I was out at rio bravo in Houston a few weeks ago and I rode my dads 2008 cr450 that has only a TI/CF exhaust a KYB swap and JM suspension revalve. Next I rode my friends 2018 cr 450 brand new stock. There was no question in my mind the 08 was faster. My dad is 65 and retired so his 08 CR is tuned perfect but my dad has also set up my friends suspension. The 2018 just felt like a fat pig with decent horsepower but as far as handling the 08 was much better to me and the 08 just looks tiny in comparison to the 2018.
What do yall think of the steady increasing weight of the bikes? The carborated 450s had plenty of power for me and I don't know about yall but I don't need electric start. When I crash in a race I'm not worried about getting the bike started for points I'm worried about making it to work.
I wish some manufacture would focus on weight and price besides KTM.