VOL. 55 ISSUE 44 NOVEMBER 6, 2018 P89
The CRF450L
gives us another
great option to
get out and enjoy
days on the dirt
like these.
(Above) Finally one of the
Japanese manufactures listened
and gave us a true dirt bike
with a license plate. Hope the
others follow. (Right) Those
engine covers act as both
sound-deadening devices and
protection. We're in no hurry to
remove them.
tires. These offer a lot more dirt
traction without sacrificing much
on the pavement.
CRF450L
COMFORT
The 450L comfort is right in the
middle of it all. Not as sharp as
race-bred models and not as
soft as street-focused machines.
Overall, it vibrates less than its
dirt bike competition, but it's not
as smooth as the real mellow dual
sports. It still has the seat shape
of a race bike even though the
foam is thicker. Its ergonomics
are a bit polarizing. For most rid-
ers the bike is most comfortable
to ride when sitting. So, it fits with
the old-school dual-sport world
here. But the frame is race-like
and the bike likes to steer with
the rear tire, so it's not a commut-
er, either. Its handlebar bend is
built to make room for the switch-
gear controlling the turn signals,
horn and headlight and, while it's
plenty tall to stand up with, it just
sort of falls back in your lap when
you're on your feet.
CRF450L
DURABILITY
On the quality side of the coin,
we're doubtful Honda will suffer
with the CRF450L, especially
when it comes to the external
structure of the machine. The
street-legal running gear is top-
notch and far from the disposable
units currently featured in the
dirtier-side of dual-sport. The LED
front headlight is actually very
usable at night and provides good
visibility on roads and trails when
the sun gets low. The turn signals
are miles above the rest with good
looks and permanence. We see
these as nearly indestructible—at
least compared to the rest of the
fragmented ones we're surround-
ed by from Europe.
The rear section is also not
likely to fail. The full-length metal
rear subframe extending inside the
rear fender provides a stable base
for luggage or accessories as well
as an ultimately secure place to
bolt the license plate hanger to.