a very confidence inspiring bike.
My only complaint... Now my white boots and white parts of my plastic where I grip with my knees are covered in aluminum dust..
EDIT:
I will add that I am a 5'9" 175lb Vet B rider. My test ride was all MX.
The Shop
Power wise, this will never be a HP king against other stock bikes, but its around the middle of the bunch, not last like it usually is. I have ordered some aftermarket pipes (sorry Vitards, I love the twin pipe look) so cant wait for them to arrive, I could use the '14's but I have pre-sold my '14 with them.
The suspension, IMO, is a little better comparing stock to stock. It's just that the '14 suspension could be made SO GOOD. I'm struggling a little with getting it dialed for me in high speed chop by experimenting with the ability to change the high speed compression and rebound damping on the forks which I've never seen before. Factory Connection is still working on their specs or at least was last week. I suspect that pretty soon it will be possible to make this suspension even better that the '14 stuff.
My only gripe is that the fork seals are still short lived - I had to replace my first leaker at 7 hours. I know these bikes are expensive and take a little effort to maintain but DAMN they work well.
Have you had any luck moving the FE yet?
Pit Row
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