Honda 450 ... 2009 vs 2012

JB 19
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JB 19
Edited Date/Time 4/6/2012 10:22am
I would ask this on thumpertalk, but based some of the statements on there I'm not sure how many of those guys have ever been on a track. I can buy a 2009 450 for 3800 in great shape with a rekluse exp clutch. Or a new 2012 for 6850 + tax.

I read where the 2012 has been refined to point where its ready to go. I know about the problems with the 09, but how easy are they to fix? They say a remap, lowering link, and springs makes it a different bike. Is this true? I weight 150 so I usually do lighter springs anyway.
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Adam43
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Adam43 3/5/2012 3:02pm
3/5/2012 3:02pm
Look at the differences from '09-'12. Not much. Longer link, softer ignition map. That's about it. Think you can do the updates you want for 3 grand?

It's a no-brainer to me, but some people will always find a way to convince themselves that newer is better.
JB 19
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JB 19 3/5/2012 3:14pm
3/5/2012 3:14pm
Adam43 wrote:
Look at the differences from '09-'12. Not much. Longer link, softer ignition map. That's about it. Think you can do the updates you want for 3...
Look at the differences from '09-'12. Not much. Longer link, softer ignition map. That's about it. Think you can do the updates you want for 3 grand?

It's a no-brainer to me, but some people will always find a way to convince themselves that newer is better.
This is pretty much what I reading. ^^^^^ Thanks.
surfdunn
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surfdunn 3/5/2012 3:19pm
3/5/2012 3:19pm
I own a 2011 but got to ride a 2012 the other day and put in couple motos on a buddys 09 450. The 09 was nice but it just seemed like it hit a little hard and felt like it wanted to pull out of my hands at times. Now the 2012 I was not very impressed with. The power was nice and controllable like my 2011 but the clutch felt horrible, and still felt like it had the front end issue when going into ruts hard. Cant really talk about the suspension considering that its setup in stock form to stiff for me.
mtl
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mtl 3/5/2012 3:36pm
3/5/2012 3:36pm
Adam43 wrote:
Look at the differences from '09-'12. Not much. Longer link, softer ignition map. That's about it. Think you can do the updates you want for 3...
Look at the differences from '09-'12. Not much. Longer link, softer ignition map. That's about it. Think you can do the updates you want for 3 grand?

It's a no-brainer to me, but some people will always find a way to convince themselves that newer is better.
I had 150 hours on my stock 2010 before I got rid of it, would you buy that to save $3000?

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Saltybrad
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Saltybrad 3/5/2012 3:43pm
3/5/2012 3:43pm
Adam43 wrote:
Look at the differences from '09-'12. Not much. Longer link, softer ignition map. That's about it. Think you can do the updates you want for 3...
Look at the differences from '09-'12. Not much. Longer link, softer ignition map. That's about it. Think you can do the updates you want for 3 grand?

It's a no-brainer to me, but some people will always find a way to convince themselves that newer is better.
mtl wrote:
I had 150 hours on my stock 2010 before I got rid of it, would you buy that to save $3000?
Look for one that still has the original rear tire......Smile
RF219
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RF219 3/5/2012 3:59pm
3/5/2012 3:59pm
I have a 09 and have rode a friends '12. I would buy the 09 if in good shape. For your weight I would put a softer spring on rear with a lowering link and keep the stock fork springs. The 09 will run circles around a 12
CASH476
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CASH476 3/5/2012 4:03pm
3/5/2012 4:03pm
From memory the earlier fuel injected hondas used a 50mm throttle body and stalled quite easily, they now use a 46mm throttle body I suspect to try and get some more bottom end power.
sharkey
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sharkey 3/5/2012 4:40pm
3/5/2012 4:40pm
smaller throttle body on the 11s
slipdog
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slipdog 3/5/2012 4:49pm
3/5/2012 4:49pm
Totally different forks on the '12 but you can make an '09 pretty good. Rode back to back on Sunday at Hangtown and still liked my '08 better than the '09 or '12
JB 19
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JB 19 3/5/2012 5:26pm
3/5/2012 5:26pm
I forgot another question I had.......how is the rekluse exp clutch for mx? This 09 has a rekluse and I know some people don't like the stock clutch on the 09+ .
CocaineCrazy
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CocaineCrazy 3/5/2012 5:30pm
3/5/2012 5:30pm
why dont u ask yourself how many times Chad and Canard have gone over the bars in the past 2 years?
oh and KW14
Zycki11
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Zycki11 3/5/2012 5:36pm
3/5/2012 5:36pm
I have a 12 and I like it a lot. Just got off a rmz 450 and they both handle well. The Honda is noticeably lighter, it is planted. I put a hydraulic clutch on(amazing). Suspension will help this bike a bunch. I'm excited to put money into it. As for the 09 or 12. I would go 12. It's smooth and mug closer as far as setup is concerned. And in my eyes most importantly you know what you are paying for.
Zycki11
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Zycki11 3/5/2012 5:36pm
3/5/2012 5:36pm
CocaineCrazy wrote:
why dont u ask yourself how many times Chad and Canard have gone over the bars in the past 2 years?
oh and KW14
Cool post bro
haydos25
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haydos25 3/5/2012 5:38pm
3/5/2012 5:38pm
CocaineCrazy wrote:
why dont u ask yourself how many times Chad and Canard have gone over the bars in the past 2 years?
oh and KW14
Excellent point. Never buy the brand of bike that a pro rider has crashed. This is the best way to make your purchasing decisions. So steer clear of the Yami, Suzuki, Kawasaki, KTM, Husky, Gas Gas, Beta, Husaberg, Sherco, TM etc. etc.

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86honda
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86honda 3/5/2012 5:49pm
3/5/2012 5:49pm
injectors leak the front end will not turn it eats chains and neads constant attention. Hard on clutches and front fork seals. The 09 is my first 450. My next one is going to be green.
jleews6
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jleews6 3/5/2012 6:02pm
3/5/2012 6:02pm
86honda wrote:
injectors leak the front end will not turn it eats chains and neads constant attention. Hard on clutches and front fork seals. The 09 is my...
injectors leak the front end will not turn it eats chains and neads constant attention. Hard on clutches and front fork seals. The 09 is my first 450. My next one is going to be green.
HaHa and you think its bad now?

jb19 Both my son and I have 09s and we love them. We both have the pro circuit linkage and Factory connection suspention and they are great bikes. We have never had a problem and they run great.
JB 19
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JB 19 3/5/2012 6:12pm
3/5/2012 6:12pm
I had 04 and 07 honda 450's . The 07 was an awsome bike, but the motor was brutal. I'm trying to stay away from brutally fast 450's. The soft motor on the new ones doesn't concern me.
Hando
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Hando 3/5/2012 8:46pm
3/5/2012 8:46pm
JB 19 wrote:
I had 04 and 07 honda 450's . The 07 was an awsome bike, but the motor was brutal. I'm trying to stay away from brutally...
I had 04 and 07 honda 450's . The 07 was an awsome bike, but the motor was brutal. I'm trying to stay away from brutally fast 450's. The soft motor on the new ones doesn't concern me.
couldnt you slow it down by putting taller gearing / fly wheel weights??

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bullpen58
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bullpen58 3/5/2012 9:01pm
3/5/2012 9:01pm
The 2012 comes with footpegs wide enough to be considered from this century. The 2009 pegs are straight off the 86 CR250.
mertensmx365
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mertensmx365 3/5/2012 10:37pm
3/5/2012 10:37pm
I have both an '09 CRF450 and a '12. I've ridden my '09 for three years and have damn near 200 hours on it. I know the bike better than my parents know each other. Having said that, the first day I got on my '12 I liked it way better. After putting a Yoshi pipe on it and having the suspension done, the '12 kicks ass. Best bike I've ever ridden by far. I weigh 150 as well by the way. However, all of this is simply my opinion and should be taken with a grain of salt. After all, everyone's different.
mx-4-2
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mx-4-2 3/5/2012 11:19pm
3/5/2012 11:19pm
JB 19 wrote:
I had 04 and 07 honda 450's . The 07 was an awsome bike, but the motor was brutal. I'm trying to stay away from brutally...
I had 04 and 07 honda 450's . The 07 was an awsome bike, but the motor was brutal. I'm trying to stay away from brutally fast 450's. The soft motor on the new ones doesn't concern me.
I bought the '07 new and now have the '09. For me, I like the '09 better. Factory Connection did my suspension work. Now have 50 hours and just had a new piston put in. Bike has been trouble free.
steedmills 3/6/2012 12:15am
3/6/2012 12:15am Edited Date/Time 5/3/2012 1:04pm
JB 19 wrote:
I would ask this on thumpertalk, but based some of the statements on there I'm not sure how many of those guys have ever been on...
I would ask this on thumpertalk, but based some of the statements on there I'm not sure how many of those guys have ever been on a track. I can buy a 2009 450 for 3800 in great shape with a rekluse exp clutch. Or a new 2012 for 6850 + tax.

I read where the 2012 has been refined to point where its ready to go. I know about the problems with the 09, but how easy are they to fix? They say a remap, lowering link, and springs makes it a different bike. Is this true? I weight 150 so I usually do lighter springs anyway.
.
JB 19
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JB 19 3/6/2012 1:03am
3/6/2012 1:03am
bullpen58 wrote:
The 2012 comes with footpegs wide enough to be considered from this century. The 2009 pegs are straight off the 86 CR250.
I find that hard to believe since my 04 450, 07 450, 07 250f, and 05 cr 250 all had decent pegs........much better than my old mans 89 cr 250 he had back then.

The 2012 may have pegs that are closer to factory level, but to say the 2009 are like an 86 250 is silly.
JB 19
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JB 19 3/6/2012 1:08am
3/6/2012 1:08am
steedmills wrote:
.
The 2013 sounds cool. Saw some pics of the engine, but I'm too cheap to buy a first generation bike. Smile

The only reason I'm considering a new one now is because they are on sale.......and I even get 10% off from an uncle who works for honda in marysville. I'm really really cheap........... Lol
davis224
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davis224 3/6/2012 5:42am
3/6/2012 5:42am
86honda wrote:
injectors leak the front end will not turn it eats chains and neads constant attention. Hard on clutches and front fork seals. The 09 is my...
injectors leak the front end will not turn it eats chains and neads constant attention. Hard on clutches and front fork seals. The 09 is my first 450. My next one is going to be green.
The injectors don't leak, you just need to calm down your throttle hand until the bike warms up. Front end wont turn? I was giggling like a little school girl the first time I rode my 2010 CRF after coming off my 09 KX because it is by far the best handling bike I've ever ridden. Eats chains and its your your first 450? No way those are related at all, I'm sure it's some Honda defect that makes your 50 hp torque monster of a 450 go through chains faster than a 250 2 stroke or 250f. Hard on clutches? That's actually debatable. Mine did fade bad when I first got it, but if you overfill the clutch side with about 150-200 extra cc's of oil the problem goes away (did for me at least). And I'm sure it's the bike that's going through fork seals, not the conditions you ride in.

But anyway, I love my 2010. Put the pro circuit link on it and a 49 tooth rear sprocket and loved it even more. Just had Enzo do the suspension, only have one ride on it so I can't really say how much I like it yet, but I'm very happy with my bike.
Camp332
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Camp332 3/6/2012 7:57am
3/6/2012 7:57am
I love my 09!! All I did was have the suspension sorted out. Factory Connection lowering link helped tremendously in corners.
MtnBoy
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MtnBoy 3/6/2012 8:32am
3/6/2012 8:32am
JB 19 wrote:
I forgot another question I had.......how is the rekluse exp clutch for mx? This 09 has a rekluse and I know some people don't like the...
I forgot another question I had.......how is the rekluse exp clutch for mx? This 09 has a rekluse and I know some people don't like the stock clutch on the 09+ .
Works great for MX, anybody who says different hasn't used one.

I wouldn't be surprised if your even a little bit faster with the Rekluse, you'll find that you can roll on the throttle and stay in the meat of the power through corners a lot easier...this equates to more corner speed.
JCRF217
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JCRF217 3/6/2012 9:27am
3/6/2012 9:27am
I like my 08 handles like a dream and amazing power!
Titan1
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Titan1 3/6/2012 10:59am
3/6/2012 10:59am Edited Date/Time 3/6/2012 11:23am
JB 19 wrote:
I would ask this on thumpertalk, but based some of the statements on there I'm not sure how many of those guys have ever been on...
I would ask this on thumpertalk, but based some of the statements on there I'm not sure how many of those guys have ever been on a track. I can buy a 2009 450 for 3800 in great shape with a rekluse exp clutch. Or a new 2012 for 6850 + tax.

I read where the 2012 has been refined to point where its ready to go. I know about the problems with the 09, but how easy are they to fix? They say a remap, lowering link, and springs makes it a different bike. Is this true? I weight 150 so I usually do lighter springs anyway.
I want to know where you are able to get a New 2012 CRF450 for $6850....

I called three dealerships, and they were all quoting a "sale price" of $7700.

And in my opinion, for $6850, you buy the new one....don't roll the dice on a 'who knows how it was-or wasn't-maintained 3 year old tickin time bomb, er, four stroke, er, dirt bike'.
markymoto
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markymoto 3/6/2012 4:27pm
3/6/2012 4:27pm
honda east maumee ohio '12 crf 450 $6750 '12 crf 250 $5999

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