02-08 crf450 still good?

bad juju
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9/23/2018 9:19am Edited Date/Time 2/8/2019 5:29pm
like the title says. how many of you still ride one and your likes and dislikes and year your on. thanks
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wilh72
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9/23/2018 9:31am Edited Date/Time 9/23/2018 9:34am
https://youtu.be/mAQSJ6WnUuM

Here’s a video of a 06 racer x did last year, pretty interesting if you haven’t seen it.
dimetime
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9/23/2018 9:33am Edited Date/Time 9/23/2018 9:34am
I have an 06 CRF 450 that l refuse to sell even though l pretty much ride my YZ 250 exclusively.

I just love that thing so much. It's got a shit ton of hours on it and it's still rock solid. Just great all around bike.

The 07s are supposed to be even better but l don't see how.
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samifan
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Brule, WI US
9/23/2018 9:54am
Last year my main race bike went down right before Loretta’s Area Qualifier. Jumped on our 07 crf 450 that we still have laying around and was actually a tad quicker on it over the length of a moto. Keep in mind I was getting off a current KTM 250sx two stroke, and had to change my classes up (from 250 to open). Still Qualified for the regional in 450 C, and by far had the oldest bike in the class at regionals.

So basically what I’m trying to say is that for most riders, those older crf 450s are more than adequate.

As for likes and dislikes, I love how smooth it rides, especially compared to the two stroke. It almost glides around the track. Like most newer 450s you can just roll on the throttle and it goes, no feathering the clutch or need to over rev. Dislikes have to be the breaks. Coming from a KTM it is really noticeable. I’m sure with some aftermarket stuff you can get it closer, but stock mine leave a lot to be desired.
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dimetime
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9/23/2018 9:57am
samifan wrote:
Last year my main race bike went down right before Loretta’s Area Qualifier. Jumped on our 07 crf 450 that we still have laying around and...
Last year my main race bike went down right before Loretta’s Area Qualifier. Jumped on our 07 crf 450 that we still have laying around and was actually a tad quicker on it over the length of a moto. Keep in mind I was getting off a current KTM 250sx two stroke, and had to change my classes up (from 250 to open). Still Qualified for the regional in 450 C, and by far had the oldest bike in the class at regionals.

So basically what I’m trying to say is that for most riders, those older crf 450s are more than adequate.

As for likes and dislikes, I love how smooth it rides, especially compared to the two stroke. It almost glides around the track. Like most newer 450s you can just roll on the throttle and it goes, no feathering the clutch or need to over rev. Dislikes have to be the breaks. Coming from a KTM it is really noticeable. I’m sure with some aftermarket stuff you can get it closer, but stock mine leave a lot to be desired.
Good point about the brakes. I would definitely put an oversized front rotor on it if l rode it more.

The Shop

bad juju
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9/23/2018 10:08am
samifan wrote:
Last year my main race bike went down right before Loretta’s Area Qualifier. Jumped on our 07 crf 450 that we still have laying around and...
Last year my main race bike went down right before Loretta’s Area Qualifier. Jumped on our 07 crf 450 that we still have laying around and was actually a tad quicker on it over the length of a moto. Keep in mind I was getting off a current KTM 250sx two stroke, and had to change my classes up (from 250 to open). Still Qualified for the regional in 450 C, and by far had the oldest bike in the class at regionals.

So basically what I’m trying to say is that for most riders, those older crf 450s are more than adequate.

As for likes and dislikes, I love how smooth it rides, especially compared to the two stroke. It almost glides around the track. Like most newer 450s you can just roll on the throttle and it goes, no feathering the clutch or need to over rev. Dislikes have to be the breaks. Coming from a KTM it is really noticeable. I’m sure with some aftermarket stuff you can get it closer, but stock mine leave a lot to be desired.
Thanks for the in put and congrats on the LL qualifi
Mr. Info
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9/23/2018 10:14am
The 08 is the best of all those years.
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byke
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9/23/2018 10:39am
I've been riding my '04 for something like eight years now and while the engines may all be interchangeable, the chassis' are so different that I'd change your question to exclude 02-04. I've gotten pretty decent at getting mine to pivot well on trails with lots of rear brake stabs, but someone would be better off passing on the first gen, imo.
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mxb2
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9/23/2018 10:42am
Solid bikes,. But i would go for a low hr or new leftover efi bike. Slimmer also.
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4
9/23/2018 12:19pm
They are great bikes. If the bike is setup for the rider there is no reason it can’t win in a local race. My 17 feels very similar to my 05. My 09 was 1000% different feeling.
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FWYT
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9/23/2018 12:54pm
I love my '06. 22mm offset clamps helped the turning and I've dialed in the suspension.
The '06-'08 generation is preferred with the '08 still considered a great bike even today.
Let's face it - at the local-for-fun level, the bike is generally not the weak link.
5
9/23/2018 1:12pm
The later the better, early years had durability issues with the valve train, 08 was the MXA pick of the bunch.

Having said that I had an 2007 in 2012 and that was a great bike at the time, just heavier springs and a revalve,
more than enough bike for a 200 lb C grade rider.
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1
9/23/2018 1:19pm
I know the 2008 specifically is considered to be the "best" / most highly sought after year..... Anyone recall what improvements were made to the 2008 vs 07, 06 etc ????
wilh72
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9/23/2018 1:34pm
I know the 2008 specifically is considered to be the "best" / most highly sought after year..... Anyone recall what improvements were made to the 2008...
I know the 2008 specifically is considered to be the "best" / most highly sought after year..... Anyone recall what improvements were made to the 2008 vs 07, 06 etc ????
Was wondering the same with the 05 because it’s the same gen as 06-08.
DF313
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9/23/2018 1:50pm
Still good? Still great! I have an 06, the only thing I'd change if I could would be to get fuel injection. But, I really don't mind the carb. Power, turning, stock suspension are all fine for me, but I'll admit, I'm not that great at riding, so there's that.
dimetime
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9/23/2018 3:19pm
I know the 2008 specifically is considered to be the "best" / most highly sought after year..... Anyone recall what improvements were made to the 2008...
I know the 2008 specifically is considered to be the "best" / most highly sought after year..... Anyone recall what improvements were made to the 2008 vs 07, 06 etc ????
I think it's mostly due to power delivery. I remember reading that testers thought the 06 hit a little too hard and they refined delivery in 07-08 for the better. Personally l love the way my 06 hits, my buddy bought an 08 and l felt it was too linear but what do l know? For real.

All in all though l think the 08 was just the culmination of the R&D run for that model and it was as good as they could get it. Which was pretty damn good.
Jason123
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9/23/2018 3:23pm Edited Date/Time 9/23/2018 3:27pm
I raced my 06' yesterday that I have raced and ridden a lot since new. This bike has well over 100 hours on it. Hell, probably over 200. On the line were 2019 KX's, 2019 KTM's and Husky's, 2019 Honda's, and a some Yamaha's. Maintain them and they will go forever. As a sidenote I just picked up another low hour 06' off Craigslist for my next racebike if I ever need one. I paid $2250 for a virtually new bike. I'm Good till 2030. I find it sad that people think you need a 10k bike to have fun and be competitive.



Sincerely,
Jason Holub
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mxb2
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9/23/2018 3:31pm
Jason123 wrote:
I raced my 06' yesterday that I have raced and ridden a lot since new. This bike has well over 100 hours on it. Hell, probably...
I raced my 06' yesterday that I have raced and ridden a lot since new. This bike has well over 100 hours on it. Hell, probably over 200. On the line were 2019 KX's, 2019 KTM's and Husky's, 2019 Honda's, and a some Yamaha's. Maintain them and they will go forever. As a sidenote I just picked up another low hour 06' off Craigslist for my next racebike if I ever need one. I paid $2250 for a virtually new bike. I'm Good till 2030. I find it sad that people think you need a 10k bike to have fun and be competitive.



Sincerely,
Jason Holub
Mx is 90% , bike has little to do with winning. Some people like new toys, work hard play hard. Buying new actually helps r/d. for future models. Dirt bikes are fun, ride what ya want. Who cares.
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Jason123
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9/23/2018 3:37pm
mxb2 wrote:
Mx is 90% , bike has little to do with winning. Some people like new toys, work hard play hard. Buying new actually helps r/d. for...
Mx is 90% , bike has little to do with winning. Some people like new toys, work hard play hard. Buying new actually helps r/d. for future models. Dirt bikes are fun, ride what ya want. Who cares.
Hey dipshit-
Pay attention to the title of the thread.
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mxb2
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9/23/2018 3:42pm
mxb2 wrote:
Mx is 90% , bike has little to do with winning. Some people like new toys, work hard play hard. Buying new actually helps r/d. for...
Mx is 90% , bike has little to do with winning. Some people like new toys, work hard play hard. Buying new actually helps r/d. for future models. Dirt bikes are fun, ride what ya want. Who cares.
Jason123 wrote:
Hey dipshit-
Pay attention to the title of the thread.
Hey dickhead read my first post, where i said its a solid bike.
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newmann
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9/23/2018 4:01pm
2002 CRF450, per Honda,”valve replacement should be considered routine maintenance”.

They would suck the valves up into the head. Everyone was replacing the stockers with Kibblewhite stainless.
TP216
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9/23/2018 4:59pm
I still run my '08 CRF450, Love that bike, bought it new in '09 as we heard the 09 had lots of problems with the EFI cutting out (first year efi). Bike is solid, i have never had any issues with the bike except for 2 bent shift shafts but thats racing. Looking at possibly getting a 18-19 450 next year but would never dream of selling the 08.
FGR01
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9/23/2018 5:56pm
I know the 2008 specifically is considered to be the "best" / most highly sought after year..... Anyone recall what improvements were made to the 2008...
I know the 2008 specifically is considered to be the "best" / most highly sought after year..... Anyone recall what improvements were made to the 2008 vs 07, 06 etc ????
The biggest and most important change in the 2005-2008 generation was the carb they changed to in 2007. Essentially every 4-stroke MX bike ever made with a carb has the Keihin FCR flat-slide carb and they are all the same, except the 2007-2008 CRF450 carb. They basically took the lessons learned with the aftermarket quikshot bowl designs and the accelerator pump wire mod people were doing and Incorporated these into the stock carb. It is easily the best carb ever put on a stock OEM 4-stroke MX bike. It made the throttle response and control on the 2007 and 2008 better than the 2006 and earlier bikes. The bikes have no bog or hesitation whatsoever and ran great. The 2007 and 2008 are basically identical bikes. Very small differences. The 2008 has a shift position sensor which changed the ignition mapping for 1st and 2nd gear. Many people disconnected it anyway. The 2008 also has the HPSD damper behind the front plate which does almost nothing.
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pete24
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9/23/2018 6:00pm
ive had my 08 since new it has 145 hrs on it never needed a valve adjustment, i bought a 13 yz450 put 40 hrs on it rode the honda, sold yz, then i got a 15 huskyfc450, 37 hrs took the honda out that year, sold husky,i got a 17 kx 450 put 70 hrs on it, really liked it, thats gone still have 08 i have an 18 crf450,38 hrs and im starting to think its as good as the 08


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9/23/2018 6:04pm
FGR01 wrote:
The biggest and most important change in the 2005-2008 generation was the carb they changed to in 2007. Essentially every 4-stroke MX bike ever made with...
The biggest and most important change in the 2005-2008 generation was the carb they changed to in 2007. Essentially every 4-stroke MX bike ever made with a carb has the Keihin FCR flat-slide carb and they are all the same, except the 2007-2008 CRF450 carb. They basically took the lessons learned with the aftermarket quikshot bowl designs and the accelerator pump wire mod people were doing and Incorporated these into the stock carb. It is easily the best carb ever put on a stock OEM 4-stroke MX bike. It made the throttle response and control on the 2007 and 2008 better than the 2006 and earlier bikes. The bikes have no bog or hesitation whatsoever and ran great. The 2007 and 2008 are basically identical bikes. Very small differences. The 2008 has a shift position sensor which changed the ignition mapping for 1st and 2nd gear. Many people disconnected it anyway. The 2008 also has the HPSD damper behind the front plate which does almost nothing.
Boom. Thanks for taking the time to do the write up. Love soaking in this kind of info..
JB 19
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9/23/2018 7:28pm
FGR01 wrote:
The biggest and most important change in the 2005-2008 generation was the carb they changed to in 2007. Essentially every 4-stroke MX bike ever made with...
The biggest and most important change in the 2005-2008 generation was the carb they changed to in 2007. Essentially every 4-stroke MX bike ever made with a carb has the Keihin FCR flat-slide carb and they are all the same, except the 2007-2008 CRF450 carb. They basically took the lessons learned with the aftermarket quikshot bowl designs and the accelerator pump wire mod people were doing and Incorporated these into the stock carb. It is easily the best carb ever put on a stock OEM 4-stroke MX bike. It made the throttle response and control on the 2007 and 2008 better than the 2006 and earlier bikes. The bikes have no bog or hesitation whatsoever and ran great. The 2007 and 2008 are basically identical bikes. Very small differences. The 2008 has a shift position sensor which changed the ignition mapping for 1st and 2nd gear. Many people disconnected it anyway. The 2008 also has the HPSD damper behind the front plate which does almost nothing.
Boom. Thanks for taking the time to do the write up. Love soaking in this kind of info..
I think the 08 also went to 20mm clamps ...from 22 in 07.
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9/23/2018 7:38pm
JB 19 wrote:
I think the 08 also went to 20mm clamps ...from 22 in 07.
Good call, that's correct... I remember seeing that when I researched the 2008 CRF front end I put on my 1996 CR250
Myke
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9/23/2018 8:14pm Edited Date/Time 9/23/2018 8:15pm
pete24 wrote:
ive had my 08 since new it has 145 hrs on it never needed a valve adjustment, i bought a 13 yz450 put 40 hrs on...
ive had my 08 since new it has 145 hrs on it never needed a valve adjustment, i bought a 13 yz450 put 40 hrs on it rode the honda, sold yz, then i got a 15 huskyfc450, 37 hrs took the honda out that year, sold husky,i got a 17 kx 450 put 70 hrs on it, really liked it, thats gone still have 08 i have an 18 crf450,38 hrs and im starting to think its as good as the 08


I went from an '08 to an '18. '18 is lighter feeling, corners better and has e-start. The only place I found the '08 better was in hard pack square edge chop, the '08 has more comfort but everywhere else I am happy I have the newer bike.

But if you are on a budget you can't go wrong with an '08.
H4L
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9/23/2018 8:28pm
JB 19 wrote:
I think the 08 also went to 20mm clamps ...from 22 in 07.
I believe Honda went from 24mm in 07 to 22mm in 08 then 20mm in 09 from my recollection.
The 05-08 models are solid mx bikes. Owned a few & never had any issues with them.



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Shawn142
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9/23/2018 8:35pm
I had an '07 and '08. While they were solid bikes I could never get that chassis to turn to my liking. I felt like the newer chassis was an improvement after fixing the stink-bug issue. The '07 is still in storage collecting dust. Maybe a project bike for the future when vintage classes allow non-EFI 4-strokes.
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crc245
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9/23/2018 9:48pm Edited Date/Time 9/24/2018 7:36am
Please update the thread title; they’re not just good, they’re great!

H4L has it right: 24mm offset from 2002-2007, then 22mm in 08’ with HPSD. (Don’t forget, Honda pulled the 4T steering back 2mm in 2006 at the axle lugs as well, making 08’ geometry similar to original 2002-2004 fix of 20mm clamps…)

2005 is it’s own animal; 2006-2008 are much improved. Crank offset, weird frame mounted silencer mount (like a 450X), fork tube length, etc. Good info here: https://motocrossactionmag.com/2006-honda-crf450-test/

FGR01 is on the right track with the 41mm FCR, but I’d completely disagree with the statement that 07/08 are basically identical. The 08’ HPSD works, as evidenced by the fact that modern Geico bikes and Factory CRF’s still utilize them (and RC’s 04’ and Kdub’s CRF’s used them as well). The 08’ feels more nimble with the 22’s, and the mapping that changed between 1st, 2nd, and 3-5 really put the power to the ground in a usable way. Some manufacturers detuned bikes of this era with snow-cone silencer inserts (cough YZF), but the CRF remained quite potent. Similar, yes, but having ridden each back to back, they’re unique to themselves; and the 07’ was a better engine for me at the time racing 450B.

Good history here for the 08’: https://motocrossactionmag.com/2008-honda-crf450-race-test/

I’m currently on my third 2008 CRF450R and looking for a fourth; at the expense of my 17’ CRF450. Crazy, maybe, but I’m just that much more comfortable on it. Both bikes have Kit suspension and are all dialed in, but the 08’ just feels like home. Lap times are identical having ridden both back to back at my slow 30A pace.

Having tested all the 2019’s, I can honestly say that the 06’-08’ CRF’s hold their own against modern offerings (for the right rider who doesn’t necessarily need, or want, the ‘latest and greatest’). They’re stable, reliable, and have a wealth of industry backing. No, they’re not EFI and stupid crisp and responsive (hyper, even, in the case of 17-19 CRF’s) but they work (excellent!). I’m more mechanically inclined than most, and working on the 08’ is simple compared to the 17’; I’d rather keep my carb proper than d*ck with EFI hiccups, any day. Red Rider rant over Cool
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