2023 HONDA CRF450RWE Terrible Vibration Issue

JesseSchram647
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8
Joined
11/3/2020
Location
Lincoln, MI US
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2873rd

I recently purchased a new 2023 Honda 450RWE and it has developed a terrible vibration coming all the way up through the handle bars. The first hour on the bike I didn’t notice it and now I currently have 3.5 hours on the bike and I almost dread to even ride it. The vibrations are terrible at the mid to top RPM range. Pulling the top of second gear makes your hands feel numb because of how bad it vibrates. The only bike I can compare it to is a aluminum framed cr500 as far as vibration through the grips. 
People have told me my suspension is very stiff but that is how the new valving is setup on this new machine. My current suspension settings are as follows;

Forks

Flush height 

Comp. 8 clicks out

Rebound. 11 clicks out

Shock

105mm sag

Low speed. 10 clicks out

High speed. 2.5 turns out

Rebound. 11 clicks out

I am 26 years old, 6’2”, and around 210-215 body weight. I ride in northern Michigan so mainly all soft sand tracks. 
I feel like something is making the whole bike bind up and creating the motor vibration to come all the way up through the handlebars. I just can’t seem to figure out what exactly it could be. I’ve reached out to a couple people for setup tips but haven’t got a solution yet. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated! If you own 2023 450RWE have you felt this vibration? 
 

Thanks,

Jesse 

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sandman768
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6670
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3/21/2014
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY US
4/19/2023 7:43am

Have you checked all motor mount bolts, swingarm nut, linkage bolts ect. ? 

2
motox701
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1/2/2007
Location
Fall River, NS CA
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1502nd
4/19/2023 7:44am

Hey bud

I have 1.1hrs on my '23 450RWE and have not noticed any vibration at all. But, the bike comes standard with some hefty spring rates, and fairly stiff valving.

You might want to try re-torqueing all of the motor mount/hangar bolts - just a thought.

 

Cheers,

Rob 

1
Luxon MX
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11/6/2017
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San Diego, CA US
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189th
4/19/2023 5:55pm

As others have mentioned, I would bet it's a loose motor mount bolt.

1
JesseSchram647
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11/3/2020
Location
Lincoln, MI US
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2873rd
4/19/2023 6:07pm

I just went through the whole bike and re-torqued every bolt that touches the the frame. Motor mounts, linkage, shock, and triple clamps etc. I did not get a chance to ride it tonight so hopefully be able to ride it Friday afternoon. I will post a update on what I find out. Thank you guys! 

The Shop

rm449
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8/19/2014
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Pittsburgh, PA US
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1069th
4/21/2023 10:22am

Make sure you grease all the bearings. There was nothing in any of my bearings. 

Moto520
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3485
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2/4/2013
Location
Schaumburg, IL US
4/21/2023 8:14pm
I just went through the whole bike and re-torqued every bolt that touches the the frame. Motor mounts, linkage, shock, and triple clamps etc. I did...

I just went through the whole bike and re-torqued every bolt that touches the the frame. Motor mounts, linkage, shock, and triple clamps etc. I did not get a chance to ride it tonight so hopefully be able to ride it Friday afternoon. I will post a update on what I find out. Thank you guys! 

Was anything loose?

Coughlin639
Posts
151
Joined
6/19/2020
Location
Clayton, NY US
4/22/2023 4:14am

Had the left cylinder head to head stay bolt come out of my RMZ once and you'd thought the crank was going to come out of the bottom of the cases it vibrated so bad. That's definitely where I'd start too

JesseSchram647
Posts
8
Joined
11/3/2020
Location
Lincoln, MI US
Fantasy
2873rd
4/29/2023 11:49am

Well guys I was finally able to ride the bike again here. Been having some cold and wet weather up here lately. I figured out the vibration issues. I believe all the shock and linkage bolts were way over torqued from the dealer. They felt super tight breaking them free. Feels great now. Just gotta figure out suspension settings. Straight line stability isn’t great and front end feels unstable like it wants to knife. Not sure if I need to go up on spring rates for my weight but hopefully figure that out soon too. Thanks guys. 

1
FGR01
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10/1/2006
Location
AZ US
Fantasy
697th
4/29/2023 3:21pm
Well guys I was finally able to ride the bike again here. Been having some cold and wet weather up here lately. I figured out the...

Well guys I was finally able to ride the bike again here. Been having some cold and wet weather up here lately. I figured out the vibration issues. I believe all the shock and linkage bolts were way over torqued from the dealer. They felt super tight breaking them free. Feels great now. Just gotta figure out suspension settings. Straight line stability isn’t great and front end feels unstable like it wants to knife. Not sure if I need to go up on spring rates for my weight but hopefully figure that out soon too. Thanks guys. 

Watch this vid.  Keefer and Colt Nichols discuss the idiosyncrasies of the CRF450 chassis.  Basically, it is a front-heavy bike that likes to knife and corner and stability isn't its strong point.

https://youtu.be/rqlszHvgUdI

 

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