2016 CRF450R for the average Joe

yamahaha131
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yamahaha131
Having been a loyal Yamaha guy since schoolboy days and coming off a hoss 14 yz450, I'm now looking at leftover 16 Honda 450's around 6k OTD. I'm an out of shape B rider who just wants something that turns and is fun. Besides being low on power compared to the other brands, has anyone hated theirs? Ive rode the 250's and enjoyed them (even with the air forks). Jusr curious on some real world reviews as much as I love reading MXA tests.
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NeedMoto
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NeedMoto 12/31/2016 8:21pm
12/31/2016 8:21pm
Funnest 450 to date for me, for the exact two reasons your wanting. Fun and turns!!!

I came off of YZF and RMZ

6k OTD, buy and enjoy Smile
Ehm24
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Ehm24 12/31/2016 8:23pm
12/31/2016 8:23pm
Great bike with revalved suspension and pipe!
yamahaha131
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yamahaha131 12/31/2016 8:36pm
12/31/2016 8:36pm
Ehm24 wrote:
Great bike with revalved suspension and pipe!
That's the feel I get from everything I read. Single side pipe and save 3-4 lbs with Power gain.
eastcoastmx54 12/31/2016 8:51pm
12/31/2016 8:51pm
I had a 13 crf450. Do suspension and single pipe with tune. Probably most fun bike I've rode.

The Shop

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Tracktor
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Tracktor 1/1/2017 9:03am
1/1/2017 9:03am
Just picked up a 15 for same reason. Spring forks made all the difference for me. The power thing is silly as most riders can't use all if a 250f.......
Graybeard
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Graybeard 1/1/2017 9:18am
1/1/2017 9:18am
Gotta say the same as others here--pipe, suspension, go rip. I bought a 13 CRF450R, with a Yosh exhaust and revalved suspension, still racing it until I get one with the magic button. MXA did an article on prepping a 13 CRF450R for a 50+ vet heading to Loretta's and all he did was the same things (exhaust, revalve suspension) and he put on a Hinson clutch. I put a Magura hydraulic on mine.
Moto520
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Moto520 1/1/2017 9:28am
1/1/2017 9:28am
Get some used spring forks for $800 and send them along with your shock to factory connection or wherever. Sell the airforks and you are golden. This if I'm nitpicking. The air forks are good enough although I personally would replace them for me
yamahaha131
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yamahaha131 1/1/2017 9:41am
1/1/2017 9:41am
bradlindsey227 wrote:
Where have you seen them for 6k OTD?
"Around $6k". Championship Powersports had one listed at $5933. Another dealer has one at $5,999. Every 17 I see is $8,849.
Brad460
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Brad460 1/1/2017 9:41am
1/1/2017 9:41am
Rode a 2011 Honda 450 and then went to 2015 Yamaha 450 and also rode a 2015 Honda 450- being a older "B" level rider they were all the same to me.

Buy the Honda because at 6k it's a great deal and a great bike, not because you think you will be faster/better- that will set you up for disappointment..
yamahaha131
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yamahaha131 1/1/2017 9:43am
1/1/2017 9:43am
Tracktor wrote:
Just picked up a 15 for same reason. Spring forks made all the difference for me. The power thing is silly as most riders can't use...
Just picked up a 15 for same reason. Spring forks made all the difference for me. The power thing is silly as most riders can't use all if a 250f.......
I rode a 14 250 and had a blast. I'm over 200lbs so need a little extra grunt. What spring forks did you buy for yours?
Tom711
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Tom711 1/1/2017 10:06am
1/1/2017 10:06am
I bought one when they started selling them off cheap a couple of months ago over here in the UK after riding a friends and falling in love with it. I had a SX 250 for the past two years and a SXF 450 before that, I race in the B group and definitely don't find the Honda slow or underpowered. It's not got the aggressive power of the sxf but I find it tracks extremely well and goes where I point it. It turns awesome, almost doesn't feel like a 450 the way it turns.
I couldn't get on with the air forks so dropped in some ohlins cartridges and I'm struggling to get used to the clutch feel, I think that's just me been on ktm with a hydraulic clutch for so long.

Daystar99
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Daystar99 1/1/2017 10:41am
1/1/2017 10:41am
yamahaha131 wrote:
Having been a loyal Yamaha guy since schoolboy days and coming off a hoss 14 yz450, I'm now looking at leftover 16 Honda 450's around 6k...
Having been a loyal Yamaha guy since schoolboy days and coming off a hoss 14 yz450, I'm now looking at leftover 16 Honda 450's around 6k OTD. I'm an out of shape B rider who just wants something that turns and is fun. Besides being low on power compared to the other brands, has anyone hated theirs? Ive rode the 250's and enjoyed them (even with the air forks). Jusr curious on some real world reviews as much as I love reading MXA tests.
For what it's worth, I've had nearly every CRF450 from 2003 to 2016. I have a 2016 now and I have absolutely despised the PS2 forks, especially in sharp edged chop and braking / acceleration bumps. Factory Connection was able to make them a little better but only marginally less harsh. A friend of mine suggested replacing the internals with Öhlins springs and dampers and it has been the best decision I've ever made (dirt bike wise) - it completely changed the entire character of the bike for the better - not just sharp edged bumps but turning is also much better. I've never tried A-Kit forks but I can't imagine anything working better than these. Just my $.02.
yamahaha131
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yamahaha131 1/1/2017 11:48am
1/1/2017 11:48am
yamahaha131 wrote:
Having been a loyal Yamaha guy since schoolboy days and coming off a hoss 14 yz450, I'm now looking at leftover 16 Honda 450's around 6k...
Having been a loyal Yamaha guy since schoolboy days and coming off a hoss 14 yz450, I'm now looking at leftover 16 Honda 450's around 6k OTD. I'm an out of shape B rider who just wants something that turns and is fun. Besides being low on power compared to the other brands, has anyone hated theirs? Ive rode the 250's and enjoyed them (even with the air forks). Jusr curious on some real world reviews as much as I love reading MXA tests.
Daystar99 wrote:
For what it's worth, I've had nearly every CRF450 from 2003 to 2016. I have a 2016 now and I have absolutely despised the PS2 forks...
For what it's worth, I've had nearly every CRF450 from 2003 to 2016. I have a 2016 now and I have absolutely despised the PS2 forks, especially in sharp edged chop and braking / acceleration bumps. Factory Connection was able to make them a little better but only marginally less harsh. A friend of mine suggested replacing the internals with Öhlins springs and dampers and it has been the best decision I've ever made (dirt bike wise) - it completely changed the entire character of the bike for the better - not just sharp edged bumps but turning is also much better. I've never tried A-Kit forks but I can't imagine anything working better than these. Just my $.02.
What does the Ohlins setup run?
Tracktor
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Tracktor 1/3/2017 11:16am
1/3/2017 11:16am
Tracktor wrote:
Just picked up a 15 for same reason. Spring forks made all the difference for me. The power thing is silly as most riders can't use...
Just picked up a 15 for same reason. Spring forks made all the difference for me. The power thing is silly as most riders can't use all if a 250f.......
yamahaha131 wrote:
I rode a 14 250 and had a blast. I'm over 200lbs so need a little extra grunt. What spring forks did you buy for yours?
My suspension guy had a set off of a 2010 CRF450. Finally got to ride them over the weekend and it's a whole new bike. Worth every penny. It turns so much better and absorbs the chop. I may have been able to get the airs toi work but this is better as it's set and forget except occasional clicker changes......
FLmxer
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FLmxer 1/3/2017 11:23am
1/3/2017 11:23am
I put 2012 crf250 spring forks on my 15 crf450 and love them. Was going to sell my 15 with both the spring and airforks but thinking about keeping the springers in case i cant get along with one of the next bikes suspenders.
jpfiester82
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jpfiester82 1/3/2017 12:15pm
1/3/2017 12:15pm
bradlindsey227 wrote:
Where have you seen them for 6k OTD?
yamahaha131 wrote:
"Around $6k". Championship Powersports had one listed at $5933. Another dealer has one at $5,999. Every 17 I see is $8,849.
My last new bike came from Championship. Great group that are definitely into the moto side.
kaptkaos
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kaptkaos 1/3/2017 12:55pm
1/3/2017 12:55pm
I love my 2013, I am 48 and slow.
FC revalve, stock twin exhaust until they break.
Ron Hamp remap.
Rear sprocket
Graphics
MX32s

Thats all.

Pit Row

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flmpkr661
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flmpkr661 1/3/2017 5:50pm
1/3/2017 5:50pm
I did the same thing, got a closeout 16 and love it! I am a slow 6'3" 250lb vet and it has plenty for me. Compared to my last 450 it feels like a 250f.
kott0n
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kott0n 1/3/2017 5:52pm
1/3/2017 5:52pm
Ehm24 wrote:
Great bike with revalved suspension and pipe!
yamahaha131 wrote:
That's the feel I get from everything I read. Single side pipe and save 3-4 lbs with Power gain.

I keep seeing this and I keep asking "Why would Honda run dual exhaust?". Clearly its not needed as the aftermarket has done away with it. Clearly it is heavier.

What did they gain?
kaptkaos
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kaptkaos 1/3/2017 6:14pm
1/3/2017 6:14pm
Ehm24 wrote:
Great bike with revalved suspension and pipe!
yamahaha131 wrote:
That's the feel I get from everything I read. Single side pipe and save 3-4 lbs with Power gain.
kott0n wrote:
I keep seeing this and I keep asking "Why would Honda run dual exhaust?". Clearly its not needed as the aftermarket has done away with it...

I keep seeing this and I keep asking "Why would Honda run dual exhaust?". Clearly its not needed as the aftermarket has done away with it. Clearly it is heavier.

What did they gain?
Two smaller mufflers located closer to the center of mass.You always hear how nimble Hondas feel and how good they corner right?

To all riders except the top 30 racers in the country, they cant tell the difference between the two stock mufflers and a $1500 Carbon Yosh single. It just looks good on the bike and makes you feel better about your bike, which is all good.
smoothies862
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smoothies862 1/3/2017 6:28pm
1/3/2017 6:28pm
it does get old when mags bag on it being slow or low on power. the head developer on the bike intentionally made it that way. he says in an interview he wanted it smooth . still plenty of juice. 6k sounds like load it in the truck timeCool

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