No love for the new Honda.....

jleews6
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jleews6 10/18/2012 7:09pm
10/18/2012 7:09pm
They can say what they want about it but last weekend I watched Zach Osborne jump on his brand new never ridden 13 Honda and he was flying on it on the second lap. He said he liked it and it sure did look good.
OriolMassot
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OriolMassot 10/18/2012 7:12pm
10/18/2012 7:12pm
A buddy of mine is testing for a spanish magazine. He went to Italy to test the new Hondas and said they were to soft and also kind of a bike for a beginner.

Seems that everybody have the save opinion on the new CRF's.
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orangecrush 10/18/2012 7:13pm
10/18/2012 7:13pm
smrscott wrote:
I like Albee and he might be right - maybe the Suz is the best bike for him - BUT - he is still a Suzuki...
I like Albee and he might be right - maybe the Suz is the best bike for him - BUT - he is still a Suzuki guy and Suz still hires him for PR events. Hero yes - slight conflict of interest? Maybe

I wonder how fair a Shootout would be if someone had all of these Ex Pros testing - Guess what bike each rider would pick????

Jeff Ward - ?
Jeremy McGrath ?
Jeff Emig ?
Roger Decoster ?
Ricky Carmichael ?
orangecrush wrote:
not sure what vids you watched but 3 different guys rode all the bikes. here's what you missed. Suzuki and KTM stood out.
chrisbuehler wrote:
What do you ride, Crush?
currently? yellow, red, and orange. i'm not surprised at what they are picking. then again racerx aint the end all either.

yes, I have a fav, but as they say, the bikes are all good
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 10/18/2012 7:33pm
10/18/2012 7:33pm
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bgpn35
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bgpn35 10/18/2012 7:33pm
10/18/2012 7:33pm
jleews6 wrote:
They can say what they want about it but last weekend I watched Zach Osborne jump on his brand new never ridden 13 Honda and he...
They can say what they want about it but last weekend I watched Zach Osborne jump on his brand new never ridden 13 Honda and he was flying on it on the second lap. He said he liked it and it sure did look good.
I was there also! And yes he looked like he was enjoying it. The way he hammered that long sand roller section left me amazed!!
chrisbuehler
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chrisbuehler 10/18/2012 7:41pm
10/18/2012 7:41pm
orangecrush wrote:
currently? yellow, red, and orange. i'm not surprised at what they are picking. then again racerx aint the end all either. yes, I have a fav...
currently? yellow, red, and orange. i'm not surprised at what they are picking. then again racerx aint the end all either.

yes, I have a fav, but as they say, the bikes are all good
Yeah I don't really look to RacerX for bike reviews myself. I just think back to them calling the 2009 Honda the greatest thing since sliced bread and it handled for shit. Any of the bikes are good for someone with my skills lol! I'd love to try the new KTM though
MX558
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MX558 10/18/2012 7:57pm
10/18/2012 7:57pm
I rode the 13 350 and it is faster than my stock Honda 450 . If it had the same ergos as my Honda I'd buy one for sure , effin brakes almost threw me over the bars . LOL if I was buying new it would be the zuk they handle like a porn star
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jmar 10/18/2012 8:51pm
10/18/2012 8:51pm
If I was a privateer, racing on my own dime. The Honda would be my first choice.

Power issues in the 450 class are real easy to fix. It's the handing that can a total bitch.
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josh8811 10/18/2012 8:55pm
10/18/2012 8:55pm
I don't NEED a new 450, but damn I want one... For me it's between green and orange... In the end, I see myself on the KTM.. Better resale, electric start, killer fit and finish, 2 gallon tank, brembo's, etc.. Oh and FC has the KTM suspension DIALED!
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Hando 10/18/2012 9:00pm
10/18/2012 9:00pm
I know SOMEBODY ON HERE has a 13' CRF450....FILL US IN!!
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Derpin' DJ 10/18/2012 10:00pm
10/18/2012 10:00pm
There's a vid up with Pingree now. Pretty similar to everyone else. The 350 got a fair bit of praise from everyone
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sharkey 10/18/2012 10:33pm
10/18/2012 10:33pm
i know alot of guys who would like to buy yellow but they always get tired of walking into buy a new bike and they say that the dealerships who carry suzukis never want to deal with them like they will on hondas or kawasakis which can be a real turnoff
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Berguven 10/18/2012 11:01pm
10/18/2012 11:01pm
orangecrush wrote:
currently? yellow, red, and orange. i'm not surprised at what they are picking. then again racerx aint the end all either. yes, I have a fav...
currently? yellow, red, and orange. i'm not surprised at what they are picking. then again racerx aint the end all either.

yes, I have a fav, but as they say, the bikes are all good
chrisbuehler wrote:
Yeah I don't really look to RacerX for bike reviews myself. I just think back to them calling the 2009 Honda the greatest thing since sliced...
Yeah I don't really look to RacerX for bike reviews myself. I just think back to them calling the 2009 Honda the greatest thing since sliced bread and it handled for shit. Any of the bikes are good for someone with my skills lol! I'd love to try the new KTM though
Exactly this. You just fired me up. The truth about the bikes comes years later. If Stew was winning on Yzf no way it would be last.

Honda has been among the worst biks 09-12.

Kawi was a tank 2011 and didnt turn.

Shootout schmootsmauts
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tobz 10/18/2012 11:21pm
10/18/2012 11:21pm Edited Date/Time 10/18/2012 11:21pm
Could have sworn pingree gave honda all the praise on a matthes podcast... racerx basically running a "who pays more gets the podium"?
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kiwifan 10/18/2012 11:29pm
10/18/2012 11:29pm
Hando wrote:
Here me out guys.... Look, it's no secret Honda's have always had linear powerbands and go for usability over sheer horse power..... These guys are national...
Here me out guys....


Look, it's no secret Honda's have always had linear powerbands and go for usability over sheer horse power.....

These guys are national level pros or were at one point..they are that small percentage of riders who actually can take advantage of more power.

Most stock bikes today, 125s included are too fast for 90% of riders IMO.

heavy guys need the big bikes but for everyone else..a 125 or 250f is more than enough
thats exactly right, I had some local pros here in NZ and they rated the CRF best, so go figure... yes yes yes the powerband is smooth with no hit, chuck on aftermarket cans and she comes alive
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Berguven 10/18/2012 11:34pm
10/18/2012 11:34pm
Seems like suzuki has the most consistent rating from last year.
chrisbuehler
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chrisbuehler 10/19/2012 12:18am
10/19/2012 12:18am
Berguven wrote:
Seems like suzuki has the most consistent rating from last year.
Zooks handle like they are on rails, awesome bikes
Motocross83 10/19/2012 12:34am
10/19/2012 12:34am Edited Date/Time 10/19/2012 12:35am
I would be tempted by the Suzuki partly because Iv'e never had one but also because it has a fantastic cornering reputation. No matter who does the test or who you speak to, the universal theme over the years is that they rail. However, build quality on the yellow bikes would be an issue for me because they do have (maybe unfairly these days?) a reputation. I'd probably go for another KTM 450 myself.

It'll be interesting to see what MXA has to say. Not saying RacerX is wrong - clearly those guys are stating similar things. But in order to really test bikes fairly you have to use a range of skill levels, time to set-up the bikes and most importantly a range of conditions.

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MBR
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MBR 10/19/2012 12:50am
10/19/2012 12:50am Edited Date/Time 10/19/2012 12:55am
TeamGreen wrote:
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Sounds good from what I have learnt from the new CRF450. Also I rode the latest version of YZF 450 for the first time few weeks ago and to be honest, it is really strange bike: REALLY loud intake sound, felt really wide and top heavy. Didn't like it at all. Engine was ok.
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Big 10/19/2012 1:15am
10/19/2012 1:15am
MBR wrote:
Sounds good from what I have learnt from the new CRF450. Also I rode the latest version of YZF 450 for the first time few weeks...
Sounds good from what I have learnt from the new CRF450. Also I rode the latest version of YZF 450 for the first time few weeks ago and to be honest, it is really strange bike: REALLY loud intake sound, felt really wide and top heavy. Didn't like it at all. Engine was ok.
Put on a Parachute and jump Yam Finlandstyle? Smile
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Berguven 10/19/2012 1:52am
10/19/2012 1:52am Edited Date/Time 10/19/2012 1:56am
Motocross83 wrote:
I would be tempted by the Suzuki partly because Iv'e never had one but also because it has a fantastic cornering reputation. No matter who does...
I would be tempted by the Suzuki partly because Iv'e never had one but also because it has a fantastic cornering reputation. No matter who does the test or who you speak to, the universal theme over the years is that they rail. However, build quality on the yellow bikes would be an issue for me because they do have (maybe unfairly these days?) a reputation. I'd probably go for another KTM 450 myself.

It'll be interesting to see what MXA has to say. Not saying RacerX is wrong - clearly those guys are stating similar things. But in order to really test bikes fairly you have to use a range of skill levels, time to set-up the bikes and most importantly a range of conditions.
I have 112h on my Rmz 2011. No issues , no failures. I changed piston 80h.
None of the bikes have any real build quality problems nowadays.

Damn it. I wanted to try another brand just for fun in 2013. Its gonna be hard now. Lets see what mxa has to say.

I just cant belive that the new Honda is thw worst of the five
YetiMan
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YetiMan 10/19/2012 2:51am
10/19/2012 2:51am
I remember when the new YZF came out and they all the magazines ranked it first or second. Now look, they all rip on it and its the exact same bike. Honestly every bike is different and you just have to ride them. Seems a lot don't like the current 2012 CRF450 handling? Ive riden all the 2012 models and I would only put the suzuki over it in handling, and i like the smooth powerband, its very useable on a rough race track. Ride what you like and ride it well
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BR_HERO 10/19/2012 3:31am
10/19/2012 3:31am Edited Date/Time 10/19/2012 3:44am
On a side note, the KTM 350 is killing it this year. A 1st and a 2nd so far.
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Huckster 10/19/2012 3:54am
10/19/2012 3:54am
jmar wrote:
If I was a privateer, racing on my own dime. The Honda would be my first choice. Power issues in the 450 class are real easy...
If I was a privateer, racing on my own dime. The Honda would be my first choice.

Power issues in the 450 class are real easy to fix. It's the handing that can a total bitch.
ok, so how do you fix the handling on the CRF's? I have a 12 all set up and the thing turns ok until you ride a suzuki. Nothing turns like a suzuki....On that note, the 13 RMZ had minor changes from 12-13 and it finished mid-pack last year. Did the other bikes get worse?

I agree with Buehler, I prefer a bike that turns and you know what its going to do and where its going. Can't say I feel that way on my '12 CRF. I wish I did because the bike feels so lite, but I am no where near as confident on it as I was my RMZ or 350 for that matter.....
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Derpin' DJ 10/19/2012 4:32am
10/19/2012 4:32am
Berguven wrote:
I have 112h on my Rmz 2011. No issues , no failures. I changed piston 80h. None of the bikes have any real build quality problems...
I have 112h on my Rmz 2011. No issues , no failures. I changed piston 80h.
None of the bikes have any real build quality problems nowadays.

Damn it. I wanted to try another brand just for fun in 2013. Its gonna be hard now. Lets see what mxa has to say.

I just cant belive that the new Honda is thw worst of the five
Dude, you must be lying. According to experts around here, 4-strokes are unreliable pieces of shit Grinning
BR_HERO
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BR_HERO 10/19/2012 8:47am
10/19/2012 8:47am
jleews6 wrote:
They can say what they want about it but last weekend I watched Zach Osborne jump on his brand new never ridden 13 Honda and he...
They can say what they want about it but last weekend I watched Zach Osborne jump on his brand new never ridden 13 Honda and he was flying on it on the second lap. He said he liked it and it sure did look good.
Was he on the 250 or 450?
HOD913
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HOD913 10/19/2012 8:54am
10/19/2012 8:54am
TeamGreen wrote:
36 PSI
Pro 6
HRC/HGA map
1 up on the Rear spring
Click as needed
STFU
Send MC a "Thank you" note.
Done.
Does anyone know if the hrc tuning tool from 09-12 works in the 2013 crf450 or is it different?
I would like to try the map out.
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uk125250 10/19/2012 9:41am
10/19/2012 9:41am
TOYE180 wrote:
The Honda 450 is a dog when it is stock. It has had no balls since '08.
chrisbuehler wrote:
You must have some serious skills that a modern 450 is a "dog" for you. I don't disagree that the 2008 is still the best 450...
You must have some serious skills that a modern 450 is a "dog" for you. I don't disagree that the 2008 is still the best 450 Honda engine ever but any modern 450 has plenty of power to get the job done
I was thinking the same thing. Saying it's a got less power is a plus to me.
bgpn35
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bgpn35 10/19/2012 9:44am
10/19/2012 9:44am
450
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jeffro503 10/19/2012 9:46am
10/19/2012 9:46am
TOYE180 wrote:
The Honda 450 is a dog when it is stock. It has had no balls since '08.
chrisbuehler wrote:
You must have some serious skills that a modern 450 is a "dog" for you. I don't disagree that the 2008 is still the best 450...
You must have some serious skills that a modern 450 is a "dog" for you. I don't disagree that the 2008 is still the best 450 Honda engine ever but any modern 450 has plenty of power to get the job done
YEAH!!!!! Still have my 08'!! Woohoo Woohoo

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