The chassis size and suspension were set up with bigger riders in mind, so it is a bit stiffer than the CR85. Setup between the regular-sized bike and the larger-wheeled Expert differs in the seat height, the slightly longer swingarm and the spring rates and setup of the suspension. Once rolling, the biggest difference is the larger-wheeled bike turns and steers better for a larger rider. Similar in character in every other way, the bikes seem set up for the 110- to 140-pound range, easily handling the bigger guys when needed. Some of the components have been beefed up in anticipation for the larger riders, specifically the wheel axle diameters going up 2mm front and rear compared with the 85cc to handle the expected pounding. The suspension does a good job of being plush and progressive and bottoms controllably; we hucked some pretty big jumps just to be sure. The action overall is good, but picky grown-up riders were able to feel some of the inconsistencies in damping in the fork. It isn't a high-tech sealed chamber system as on the big bikes. Small fry kids will get bounced around a little bit (especially on the big wheel), but the really quick youngsters will be able to ride the bike faster and harder in stock form than any of the two-stroke minis.
We already mentioned that cost was the reason for the steel frame, but after spending a day flogging this bike to no end, we find it hard to say that the beer-can material (yeah, at this level I should have said soda can) would have provided better handling. In fact, it may have made the suspension setting and performance come under heavier scrutiny, causing needs for upgrades (and price increases) there as well.
For sure, the bike feels a little heavier, especially to a smaller rider, but the longer power seemed to overshadow the weight in no time. Kickstarting the 150 is a little more of a drill for a kid, but they'd better learn sometime-or will those lucky little brats have e-start MX bikes by the time they grow facial hair? And we all know about the noise. Stock, these machines test at 95-96 decibels, but you know they'll be ridden close to houses and in backyards, so we hope someone comes out with quieter mufflers for those situations. If I were 11 again, I would ride this thing in my own backyard till I dug handlebar-deep ruts into the grass.
Honda jumped the gun, got into the game in the lead and-we think-started something that will open up a whole new chapter in minibikes. We know other manufacturers have bikes waiting and ready, possibly holding off to see where the benchmark will be written. With everything but the final retail price set on this bike, we believe it's going to be a real hot seller; Honda did this one just right (even the so-called cost-cutting measures). We can't wait to go and have a lot of fun on these things as soon as this embargo is up, which since you're reading this, means right now! They will be in dealers very shortly. Truthfully, the CRF150R is the four-stroke minibike I've been trying to build for the last 20 years.