2019 HONDA CRF450RWE
FULL TEST
P68
for the standard setting only when things
were muddy and traction was nowhere
to be found. Swapping mapping settings
can be done on the fly, so to speak,
but you have to slow down and get the
engine to idle before it will take your
command. Not perfect, but far better
than having to ride back to the pits. (You
can switch between two map settings
without slowing down on the KTM and
Husqvarna 450 motocrossers.)
The clutch, which has been a weak
link with the CRF450R in past years,
seems to hold up better now that it is
bathing in more oil, but dang, we wish
the WE had a hydraulic clutch like Roc-
zen's actual race bike. That would've re-
ally separated it from the R, but probably
even more so with the price, too. The
WE's clutch is still a little on the stiff side
and doesn't have the best feel.
Our pro test rider felt the suspen-
sion is significantly better than the R's,
despite having identical internals, which
includes clicker settings, spring rates
and valving, only the Kashima coatings
and titanium nitride set them apart. He
said that when he races in a national,
suspension is the most crucial part
when it comes to bike setup, meaning
having to be revalved and tuned by an
aftermarket suspension specialist. He
said, however, he wouldn't be opposed
to racing a national with the WE's stock
suspension, but would have to go to
softer springs, at least on the fork. At
150 pounds, he's a little lighter than your
typical 450 rider. (The springs, however,
felt just fine for our 190-pound tester.)
Even with his light weight, our pro
tester still used the word "plush" when
describing what it was like hitting "the
hard stuff at speed." Adding, "It just
soaks it up real nice and is super stable
over the high-speed chatter, and coming
into turns on the downhills."
He also praised the WE's stronger
brakes, more specifically the front
brake, and the much-improved handle-
bars and adjustability that make big
differences all for the better.
Some of the
highlights over
the standard
CRF450R are the
WE's upgraded
suspension,
ported head and
tougher rims.
