Keefer testing 07 CRF 450 vs 2025 CRF 450

I’m trying to find that exact bike to build. I have a fully rebuilt 07 250R I just finished and another one I’m about to start putting the other one together soon. I’d love to add a 07 450R to the stable. 

Probably not......the four strokes have come a long way since 07.  Narrower and feel much lighter now due to the EFI advances.

They’ve gained 20 lbs but yeah they “feel” lighter lololol

What’s more important feel or the scale?  I’d argue a slightly heavier bike with a lower CoG that “feels” lighter is better. 

I had a new 05 and 07 CRF450 at the peak of my personal racing/riding. Was local A class, nothing special but I regard those bikes as the absolute best bikes I ever owned. Would love to see how this stacks ups handling wise. Such a cool project. I don’t expect the 07 to match up engine response wise because of EFI but handling will be what peaks my curiosity. Thanks Keef!

For sure. My son bought a new stark a few months back and while it was heavier it felt so light on the track. Like way lighter and faster than my stock 450 husky at the time. 

Curious too as im building a Crf 450 2010 Hrc ama tribute

Soon im going to open a post in builds section to share

You never rode that gen Honda, it was basically perfection.

I had an 08 crf450 that I rebuilt and rode from 2017 to 2020. I also got a 19 kx450 the beginning of 2020. Vet A level rider-the biggest difference was more chassis comfort on the kx. Power-the Honda was actually better. I ended up making the kx feel like the crf. Suspension was better on the kx, but both revalved and setup properly it wasn’t a huge difference. The kx450 felt like a refined 08 crf450 to me and partially from knowing what I liked and applying it to the kx. I kind of wish I wouldn’t have sold the crf450. It was simple and did everything well. I believe anyone could be competitive today and have fun on that era bike.

Loved my 07 CRF 450. It’ll be interesting to check out Keefers thoughts but I suspect the new bike will be better as an all around platform. A lot of time and refinement has passed since 07. And yes I know some of Hondas ideas were stupid and a step backwards but overall bikes have improved. 

Should do an 08 RMZ vs a 24 RMZ

Liked my 07 crf450 better than my 08crf450…..

I had a nice, low hour ‘08 RMZ 450 that I bought and rode regularly in 2018 and I rode it back to back with a friends new 2018 (essentially the ‘25 model) and the ‘08 hands down handles better and has better suspension IMO. The engine has improved on the newest gen and the ‘08 engine just did not rev out. 

In fact, I now have a 2012 RMZ 450 with 11 original hours and I feel that I can ride it just as fast and competitively as any newer 450 that I’ve ridden. ( I raced one in ‘12 also).  It is my favorite bike of all time no question. I had an ‘08 CRF 450 back in ‘08 and I really liked it as well. I would love to ride one again. 

Some folks have said the 12 or 13 RMZ (last year of the spring fork) is the most desired / best year  for this bike. 

I believe Alessi raced one as an MCR 450 for a while. 

In my opinion, the 07-08 CRF450 is one of the best bikes ever made. I got to ride one again around 18-19, and other than lacking the instant throttle response of EFI, it was still very competitive. Although the engine was definitely down on power to the newer 450s, it was so smooth and rideable that over a longer moto, I’d likely have been faster since it didn’t wear me out. 

I think one of Honda’s biggest mistakes was completely redesigning the 09 instead of adapting the 05-08 to EFI.

I think I remember some “spy” photos of MC testing the EFI on that 07-08 gen chassis. That would have been an unbelievable bike. 

Sort of a fun fact about Honda around this time is in 2005 Honda and Montesa made a fuel injected trials bike using most of the 250f motor, head and gearing and quite a few things I'm sure were different. 

My dad had one and it worked flawlessly, always thought it was pretty wild how early they figured out fuel injection before it was really commonplace in the dirt world which was probably closer to 2010 with the KTM owned Husabergs. 

Those would be neat to see. Any kind of spy photos like that is always badass. Wish there was more photos of guys testing bikes for up coming contracts n such. 

Suzuki introduced EFI in 2008 on the RMZ450. 

When does this video come out? My first 450 was a 2005 CRF. Looking forward to this one.

Old 4stk builds will never have the nostalgia of 2 strokes. Them old turds won't give you goosebumps like a perfectly jetted 250 smoker.

Not to mention the cost/mechanical ability associated with reviving an old four stroke. 

* at the time. The best you’ve ridden is the best you know. Hindsight and nostalgia are powerful 

Already many 04-08 Honda CRF 450 video on YouTube. Guys cranking out same lap times as modern bike. No electric start, No EFI, little shorter length than modern bike. Parts are cheap, plentiful. The 07-08 crf450 putting out 52-54hp (similiar to 2024 KTM 350). Other than pro ranks, the bike is competitive anywhere. Not many people can push a 50hp motorcycle to its limits for 15-20minutes. Back in the day, Jean Michel Bayle pro circuit cr250 was 46hp. Yes any of the bikes produced last 20 years can be competitive in amateur racing. Just won’t have the new bike smell. 🤠

This has been my general belif for a while now. If I was competing in any race higher than 450B, I’d probably want the edge the newest bikes have. Otherwise, there’s a few 450’s made between 2007-2014 that the rest of us would be just as fast on as the 2024 models. 

I first started riding seriously during this generation. Be it nostalgia or just a darn good bike, but I love them. The 05-07 red bikes will always have a place in my garage. 

(not included; 06 250R and 07 125 I still regret losing)

Nothin hits harder than a flat slide FCR carb on a 450.  If you put one on a new bike prob gain a good 2-3 hp and wax a stark from the get go

I'd say something but Sandy scared me so bad last time that I learned my lesson....!

I recall seeing at least one from a race in Japan. If I recall correctly, Honda had the area behind the head covered and MXA (or whichever magazine was reporting it) said they were hiding the FI. The bike looked otherwise identical to an 05-08 CRF factory bike.