How does Honda make a 450 so much lighter?

SwapperMX
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SwapperMX 2/23/2011 2:21am
2/23/2011 2:21am
rallendude wrote:
I had the 2009 and it was hands down the best handling bike I've ever ridden. And I've ridden a few. Not sure where the nervous...
I had the 2009 and it was hands down the best handling bike I've ever ridden. And I've ridden a few. Not sure where the nervous comments came from. Maybe they took off the steering damper.

I sold it to a friend a year ago and still do the repair work on it. Never lost a clutch, never had the oil/gas problem. The bike was bullet proof until it locked the crank at about 80 or 100 hrs. I think it would have made it longer if it had been mainained better.
Did you determine why the bottom end locked up ??
dlowe102
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dlowe102 2/23/2011 6:31am
2/23/2011 6:31am
rallendude wrote:
I had the 2009 and it was hands down the best handling bike I've ever ridden. And I've ridden a few. Not sure where the nervous...
I had the 2009 and it was hands down the best handling bike I've ever ridden. And I've ridden a few. Not sure where the nervous comments came from. Maybe they took off the steering damper.

I sold it to a friend a year ago and still do the repair work on it. Never lost a clutch, never had the oil/gas problem. The bike was bullet proof until it locked the crank at about 80 or 100 hrs. I think it would have made it longer if it had been mainained better.
SwapperMX wrote:
Did you determine why the bottom end locked up ??
Maybe the "oil/gas" problem he never had.
The honda is lighter because the bike is not a full sized bike
dcg141
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dcg141 2/23/2011 7:13am
2/23/2011 7:13am
Eliminating clutch springs
TerryB
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TerryB 2/23/2011 7:37am
2/23/2011 7:37am Edited Date/Time 2/23/2011 7:39am
After logging in, does it ever take you to a completely different thread? Sorry, I was trying to post elsewhere...

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davis224
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davis224 2/23/2011 6:40pm
2/23/2011 6:40pm
I went from a 09 KX450 to a 10 CRF450. The Kawi is faster all over the powerband, suspension feels better, but just doesn't like to be turned. Loves to stand up in ruts. The honda is geared really tall for my tastes, is soft on power, suspension doens't feel bad, but feels like a 250f compared to the Kawi. Absolutely rails circles around the Kawi in the corners. Feels waay lighter.
redrider400
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redrider400 2/23/2011 8:30pm
2/23/2011 8:30pm
davis224 wrote:
I went from a 09 KX450 to a 10 CRF450. The Kawi is faster all over the powerband, suspension feels better, but just doesn't like to...
I went from a 09 KX450 to a 10 CRF450. The Kawi is faster all over the powerband, suspension feels better, but just doesn't like to be turned. Loves to stand up in ruts. The honda is geared really tall for my tastes, is soft on power, suspension doens't feel bad, but feels like a 250f compared to the Kawi. Absolutely rails circles around the Kawi in the corners. Feels waay lighter.
I ride a 2010 yz450 right now. I had a 09 crf450 but couldn't get comfortable on it due to my size. I am 6'3 and the Honda was alittle cramp for me, even after the 22mm offset clamps, high handlebars and a tall seat. I love my yamaha for the size and the fit, but it handles like ass compared to my Honda. I am a Honda guy at heart, and I will have another one when they remodel the current bike and hopefully not make it so cramped for taller guys.
Chili
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Chili 2/23/2011 8:57pm
2/23/2011 8:57pm
davis224 wrote:
I went from a 09 KX450 to a 10 CRF450. The Kawi is faster all over the powerband, suspension feels better, but just doesn't like to...
I went from a 09 KX450 to a 10 CRF450. The Kawi is faster all over the powerband, suspension feels better, but just doesn't like to be turned. Loves to stand up in ruts. The honda is geared really tall for my tastes, is soft on power, suspension doens't feel bad, but feels like a 250f compared to the Kawi. Absolutely rails circles around the Kawi in the corners. Feels waay lighter.
The 20MM Ride Engineering Triple Clamps made my 09 KX a completely different ride. I struggled with it prior but after the clamps the thing just wanted to dive into turns.
DrSweden
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DrSweden 2/23/2011 9:29pm
2/23/2011 9:29pm
I had an 09 and sold if after 7 hours. I was slower on that one than on any other bike, stalled everywhere and you had to be hulk to kick the sucker. Felt cramped as well since I'm tall. Also I didn't need the extra power. A 250F made me feel "faster".

Some has mentioned why Honda might be lighter than the rest, another angle is the wheels. Honda Hubs are lighter and they only have 32 spokes rear and that DID rim that so easily get dents is thinner than the competition 3.5 mm compared to Excels 4 mm etc.

I measured the weight diff between my OEM wheels and some aftermarket stuff (talon hubs ans spokes plus pro wheel rims) and it was about 3 lbs rear and 2 lbs front. I shit you not.
crf250pilot
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crf250pilot 2/23/2011 10:42pm
2/23/2011 10:42pm Edited Date/Time 2/23/2011 10:42pm
pie8man wrote:
There is all that.... And a subframe that bends if you look at it funny. Remember the days when it took a 6' pipe to bend...
There is all that.... And a subframe that bends if you look at it funny. Remember the days when it took a 6' pipe to bend a subframe back? If you have ever owned/worked on a Honda and then worked on another manufacturer you will see the difference. From the fasteners on the Hondas are just built better IMO.
I still have my 6' pipe. the only thing I can use it for is my kids cr85. I used to call it my handlebar bender, but can't even bend those now, at least they got better.
Truckdriver
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Truckdriver 2/24/2011 2:39am
2/24/2011 2:39am
I ride blue, and work on several red bikes. Both seem to be great to ride, my Yamaha has been like a Timex, just keeps going and going with out any problems. Zach is riding both the 250 and 450 Honda's, and with a little Enzo magic on the suspension and Fast Core Mods porting on the 250, Yosh pipe, and a few other aftermarket parts we have come up with some very competitive bikes. I'm just more comfy on my YZ.
I think the YZ is easier to work on, seems like things are laid out better. Or just have more room around the components so you can actually put your hand on them. Things are cramped on the Honda. And both feel really light to me, man if they just had these kinda bikes in the 70"s.......................
jleews6
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jleews6 2/24/2011 4:27am
2/24/2011 4:27am
My son is small 5'6 125 pounds and his first ride on his new Honda was shocking. we had 08 CRF450s and when he got on his 09 for the first time it looked like he was back on a 250F. He can throw the bike around and lay it over in corners just like his 250Fs. We have the suspention done and the link and he loves it.
He got to try a Kawi and he said it was like riding a Harley compared to his Honda.He did say the KX has more motor but at 125 pounds he can holeshot on a 125 lol.
Our friend has a new YZ and it feels heavy just and just putting it up on the stand is a job.
JB 19
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JB 19 2/24/2011 6:07am
2/24/2011 6:07am
TerryK wrote:
A 250 pound MX bike is not "light" by any stretch.
If I'm not mistaken, the 09+ crf 450 is like 8 pounds heavier than an 07 cr250.
carlosmacho
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carlosmacho 2/24/2011 7:20am
2/24/2011 7:20am
As a senior rider, I don't need a new bike every year. So I really like my 06 YZ450 which is fairly light (220 claimed dry weight) and will wait until Yamaha puts the current model on a diet. I agree that the Yami is bullet proof. I have had no problems with the ones I have owned. I have a crfx and it has been pretty reliable so perhaps my level of riding doesn't stress the bikes that much.

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