2015 Honda Crf450r
2015 HONDA CRF450R
New suspension and added power make the big Honda more formidable
Michael Allen
during quality, sophistication, the bikes past have decade. made and And huge performance while strides Honda in once dominated the 450CC class, it’s been several seasons since the CRF450R was the definitive state of the art.
This year’s revamp features a new cylinder head, revised ignition timing, and largerdiameter exhaust, plus Honda’s Engine Mode Select button, a larger front brake, and a new KYB pneumatic-spring fork, all of which is meant to get Big Red back on top of the dirt heap.
Power is definitely up over last year’s CRF, and the new Engine Mode Select button works like a charm. In Mode 1, standard mapping, smooth, strong power is available across the rev range. Mode 2 is softer, and off-idle snap is decreased. Mode 3, the most aggressive, is characterized by a very strong bottom-end pull that lasts all the way to the rev limiter.
The fork has adjustable lowand high-speed
damping in compression and rebound. Both legs hold air, and it’s considered a separatefunction fork because the compression damping is controlled in one leg and rebound damping in the other. All clickers are on the top caps of the fork legs, making it super easy to adjust damping. Fork performance is a big improvement over last year’s unit, feeling plush through the whole stroke.
In back, the KYB shock also feels good, aided by adjusters for highand low-speed compression damping, as well as rebound.
With sag set at 105mm, the new CRF450R felt well balanced and planted, able to keep going straight over choppy bumps. And although the suspension action was good, the 450 does have some front-end twitchiness entering fast corners. A few clicks stiffer on the steering damper helped a bit.
Like other Hondas, the 2015 CRF450R is immediately comfortable to ride, and its latest improvements have moved it much closer to the top of the class. E1U
SPECS
2015 HONDA CRF450R
PRICE: $8699 ENGINE:
liquid-cooled SOHC single, four valves DISPLACEMENT: 449cc SEAT HEIGHT: 37.5 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 1.7 gal. CLAIMED WEIGHT: 243 lb.
