Honda CRF450R

firebladetoronto · 12-10-2003, 3:34 AM

I know I asked about different dirt bikes before...but now that I went to the bike show and looked at some of the bikes...I was thinking of the CRF450R as a first dirt bike for me. I am nuts? Is that too much bike for me? I am a big guy, so I would need some power to get around, plus I don't want to out grow it too fast. My wife sat on the CRF125 and likes that one for her. I mean, besides the CRF450, what else can I choose from?

2OHOH2 · 12-10-2003, 11:19 AM

I have very limited dirt bike experience. Having said that... yes the 450 is far too much bike for a newbie, regardless of size. Even though you have lots of experience with throttle control, and riding in general, I think most would agree that street vs. dirt are two different animals. Power-wise, I regularly see 250+ pound guys hauling ass on XR50s (2.3hp!), so power in a dirt bike isn't an issue, at least not at first. You know how important good gear is on a street bike... well, it's even more important on a dirt bike because you WILL eat dirt on a regular basis.

Heavy-Dee · 12-10-2003, 11:25 AM

How much is a 125 going for? New and used?

BDA116 · 12-10-2003, 11:38 AM

I guess the real question would be what exactly do you want from your dirtbike?
Do you want a Supercross/Motocross bike? Do you want an overall trail/desert/even dual sport bike?
The CRF bikes are designed for racing. They are excellent for that purpose. Yes, you can trail ride with a CRF, you can SuperMotard one, etc. But their designed purpose is jumping and MX racing. The XR bikes are your all around bikes. They can jump too, but their designed purpose is the all around stuff. The XR400 is an excellent choice for trails, desert, and all around playing. There are kits for making it street legal, too. The XR650 comes off the floor ready to ride either street or dirt. It's not as good for all around fun as the XR400, but it is big and fast, so open fields and deserts are fun with it.
There really are a lot of choices. First decide what you want the main focus of your dirt bike to be, then it will be easier to help you out from there. Remember they can all do everything, but each has it's designed purpose that it is best for.

luvtolean · 12-10-2003, 11:41 AM

IMO, way too much bike for a dirt newbie. (my CR 250 will catch me out and I've been on dirt for a long time) Something like a XR400 would be an excellent choice, it will have plenty of torque to motor up anything, and they last forever.

sportbiker929 · 12-10-2003, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

IMO, way too much bike for a dirt newbie. (my CR 250 will catch me out and I've been on dirt for a long time) Something like a XR400 would be an excellent choice, it will have plenty of torque to motor up anything, and they last forever.

Like LTL said, the XR400 is a great starter bike. You will have loads of fun. The CRF would scare the livin' shiznit out of you.
Mitch

smkeatr · 12-10-2003, 5:52 PM

They race the 450 4 strokes with the 250 2 strokes. I rode my buds CRF450R last week and it wasn't exactly as fast as my CR 250. The throttle on the 4 stroke was smooth like a street bike unlike the eratic neck snapping jerk of a 2 stroke. IMHO, a 4 stroke has a more usable, safer powerband that won't catch you off guard as quickly. Loads of power, just a different power delivery. A ton of power for a newb but what the hell? My buds 125 threw me just as quickly. Think of it like a liter bike, you'll most likely never need all that power but it's nice to play with once in a while.

rocket · 12-10-2003, 7:12 PM

If you want to do jumps the CRF/CRs will be much better. The suspensions are much more suited to MX style riding then the venerable XR250/400.

firebladetoronto · 12-10-2003, 8:36 PM

Now, we are talking about the CRF450 (4 stroke), not a 2 stroke? The dealer guy said it would be fine for a new rider? I basically want to do trails, but would like to have the option to do a supermotard with it also some time. I would not mind learning to do some jumps also. You guys say I should take the XR400, but the only difference between the two is one is sportier than the other....they are both 4 stroke dirt bikes, one obviously 50 cc bigger??? Or am I smoking something?

firebladetoronto · 12-10-2003, 8:42 PM

Does this look sweet or what!!!

http://powersports.honda.com/images/...R_large_02.jpg

firebladetoronto · 12-10-2003, 8:50 PM

Ok, what about this one...the CRF250X??

http://powersports.honda.com/images/...X_large_02.jpg

MacMan · 12-10-2003, 9:06 PM

That looks sweet alright! I for one say that you should buy the 450. One thing you don't want to do is under buy as we all know these things are not cheap. What did they say the 450 would set you back. About 6 g's? I've ridden it both on the trails and the track. It does both well other then I thought that it was geared a bit tall in real tight spots on the trails. It comes down to throttle control and I'm sure you are not lacking in that dept. When it comes to supermotard, its the bike to have from what I see. Oh, and as far as the 400 to the 450....not even close. 2 different animals

MacMan · 12-10-2003, 9:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebladetoronto

Ok, what about this one...the CRF250X??

http://powersports.honda.com/images/...X_large_02.jpg

Oh sure.....you had to add that one into the mix

G-Force Junkie · 12-10-2003, 9:22 PM

If you ever planning on motarding it, defintaly get the 450, it is very much more suited for that, better suspension, alot lighter, more powerfull, etc. The crf450 is a motorcross bike, its built for big air, light weight, and less on creature comforts cause its got a narrow ass seat, small fuel tank, high strung engine need rebuilds like every 50 or 100 hours. THe XR400 is older school, air cooled, trail/desert bike. Much heavier, lesser suspension, more mellow motor. But a bigger tank, more comfy seat, lower seat height, will run forever if youchange the oil regulary, etc. Think of sorta like the difference between a GSXR1000 and a Sv650.

smkeatr · 12-10-2003, 9:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebladetoronto

Now, we are talking about the CRF450 (4 stroke), not a 2 stroke? The dealer guy said it would be fine for a new rider? I basically want to do trails, but would like to have the option to do a supermotard with it also some time. I would not mind learning to do some jumps also. You guys say I should take the XR400, but the only difference between the two is one is sportier than the other....they are both 4 stroke dirt bikes, one obviously 50 cc bigger??? Or am I smoking something?

My 2 stroke info was to compare actual power is all. The 450 4 stroke isn't as much power as it sounds. It's not like it's a rabid animal but it does have tons of power. If you are planning on a motard set up, it would be great. Or even think about an XR650.

Mattress · 12-10-2003, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smkeatr

They race the 450 4 strokes with the 250 2 strokes. I rode my buds CRF450R last week and it wasn't exactly as fast as my CR 250

The twisty thing on the end of the right handlebar....turn it.
The 450 IS faster than 250's, I took my 450 to Glamis and drag raced about 30 other 250's during my stay, not one beat it, averaged about 3 bike lengths on them at the top.

smkeatr · 12-10-2003, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattress

The twisty thing on the end of the right handlebar....turn it.
The 450 IS faster than 250's, I took my 450 to Glamis and drag raced about 30 other 250's during my stay, not one beat it, averaged about 3 bike lengths on them at the top.

Seat of the pants with the flat powerband it didn't feel as fast to me. Then again, the way my 250 is set up, I've yet to ride another 250 that feels nearly as fast. Drag raced several other 250's, CR's and YZ's and nobody could touch me even though I'm about 40 lbs heavier than any of them. I bought a lucky used one I guess. It's just a toy to me, a dangerous one at that. My bud's are going broke modding theirs to catch up.

Mattress · 12-10-2003, 10:53 PM

Hmm, I ride 250's occasionally and they feel like 125's compared to the 450, hell, my CR500 feels tame torque-wise compared to it.

sportbiker929 · 12-10-2003, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattress

Hmm, I ride 250's occasionally and they feel like 125's compared to the 450, hell, my CR500 feels tame torque-wise compared to it.

I agree with Matt, a CRF smokes all else! It IS NOT a beginner bike by any means. I don't know of any 250 two smokes that will wheelie in 5th gear with no clutch at all. Amazing.

Mattress · 12-10-2003, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportbiker929

I agree with Matt, a CRF smokes all else! It IS NOT a beginner bike by any means. I don't know of any 250 two smokes that will wheelie in 5th gear with no clutch at all. Amazing.

In a sand wash with a worn out tire at that

sportbiker929 · 12-10-2003, 11:03 PM

YEAH!

thebackdraft · 12-10-2003, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebladetoronto

Ok, what about this one...the CRF250X??

http://powersports.honda.com/images/...X_large_02.jpg

Now that's what I'm talking about. All I really want/need in a dirt bike playtoy.

Don't get me wrong the CRF450 would be sweet. But do you need that size bike for trails or mxing? In my experience not really, kinda overkill.

Mattress · 12-10-2003, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebackdraft

Now that's what I'm talking about. All I really want/need in a dirt bike playtoy.

Don't get me wrong the CRF450 would be sweet. But do you need that size bike for trails or mxing? In my experience not really, kinda overkill.

Got to see the CRF250 in action in the desert last Saturday, that is one fast bike

smkeatr · 12-10-2003, 11:27 PM

Maybe my bud's 450 is a P.O.S. then. Don't get me wrong, it hauled butt, just didn't feel like it'd leave mine in the dust by any means. I did enjoy the throttle response in the tight stuff on the 4 stroke though. Much more control and confidence inspiring. If I could've found a 4 stroke cheap, I'd have bought one.

thebackdraft · 12-11-2003, 1:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattress

Got to see the CRF250 in action in the desert last Saturday, that is one fast bike

Yeah they are. Very nice little machines.

johnnycrash · 12-11-2003, 12:48 PM

As far as 2 stroke 250's running with the new big bore 4 strokes - you gotta be kiddin'! I have raced for years and am a good rider, but never got a holeshot due to my 240+lb body weight. Once I got my 520 I got many holeshots - three last year. And ... the only bikes anywhere near me at the end of the first straight were either YZ426's or CRF450's.

My bike is faster than a CRF which is faster than any two stroke 250.

That said, there is more to a holeshot than just having the most power.

luvtolean · 12-11-2003, 1:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebladetoronto

Now, we are talking about the CRF450 (4 stroke), not a 2 stroke? The dealer guy said it would be fine for a new rider? I basically want to do trails, but would like to have the option to do a supermotard with it also some time. I would not mind learning to do some jumps also. You guys say I should take the XR400, but the only difference between the two is one is sportier than the other....they are both 4 stroke dirt bikes, one obviously 50 cc bigger??? Or am I smoking something?

That would be like comparing a small displacement Formula 1 engine to the one in your Honda Civic or something. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but the 450 is a RACE Bike, and a MX race bike at that. High maintanance, high power. You can do plenty of "learning" to jump on an XR400. Until your rear tire is over 6' high, most any modern dirtbike is going to be fine.

If you want to go motard, a 450 or 650 will be great, but those are going to be too much on the dirt. You'd be able to ride them, but I don't think it will be as fun for you. You also need to be in good dirt biking shape to ride one of those monsters. If you buy a used XR400 and resell it in a year, you probably will hardly lose any money.