ADB MX Editor, Lee Hogan rides the all-new Honda CRF450R to find out if the most anticipated dirtbike of 2017 lives up to the hype.
The all new for 2017 Honda CRF450R is completely redesigned from the ground up. It’s THE BIKE everyone has been waiting for this year and has created more interest amongst dirt bike punters than we have seen in a long time.
Developed from the CRF450RW race bikes used by Honda’s factory-backed team in the All-Japan Motocross Championship, the 2017 CRF450R is so much changed from the 2016 model.
I was itching to ride the ’17 CRF450R, because like everyone, I wanted to know if the hype was real. After my first few laps on the ripping red rocket, I had a truck load of things going through my mind. It was almost information overload and it wasn’t until the end of the day that I could detail the five aspects of the bike that made the biggest impression on me.
Torque: The sheer abundance of torque this motor delivers really struck me. I found myself in fourth gear through a large proportion of the turns and barely had to touch the clutch. This motor is a smooth monster right off the bottom, which flows nicely into a very strong mid range. This motor allows you to be lazy and hold a gear for way too long, however you will get a much better slingshot effect by tractoring it around the track.
2017 CRF450R gets a whole new look!
Fork me: The valving spec on this production fork was superb for me straight out of the crate. I started at 12 clicks out on compression and within a couple of hours I had wound my clickers into 6 out. Even with my 85kg frame (not including gear) these forks would hold up exceptionally well on the big hits. However they really shine in the small chattery bumps. The plushness in the initial part of the stroke and the lack of stiction means that your ride up front will be smoother than most.
Turn it up: This bike is most at home when it’s changing direction. I found myself able to do high speed flat turns at a rate and ease that I haven’t been able to do in a very long time. But in truth, it really doesn’t matter if it’s flat turns or scrubbing your favourite jump, the CRF enjoys being turned. I believe it’s a combination of the altered chassis and how it carries its weight so low that contributes to this.
Look at me: No matter who you are, you can’t deny the slick look of this machine. From the moment I wheeled the bike off the trailer there was an abundance of people swarming around and wanting to either look at it, sit on it or have a picture taken with it.
Clutch it: I was super impressed with the standard ’17 clutch and how it dealt with whatever I dished out: a big improvement. Once I had spent a bit of time on the bike and really tried to put it through its paces over a solid 15 minute moto, I found myself getting slack and slightly abusing the clutch while exiting some corners. Rather than run one gear lower, I kept it in the higher gear and monstered the clutch, just to give myself a good gauge on how strong the new clutch was.
THE FINAL VERDICT
The 2017 Honda CRF450R handles like a dream, turns on a dime and goes like the clappers. The A-Kit forks, potent power plant and superb chassis will keep Honda dealers around the country busy placing orders for the majority of 2017, while keeping Honda fans and a large proportion of others lining up to get their hands on one of these beasts.
Could we see a red machine back on top come shootout time? Watch this space!
2017 CRF450R
2017 Honda CRF450R
ENGINE
TYPE Unicam, four-valve single cylinder four-stroke
DISPLACEMENT 449.7cc
BORE x STROKE 96 x 62.1mm
COOLING Liquid
COMPRESSION RATIO 13.5:1
FUELLING Keihin 46mm EFI
TANK CAPACITY 6.3L
TRANSMISSION Five-speed
CLUTCH Wet multi-plate
DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE 1482mm
SEAT HEIGHT 960mm
GROUND CLEARANCE 328mm
WEIGHT (DRY, CLAIMED) 105.9kg
SUSPENSION
FRONT Showa 49mm coil spring, 305mm
REAR Showa Pro-Link, 314mm
BRAKES
FRONT Nissin, 260mm wave disc
REAR Nissin, 240mm wave disc
RUNNING GEAR
HANDLEBAR Renthal
FRONT TYRE Dunlop Geomax MX3S
REAR TYRE Dunlop Geomax MX3S
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP $12,198 (Rideaway)
WEB hondamotorcycles.com.au
PHONE 1300 559 846
WARANTY None
See the full review in ADB issue #449