How bad is the 2013 CRF450?

kiwifan
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kiwifan 5/2/2013 2:39pm
5/2/2013 2:39pm
Yeah there is no real bad 2013 450F ...depends on height, weight, riding level, contingency, money to setup (for ANY bike), dealer support, etc.... as for Honda pros not doing as well as say RV, Dungey, etc....those guys could win on any model so thats not a good arguement at all
mx510
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mx510 5/2/2013 2:41pm
5/2/2013 2:41pm Edited Date/Time 5/2/2013 2:44pm
JBods wrote:
At the average persons level it's probably great
Agreed, and the same goes for the YZ450. I have ridden all of them, if you take the time to set them all up (because they all have different traits) for yourself, the average guy would like/love them all. All of the current 450s are good, they just do things differently. The one thing I dont like about the Honda is the air forks, and not because of feel or anything like that, Ihave just seen several out at the track with forks collapsed because of some sort of seal blowing out. Truth be told, I dont know anthing about them.
kiwifan
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kiwifan 5/2/2013 3:00pm
5/2/2013 3:00pm
JBods wrote:
At the average persons level it's probably great
mx510 wrote:
Agreed, and the same goes for the YZ450. I have ridden all of them, if you take the time to set them all up (because they...
Agreed, and the same goes for the YZ450. I have ridden all of them, if you take the time to set them all up (because they all have different traits) for yourself, the average guy would like/love them all. All of the current 450s are good, they just do things differently. The one thing I dont like about the Honda is the air forks, and not because of feel or anything like that, Ihave just seen several out at the track with forks collapsed because of some sort of seal blowing out. Truth be told, I dont know anthing about them.
I havent seen that occur at all, but have heard it was a problem with Kawasaki's as well, as they basically are a similiar fork.

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mototrader
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mototrader 5/2/2013 4:01pm
5/2/2013 4:01pm
JBods wrote:
At the average persons level it's probably great
mx510 wrote:
Agreed, and the same goes for the YZ450. I have ridden all of them, if you take the time to set them all up (because they...
Agreed, and the same goes for the YZ450. I have ridden all of them, if you take the time to set them all up (because they all have different traits) for yourself, the average guy would like/love them all. All of the current 450s are good, they just do things differently. The one thing I dont like about the Honda is the air forks, and not because of feel or anything like that, Ihave just seen several out at the track with forks collapsed because of some sort of seal blowing out. Truth be told, I dont know anthing about them.
The airfork looks cool but i think i'd give it a year or two for them to get the problems ironed out. I don't see the point in being a guinea pig lol
B-EVANS
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B-EVANS 5/2/2013 4:35pm
5/2/2013 4:35pm
I have 34 hours on my '13 KX. Forks are really good if you take the time to get them set up for you. When I first got it they would leak off a couple psi over night on the stand. After Factory Connection revalved and cleaned them, they haven't leaked at all. Check your shrader valve tightness. I have ridden it in snow, rain, deep ass mud, and chocking dust and haven't had any issues with seals leaking. I wouldn't avoid the bike you want because of any fear of the air forks.
damon.r.gabbert 5/2/2013 5:30pm
5/2/2013 5:30pm
CaptainRon126 wrote:
Everyone I've talked to that owns one loves it. The trick is figuring out those air forks and you're set.
I agree, I have not met a single local or a single customer in my store(have sold 12 of them) that dislikes his. I myself bought one and put about 6 hours on it before I broke my femur. I am a 30 yr old vet expert, 5'7" 160# and it is the oly 450 I have ridden that I have liked. Have ridden 450s since 2002. In fact since 2010 I have mostly ridden a 250F Honda because I disliked 450s so much. Last year I had a 2012 CRF450 and really hated it. It was like trying to steer a submarine. The 2013 is amazing and in just 5 laps was turning lap times faster than many guys I struggled to beat last year. It corners like it is on rails. It took me a few tweaks with the air forks and a softer rear spring but its fantastic. As far as power, stock it was a little mellow but who the hell needs that much power. I pulled 2of 3 holeshots in 25 plus class on it. My brother has since ridden it and put a Yoshi full stainless system on it and the power is better but still manageable.

As far as the pros the only one I know struggling is Reed and eventhough I am a Reed fan, when has he not complained about his bike? Barcia obviously having no problems, Canard doesnt appear to be struggling and I dont think his issues are the bike. I think he is just happy to be on the track and as time goes on his confidence will improve and so will his results. As far as Tomac, you cant expect him to jump on the 450 and get on the box just bc he is fast on a 250, its a different animal on the 450. And eventhough he practices on a 450, racing is different.

Overall its a great bike that corners perfect, feels light like a 250, and has great manageable power. I highly recommend it. And I wont badmouth any of the other brands since I sell them all, but the Honda is the BEST!!!!
lumpy790
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lumpy790 5/2/2013 6:11pm
5/2/2013 6:11pm
better than 99.9% of us.
burn1986
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burn1986 5/2/2013 8:08pm
5/2/2013 8:08pm
There's nothing wrong with any of the current 450s. There's no reason the YZFs are 't winning. There are bikes these riders prefer, but each rider should be able to win on any of them. It's the rider, not the bike. I will say that the YZF has the worst looking front fender, just sayin.
JB 19
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JB 19 5/2/2013 8:27pm
5/2/2013 8:27pm
My opinion from the couch on Chad Reed is that his problem is Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungy, and Davey Milsaps. Those guys sharpened their swords and made it tougher for everyone else.

I haven't watched a race like SLC where three guys were riding like robots on crack since Vegas 06.

The Honda appears to be capable.....problem is the guys not on Hondas stepped their game up.
orlin.larsen
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orlin.larsen 12/29/2013 2:14pm
12/29/2013 2:14pm
I have the 14. Best bike I have ever ridden. I have owned all makes. This bike is by far the lightest and most nimble. Amazing bike.
sharkey
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sharkey 12/29/2013 2:53pm
12/29/2013 2:53pm
JBods wrote:
At the average persons level it's probably great
mx510 wrote:
Agreed, and the same goes for the YZ450. I have ridden all of them, if you take the time to set them all up (because they...
Agreed, and the same goes for the YZ450. I have ridden all of them, if you take the time to set them all up (because they all have different traits) for yourself, the average guy would like/love them all. All of the current 450s are good, they just do things differently. The one thing I dont like about the Honda is the air forks, and not because of feel or anything like that, Ihave just seen several out at the track with forks collapsed because of some sort of seal blowing out. Truth be told, I dont know anthing about them.
I have never seen any with this problem. come on dude just say you don't like the bike
Grieby54
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Grieby54 12/29/2013 3:11pm
12/29/2013 3:11pm
4 month old thread being revived here...
Grieby54
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Grieby54 12/29/2013 3:11pm
12/29/2013 3:11pm Edited Date/Time 12/29/2013 3:13pm
....
racerhansen
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racerhansen 12/29/2013 3:25pm
12/29/2013 3:25pm Edited Date/Time 12/29/2013 3:28pm
I absolutely love mine, tried a few of the newer 450s, and the honda was my favorite. Handles like a bmx bike, and i got the power fixed with a drd exhaust
Xeno
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Xeno 12/29/2013 4:09pm
12/29/2013 4:09pm
Nice looking bike ^^^^^

I like the brighter-color fork tubes.
manering
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manering 12/29/2013 5:07pm
12/29/2013 5:07pm
suspension revalve, a pipe and they're good
CocaineCrazy
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CocaineCrazy 12/29/2013 5:26pm
12/29/2013 5:26pm
JUST ASK CHAD REED!!


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Tarz483
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Tarz483 12/29/2013 8:00pm
12/29/2013 8:00pm
Grieby54 wrote:
4 month old thread being revived here...
Just curious . Why does it bother u if someone brings up an old thread ?
mx510
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mx510 12/29/2013 9:41pm
12/29/2013 9:41pm
sharkey wrote:
I have never seen any with this problem. come on dude just say you don't like the bike
I have seen several. Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it's not a problem. I rode a '13 Honda not long ago and liked it, I am just not a fan of the air fork for reliability reasons. I thought it worked well though.
Schuster187 12/30/2013 8:56am
12/30/2013 8:56am

@coltonfacciotti

This guy likes the '14
Camp332
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Camp332 12/30/2013 11:16am
12/30/2013 11:16am Edited Date/Time 12/30/2013 11:17am
sharkey wrote:
I have never seen any with this problem. come on dude just say you don't like the bike
mx510 wrote:
I have seen several. Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it's not a problem. I rode a '13 Honda not long ago and liked...
I have seen several. Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it's not a problem. I rode a '13 Honda not long ago and liked it, I am just not a fan of the air fork for reliability reasons. I thought it worked well though.
My friend blew a fork seal on his '13, and there was no such "collapse" you speak of. As a matter of fact, he kept on moto'n for the rest of the day with it leaking.
mx510
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mx510 12/30/2013 11:23am
12/30/2013 11:23am
Ok, I guess it was all in my imagination...
Camp332
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Camp332 12/30/2013 11:25am
12/30/2013 11:25am
mx510 wrote:
Ok, I guess it was all in my imagination...
hahaha Pictures of collapse or didn't happen Bro.
Crush
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Crush 12/30/2013 12:27pm
12/30/2013 12:27pm
I do laugh when people say it's underpowered.

I haven't ridden it, but having ridden a bunch of other 450s I kinda think well it might just be an exceptional motor then, cause most of the time 450s are too damn much!
Mx286
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Mx286 12/30/2013 12:35pm
12/30/2013 12:35pm
Camp332 wrote:
My friend blew a fork seal on his '13, and there was no such "collapse" you speak of. As a matter of fact, he kept on...
My friend blew a fork seal on his '13, and there was no such "collapse" you speak of. As a matter of fact, he kept on moto'n for the rest of the day with it leaking.
Same here, a buddy of mine blew both of his. They didn't collapse and he was able to finish the day out. As a matter of fact they are still busted and he's rode with them several times since then. Not something I would recommend, but all he does is air them up at the beginning of the day and rides. You can tell they sag a little but it doesn't seem to bother him.
Team Ideal
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Team Ideal 12/30/2013 1:02pm
12/30/2013 1:02pm
I've never seen a Honda collapse, Kawi on the other hand, I've seen at least three. the resulting carnage from one I'm pretty sure helped in them making the decision to switch to Honda. Dave post on here, maybe he will chime in.

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