P64
2021 450 MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT
SHOOTOUT
clutch provided a smooth pull
that tamed the power without
fading throughout a moto.
So where does it fall short?
The most noticeable fault lies
within the ECU. A small yet
unmistakable hiccup in the low
rpm flustered many of our rid-
ers as they applied the throttle
through the midpoint and
exit of corners. The feeling is
similar to riding with a clogged
carburetor jet. It tends to skip
and cut out in an unpredict-
able manner that didn't inspire
confidence like the rest of the
bikes. In a world of electronics
that require the Geek Squad
support team, an issue like
this can make or break your
shootout results.
Second is the suspension.
With just two days of test-
ing, nearly all of our riders
struggled to find that perfect
setting. We liked the overall
improvements to the chas-
sis balance as it did not pitch
back and forth, which was
commonplace for the previous
generations. What we wrestled
with was the feeling of the sus-
penders being either too stiff
or too soft. The bike tends to
ride in a harsh mid-stroke area.
If the bike was supple enough
to absorb chop, then it would
be too soft on jump land-
ings. But when we stiffened
it, the bike would deflect or
kick through braking bumps.
Lowering the forks and in-
creasing compression helped,
but valving and springs would
need to be addressed to make
this bike perform as well as the
YZ and KX.
With some of the other
bikes we could jump on and
go, some without even touch-
ing the clickers. For the Honda
we would simply need more
time with the bike to dial it in
perfectly.
We're not knocking the
CRF, in fact we're impressed
with the forward strides that
Honda has made with the
latest rendition of their 450.
We're hopeful that with a few
minor updates in the elec-
tronic and suspension depart-
ments, the CRF450R will be a
true title contender in '22.
The Honda has tons of
potential after some
fine tuning, both to the
engine and chassis.
