For many riders the joy of...
For many riders the joy of riding a Honda is experiencing the excellent riding position and control feel of the bike. This Honda, like so many others, excels at interfacing with humans.
MSRP: $7499.00
Claimed Weight (tank full): 269 lb.
Actual Weight (tank full): 273 lb.
Seat Height: 37.6 inches
Footpeg Height: 15.7
Ground Clearance: 13.5
Street Legal (y/n): N
Fuel capacity: 1.9 gal.
Transmission: 5-speed
Manufacturer Website: www.honda.com
Opinions
The motor on things rips down low and through the midrange. It felt a little choked up on top, though. Maybe an exhaust upgrade would help. The whole bike felt like a motocross bike, which I like and am more accustomed to. It did seem heavier than some of the other bikes, but that was only in the really slow going. Suspension was very plush and predictable with a nice balanced feel. The clutch had a weird engagement point and was a little abrupt when trying to be smooth in the technical areas. I really didn't like it. Update the odometer for heaven's sake. That thing was on an 88 XR600.Steve Edwards 5'10"/190 lb./Vet Intermediate but I might have to drop down to beginner after that last canyon.
I marked down bullet points for the Honda:
Pluses
- Great balance
- Smooth usable power
- Felt comfortable on this bike with no major problems
Minuses
- Motor felt a little sluggish on bottom
Chris Barrett: 6'1"/185 lb./Pro
Once you get past that sluggish initial response, the motor has that broad Honda power with plenty of torque, though it is a little sluggish off the bottom. The handling is typical, and it has a heavy steering feeling. It took a lot of effort to turn in the switchback areas. The suspension could have been a little plusher on the initial. The handlebar felt a little too wide for the tight sections.
Ryan Orr: 5'10"/165 lb./Pro
While the Honda is clearly...
While the Honda is clearly not a motocross machine, it sort of feels like one (in the good ways) on the trail. It inspires to place moto tricks on the trail when the opportunity presents.
I rated the Honda a close second to the Husaberg for me. I liked the power the engine produced, and especially the low-end torque. I liked the handling of this bike.
Sean Crowley: 5'10.5"/175 lb./B rider
Comparing a CRF450X to a CRF450R; the R is like a diamond with crisp edges and ultra-hard facets and the X is like a smoothed and polished river rock. Despite being smoothed and polished for day-long comfort and suspended to take the curse from wrists, ankle and spine, the feeling of the X is more moto than any of the bikes. It has a solid mid-range that builds rapidly, yet smoothly, but for me the roll-on traction hook-up isn't as connected and solid as some of the others. The X is zippy, fun and bump-and-jump light and quick feeling. The moto feeling is just a feeling, since there are other bikes here I would ride sooner on the track. I'm disappointed that Honda couldn't get the X feeling this agile with a decent sized tank on it, but this X is the best one ever. Seated riding position is good, but standing a little tight for a tall rider. It is my third choice in this group. Pluses are the comfortable seated riding position, crisp handling and slick looks. The negatives are a firm clutch pull, a sidestand that sticks out like a broken wing and radiators that are easily squished.
Karel Kramer
The Honda felt stable, predictable, and light. CRF450X's have always felt a little porky to me, but I think because of the Adige clutch, this bike was easier and more fun to ride. The riding position was right on, the bike never gave me a scare that I wasn't asking for, and this was the one bike I instantly felt comfortable on.
Pete Peterson 5'10"/160 lb. /Vet Novice/ C rider
Despite being super quiet...
Despite being super quiet and civilized in general, when you hammer the throttle it becomes apparent that there is ample power on tap.
For 2009 Honda changed the...
For 2009 Honda changed the color of the rear fender, but the '08 was a fairly major upgrade. Since the bike hadn't change, we added stuff we knew it needed. A new Acerbis plastic skid plate, Enduro Engineering hand guards protect bike and rider. An Adige clutch (lighter effort and traction control) is teamed with a Hinson steel clutch basket (to aid engagement and add flywheel effect) and a different needle made a big difference in power delivery and clutch performance.