2021 Honda CRF 450 First Impressions

LKHill
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LKHill 10/1/2020 11:32am
10/1/2020 11:32am
I guess the million dollar question is, did these bikes get remapped.
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MBR
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MBR 10/1/2020 11:43am
10/1/2020 11:43am
Rode the bike a few days ago. Really like how compact and light it feels and tons of power. It picks up revs like 250, but has power of 450. I didn’t notice anything wrong in euro-version as far as the mapping goes. Clutch is light, but I’m old school and like the cable units feel better. Went in with both compression and rebound on the forks and it made front much calmer.
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yz133rider
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yz133rider 10/1/2020 11:43am
10/1/2020 11:43am
LKHill wrote:
I guess the million dollar question is, did these bikes get remapped.
I’m gonna go with no. They tested them last week for the intro and it’s delivered already? Not much time for testing and developing a better map at the oem level I wouldn’t think.

Of course is just a guess so, we will see!!
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LKHill
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LKHill 10/1/2020 12:11pm
10/1/2020 12:11pm
yz133rider wrote:
I’m gonna go with no. They tested them last week for the intro and it’s delivered already? Not much time for testing and developing a better...
I’m gonna go with no. They tested them last week for the intro and it’s delivered already? Not much time for testing and developing a better map at the oem level I wouldn’t think.

Of course is just a guess so, we will see!!
So it entirely possible the ones on the trucks got delivered and they are holding the rest in the warehouse.
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GPrider
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GPrider 10/1/2020 3:18pm
10/1/2020 3:18pm
keefer's instagram eludes to Honda addressing the ecu.
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cloud41
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cloud41 10/1/2020 3:22pm
10/1/2020 3:22pm
The first batch probably does not have the reflashed ecu. I bought a 16 450sxf, first batch similar to the situation with the Honda, and it did not have the changes made to the following batches.
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kiwifan
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kiwifan 10/1/2020 3:29pm
10/1/2020 3:29pm
GPrider wrote:
keefer's instagram eludes to Honda addressing the ecu.
oh dear, that is going to piss of some Vitards who cant complain about it now....if indeed Keefer is right
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 10/1/2020 3:39pm
10/1/2020 3:39pm
zlowery wrote:
My dealer just called. Arriving tomorrow. Scheduling for Saturday pickup. Honda East Toledo for those wondering. They were first with my 2013 and 2017 there. They...
My dealer just called. Arriving tomorrow. Scheduling for Saturday pickup.

Honda East Toledo for those wondering. They were first with my 2013 and 2017 there. They seem to do volume and get them in quick. All the first ones (4) are spoken for.
Ride report asap!
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wrc777
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wrc777 10/1/2020 5:58pm
10/1/2020 5:58pm
It could be they had a better map already and someone screwed up and didn't update the ECMs.
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nascarnate326 10/2/2020 4:33am
10/2/2020 4:33am
wrc777 wrote:
It could be they had a better map already and someone screwed up and didn't update the ECMs.
Crazy that something as simple as a refresh could be responsible for a lame duck launch on what appears otherwise to be an awesome bike.
Steve125
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Steve125 10/2/2020 6:29am
10/2/2020 6:29am
Dealers could do the reflash on early ones... There could be a TSB that they complete before delivery.
Dirty Points 10/2/2020 7:59am
10/2/2020 7:59am Edited Date/Time 10/2/2020 8:56am
Steve125 wrote:
Dealers could do the reflash on early ones... There could be a TSB that they complete before delivery.
If there was a current TSB, certainly a tech could post it to this thread.

These bikes are starting to deliver. It takes a while to pipeline that type of product update all the way through to the customer.

I'll go with: not a super big deal, mapping isn't picture-perfect, and it won't be the first or the last bike delivered with less-than-perfect mappings. Unless we go to closed-loop systems, all ECU settings are always a bit of a blind compromise.
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RCMXracing
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RCMXracing 10/2/2020 10:43am
10/2/2020 10:43am
rmgsxr wrote:
Unloaded off the truck late yesterday. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/01/452073/s1200_0F126723_D13D_4A50_97BC_9363517FBD90.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/01/452074/s1200_00FA5B4B_2206_4A6B_86FD_F8A4F5B81C48.jpg[/img]
Unloaded off the truck late yesterday.



What’s going on here?
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ML512
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ML512 10/2/2020 10:51am
10/2/2020 10:51am
rmgsxr wrote:
Unloaded off the truck late yesterday. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/01/452073/s1200_0F126723_D13D_4A50_97BC_9363517FBD90.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/01/452074/s1200_00FA5B4B_2206_4A6B_86FD_F8A4F5B81C48.jpg[/img]
Unloaded off the truck late yesterday.



RCMXracing wrote:
What’s going on here?[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/02/452229/s1200_1C5B996B_BC16_4073_92E9_D2BB82D8B8ED.jpg[/img]
What’s going on here?
That’s where the clutch arm used to go in when it had cable clutch. They didn’t make an all new casting, they modified the existing one so the clutch arm area is still there.
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RCMXracing
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RCMXracing 10/2/2020 10:58am
10/2/2020 10:58am
rmgsxr wrote:
Unloaded off the truck late yesterday. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/01/452073/s1200_0F126723_D13D_4A50_97BC_9363517FBD90.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/01/452074/s1200_00FA5B4B_2206_4A6B_86FD_F8A4F5B81C48.jpg[/img]
Unloaded off the truck late yesterday.



RCMXracing wrote:
What’s going on here?[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/02/452229/s1200_1C5B996B_BC16_4073_92E9_D2BB82D8B8ED.jpg[/img]
What’s going on here?
ML512 wrote:
That’s where the clutch arm used to go in when it had cable clutch. They didn’t make an all new casting, they modified the existing one...
That’s where the clutch arm used to go in when it had cable clutch. They didn’t make an all new casting, they modified the existing one so the clutch arm area is still there.
Is there a cap to prevent dirt going in? Decent sized hole there, obviously not into engine, but dirt laying in there would be annoying. Kinda looks like gasket material in the pic.
Also begs the question if the design allows a reversion to a cable clutch.
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Patrick_Potato 10/2/2020 11:15am
10/2/2020 11:15am
LKHill wrote:
Most hype and one of the biggest letdowns ever.
Can't agree with "ever". For a bike to be "all new" and come out better than the previous version? Seems like they have a very solid starting point to refine from.

Though, the hype was real.
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LKHill
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LKHill 10/2/2020 11:35am
10/2/2020 11:35am
Patrick_Potato wrote:
Can't agree with "ever". For a bike to be "all new" and come out better than the previous version? Seems like they have a very solid...
Can't agree with "ever". For a bike to be "all new" and come out better than the previous version? Seems like they have a very solid starting point to refine from.

Though, the hype was real.
I was not employing it is a bad bike at all, just the level it fell from expectations. As far as refining they went from a shootout winner in 2018 to a 5th place finish in 2020 by refining it. I am keeping my expectations low from now on.
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captmoto
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captmoto 10/2/2020 11:37am
10/2/2020 11:37am
I don't see the suspension and mapping as a huge problem. I'm way over 220# so revalve and springing is mandatory. Mapping? It's cheaper than even a slip on so I wouldn't think twice about Twisted tweaking it at all. They are a really nice looking bike and my previous Hondas were really well made.
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wildbill
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wildbill 10/2/2020 11:41am
10/2/2020 11:41am
Chris99Flannery wrote:
It does read weird that its reported better than the 20 model but every tester has been pretty bummed with it. Im annoyed that the ecu...
It does read weird that its reported better than the 20 model but every tester has been pretty bummed with it.
Im annoyed that the ecu will need work( if it then actually helps it anyway ) and the time and substantial cost it takes to do it.
Doesnt look good for Honda so far.
No, but the Honda looks great.
DR176
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DR176 10/2/2020 12:46pm
10/2/2020 12:46pm
captmoto wrote:
I don't see the suspension and mapping as a huge problem. I'm way over 220# so revalve and springing is mandatory. Mapping? It's cheaper than even...
I don't see the suspension and mapping as a huge problem. I'm way over 220# so revalve and springing is mandatory. Mapping? It's cheaper than even a slip on so I wouldn't think twice about Twisted tweaking it at all. They are a really nice looking bike and my previous Hondas were really well made.
I'm honestly a huge Honda fanboy, and I'm sure I'll be on one of these in a couple years, however it's 2020 and I think it's totally realistic to expect that when you buy a new vehicle of any sort that it comes without the need to spend any extra money on it outside of personalization to make it "right" so the ECU deal rubs me the wrong way a bit and seems a tad inexcusable.
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kiwifan
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kiwifan 10/2/2020 1:53pm
10/2/2020 1:53pm
captmoto wrote:
I don't see the suspension and mapping as a huge problem. I'm way over 220# so revalve and springing is mandatory. Mapping? It's cheaper than even...
I don't see the suspension and mapping as a huge problem. I'm way over 220# so revalve and springing is mandatory. Mapping? It's cheaper than even a slip on so I wouldn't think twice about Twisted tweaking it at all. They are a really nice looking bike and my previous Hondas were really well made.
DR176 wrote:
I'm honestly a huge Honda fanboy, and I'm sure I'll be on one of these in a couple years, however it's 2020 and I think it's...
I'm honestly a huge Honda fanboy, and I'm sure I'll be on one of these in a couple years, however it's 2020 and I think it's totally realistic to expect that when you buy a new vehicle of any sort that it comes without the need to spend any extra money on it outside of personalization to make it "right" so the ECU deal rubs me the wrong way a bit and seems a tad inexcusable.
Well it sounds like the ECU problem may well be fixed before they go to dealers......so what else is wrong with it?

Some say suspension is soft, but according to Showa technicians it is actually firmer than last year, its the more forgiving chassis which has made the difference (apparently), a few tweaks here and there will fix any suspension tuning required....like ANY bike.

It is the people/media that said the 21 bike is a game changer more so than Honda themselves
DR176
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DR176 10/2/2020 2:02pm
10/2/2020 2:02pm
captmoto wrote:
I don't see the suspension and mapping as a huge problem. I'm way over 220# so revalve and springing is mandatory. Mapping? It's cheaper than even...
I don't see the suspension and mapping as a huge problem. I'm way over 220# so revalve and springing is mandatory. Mapping? It's cheaper than even a slip on so I wouldn't think twice about Twisted tweaking it at all. They are a really nice looking bike and my previous Hondas were really well made.
DR176 wrote:
I'm honestly a huge Honda fanboy, and I'm sure I'll be on one of these in a couple years, however it's 2020 and I think it's...
I'm honestly a huge Honda fanboy, and I'm sure I'll be on one of these in a couple years, however it's 2020 and I think it's totally realistic to expect that when you buy a new vehicle of any sort that it comes without the need to spend any extra money on it outside of personalization to make it "right" so the ECU deal rubs me the wrong way a bit and seems a tad inexcusable.
kiwifan wrote:
Well it sounds like the ECU problem may well be fixed before they go to dealers......so what else is wrong with it? Some say suspension is...
Well it sounds like the ECU problem may well be fixed before they go to dealers......so what else is wrong with it?

Some say suspension is soft, but according to Showa technicians it is actually firmer than last year, its the more forgiving chassis which has made the difference (apparently), a few tweaks here and there will fix any suspension tuning required....like ANY bike.

It is the people/media that said the 21 bike is a game changer more so than Honda themselves
I apologize if i missed some hard information in the thread about them for sure getting reflashed, if that's the case than I'm good with it. The suspension deal I'm cool with as well as much as you'd like to read how they nailed the settings. It sounds like if anything it's just a spring issue? If it was a 4CS situation then maybe we would have a different story but I was only referring to the ECU really.
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mxracer666
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mxracer666 10/2/2020 2:19pm
10/2/2020 2:19pm
captmoto wrote:
I don't see the suspension and mapping as a huge problem. I'm way over 220# so revalve and springing is mandatory. Mapping? It's cheaper than even...
I don't see the suspension and mapping as a huge problem. I'm way over 220# so revalve and springing is mandatory. Mapping? It's cheaper than even a slip on so I wouldn't think twice about Twisted tweaking it at all. They are a really nice looking bike and my previous Hondas were really well made.
DR176 wrote:
I'm honestly a huge Honda fanboy, and I'm sure I'll be on one of these in a couple years, however it's 2020 and I think it's...
I'm honestly a huge Honda fanboy, and I'm sure I'll be on one of these in a couple years, however it's 2020 and I think it's totally realistic to expect that when you buy a new vehicle of any sort that it comes without the need to spend any extra money on it outside of personalization to make it "right" so the ECU deal rubs me the wrong way a bit and seems a tad inexcusable.
Think of the ECU to be more like a performance enhancing part. Kind of like a pipe, or even just a slip-on (muffler).Lots of people get a pipe to enhance or move the power to the spot "they" want it to be to personalize it for them. I had my ECU reflashed by Twisted on my 2018 1/2 KTM 450, because I wanted more "hit" to the low-end power. That cost 1/2 of what a slip-on exhaust would cost and got me to where I wanted to be. How many people spend $$ on anodized bits and pieces because they like the look of it (myself included) Performance benefit = 0. Bottom line: reflash the ECU if you get a new Honda, and make it "fit" your riding style in the process, just like any other part of the bike. Could Honda have done better? It sure sounds like it...
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DR176
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DR176 10/2/2020 2:42pm
10/2/2020 2:42pm
captmoto wrote:
I don't see the suspension and mapping as a huge problem. I'm way over 220# so revalve and springing is mandatory. Mapping? It's cheaper than even...
I don't see the suspension and mapping as a huge problem. I'm way over 220# so revalve and springing is mandatory. Mapping? It's cheaper than even a slip on so I wouldn't think twice about Twisted tweaking it at all. They are a really nice looking bike and my previous Hondas were really well made.
DR176 wrote:
I'm honestly a huge Honda fanboy, and I'm sure I'll be on one of these in a couple years, however it's 2020 and I think it's...
I'm honestly a huge Honda fanboy, and I'm sure I'll be on one of these in a couple years, however it's 2020 and I think it's totally realistic to expect that when you buy a new vehicle of any sort that it comes without the need to spend any extra money on it outside of personalization to make it "right" so the ECU deal rubs me the wrong way a bit and seems a tad inexcusable.
mxracer666 wrote:
Think of the ECU to be more like a performance enhancing part. Kind of like a pipe, or even just a slip-on (muffler).Lots of people get...
Think of the ECU to be more like a performance enhancing part. Kind of like a pipe, or even just a slip-on (muffler).Lots of people get a pipe to enhance or move the power to the spot "they" want it to be to personalize it for them. I had my ECU reflashed by Twisted on my 2018 1/2 KTM 450, because I wanted more "hit" to the low-end power. That cost 1/2 of what a slip-on exhaust would cost and got me to where I wanted to be. How many people spend $$ on anodized bits and pieces because they like the look of it (myself included) Performance benefit = 0. Bottom line: reflash the ECU if you get a new Honda, and make it "fit" your riding style in the process, just like any other part of the bike. Could Honda have done better? It sure sounds like it...
Yeah I totally understand why you would flash an ECU and that it can be super beneficial. If you buy a bike brand new then hopefully you can afford an extra few hundred bucks to get it corrected. That doesn't mean you should have to though at the end of the day. Again, I'm just holding them at a high standard, but I think it's reasonable in this situation given that it sounds like for many it was a bit of a distraction to the overall riding experience. And with that said, it's not like I've ridden one so I'm totally just chirping from the sidelines, but when you hear some fairly average riders in the grand scheme of things like Swap and Matthes themselves mention it, it makes me think that we all would. Really looking forward to seeing how the RW is, not that I'm at all in the market, there's just something about a Honda and this one looks fantastic in my opinion so I cant help but want to see them back in the argument for best bike.
LKHill
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LKHill 10/2/2020 3:05pm
10/2/2020 3:05pm Edited Date/Time 10/2/2020 3:07pm
I am going to say over 80%+ of new bike buyers would never flash their ECU. I mean common' man, all those setting and buttons and you need a reflash?
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JOE_SPROCKETS#1 10/2/2020 3:20pm
10/2/2020 3:20pm
LKHill wrote:
I am going to say over 80%+ of new bike buyers would never flash their ECU. I mean common' man, all those setting and buttons and...
I am going to say over 80%+ of new bike buyers would never flash their ECU. I mean common' man, all those setting and buttons and you need a reflash?
Bud, we get it. You have shit all over the Honda wing badge becsuse of the ecu issue but haven’t even rode the thing.
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Dizzy714
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Dizzy714 10/2/2020 5:38pm
10/2/2020 5:38pm
Can anyone confirm if the 17’-20’ front plates directly bolt on? Looks like Trey was running one (Cycra) looking at this photo.
Meister
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Meister 10/2/2020 9:02pm
10/2/2020 9:02pm
zlowery wrote:
My dealer just called. Arriving tomorrow. Scheduling for Saturday pickup. Honda East Toledo for those wondering. They were first with my 2013 and 2017 there. They...
My dealer just called. Arriving tomorrow. Scheduling for Saturday pickup.

Honda East Toledo for those wondering. They were first with my 2013 and 2017 there. They seem to do volume and get them in quick. All the first ones (4) are spoken for.
Dang. They were the first place I contemplated locking one down at. At the point I called, I woulda been first in line lol.. what did they end up selling you yours for?
jtiger12
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jtiger12 10/3/2020 3:15am
10/3/2020 3:15am
My dealer sent me an email about the delay this week. In my situation, after buying a house I could use a little time to get things sorted anyway. Hope the rumor is true, but if not I'll be calling twisted in late November.

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