All of the engines make the same power, but it's how it's served that makes the difference. The 2002 is smooth and torquey, like you think an XR would feel, but it's still way aggressive compared to that. The '05 steps it up, and the '08 blows them both away. It comes down to the throttle on the new bike doing all the work; you twist it and the new bike responds, but the '02 won't get going on its own by comparison.
The '02 CRF feels long, stable and low; you notice it more than the others. When you flick it you feel the bike is heavier. You even get more vibration than the others. You can really feel the steering as it takes a bit more effort. The '05 is also slow-handling compared to the '08, that was the big change. It's light feeling and aggressive. But at the same time you could say it's twitchy when compared to the others, especially the '02.
What it comes down to for me is that it's easy to get used to the '08, but hard to go back when you're used to it. And I think the better a rider you are, the more this holds true.
-Jimmy Lewis/5'10"/185 lb/Vet pro
The 2002 CRF450 had to be the easiest to ride. Thanks to very plush suspension and a smooth powerband, it was easy to get on and start cruising around on the track, but as you begin getting comfortable and going faster, you start to realize where the other 450s have the edge. The frame is much wider than the newer 450s and it gives the bike a heavier feeling. Even though this makes this bike feel very planted, the suspension is much too soft when you get going fast. I'd definitely recommend this bike for a beginner rider.
The 2005 CRF450 had a very stiff front suspension which made cornering a task. When going through ruts the front end just wanted to pop out. On top of having a hard time cornering, the bike would send a harsh hit right through the handlebar to your arms over every bump. But aside from the front suspension, the rear shock was perfect; it couldn't have been set up better. The motor had lots of bottom and mid but didn't seem to pull on the top-end like the '08. With a much skinnier frame than the '02, it was easier to move in the air but still didn't have the same feeling as the '08.
The 2008 CRF450 had an amazing powerband. In any gear you could hit the throttle and it would go. From the very bottom to the top it pulled hard. It handled greatly through ruts and berms but had problems with the suspension being too stiff on acceleration and braking bumps. It did, however, work great for flat landings or casing jumps. The ergonomics of this bike just seemed to fit me perfectly. The frame felt the easiest to maneuver, and the bike itself was definitely my favorite of the three.
-Tyler Ruiz/5'10"/190 lb/Intermediate
An oldie but a goody. I don't think anyone knows how spoiled we are until we jump on a six-year-old bike. Six years old or not, the 2002 ripped, with tons of low-end, and it was easy to roll on the throttle. It's a very plush machine yet a little soft on the big hits and is hard to control on deceleration. The way it reacts to bumps makes it hard to keep the momentum flowing through the turns.
Strong low to midrange pull on this bike means I rarely had to grab the clutch on the 2005. It felt very smooth, the bike was a little rigid on the acceleration bumps and somewhat choppy on the deceleration. I will admit I do like the fork better on the 2005 than the 2008.
I really enjoyed riding the new 450. Its motor has all the low-end snap needed; it's really a torque bike. The bike's overall feel is superb, it's very easy to rip out of the crate and ride. The fork on the 2008 feels like it is up a little high, and I got some deflection on deceleration which makes it hard for me to get the bike to settle into a rut. Once I was in the rut, I felt very cozy and very confident to lean the bike.
All in all, I felt that the 2008 Honda is an unbeatable bike this year. After riding these back-to-back, you can really appreciate what the manufacturer does for us through the years, and it makes you appreciate your new bike even more.
-Nick Foster/6'0"/180 lb/Pro
By The Numbers