02-08 crf450 still good?

4csHATER wrote:

I personally think this is one of the best bikes you could possibly own, if you do a carillo long rod, copper valve seatsx2 or del...

I personally think this is one of the best bikes you could possibly own, if you do a carillo long rod, copper valve seatsx2 or del west valve train, cam and vortex cdi, hinson clutch, rem / cryo tranny, and run the kx250f linkage from 2008 and 2011 kx450f forks and wheel setup on the front, this bike is absolutely beast. it shits on newer bikes except ktm, if your wanting to step away from fuel injection because the oems are douches making you buy 120$ sensors and shit everytime you ride the bike cough cough ... (yamaha, kawasaki, suzuki) then yes get one of these any thing is competitive when given the right motor/suspension knowledge, and rider.

hell jerry robin raced a 89cr250 and waxed fools

H4L wrote:

Found an interesting restoration article on the 08 model..

https://motocrossactionmag.com/we-restore-a-2008-honda-crf450/

4csHATER wrote:

I personally think this is one of the best bikes you could possibly own, if you do a carillo long rod, copper valve seatsx2 or del...

I personally think this is one of the best bikes you could possibly own, if you do a carillo long rod, copper valve seatsx2 or del west valve train, cam and vortex cdi, hinson clutch, rem / cryo tranny, and run the kx250f linkage from 2008 and 2011 kx450f forks and wheel setup on the front, this bike is absolutely beast. it shits on newer bikes except ktm, if your wanting to step away from fuel injection because the oems are douches making you buy 120$ sensors and shit everytime you ride the bike cough cough ... (yamaha, kawasaki, suzuki) then yes get one of these any thing is competitive when given the right motor/suspension knowledge, and rider.

hell jerry robin raced a 89cr250 and waxed fools

4csHATER wrote:

I personally think this is one of the best bikes you could possibly own, if you do a carillo long rod, copper valve seatsx2 or del...

I personally think this is one of the best bikes you could possibly own, if you do a carillo long rod, copper valve seatsx2 or del west valve train, cam and vortex cdi, hinson clutch, rem / cryo tranny, and run the kx250f linkage from 2008 and 2011 kx450f forks and wheel setup on the front, this bike is absolutely beast. it shits on newer bikes except ktm, if your wanting to step away from fuel injection because the oems are douches making you buy 120$ sensors and shit everytime you ride the bike cough cough ... (yamaha, kawasaki, suzuki) then yes get one of these any thing is competitive when given the right motor/suspension knowledge, and rider.

hell jerry robin raced a 89cr250 and waxed fools

4csHATER wrote:

I personally think this is one of the best bikes you could possibly own, if you do a carillo long rod, copper valve seatsx2 or del...

I personally think this is one of the best bikes you could possibly own, if you do a carillo long rod, copper valve seatsx2 or del west valve train, cam and vortex cdi, hinson clutch, rem / cryo tranny, and run the kx250f linkage from 2008 and 2011 kx450f forks and wheel setup on the front, this bike is absolutely beast. it shits on newer bikes except ktm, if your wanting to step away from fuel injection because the oems are douches making you buy 120$ sensors and shit everytime you ride the bike cough cough ... (yamaha, kawasaki, suzuki) then yes get one of these any thing is competitive when given the right motor/suspension knowledge, and rider.

hell jerry robin raced a 89cr250 and waxed fools

VRR7 wrote:

I see - http://www.rg3suspension.com/p_linkages_applications.php Still sell them - Also the CRF450X linkage are also similar to the aftermarket ratios ...

Kenny Lingus wrote:

I had an '05 forever. Loved it. Had a bunch of mods done to it over the years. Told myself no need to get anything newer...

I had an '05 forever. Loved it. Had a bunch of mods done to it over the years. Told myself no need to get anything newer because it wasn't that much better. Decided to buy new bike summer of '17. Looked at KTM then Honda released the '18 with electric start which what was leaning me towards the KTM. Bought the '18 Honda, really did make my '05 feel like a trail bike. Difference in power and handling was huge. I really preferred the new bike a lot over the old one. But that's just me others may like the more mellow motor and handling.

Kenny Lingus wrote:

I had an '05 forever. Loved it. Had a bunch of mods done to it over the years. Told myself no need to get anything newer...

I had an '05 forever. Loved it. Had a bunch of mods done to it over the years. Told myself no need to get anything newer because it wasn't that much better. Decided to buy new bike summer of '17. Looked at KTM then Honda released the '18 with electric start which what was leaning me towards the KTM. Bought the '18 Honda, really did make my '05 feel like a trail bike. Difference in power and handling was huge. I really preferred the new bike a lot over the old one. But that's just me others may like the more mellow motor and handling.

G-man wrote:

Which triple clamps did you have and did they make a big difference? That's the only thing I don't like about my 06 it does not...

Which triple clamps did you have and did they make a big difference?

That's the only thing I don't like about my 06 it does not corner like the newer models.

Thanks

crc245 wrote:

Can't really turn it into an 08' due to ignition changes, HPSD addition, and lower crankshaft positioning, but you can get it darn close. I'd start...

Can't really turn it into an 08' due to ignition changes, HPSD addition, and lower crankshaft positioning, but you can get it darn close. I'd start with the cheap and easy fixes first: good tires, 100-104mm sag, fresh clutch and throttle cables (lubed with TriFlow overnight), and a proper carb clean/setup (likely with NCYS or NJYR needle in 3rd position, 42/45 pilot and 178/180 main; depending on temps and time of year - rich setting for our current SoCal "cold"). I'd go ahead and wire the accelerator pump arm while you're in there: https://youtu.be/HkRS9G-7yHc

If this feels good but you'd like more agile turning, 22mm clamps from 2008 CRF450's can be had for cheap on eBay or new aftermarkets are available if you're up for spending some coin on the ole' girl. For more power, grab an exhaust and higher comp piston. These had 12.0:1 comp ratios, whereas modern CRF's are at 13.5:1. Anything higher and race gas adds up quick.

Another often overlooked mod is a radiator lowering kit. Dr. D lists one for 2006+ CRF's, but they're all essentially the same (and you can even fab your own with relative ease). This lowers the water weight and does have a positive effect on this chassis.

https://www.dubachracing.com/shop/radiator-lowering-kit/


Congrats and enjoy that new to you Scoot!

snackfedbear wrote:

Yes! I was hoping you would reply to my comment. Thank you for the tips, honestly. Never heard of the radiator lowering kit but it makes...

Yes! I was hoping you would reply to my comment. Thank you for the tips, honestly. Never heard of the radiator lowering kit but it makes a ton of sense from a physical standpoint, gonna look into it.

So turns out I wanted my pops to keep riding so I picked up an 08 today for 1900. It had all new plastics and graphics, brand new Bridgestone battle cross tires, pro circuit pipe and a bunch of other goodies. Only issue is that Its gonna have to be a track bike till I get the title figured out. No big deal, I don’t ride in the desert much these days anyways. If you guys got some tech suggestions, please! I’m all ears...

Will post some more pics when I get her cleaned up tomorrow.



Not sure if it’s nostalgia or what, but this bike felt awesome for the 2.5 minutes I rode it up n down the road. Started right up on the first kick (as it said in the craigslist description lol), brakes felt fine, no backfiring, no bog whatsoever, and turns out the suspension was done by race tech at some point. Has the stickers that say gold valeves and the spring stamp to back it up.. Can’t wait to get this thing out to the track on a rough day and see what she can do. Still thinking of what I should name her... I’m thinkin Lucy lucky but without the extra k

crc245 wrote:

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...

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

brimx153 wrote:

I 100% Agree with this . I had a 07 . Put over 500hrs on it . And much rather it then a 18 Honda. I...

I 100% Agree with this . I had a 07 . Put over 500hrs on it . And much rather it then a 18 Honda. I still feel the 18 is stink bug as he'll. Not as bad as the 13 to 16 or as terrible as the 09 . But I loved the 07 and I think must people s lap times would be the same on one as a brand new bike

mattyhamz2 wrote:

Looks pretty clean! You didn't get it from a kid named John did you?

kiwifan wrote:

I disagree, the 17+ bikes are better than the previous best 08 ...yes the newer generations are tricky to setup as they are very sensitive to...

I disagree, the 17+ bikes are better than the previous best 08 ...yes the newer generations are tricky to setup as they are very sensitive to change but they are very very fast bikes.