Tested: 2015 Honda CRF450R Project Bike 4

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Overall, this build wasn't too extreme. The most time-consuming install on the bike was the Yoshimura cam, which requires you to transfer over the decompression unit from your stock cam.


The second longest belongs to GET's GP1-EVO system, which is quite the electronics package, with a ton of features and a bit of routing required for all the wiring. It comes with a GET ECU, GPA system, map switch, and a WiFi-Com box. The GPA (GET Power Assistance) is probably the most interesting component of all, because it acts as a type of traction control system, with a dial that has settings from zero-to-ten. At zero the system is not active, but once turned to one or more, you can feel the difference it makes. When activated, the system watches for RPM spikes when the throttle position is at 50% or less, which typically indicates that there has been wheelspin to cause the excessive gain in RPMs. When the GPA senses this, it retards the mapping to gain control again. In this sense, one is the lowest setting where the system is barely active, and at ten it kicks in with a much higher degree. We typically ran the system at around four to six, which helped out in hardpacked corners and other situations where traction was lacking, but without interfering too much.



The next biggest piece included in this build was the 19mm shock shaft kit from Race Tech. This a new item for Race Tech, and it was produced primarily for Supercross and Arenacross applications. Although the larger shaft size made a positive difference in the overall action of the shock, its higher price may not make it suitable for the rider on a budget. Race Tech also offers a clevis kit for the stock shaft, which allows you to regain the rebound adjustment through the shaft at a lower cost.


For tires, we mounted up a set of Bridgestone Battlecross X30 tires. This was our first experience with the X30s, and our initial impressions with them are very positive; which was a good sign considering Castillo Ranch has varying soil conditions from one end of the track to the other.



Getting into the smaller bits, we added an oil filter cover from REC MX. These covers feature external fins that help cool the oil as it passes through the oil filter housing and the covers that feature oil circuits. Plus, it's another awesome piece of bling but with a performance advantage.


In stock trim, the Honda CRF450R has a restrictive air filter cage, so we turned to No Toil for a solution. No Toil offers a Super-Flo kit, which gives you a high-quality air filter and a cage without a screen for a fairly low price.


We also added a ribbed seat cover from MotoSeat (every bit of grip on a 450 is much appreciated), which we ordered in a custom color combo to match the look of our bike.



Being that the Honda comes stock with 7/8-inch bars, we needed some oversized mounts to put our larger diameter Pro Taper Fuzion handlebar in. In this case, we used a set of X-Trig PHDS bar mounts, which dampen unwanted vibration. Normally the PHDS mounts will only fit a set of X-Trig triple clamps, but we modified the ridges on the bar mounts and used longer bolts to use them with the stock triple clamps. This isn't recommended by X-Trig, but it can be done if you're looking to use the PHDS mounts on a set of stock clamps. The hardware needed will depend upon the bike, so there isn't a recommended set of bolts and spacers to buy.



To top things off, we used a full plastic kit from Cycra racing. Cycra produces quite a bit of performance-based plastic that they develop with the Factory Honda team. In this case, we had powerflow fenders front-and-rear, their newest stadium plate, one-piece sideplates, and radiator shrouds with extenders. Last up was the custom graphics that D'Cor designed for our exact needs, including templates to better suit the Cycra plastic.




2015 Honda CRF450R Project Bike Features:

Yoshimura: ST-R camshaft ($549.00), RS-9 full carbon fiber/titanium exhaust system ($1495.00), axle blocks ($52.95), rear brake clevis ($44.95), filler plug/inspection plug/engine plug ($24.95) each, steering stem ($30.95).
Yoshimura-RD.com / 909-628-4722


Race Tech: G2-R Gold Valve combo kit ($309.99), front fork labor ($100.00), 19mm shock shaft assembly ($999.99), G3-LD shock Gold Valve kit ($169.99), rear shock labor ($100.00), rear shock spring ($114.99).
RaceTech.com / 951-279-6655


GET: GP1 EVO System ($999.99).
GETdata.it / 855-741-2121


Rekluse: Complete Torq Drive clutch kit ($899.99).
Rekluse.com / 866-735-5873


MotoStuff: 280mm Blade Oversized Oversized Front Kit ($318.00).
MotoStuff.com / 503-830-6433


D'Cor: Custom graphics kit.
DCorVisuals.com / 855-359-3286


Cycra: Complete powerflow body kit ($199.95), full armor skiplate ($98.95).
CycraRacing.com / 603-298-6646


Works Connection: Elite clutch perch ($155.85), factory edition radiator braces ($129.95), pro launch device ($109.95), forged brake lever ($37.95), Factory 4 stand ($119.95). 
WorksConnection.com / 530-642-9488


REC MX: Billet oil filter cover ($54.95).
RECMX.com 


Bridgestone: Battlecross X30 80/100-21 front tire, Battlecross X30 120/80-19 rear tire.
Bridgestone.com


VP Racing: 5 gallons U4.4 fuel.
VPRacingFuels.com / 210-635-7744


No Toil: Super Flo kit ($49.95).
NoToil.com 877-668-6451


X-Trig: PHDS Bar Mounts ($189.95).
TechnicalTouchUSA.com / 909-949-4155


Pro Taper: Fuzion handlebar ($129.99), half-waffle grips ($12.99), 13T front sprocket ($25.99), 49T rear sprocket ($64.95), PT520MX chain ($84.95).
ProTaper.com / 951-736-5369


MotoSeat: Custom ribbed seat cover ($64.95).
MotoSeat.com / 951-677-8325

Credit: Joe Carlino
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