Brakes are great as always, and we suppose the new fancy front brake lever is responsible since it directly engages the braking business. But we've never had an issue with Honda brakes, so now we just sort of look at the lever as a hassle to replace since it is now a specialized piece for the '07.
The remnants of '06 are all over this bike, with identical frame dimensions and rear suspension geometry. With that, some cockpit issues are arising from our bigger riders and those of us who have grown accustomed to bikes with more open riding positions. Depending on what you're used to or your size and riding style, you may find the CRF to be cramped. Off of more roomy machines, the CRF's pegs can seem high and its handlebar low. The Renthal standard bar is actually starting to become dated and almost subpar, as most factories are now supplying oversize bars as part of their stock packages. Some of us at DR are even saying the styling is the biggest drawback to the bike, though the performance aspect of the plastic/seat/sidepanel/gas tank is nearing perfection. In years past, Honda CRs got a style redo every two years, so isn't the CRF a little overdue?
Even though we've only had the '07 CRF450R for a few weeks, we're already very impressed with its performance. With minuscule changes to a hugely successful '06 model, Honda has essentially taken all the engine and suspension quirks out of its big-bore package and left us at the track riding laps with dirt-eating grins. We're actually quite surprised the company did so much by changing so little, and we can imagine a shootout where the new red bike replaces the old at the top of the podium.
Can you wait to see all the other brands? We didn't think so. Stay tuned for more new-bike goodness.
Specifications
MSRP: $6999
Claimed dry weight: 217.6 lb
Actual weight (ready to race, no gas): 228 lb
Seat height: 37.5 in.
Seat-to-peg distance: 2O.7 in.
What's Hot
Motor improvements boost low-end and deliver a controlled power pull.
Throttle response nearly instant for that factory-tuned feel.
Suspension upgrades and mass-centralization continues to improve the ride.
What's Not
Gimme oversize bars already.
My nephew made better-looking graphics with his crayons.
Opinions
Even though the CRF450 has been my favorite big-bore the since it was introduced, beginning in 2004 the character of the engine has been going away from one that I preferred. The CRF450R has been getting snappier, quicker and harder hitting. I was really surprised, as the first thing I noticed on the '07 bike was the smooth and ridable, dare I say mellow, bottom-end delivery. It is as strong as before in the mid, and I'll bet it has more on top, too. It had me riding a gear high in almost all the turns and going faster. And the new suspension setup complemented this by giving an all-round better ride, especially, I thought, in the rear, which is basically unchanged from last year. Maybe moving that muffler that bit forward really does something. I felt the bike was plusher and had better bottoming resistance-all around more progressive, especially in the back. I never felt the need to do anything more than set the ride height. The worked-on front mirrored the rear with a noticeably better bottoming resistance compared with the '06 bike we rode back-to-back. Honda made all the right steps to keep me really happy, and I wonder if the other brands have something more up their sleeves?
Jimmy Lewis
5'10"/180 lb/Vet Pro
I have always been impressed with the Honda CRF450R on the track. It may no longer have the class cornered, but it has a truly polished and unified feel other brands miss. For '07, the lion's share of the bike feels pretty much like an '06. That isn't bad, though. That means the comfort factor is all but perfect, the feel is light and the suspension has great control. The difference is in the engine. The '06 hit so hard it tired me out. The '07 is smoother with more urge at truly low rpm. I can ride this bike longer and enjoy it more.
Karel Kramer
6'1"/210 lb/Senior Intermediate motocrosser