I've a 2007 CRF450X. Ditch the Honda drain pipe and fit a Danmoto or Yoshi or FMF back pipe & box (You'll save 3lb in weight). Ditch the standard air filter and put a K+N type one in (I've got a DNA fitted), Open up the airbox and jet it with a #180 main and a #55 pilot jet. Get the accelerator pump set so it squirts and misses the back of the slide when you blip the throttle, and finally calibrate the TPS sensor on the carb and then hard wire in to the loom with a 10" 3 core cable (this stops fluctuations in resistance readings sent by the TPS sensor to the ignition box due to vibration) and finally mix 10% xylene into your fuel. You're 450X will then breath really well, pull like a train in any gear from around 1500rpm and not bog down when you open the throttle. You can approach obstacles one or even two gears too high and it will pull you through without stalling (this is because the xylene ups the octane of the fuel - it does the same as all the expensive 'octane boosters' you can buy at less than half the cost - Happy Riding!!
I have one of these. I use it for hare scramble racing. I am a novice rider and ride just for fun. Took off the emissions control and put in a plug kit. That made a huge difference. Before that it would not idle very long before dieing. Also installed an fmf power up kit (new jets and needle) and that seemed to help the power as well. Fmf q4 which I think helped the bottom some. I love the bike the more I run it the better it runs. However I do not get to run it much. It has the original clutch LOL so you can see how much I ride. The Clutch does need to be replace. Probably the worst thing about this bike is the weight. 275LBS and I weigh 300LBS so both of us together is quite a hand full. OH yeah and I put a 55 tooth back sprocket on it, so the gearing is very low but it works. Most guys that I race with have either motocross bikes or KTM's. I can see why this would be a great Baja bike because before I put the bigger back sprocket on , it was very fast. I was killing the engine to much that's why I geared down.
when you will review CRF 250 X ? it seems Honda has changed something not visible (maybe frame quote ?!) in the 2012 MY regarding previous MY, also the suspensions are regulated different
an odd request ,but i have an xr400r vintage 2004 that i purchased as a left over and am now seeking a replacement. any thought on the comparison of the two bikes? if i could justify the expense of a 2015 ktm 450 i would just buy it,but i cant stomach the depriecation in value of new to lightly used...,. thanks
+markmtbrider This is exactly where im at. I love my XR4 and have even had Factory Connection rework the front and rear. But im starting to feel i may have reached the bikes limits. I'm also ready for a easy button for sure!!
I'm looking for a dual purpose bike and this one caught my attention for the power it has compared to how light it is, i'm just no sure how good and practical it is on-road And i can't find a single review about that.
***** yeah ... no, starting at $8300 ? not that i would buy new, but you can get a new Yamaha R3 starting at $5000 (i know different category, still) also it and the Honda look like they are not road legal over here in Europe (none of them have blinkers), i think the closest thing to this is a Suzuki DRZ400E, but i'm more than likely gonna have to settle on a 250
Honda only 2nd to KTM in reliability??? Beg to differ. I've had them all. The 2006 KTM needed it's valves adjusted every 20 hrs.. Horrible. The Honda ate up it's valves and seats in less than 100hrs. This was/is an inherent problem in the CRF/X's. My last WR (Yamaha) went 1000 hrs (as in one thousand) hrs w/ only 1 valve shimming/adjustment! It was unreal. I've owned 4 WR's, the lil' 250 and 450's. Same reliability in them all compared to all my other bikes... And from a guy who raced for Suzuki back in the day...
WHAT??????????????? are u seriously comparing Hondas quality and durability to KTM?????????????? u must be joking....ive owned in 15 years over 30 motorcycles and i am owner of a motorcycle store (off-road only) and have been working on them (2 mechanics) for 15 years now, and i have NEVER seen a brand that goes so wrong all the time like KTM!! not even Huskys are as bad as KTM! (and huskys are baaad! i used to be husky dealer!)...comparing Honda to KTM on reliability is a joke....
i had an 450x but hondas reliability is questionable at best,the yamaha wr is better but marginal.ktm falls somewhere inbetween.id stick with the 2 smokers.and with a new push for a lowercost easier maintenence bike,emisions issues will be tackled and it will become mainstream again
I've a 2007 CRF450X. Ditch the Honda drain pipe and fit a Danmoto or Yoshi or FMF back pipe & box (You'll save 3lb in weight). Ditch the standard air filter and put a K+N type one in (I've got a DNA fitted), Open up the airbox and jet it with a #180 main and a #55 pilot jet. Get the accelerator pump set so it squirts and misses the back of the slide when you blip the throttle, and finally calibrate the TPS sensor on the carb and then hard wire in to the loom with a 10" 3 core cable (this stops fluctuations in resistance readings sent by the TPS sensor to the ignition box due to vibration) and finally mix 10% xylene into your fuel. You're 450X will then breath really well, pull like a train in any gear from around 1500rpm and not bog down when you open the throttle. You can approach obstacles one or even two gears too high and it will pull you through without stalling (this is because the xylene ups the octane of the fuel - it does the same as all the expensive 'octane boosters' you can buy at less than half the cost - Happy Riding!!
Cool
I have one of these. I use it for hare scramble racing. I am a novice rider and ride just for fun. Took off the emissions control and put in a plug kit. That made a huge difference. Before that it would not idle very long before dieing. Also installed an fmf power up kit (new jets and needle) and that seemed to help the power as well. Fmf q4 which I think helped the bottom some. I love the bike the more I run it the better it runs. However I do not get to run it much. It has the original clutch LOL so you can see how much I ride. The Clutch does need to be replace. Probably the worst thing about this bike is the weight. 275LBS and I weigh 300LBS so both of us together is quite a hand full. OH yeah and I put a 55 tooth back sprocket on it, so the gearing is very low but it works. Most guys that I race with have either motocross bikes or KTM's. I can see why this would be a great Baja bike because before I put the bigger back sprocket on , it was very fast. I was killing the engine to much that's why I geared down.
Honda and Yamaha are the best build quality bikes
This was a really helpful review. Thanks!
I've a 2014 crf450x build quality is excellent. Really reliable.cheap to service. And is a great bike to ride.only the brakes are a bit weak.
great review
Dude, Less camera on one self and more on bike action.
Please review the all new 2012 WR450F. I know they are hard to find, but I would really like to see what you think of it.
4:56 to 5:03 is a CRF230F ?????
Great review. That dude is very eloquent.
+BassBreath100, LOL! Yes, he does look like James Lipton. I wonder what his favorite curse word is?
when you will review CRF 250 X ?
it seems Honda has changed something not visible (maybe frame quote ?!) in the 2012 MY regarding previous MY, also the suspensions are regulated different
when are you going to publish the yamaha wrf 450 review?
honda rules i have 05 and going to change to 13 now but all this years with 05 would not change a think
an odd request ,but i have an xr400r vintage 2004 that i purchased as a left over and am now seeking a replacement. any thought on the comparison of the two bikes? if i could justify the expense of a 2015 ktm 450 i would just buy it,but i cant stomach the depriecation in value of new to lightly used...,. thanks
+markmtbrider This is exactly where im at. I love my XR4 and have even had Factory Connection rework the front and rear. But im starting to feel i may have reached the bikes limits. I'm also ready for a easy button for sure!!
Can you guys review the 250x too?
I'm looking for a dual purpose bike and this one caught my attention for the power it has compared to how light it is, i'm just no sure how good and practical it is on-road
And i can't find a single review about that.
google it there are quite a few
takitezy7 i was talking about a video review on youtube
Get a WR450F
***** yeah ... no, starting at $8300 ? not that i would buy new, but you can get a new Yamaha R3 starting at $5000 (i know different category, still) also it and the Honda look like they are not road legal over here in Europe (none of them have blinkers), i think the closest thing to this is a Suzuki DRZ400E, but i'm more than likely gonna have to settle on a 250
I bought my 2012 WR450F used for $4850
I have a 2007 CRF 450X, and its a great bike, a lot of power and torque, but....a little heavy.
Was that a 230 at 4.55???
Yes
100%
Honda only 2nd to KTM in reliability???
Beg to differ.
I've had them all.
The 2006 KTM needed it's valves adjusted every 20 hrs.. Horrible.
The Honda ate up it's valves and seats in less than 100hrs. This was/is an inherent problem in the CRF/X's.
My last WR (Yamaha) went 1000 hrs (as in one thousand) hrs w/ only 1 valve shimming/adjustment!
It was unreal. I've owned 4 WR's, the lil' 250 and 450's. Same reliability in them all compared to all my other bikes...
And from a guy who raced for Suzuki back in the day...
I think it was
whoops ment 4:55
Carb or fuel injected
Carb
lol 2nd only to ktm is true but i only buy honda because parts are cheaper
@megagoose41
actually i wouldn't even put it second
2:55 not a 450x
WHAT??????????????? are u seriously comparing Hondas quality and durability to KTM?????????????? u must be joking....ive owned in 15 years over 30 motorcycles and i am owner of a motorcycle store (off-road only) and have been working on them (2 mechanics) for 15 years now, and i have NEVER seen a brand that goes so wrong all the time like KTM!! not even Huskys are as bad as KTM! (and huskys are baaad! i used to be husky dealer!)...comparing Honda to KTM on reliability is a joke....
agreed, best you could compare it to would be yamaha's
i had an 450x but hondas reliability is questionable at best,the yamaha wr is better but marginal.ktm falls somewhere inbetween.id stick with the 2 smokers.and with a new push for a lowercost easier maintenence bike,emisions issues will be tackled and it will become mainstream again
Film.the damn bike please no you omg
not this joker again
the honda is always going to be second to ktm...