Long-Term Wrap-Up
Honda CRF450X
Long-Term Wrap-Up
NOT JUST FOR THE TRAIL
MAN, TIME GOES BY FAST. IT'S been a year and a half since we added a Honda CRF450X to our long-term test fleet. During that period, the X was entered in two endurance races-12and 24-hours in length-and the inaugural Red Bull Last Man Standing. In addition, the big four-stroke was subjected to numerous laps around local motocross tracks, once even competing in an actual race. Most of the time, though, the X could be found ripping up and down the single-track trails located in the deserts, forests and mountains of Southern California nearby CW's editorial offices.
Versatile? Absolutely. Perfect? Not quite. In last year's Six-Days-style enduro com parison ("Mud. Sweat & Gears," June, 2005), we said the CRF-X needed "a littie less moto to make it more appealing for ev ery off-road need."
We began by addres sing the racy power delivery. Our first step was to "change" the power. While a heavier flywheel would no doubt have done the trick, we had already rewired the adjoining stator to ac commodate a Baja Designs Diablo HID Headlight ($628, www.bajadesignes.com). So, as an alternative, we swapped the camshaft for one from a 2003 CRF45OR ($212). This gave the X a softer, more manageable bottom end to go with the already swift top-end punch.
Next, we added a Rekiuse z-Start au tomatic clutch ($429, wwwrekluse.com). Design-wise, the z-Start is similar to the ,~ Harley-Davidson version evaluated elsewhere in this issue. With the off-road model, however, you never have to touch the clutch lever-it's just gas and go. Power transfer to the rear wheel is as close to seamless as we've experienced, regardless of trail conditions.
I like my CRF45OX. It handles well, but it seriously needs a six speed trans mission. -Ed Mann, Oakhurst, CA
The CRF450X is unbe lievable, the handling putting this bike in a class all its own. The balance is bette than any bik I have ridde -Scott Prisbrey, Cedar City, ÚT
I like my CRF450X. It handles well, but it seriously needs a sixspeed transmission. -Ed Mann, Oakhurst, CA
Power is sufficient to tackle anything you may come across, and delivery is as smooth as silk.-Richard kosar, Milton!, Ohio
When we mentioned that the X is often used for trail rides, we meant rides that last all day, sometimes even two or three days. As such, greater comfort was another goal. Fineline Suspension (www.finelinesuspen sion.com) changed the valving in the fork and shock ($70 front, $70 rear) and replaced the springs ($148 front, $ 111 rear) to soften impacts from rocks and roots and the like without compromising high-speed stability.
Continuing with the improved-comfort theme, we replaced the stock handlebar with a Flexx bar from Fasst Company ($300, www.fasstco.com). Doing so, however, required that we change the bar mounts, as the Flexx bar measures 1V8 inches in diameter compared to the factory-issue 7/8-inch Renthal bar. Billet Racing Products (www.brpit.com) supplies bar-mount kits to tit the stock Honda triple-clamps. We chose the Pro SX Top Clamp ($65), a one-piece, machinedaluminum design intended for use with rubber-mounted bars, and standard-height lower mounts ($40). After changing the bar, we realized our Acerbis Rally 2 handguards no longer fit. BRP also carries a handguard mounting kit ($50) for the Flexx bar, though the kit only works with Cycra Pro Bend handguards ($110, www.cycra. com). Just when we thought we were done shopping, we found BRP’s plastic chain block ($65). This little gem is a musthave for riding in rocks, as the stock aluminum block can bend, possibly derailing the chain. Final touch was a 3.2-gallon IMS gas tank ($225, www.imsproducts.com). Slightly taller and wider than stock, the natural-look plastic tank lets you see the fuel level at a glance and has nearly onethird more capacity. Outfitted as such, our CRF450X was vastly improved. Hey, someone go fill that new gas tank. We need to burn some more miles before Honda asks for its bike back. □
$7199
Quotes from the logbook
When I realized that Dudek was going to keep bogarting the long-term CRF450X, I bought my own so I could have one of these great bikes to ride, too.
RyanDudel^ Maybe I’m getting lazy, but I have become very attached to the CRF-X’s electric start and aftermarket automatic clutch. Thanks to the former, I’ve never even touched the backup kick-starter.
BlakeConnerThe X is the most race-worthy bike in the 45Qcc off-road class. Casual trail riders, however, may find the chassis on the stiff side.
