The 2009 Dirt Rider 450 motocross bike shootout will go down as the most anticipated, most competitive and-for test riders and journalists-the most frustrating shootout in the history of shootouts. With two revolutionary, all-new models, two smartly revised performers and one unchanged 2008 1/2 race machine, we were chomping at the bit to get this thing going. Once we started, however, it became clear our work was cut out for us.
While the conception of Motocross Shootouts is to find the bike rising head and shoulders above the rest, the reality is quite different, especially in 2009. These comparisons are more about getting on the best everyone has to offer so you can tell what the differences are. If you only ride brand X, then brand X is going to be the best. If you get on X, Y and Z, then you'll really know what X is made of.
The following comparison shows exactly what ticks inside the 450 class of motocross bikes. We picked a winner in the end, but we strongly suggest finding yourself inside this test and picking your own shootout champ.
How We Tested
We always dip in our testing pool for the best guys. We have national pros, vet novices and Senior Pro pilots all with experience you wouldn't believe. We had shootout comparisons specifically at two tracks including a dedicated photo day at another. Racetown 395, a fast track in the high desert with big jumps and great dirt, got the first call. Up next was Piru MX, a tight, hard-packed track on a hillside and our photo day was at Milestone MX, an intermediate track ripped deep to develop ruts and sweet berms suitable for photo explosions. We also leaned on our impressions from the bikes' intro days, and the days and tracks between them and the shootout. The bikes ran new stock tires up through day one, and then we called Doug Shopinsky from Bridgestone to supply fresh 403/404 combos onto all the bikes for the additional days. Add in the Factory Effex preprinted number plate backgrounds and a few Dirt Rider and Texaco logos and we're good to go. Each bike began our test with approximately 15-20 hours of runtime save for the Suzuki, which showed up nearly late for the party with just 2 hours of break-in time on it.
Honda CRF450R
The 2009 Honda CRF450R is the most anticipated bike to hit motocross in...well, maybe ever. More so than the Kawasaki and Suzuki fuel-injected bikes, the Honda will surely be the marquee model depicting technological advancement and modern marvel. Hondas just sort of do that. With that said, it should be the clear-cut winner for 2009, right? As a bike with the most pressure to perform, the Honda will surely be held to the highest standard. Will it live up to expectations? That depends on your expectations.
Engine
* Easily the most manageable FI motor in the class. The Honda power comes on strong, controlled and without snap or a violent hit.
* There is power on demand and the Honda CRF450R is easily the most efficient bike in any given situation on motor alone. But it doesn't feel the fastest.
* Its final-drive ratio and plentiful power have it killing top-speed numbers, and its strong bottom-end will get great starts.
* Torque generation is redefined with the new CRF450R as its power continues to churn up traction whereas every other bike begs to be shifted or starts to spin out.
* It falls second only to the potent Kawasaki KX450F in the midrange but is a power leader everywhere else in the field, even though it doesn't really feel like it.
* The CRF450R has rekindled the starting procedure. If you take your time, get the kickstarter up to the top of the stroke and kick fast and smooth, it'll start every time. Don't touch the throttle, don't pussyfoot it, don't short kick it. Can you remember that in the heat of battle?
* It stalls easier than past CRFs.